The Head of State Paul Biya was given an esteemed welcome by Cameroonians, prominent among them CPDM militants, as he landed in Washington, U.S. on Saturday December 10, 2022 to take part in the second U.S.-Africa Summit holding from December 13-15, 2022.
The arrival of President and wife, Chantal in Washington DC was historic. Cameroonians travelled from across the U.S to welcome the Head of State, the one they regard as the father of the nation. A significant crowd of Cameroonians that gave President Biya and his entourage a warm welcome held placards with diverse messages; all celebrating the leader of Cameroon.
Some of the messages read: “Cameroon is one and indivisible”; “Ex-separatists welcome you; welcome H.E Paul Biya, Father of all… ” . Handheld flags of Cameroon were rife in the crowd. Through songs the crowd showered praises on President Biya for his leadership.
With the advent of the separatist movement that became violent in 2017, many Cameroonians living abroad had become hostile to the Yaounde regime. Cameroon Diaspora raised money and funded the conflict in the North West and South West regions. Biya became a victim of an onslaught wave from Cameroonians living abroad and particularly in the U.S.
It appears the tensions are dousing. Many have dumped the separatist movement and back Biya’s vision of a one and indivisible Cameroon.
This as the U.S. Department of Justice has began prosecuting some US citizens of Cameroon-origin for their involvement in sponsoring kidnappings, killings, arsons among other violent crimes in the North West and South West regions. Late last month, the department of Justice in a statement said three had been arrested in connection with the ongoing conflict in the two Anglophone regions.
Meanwhile the summit according to a statement from the department of State “will demonstrate the United States’ enduring commitment to Africa, and will underscore the importance of U.S.-Africa relations and increased cooperation on shared global priorities.”
President Biya is accompanied by a battery of ministers and is expected to negotiate development deals for Cameroon.
Jude VIBAN
