Cintia A. , Lebledparle.com
On Friday 10 January, Paul Biya received New Year’s greetings for 2025 in Yaoundé. The ceremony was divided into two parts. In the Ambassadors Lounge at the Unity Palace the diplomatic corps present in Yaoundé went to say “Happy New Year Mr President”. For the same exercise, the Head of State then had a meeting with the national constituted bodies in the Banqueting Hall of the palace.
Alongside members of parliament, members of the government, director-generals and others, were members of the Church, including Monsignor Jean Mbarga. When he appeared before the Head of State, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Yaoundé, who had already disassociated himself from certain fellow bishops who had called on Paul Biya to retire in 2025, so that “the suffering of Cameroonians” would be shortened, had a brief exchange with the Head of State.
Speaking to CRTV, Jean Mbarga revealed what Paul Biya had said to him at the New Year’s greeting ceremony.
“I had the honour of speaking with the Head of State, and I heard from his mouth the words of a father who counts on his children, a Head of State who counts on his citizens, and of a believer who counts on religions to bring about the growth of our country in the greatest serenity, maturity, responsibility and above all in peace”, declared Archbishop Jean Mbarga, Metropolitan Archbishop of Yaoundé.
