The First Couple was treated to a red carpet reception and traditional dances from Cameroon as they arrived in Washington DC on Saturday August 2, 2014.
Solemnity and a red carpet reception characterised the arrival of President Paul Biya and wife as the Corporate Jet Boeing 777 touched down the tarmac of the Joint Base Andrews Naval Facility located at Maryland , 10 miles Southeast of Washington DC on Saturday August 2, 2014. As Paul and Chantal Biya touched the soil of the United States of America (USA) for the on-going US-Africa Leaders Summit, the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) gave the full military honours required for an august guest.
Besides the closer patrol of a police vehicle, The Old Guard come forth with the red carpet as well as the flag of Cameroon and the United States as the Cameroon Head of State was about landing in Washington. Dignitaries from the United States Department, the military and Cameroon’s Embassy in the United States walked towards the aircraft.
After unrolling a red carpet from the foot of the plane to the door of the vehicle meant to carry Cameroon’s First Couple, the flag of the United States and Cameroon was placed on both sides of the aircraft as President Paul Biya and wife alighted from the Boeing 777 amid smiles and handshakes from top American officials who were on hand to receive them. The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs at the US State Department Robert P. Jackson was the first to shake hands with President Paul Biya and wife. Representing the military was the US Air Force Colonel, David L. Almand, Commander of the 89th Airlift wing. Cameroon’s Ambassador to the United States, Joseph Bienvenue Charles Foe Atangana and wife were also present at the foot of the Corporate Jet to say welcome to their First Couple.
Through stiff security and US protocol escort, the motorcade bearing in its stead the Presidential Couple of Cameroon, made its way through the arcades of Washington DC into the plush quarters of Four Seasons Hotel along the Pennsylvanian Avenue, Georgetown where the First Couple will be hosted throughout their stay in the United States. At the Pennsylvanian Avenue, precisely along the M. Street, Cameroonians living in the United States had gathered to give their First Couple a special welcome. Traditional drumbeats from Cameroon spiced with unique dancing styles hailed Paul and Chantal Biya as they made their way into Four Seasons Hotel. Cameroonians living in the States such as New York, Maryland, Virginia, Los Angeles, Atlanta as well as Washington DC lined up along the M. Street road to say “Welcome President Paul Biya and wife”. Most of them dressed in the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement fabric as well as t-shirts which carried the effigy of Paul and Chantal Biya brandished banners which did not only reveal their excitement in seeing the Head of State but also the development projects he is spearheading in the country. At the entrance to the hotel, Euloge Bindzi and Joyce Onana handed special bouquets of flowers to the First Couple. Taira Siebenaler, Assistant Director of the Hotel cheerfully took Paul and Chantal Biya into their new dwelling for the next few days in the USA.
