By Boris Esono Nwenfor
The Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, has reiterated Cameroon’s crucial role in fostering peace and stability across Central Africa. Speaking on behalf of the Head of State, President Paul Biya, the Prime Minister delivered a keynote address at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-9), currently underway in Japan.
In his remarks, Dr Dion Ngute underlined Cameroon’s long-standing commitment to regional peace efforts, highlighting its frontline role in combating terrorism and insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin. He described the country as a stabilising force in the sub-region, working not only to secure its borders but also to support joint initiatives with neighbouring countries.
“Cameroon plays a central role in regional and sub-regional stabilisation,” PM Dion Ngute said. “Working to significantly reduce the terrorist threats both on its territory and alongside other countries in the Lake Chad basin through the multinational joint task force.”
The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) is a combined military effort bringing together troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon to confront Boko Haram and other extremist movements. Over the years, it has been credited with weakening insurgent strongholds and restoring relative calm to areas previously gripped by violence.
Dr Dion Ngute noted, however, that the security challenges facing Africa are becoming more complex, extending far beyond insurgency. He listed climate change, transnational crime, terrorism, cybercrime, disinformation, and pandemics as cross-border threats that continue to undermine continental stability.
Prime Minister Dion Ngute added: “TICAD is taking place at a time when our continent continues to grapple with multiple sources of tension further compounded by cross-country threats such as climate change, transnational crimes and terrorism, cybercrimes, disinformation and pandemics.”
As part of the solutions, the Prime Minister praised Africa’s collective efforts in establishing a peace and security architecture, reinforced by African Union-led peace missions and partnerships with international allies. Yet, he was quick to stress the need for greater global support.
“Africa has established a peace and security architecture, reinforced by peace missions coordinated by the African Union and its partners,” adding that, “These efforts call for stronger support, particularly in logistics, training and financing to ensure effective coherence and sustainable African responses.”
The Tokyo International Conference on African Development, now in its 9th edition, remains one of the continent’s most influential platforms for dialogue on growth and security. Established in 1993, TICAD is convened every three years to bring together African leaders, Japanese officials, development agencies, and international partners. Its agenda traditionally revolves around sustainable development, investment, and peacebuilding.
For this year’s edition, the security dimension has gained prominence, given the spate of conflicts and coups in parts of Africa, as well as growing global attention to the Sahel crisis. Cameroon’s participation, through Dr Dion Ngute’s address, further reinforced the country’s visibility as a reliable partner in regional stabilisation.
By aligning its security concerns with broader African and global strategies, Cameroon continues to present itself as a country keen on defending not only its sovereignty but also contributing to collective stability, as the outcomes of the conference could shape Africa’s security partnerships for years to come.
