29 days and counting abroad

Biya was not gallivanting in Europe after all
The president participated at the EU-Africa Security Summit in Brussels then continued with his presidential itinerary before travelling to the Vatican in Rome for the canonization Sunday, of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII
By Tanyi Kenneth Musa in Yaounde

President Paul Biya

A source in the president’s entourage in Europe has dismissed as baseless and uninvestigated, press reports that President Biya was busy moving about and enjoying himself in Europe during his marathon stay abroad. The source said apart from the fact that the president is too old to go about gallivanting he had more than enough official work to do while in Europe.
    In fact, our source said ever since the president arrived at the European capital in Brussels, Belgium, he has not had time to rest.
    “The president has been busy working on pressing files and granting audiences. Besides, he has been following events in the country minute by minute,” said the source, who noted that he has never seen someone else who has concern and love for Cameroon than president Biya.

    “The president almost cut-short his stay in Brussels when he was informed of the kidnapping of three priests near Maroua in Northern Cameroon,” our source said, reiterating that the president immediately gave firm instructions for efforts to be initiated to secure the immediate release of the hostages. He said the president is following the hostage dossier very closely and assiduously.
    President Biya is expected back in the country today, after he participated at the Canonization ceremony of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII, at the Holy Sea on Sunday. The president had earlier on 2-3 April 2014 actively participated at the EU-Africa summit in Brussels, Belgium.     
    Paul Biya and his wife, Madam Chantal Biya left the country on 31st March 2014 for Europe. If the president returns home later today, as it is widely speculated, he would have spent 29 days out of home.   
    It is continually said in high quarters in Yaounde that the president has been out of the country for too long and should be on his way back home.   
    When he left Yaounde about a month ago, the official announcement was that he was going on a short private visit to Europe, where he would attend the EU-Africa Security Summit in Brussels. He spent a few days in Brussels before he retired to his usual European base at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Geneva, Switzerland.
    But after spending more than 4 weeks abroad, analysts are of the view that the president has over-stayed his short private visit and should return home, whatever he must have been doing in Europe.
    Government insiders are deeply disturbed by this prolonged stay abroad by the president. General consensus is that President Biya is helplessly tired and can no longer effectively carry out his functions as the head of state of Cameroon.
    During his prolonged stay abroad, it was evident that the country lacked leadership, even though state radio continued announcing decisions signed by the president.