Photo: EUNAVFOR

Suspected Somali pirates

There was hustling and bustling at the Yaounde Hilton Hotel Sunday, June 23, 2013 evening when four of the seven Heads of State lodged in the Hotel for the Gulf of Guinea maritime

safety and security summit that begins at the Yaounde Conference Centre today June 24, 2013 arrived between 6:25 pm and 7:24 pm. Presidents Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Boni Yayi of Benin, Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso and Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo all arrived within one hour.

Before the arrival of the last four Heads of State at short intervals, that of the three earlier ones, Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, Manuel Pinto da Costa of Sao Tome and Principe and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea were interspaced with pretty long periods of waiting. During such moments, anxiety mounted as people listened to radio reports to know which Head of State had arrived at the Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport. However, animation dished out by the bands of the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement, CPDM, University of Yaounde I and the University of Yaounde II, Soa as well as CPDM dance groups thawed in their frenzy. The excitement, singing and dancing regained steam whenever the convoy accompanying any Head of State approached the Hilton Hotel.

The Director General of the Hilton Hotel, Muntza Roland was on hand to welcome all the Heads of State as they alighted from their cars.

Any passer-by around the Yaounde 20 May Avenue and precisely in front of the Hilton Hotel, besides the tight security, could readily understand that a historic event was under preparation in the capital city. The flags of the participating countries and partner international organisations were flying in almost all the electricity polls in the area. The visiting Heads of State, received a warm welcome not only through the songs and dance but more importantly in messages in two conspicuous banners put up at the entrance to the Hilton Hotel. The messages in French and English read, "Welcome to the Heads of State and Government of Central and West Africa" and also, "Devising a regional security strategy in the Gulf of Guinea: Political will of 25 African States."

The arrival of delegations from scores of other participating countries not led by their Heads of State, punctuated the hustle and bustle at the Hilton Hotel. Citizens of the of member countries of the Economic Community of Central African States, ECCAS, Economic Community of West African States , ECOWAS and Gulf of Guinea Commission also came out to welcome their Heads of State. Highly remarkable was the delegation of people from Niger who were received by their Head of State. By the time of going to press, the President of Nigeria was also programmed to receive members of the Nigerian community.