Biya avoids Geneva protest; heads to Yde from US

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Mon, 11 Aug 2014 Source: cameroonjournal.com

President Biya appears to have avoided a planned-strike action organized against him in Geneva by Diaspora Cameroonians.

The planned demonstration was meant to be part of protests led by members of some Cameroonian Diaspora groups who had earlier demonstrated against the president in front of the White House in Washington D.C. during US-African Summit.

The protesting fronts, Cameroon United Diaspora Front for Alternation - Le CODE and Conscience of Cameroon, are protesting President Biya’s long stay and grip on power.

They have said it is high time he quits as head of state of Cameroon. They have also tagged Biya's regime as most corrupt, inhumane and manipulative when it comes to constitutional issues.

Unofficial information had made the rounds that the president was leaving the US where he attended the US - African Leaders' Summit to Geneva with Chantal, his wife.

Acting on the rumors, the dissenting groups issued a release immediately after their Washington demonstration to the effect that another manifestation was going to take place at the Continental Hotel in Geneva where the president was allegedly going to lodge.

However, the plans appear to have flopped as instead of stopping in Geneva, the President headed direct to Yaounde, arriving on Saturday morning.

Responding to suggestions that the President flew direct to Yaounde to avoid the Geneva demonstrators, a source at the Presidency who opted to remain anonymous, told the Journal that the civil cabinet did not issue any release to the effect that the president was to take-off for Geneva after his US trip, rhetorically questioning; "how then can someone claim that he was avoiding those who planned the strike action against him?"

Our source, in the characteristic loyalty that is popular among those who are close to the Presdiency watered down the activities of the Diaspora protesters, stating that they represent nothing to the head of state and the economy of Cameroon.

"Personally, I have not yet heard of what you are saying. But I assure you that those who are passing for demonstrators are a few frustrated individuals whose only intention is to tarnish the image of our celebrated leader who has achieved so much for our nation.

Their activities are limited to empty noise and deliberate insults on the head of state. I see them as lazy jobless fellows who are serving the antics of some disgruntled individuals to paint the image of the head of state black." He said.

It should be recalled that the demonstrators had besieged US' White House, carrying placards to Cameroon," "Paul Biya is a criminal..." They accused Biya of flagrantly violating the constitution and the rights of Cameroonian citizens, corruption and embezzlement of public funds.

The leader of the group Conscience of Cameroon, and coordinator of the United Front in the US, said the manifestations were also partly intended to denounce the "hypocrisy" of the US’ African Leaders' Summit which according to conveners was aimed at transferring African raw materials to US, after China and France had initiated similar summits.

The protesters claim that Cameroon has become a state where human rights violations multiply by the day, generating conflicts that compromise a suitable atmosphere for international investors to do business with Cameroon.

Such was the view held by Essoh Aristide, president of the Cameroon Action Movement, CAM.

Source: cameroonjournal.com