Thousands Welcome Maritime Security Summit

The enthusiasm the population of the capital city, Yaounde started manifesting for the Maritime Safety and Security summit of the Gulf of Guinea when seven Heads of State and other delegations arrived on Sunday, June 23, 2013, reached the peak yesterday, June 24 during the opening ceremony of the historic event.

From the Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport where five Heads of State arrived yesterday, to the Yaounde Conference Centre, venue of the historic event, the population positioned in strategic sections of the road cheered the foreign delegations. The Heads of State who arrived yesterday were Gabon's President, Ali Bongo Ondimba, Togo's Faure Gnassingbé, Côte d'Ivoire's Alassane Ouattara, Chad's Idriss Deby and the transitional President of Guinea-Bissau, Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo.

Just as was the case when the first seven Heads of State arrived in the Hilton Hotel where they were lodged on Sunday, almost the same population and dance groups were at the open space opposite the hotel. They welcomed the new Heads of State who came in and cheered all the visiting leaders as they went to and from their hotel rooms to the Yaounde Conference Centre.

The hallmark of interest and expectation for success was palpable at the Yaounde Conference Centre. Students of the National Institute of Youth and Sports, INJS, President Paul Biya's Cameroon People Democratic Movement, CPDM supporters with their band and many dances groups also received delegates to the summit in song and dance.

Keen attention of the population was equally to get the messages and the commitment of the leaders through speeches aimed integrated strategies to ensure the safety and security of the Gulf of Guinea. This was made possible thanks to giant television screens, one of which was positioned at the esplanade of the Conference Centre and the other one in the waiting hall leading to the summit room proper.

This phase of the event was marked by solemnity and studious attention. People who had no access to the summit hall had the opportunity to get the messages. Some curious and concerned people in conservations said the summit was a huge success considering that 12 visiting Heads of State are taking part in it.