Enthusiastic Cameroonians Welcome Presidential Couple

Malabo — Thunderous applause, songs and traditional drumbeats from some regions in Cameroon, hailed the arrival of Cameroon's Presidential Couple as their plane touched down at the Malabo International Airport yesterday, December 12, 2012 for the 7th Summit of African, Caribbean and Pacific Heads of State and Government (ACP).

President Paul Biya and Madame Chantal Biya's arrival at the Republic of Equatorial Guinea was a veritable moment of communion for the Presidential Couple and Cameroonians living in Equatorial that country, as well as a fraternity feast for many on-lookers as they joined in saluting the arrival of Paul and Chantal Biya in Malabo.

President Paul Biya and First Lady's arrival at Malabo did not end with the red carpet reception reserved for all Heads of State and Government attending the ACP Summit. The Cameroonian community living in Equatorial Guinea which sum-up to 34 associations prepared something special for their Head of State and Wife whom they were very happy to see. After the red carpet reception, as the presidential limousine made its way out of the airport, President Paul Biya and Wife received a crowd bath from the over 4,000 Cameroonians present at the Malabo Airport who had gathered to express their joy. They danced to show how much they were yearning to see the Head of State and First Lady.

In a joyful manner, traditional drumbeats from the Moghamo (North-West Region) Family Meeting, the Manyu (South-West Region) General Association as well as indigenes from Lekie in the Centre Region, Haut-Nkam and Noun in the West Region, all living in Equatorial Guinea added sound to the arrival of Cameroon's Presidential Couple in Malabo. Individuals some dressed in T-shirts that carried the effigies of the President and his Wife, others in traditional attires from Cameroon were at the Airport. Others raised high the flag of Cameroon, proudly displaying their patriotic attachment to their fatherland. Supporters of the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) Sub-Section in the locality of Bata were visibly present with a banner that read: "President Paul Biya, Our President, we the Cameroonian community in Malabo are behind you for an emerging Cameroon in 2035".

Cameroon's Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, Lazare Mpouel Bala said Cameroonians greatly came out to say, "Thank You" to the Head of State for this gesture at the diplomatic scene, particularly with his recent meeting with the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea which touched on most of their problems.