By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Tunisia and Cameroon on Saturday signed multiple bilateral cooperation agreements, covering housing, education and culture, as well as an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of special and diplomatic passports.
This is a culmination of the existing Tunisian-Cameroonian Joint Commission, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad says.
Tunisia’s Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar along with his Cameroonian counterpart, Mbella Mbella, chaired the closing ceremony of the 11th session of the joint commission in Yaoundé on Saturday.
Ammar underlined the importance of holding the diplomatic event eight years after the 10th session of the Tunisian-Cameroonian Joint Commission, in response to the desire of the two countries’ leaders to boost the momentum of bilateral cooperation.
He expressed gratitude to the Cameroonian authorities for the hospitality and warm welcome received by the Tunisian delegation since its arrival in Cameroon.
“This reflects the quality of fraternal relations and the historic friendship that unites the peoples of the two brotherly countries,” he said.
“Tunisia, in line with its historical openness to others, welcomes all African brothers who travel there for study, health, tourism or investment purposes, taking into account and respecting Tunisian legislation on residence,” Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar was quoted as saying in the same statement.
Cameroonian Minister of Foreign Affairs in his remarks expressed pleasure at the participation of an important and high-level delegation from the Tunisian government in the work of this commission, in addition to the participation of the President of the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts.
The Cameroonian side hosted a dinner in honour of Minister Ammar and the delegation accompanying him, on the instructions of the President of the Republic of Cameroon Paul Biya, according to the ministry statement.
Several African countries have signed similar pacts in recent times in a bid to reduce reliance on the western nations to boost security, infrastructure, health care, mining, agriculture and tourism.
In September, representatives of Nigeria and South Africa held talks on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, with the goal of increasing cooperation, especially in mining and telecommunications.
In 2022, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a historical cooperation agreement to facilitate the development of value chain in electric battery and clean energy sector.
It is aimed at providing a framework for bilateral cooperation on the initiative to develop the battery value chain as well as strengthen collaboration between Zambia and DRC.
Nigerian Army in 2015 signed an operational agreement with Chadian Army to intensify efforts aimed at ending the activities of the terrorist group, Boko Haram in the north-eastern part of Nigeria. It was aimed at strengthening modalities for the counter terrorism operations along the Nigeria-Chad border.
African leaders have repeatedly said they want to develop local solutions to local needs instead of relying on western allies for help.
President William Ruto of Kenya has consistently harped on the need for African leaders elected by their people to be respected in the global stage.
Ruto referred to his attendance at the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit in Washington DC with President Joseph R. Biden in December 2022.
During the summit, 50 African leaders were present but were unable to have a one-on-one meeting with President Biden.
President Ruto criticized these types of arrangements where African presidents travel the world to meet with the leader of one country, stating that it was unfair.
He stressed the importance of African leaders acting together to make an impact and the need for the African Union to take charge of the continent’s affairs and consolidate efforts in engaging with the rest of the world.
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