The stop over of the Equatorial Guinea’s President and wife at the Yaounde Hilton was memorable.
“The President of the Republic and Mrs Chantal Biya wish President Teodoro Obiang Nguema and Mrs Constancia Mangue de Obiang a pleasant stay in Cameroon.” The bilingual message boldly written in the banner placed in a conspicuous position at the entrance to the Yaounde Hilton Hotel, translated the warm reception, Cameroon’s presidential couple and the entire nation gave the President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and wife, Constancia Mangue de Obiang during their one-day official visit to Yaounde on November 30, 2012.
The warmth, concern and sharing that started when the Equatorial Guinea’s presidential couple arrived at the Yaounde-Nsimalen International Airport continued as they drove to the Hilton Hotel in down town Yaounde where the visiting Head of State and wife rested, tested a bid of Cameroon’s hospitality before driving to the Unity Palace for high-level discussions and a toast. President Biya and wife accompanied the Equato-Guinean first couple to the hotel, stayed in for some minutes to ensure that they were properly installed before driving off to wait for them at the Unity Palace. The arrival of the motorcades of the two Heads of State and their spouses at the Hilton was greeted by shouts of joy and dancing by a jubilant crowd with Biya’s ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) supporters conspicuously present in party attire. They sang the praises of President Paul Biya’s New Deal government, while hailing the demonstration of fraternity and good neighbourliness President Biya stands for.
Anyone who passed through the 20th May Avenue could readily understand that Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea were celebrating fraternal cooperation as the flags of the two countries were flying all over. The jubilant crowd stayed at the esplanade opposite the Yaounde Hilton Hotel till evening when they greeted the departure of the august guests with the same euphoria.
