The presidential palace where Paul Biya resides is a real fortress. Everything is done to remind the visitor that he is in a place of power.
At the end of the week, Paul Biya retired to his village of Mvomeka'a, a clearing in the equatorial forest of southern Cameroon, from where he returned only on Tuesdays.
He has a large estate including the former residence, also abandoned, the late Jeanne Irène Biya, his first wife, who died in 1992.
With Chantal, they moved into an adjoining house, soberly furnished. Further, the President has built apartments for guests, a golf course, a heliport, an airstrip ...
A palace under high protection
In Yaounde, to access the palace of the presidency, it is necessary to mention its village - and its ethnicity - of origin on a piece of paper stretched by a security agent ... This fortress, which is protected by a detachment of the presidential guard , extends over several dozen hectares of woodland. The first president of the country, Ahmadou Ahidjo, inaugurated it four months before his resignation, on November 4, 1982.
Here, everything reminds the visitor that he is in a place of power. This is the impression sought by its designer, the Tunisian architect Olivier-Clément Cacoub.
Perhaps this is the reason why an overwhelming majority of Cameroonians have never set foot there. Access is forbidden to those who violate the required dress code: dress-tie or traditional ceremonial dress for men, dress or suit with skirt above the knees for women ... The first lady, Chantal Biya, has added his turn of personal screw ?: none enters into pants. Except herself.
Quietude
The couple lives in Annex C, a residence originally designed to house passing guests. The head of state did not want to live in the presidential building, built a stone's throw away. In the chapter of national mythology linked to the struggle for power that pitted the current ruler against his predecessor, this uninhabited dwelling of residence takes the place of a haunted house ...
No one is unaware that Paul Biya also spends a lot of time in Switzerland. His love affair with the Intercontinental de Genève dates back to the 1970s. When he was young in charge of the presidency, he discovered this hotel.
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| Etoudi: Chantal Biya Forbids The Wearing Of Trousers For Women |
In Yaounde, to access the palace of the presidency, it is necessary to mention its village - and its ethnicity - of origin on a piece of paper stretched by a security agent ... This fortress, which is protected by a detachment of the presidential guard , extends over several dozen hectares of woodland. The first president of the country, Ahmadou Ahidjo, inaugurated it four months before his resignation, on November 4, 1982.
Here, everything reminds the visitor that he is in a place of power. This is the impression sought by its designer, the Tunisian architect Olivier-Clément Cacoub.
Perhaps this is the reason why an overwhelming majority of Cameroonians have never set foot there. Access is forbidden to those who violate the required dress code: dress-tie or traditional ceremonial dress for men, dress or suit with skirt above the knees for women ... The first lady, Chantal Biya, has added his turn of personal screw ?: none enters into pants. Except herself.
Quietude
The couple lives in Annex C, a residence originally designed to house passing guests. The head of state did not want to live in the presidential building, built a stone's throw away. In the chapter of national mythology linked to the struggle for power that pitted the current ruler against his predecessor, this uninhabited dwelling of residence takes the place of a haunted house ...
No one is unaware that Paul Biya also spends a lot of time in Switzerland. His love affair with the Intercontinental de Genève dates back to the 1970s. When he was young in charge of the presidency, he discovered this hotel.
He appreciates the tranquility of the place and the proximity of Lake Geneva, but also the discretion, security and quality of life that make the reputation of the city of Calvin. It should be noted that its tranquility is now relative, since the opponents of the diaspora come screaming under the windows of the suite he rents.
In short, if he leaves his palace, it is to gain his village, and, if he leaves his country, it is to rally Switzerland because, as we know, he travels little. Whether it is the banks of Lake Geneva, La Baule or Baden-Baden, its holiday resorts bear witness to this: Biya loves spas and seaside pleasures.
Became president in 1982, he dragged his feet to leave the residence of the lake, located near the lake located in the heart of the capital, despite the insistence of Ahidjo, who wanted to occupy after his resignation . The president did not buy a house in Switzerland. It was once tried to acquire one in Abu Dhabi, before giving up, especially for security reasons. Etoudi: Chantal Biya forbids the wearing of trousers for women
Note: This article was published on November 15, 2016 by Jeune Afrique
In short, if he leaves his palace, it is to gain his village, and, if he leaves his country, it is to rally Switzerland because, as we know, he travels little. Whether it is the banks of Lake Geneva, La Baule or Baden-Baden, its holiday resorts bear witness to this: Biya loves spas and seaside pleasures.
Became president in 1982, he dragged his feet to leave the residence of the lake, located near the lake located in the heart of the capital, despite the insistence of Ahidjo, who wanted to occupy after his resignation . The president did not buy a house in Switzerland. It was once tried to acquire one in Abu Dhabi, before giving up, especially for security reasons. Etoudi: Chantal Biya forbids the wearing of trousers for women
Note: This article was published on November 15, 2016 by Jeune Afrique
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