Cameroon’s National Day Shines at the United Nations Headquarters: A Celebration of Unity, Culture, and Diplomacy

His Excellency Tommo Monthe, Permanent Representative of Cameroon to the United Nations, delivering the opening speech from the stage of the United Nations banquet hall on May 21, 2025. He presents the agenda and extends words of welcome to the guests, on the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of Cameroon’s National Unity Day.
**Photo credit: Les Indomptables Magazine**

New York, May 21, 2025 The prestigious United Nations Headquarters played host to an extraordinary celebration on the evening of May 21, as the Permanent Mission of Cameroon to the United Nations organized a grand gala in honor of the 53rd anniversary of Cameroon’s National Unity Day.

Held in the elegant banquet hall of the UN with a vast balcony overlooking the East River, the event began at 5:00 p.m., welcoming a distinguished crowd. Guests arrived to a warm reception, accompanied by the traditional photo session that marked the beginning of a meticulously organized evening.

A Diplomatic Gathering of Prestige and Cameroonian Pride

The guest list was as impressive as the occasion itself. Ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of friendly nations joined the celebration alongside economic operators, political figures from the host country, and a strong contingent from the Cameroonian diaspora in the U.S.

Aerial view of the grand United Nations banquet hall, elegantly arranged for the celebration. Numerous guests, dressed in formal attire, fill the space, while to the right, young dancers dressed in the vibrant colors of Cameroon prepare to perform, adding a festive cultural touch to the 53rd National Unity Day ceremony.

Among the most notable attendees was H.E. Philemon Yang, recently elected as the 79th President of the United Nations General Assembly, whose presence gave the event an added layer of national pride. From esteemed physicians to cultural actors and community leaders, Cameroonians responded massively to the invitation extended by their country’s Permanent Representative to the UN, H.E. Tommo Monthe.

A Venue Dressed in the Nation’s Colors

The banquet hall was splendidly decorated in the colors of the Cameroonian flag green, red, and yellow creating a festive and patriotic atmosphere. Each table was lavishly set and offered an abundant variety of traditional Cameroonian dishes, including Ndolé, Egusi pudding, Taro with yellow sauce, and other delicacies from the country’s diverse culinary regions. Local beverages and refreshments reflected the rich gastronomy and hospitality of Cameroon.

The banquet hall at full capacity during the National Unity Day celebration. On stage, two spectacular cakes captivate the audience: the first, a multi-tiered spherical masterpiece shaped like a castle, bears the inscriptions “Happy National Day” and “Peaceful and Prosperous Cameroon Where People Are Put First,” topped with the number 53 symbolizing 53 years of national unity. The second cake, rectangular in form, features a raised centerpiece representing the coat of arms of the Republic of Cameroon — two crossed axes behind a shield in green, red, and yellow, with a golden star on the red band, and a scale symbolizing justice and peace. At the base are inscribed the words *“République du Cameroun”* and the national motto: *“Paix – Travail – Patrie.”* In front of these edible works of art stand **Philemon Yang**, **Madame Tommo**, **Madame Philemon**, along with numerous diplomats and distinguished guests.

Protocol and Patriotism: Honoring the Nation

Following the reception, Ambassador Tommo Monthe officially launched the evening by addressing the audience. He provided historical context for Cameroon’s National Day, tracing the country’s name back to the Portuguese explorers of the 15th century, who named the Wouri River “Rio dos Camarões” due to the abundance of shrimp a name that eventually evolved into “Cameroon.”

He outlined the colonial transitions from German administration (1884–1916) to the mandates of France and Britain under the League of Nations and later the United Nations, culminating in the reunification of British and French Cameroons. The referendum of May 20, 1972, which led to the creation of the United Republic of Cameroon, remains the historic foundation for the annual celebration.

The Ceremony of the Flag and National Anthem

Ambassador Monthe then announced the start of the ceremonial proceedings. Under the command of a decorated officer in full ceremonial attire, the Cameroonian national flag was marched onto the stage with dignity and precision. As the flag reached the podium, the Cameroonian national anthem “O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers” was performed and passionately echoed by the audience, many of whom sang along with emotion and pride.

*His Excellency Philemon Yang, Madame Tommo, and Madame Philemon Yang share the ceremonial knife to cut the cake, marking the highlight of the 53rd National Unity Day celebration.*
**Photo credit: Les Indomptables Magazine**

The Cake-Cutting Ceremony

To mark the 53rd anniversary of the reunification, a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony followed. Ambassador Tommo Monthe invited a quartet of distinguished figures to share the honor, including Philemon Yang, Madame Tommo Monthe, and two other spouses of diplomats. The moment symbolized unity and generational continuity, with applause and cheers marking this highlight of the evening.

On stage, King Napoleon and his electrifying band ignite the evening with a powerful performance. Surrounded by fiery dancers and inspired instrumentalists, the singer-songwriter, composer, performer, and passionate advocate for national unity captivates the jubilant audience with an unforgettable show.
**Photo credit: Les Indomptables Magazine**

Cultural Festivities: Music as a Bridge to the Homeland

The cultural segment of the night was launched by renowned Cameroonian singer and performer King Napoleon, who energized the crowd with a vibrant repertoire drawn from classic Cameroonian music. Songs such as “Je vais à Yaoundé” by André-Marie Tala, “Mandela” by Sam Fan Thomas, Charlotte Mbango’s “A Chouchou”, and “Mama Ssa Mama Makossa” by Manu Dibango stirred nostalgia and celebration. The dance floor was alive with joyful movements as the community celebrated their culture through song and dance.

A Night to Remember

The evening concluded around 9:30 p.m., leaving guests delighted and moved by the emotional and cultural depth of the event. As they departed, many expressed their eagerness to return next year, already anticipating another unforgettable celebration of Cameroon’s unity, culture, and international presence.

This gala at the United Nations not only honored a pivotal date in Cameroon’s history, but also highlighted the resilience and pride of the Cameroonian people, and the strength of their connection to their homeland wherever they may be.