Cameroon celebrates on May 20th 2024, the 52nd anniversary of the advent of the Unitary State under the theme: “Army and Nation, together for a united, peaceful and prosperous Cameroon”.

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This edition of the National Day once again offered Cameroonians the opportunity to solemnly express their attachment to the unity, peace and stability of a country firmly committed to the path of emergence.
For more than five years, security threads are perpetrated in the Far North region by Boko Haram terrorist group and in the northwestern and southwestern regions of the country by the English-speaking separatist’s campaign for the creation of an independent state in the North West and South West regions.
Many efforts and energetic measures were deployed by the Head of State, His Excellency PAUL BIYA to consolidate and protect Cameroonians, as security remains a constant concern for the Government. Thanks to the active collaboration of the population with defense and security forces, the situation in the North West, South West and Far North Regions has significantly improved. As a pathway to lasting peace, the Government settled special programs for the reconstruction of the affected regions. Several armed groups laid down their arms and joined the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration centers; which now allow the peaceful implementation of development plans for said regions.
Then it is about highlighting the fruitful synergy between the Defense and Security forces and the population within the framework of the construction of a united, strong and prosperous nation.

In 2023, Cameroon’s growth rate in the non-oil sector was estimated at 3.9%.The Government implemented consumption support measures which helped to control inflation and stabilize it at around 6.7%.
The execution of multiple projects continued or was launched in different areas, in order to meet the aspirations of the populations and improve their well-being. Improving the business climate is, obviously, an essential condition for attracting foreign investment, as well as for creating a vigorous private sector to facilitate the country emergence.
How do we celebrate National Day?
The D day is a public holiday in Cameroon and is widely celebrated. The holiday is also known as the “National Unity Day “. Highlights of the celebration include civilian parade and a presidential speech.
An impressive Military parade concludes activities organized by Government and partners to promote unity and a better synergy between the forces of law and order and the population, as highlighted by this year theme.
The History of Cameroon’s National Day
Cameroon’s National Day is on May 20thand this date marks the birth of the United Republic of Cameroon to now Republic of Cameroon. Cameroon substituted the date of January 1, 1960 which marks the advent of the country to independence, to 20 May 1972, as 52 years ago, a Referendum organized by the first President of the country, late AHMADOU AHIDJO had led to the unification of the Anglophone and Francophone parties coexisted until then under a federal system. As brief reminder, French Cameroon gained independence from France on January 1st, 1960 and British Southern Cameroons transitioned from a trusteeship under Great Britain to a federated state within Cameroon on October 1, 1961.
On May 20, 1972, in a referendum, Cameroonians overwhelmingly voted in favor of a unitary state and opposed the existing federal system of government.
After the said referendum, the new Constitution created a United Republic of Cameroon by dissolving the former West and East Cameroons.
On this date in 1972, Former and late President AHMADOU AHIDJO abolish the federal system of government in favor of a unitary state. Since then, May 20th has been chosen as the country’s national holiday in order to exalt this cherished the achievement of unity. The flag changed from three vertical stripes of green, red, and yellow with two yellow-colored stars on green to three vertical stripes of green, red, yellow, and one yellow star on red.
Facts about Cameroon, the land of opportunities
-Cameroon is nicknamed “Africa in miniature” due to its cultural diversity (230 languages spoken in the country, including French and English) and variety of climates, reliefs, soils and ecosystems. Therefore is home for the oldest forest in Africa. The forest in Korup National Park is 60 million years old. It is one of the wettest countries on the earth. The village of Debundja is one of the five rainiest places on the planet. The place records an average rainfall of 10,299 mm per year.
-Cameroon has a strategic geographical position in Central Africa within the Gulf of Guinea.
Cameroon has a liberal economy and powerful human resources which constitute assets in the promotion of private investments. The population is estimated at 25 billion inhabitants, 75% of which are 25 years of age.
-Cameroon is a fairly prosperous country. The Government is focused on expanding educational institutions, developing rural areas by diversifying agricultural production and introducing industrialization.
Cameroon’s economy rely on the sale of its basic products-oil and cocoa- on the world market.
-Football (Soccer) is the most popular sport in Cameroon. The national team, the Indomitable Lions, is one of the most successful teams in Africa with 5 trophies of African of Nations to its credit.
In 1990, Cameroon became the first African country to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Strong bilateral ties with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Since 1966, the year of establishment of relations between the two countries, these relations have continued to deepen and diversify to the mutual benefit of both peoples. Thanks to the will, repeatedly reaffirmed, of his Excellency Paul BIYA, Head of State of Cameroon and His Majesty King SALMAN and Crown Prince MOHAMED BIN SALMAN, a new step forward was crossed by the signing in 2017 of an air agreement between the two countries in March 2017. Other agreements are being finalized, including the General Cooperation Agreement.
The announcement of the imminent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the management of the Tsinga Islamic Complex in Yaoundé, whose extension work was completed recently, is to be welcomed. Also in this register, it is also worth mentioning the inauguration on February 17, 2019 of the Great Mosque of Maroua in Far-North Cameroon, built on a surface of 2700 square meters thanks to the support of Saudi Arabia and which can accommodate up to 5000 faithful and consider as one of the most beautiful achievements in mosque construction in sub-Saharan Africa.
Already in 2013, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was illustrated by the construction of an Islamic complex in Babanki in the North-West region of Cameroon; complex that includes within it a primary school, a mosque and a health center.
Cameroon also expresses its gratitude to the Saudi authorities for sending medical missions every year to its territory. The Government also expresses sincere thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their laudable efforts in favor of the HADJ, both in terms of organization and infrastructure.
For all these challenges, Cameroon will appreciate more support from its bilateral and multilateral partners as terrorism, intolerance and food insecurity which became a major global concern can be defeated only through joint actions and resolutions actions by the International community.
This is an opportunity for Cameroon to thank, through its Head of Mission, Ambassador IYA TIDJANI, its main international partners whose support has been crucial in the effectiveness of this fight.
For Cameroon, Saudi Arabia is a friend and a major player in international relations, as can be seen from the country’s role in the fight against terrorism. It is also in this context that his Excellency Paul BIYA, President of the Republic of Cameroon received in audience in Yaoundé on November 19th, Mr. Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al-Ayesh, and Deputy Minister of Defense of Saudi Arabia. In July 2023, during a state visit in Riyadh, the Cameroonian Minister of Defense holds talks with Saudi Defense Minister to enhance cooperation in the military and defense field between the two countries.
Cameroon’s gratitude is expressed particularly to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Royal Highness, King SALMAN bin ABDOUL AZIZ Al SAOUD and to Saudi people for the humanitarian aids which enabled us to welcome refugees and other distressed victims of that conflict with dignity.
Those actions are testimony of the solid friendship ties existing between our two countries and also it reflects their excellent relationship. Cameroon and Saudi Arabia share similar views on international issues and Cameroon joins the international community to support Saudi Arabia in its effort towards peace in the Middle East and beyond.

Websites:
www.prc.cm
www.investincameroon.cm
www.ambacamsaudi.org