Leaders from Central Africa, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Chad are arriving in Yaoundé, Cameroon, ahead of the extraordinary Conference of the Heads of State of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC).
The summit, convened at the initiative of Cameroon’s President Paul Biya and the current CEMAC President, Faustin Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic, is set to take place on Monday, December 16, 2024, at the Unity Palace in Yaoundé.
The first arrival was Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso of the Republic of Congo, representing his country’s Head of State. He was welcomed at Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport by Cameroon’s Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute.
Next to arrive was Gabon’s Transitional President, Brice Oligui Nguema, who was warmly received by the Prime Minister and greeted by Gabonese nationals residing in Cameroon.
Chad’s Minister of State for Finance, Budget, and Economy, Tahir Hamid Nguilin, representing President Mahamat Idris Déby, also arrived in Yaoundé. He was welcomed by Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji.
A detachment of the Presidential Guard paid honours to each visiting leader, with the military band playing the CEMAC anthem.
Each leader took time to interact with their compatriots present at the airport before heading to the Hilton Hotel, where they will reside temporarily during the summit. Leaders from Equatorial Guinea and the Central African Republic are expected to arrive on the morning of the conference.
The extraordinary summit comes against the backdrop of economic and monetary challenges facing the CEMAC sub-region.
Disruptions in the region’s economic stability have arisen partly due to delays in the implementation of recommendations and commitments made during the 2016 Yaoundé summit, when the region faced a similar crisis.
At the summit, leaders are expected to review the sub-region’s economic and monetary situation and take decisive actions to stabilise macroeconomic indicators.
The conference will provide a platform for concerted efforts to ensure the stability and resilience of the region’s economy in the thick of ongoing challenges.
