Gov’t presents Philemon Yang, candidate for 79th president of UNGA
By Vera Fon
The candidacy of the former Prime Minister, and current Grand Chancellor of National Orders, Philemon Yang, for the president of the 79th United Nations General Assembly, has been presented in Yaounde.
His candidacy was presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, LeJeune Mbella Mbella on Thursday, July 6, 2023, to the heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Cameroon.
According to the External Relations Minister, Philemon Yang is the best candidate for the position as he tried to convince the African diplomatic core composed of High Commissioners, and Ambassadors.
“He has been a very good collaborator of the Head of State and also, he has been playing a very key role in the domestic politics of Cameroon. He is very calm, and quiet but very wise and dynamic,” Minister Mbella Mbella stated.
The presentation of this candidacy follows the decision of member states of the Economic Community of Central African States, ECOWAS, to throw their weight behind Yang’s for the coveted position.
This was during their 23rd conference which took place in Libreville, Gabon.
“The conference pledges to give him its full support. It calls for the solidarity of the community and its member states, as well as the support of other African countries, to ensure that this candidacy is supported by the African Union,” the communique issued at the end of the proceedings partly read.
Cameroon will be competing alongside South Africa.
Philemon Yang was Prime Minister of Cameroon for more than 9 years, he was Ambassador, High Commissioner of Cameroon to Canada for roughly 20 years. The former deputy secretary general of the Presidency of the Republic, a one-time Minister of Energy. Just recently, he was appointed as a member of the Wise Committee of the Economic Community of Central African States and over the years, has been serving as the Chair of the African Union Eminent personalities, to discuss key issues on the continent.
