Philémon Yunji Yang

Philémon Yunji Yang, LL.B, LL.M,(born June 14, 1947 [http://www.spm.gov.cm/showgouv.php?module=showindividu&lang=fr&pers=125 Profile at Cameroonian government website] fr.] [http://www.camerounlink.net/fr/news.php?nid=12470&kat=1&seite=428 "Fiche sur les nouveaux minitres (2)"] , "Cameroon Tribune" (Cameroonlink.net), December 10, 2004 fr icon.] ), is Cameroon's current (as of 2004) Deputy Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon.

Yang was born in Jiketem-Oku, in Bui Department in the Northwest Province of Cameroon. After studying law at the University of Yaoundé, he became a prosecutor at the Court of Appeal in BueaChristina Leadlay, [http://www.embassymag.ca/html/index.php?display=story&full_path=/2005/january/12/dc/ "Diplomatic Circles"] , "Embassy" (Canada), January 12, 2005.] in January 1975. He was then appointed as Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration in the government named on June 30 1975, before being appointed as Minister of Mines and Energy on November 8 1979. He remained in that position for more than four years before being excluded from the government named on February 4 1984. [ [http://www.rdpc-toulouse.org/?page=politique List of governments of Cameroon] fr icon.] He then became Ambassador to Canada (High Commissioner when Cameroon joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1995) on 23 October 1984, [ [http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection/E12-3-2003E.pdf "Diplomatic, Consular, & Other Representatives in Canada"] , March 2003, page 5.] a post in which he remained for 20 years. He also served as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Canada for about 10 years. Moreover, he was well respected and liked within the African community in Ottawa, Canada.

His time in Ottawa was dedicated to securing more foreign aid for his country, despite human rights abuses and Canadian concerns about corruption. Along with other representatives of African countries, he was pleased by Canada's commitment to debt relief in 2000.

Yang served as High Commissioner to Canada until he was appointed as Deputy Secretary-General of the Presidency on December 8 2004. He left Ottawa on December 17.

As High Commissioner he used to live in Ottawa's [Slack Road] neighbourhood. He currently resides in Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon.

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