Diplomatic caution: Paris waits before congratulating

The 2025 presidential election in Cameroon saw a departure from previous practice. Unlike in 2018, when Paris swiftly sent congratulatory letters after the constitutional council announced results, no such message was issued this time. The French presidency chose a more reserved approach, prompting questions about the state of relations between the two nations.

During the television appearance, Ambassador Riquier emphasized that no public letter had been issued. “I don’t believe I’ve seen a public letter. You would have seen it too,” he told the host. When pressed on whether this silence hinted at tensions between Yaoundé and Paris, the diplomat struck a measured tone, stressing the importance of ongoing cooperation.

Bilateral relations remain robust despite absence of congratulations

“There hasn’t been a public letter at this stage. That’s the fact,” Riquier stated bluntly before adding, “Yaoundé and Paris represent sound partnership material.” He pointed out that despite the lack of a congratulatory message, diplomatic ties remain strong. “We acknowledge that the election took place. This doesn’t prevent us from maintaining relations with the authorities, particularly through continuous cooperation.”

The ambassador underscored the depth of bilateral relations, noting that exchanges occur regularly. “There’s this cooperation between our two states. There’s no room for doubt. The absence of a letter doesn’t hinder normal relations between our two states, governments, and presidents. I believe the French president didn’t see fit to issue a public letter. Cooperation continues, and we’ve exchanged letters on the occasion of our respective national holidays.”