Chantal Biya’s remarkable presence at La Francophonie

Cameroon’s First Lady was significantly present in activities marking the 15th La Francophone summit amongst other First Spouses.

From the time the plane carrying Cameroon’s First Lady, Chantal Biya alongside her husband, President Paul Biya, touched down at the Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport in Dakar, Senegal, onlookers quickly noticed an ever-beaming lady.

Cameroonians in Senegal attached so much affection to her trip as seen in the messages they carried on banners such as “Our Adorable mother, Chantal Biya, a grand woman with a heart of gold to always support vulnerable children.”

From the Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport to the King Fahd Palace and the Abdou Diouf International Conference Centre-CICD, then to the Luxurious Terrou-Bi Restaurant in down town Fan in Dakar where she participated in a sideline event as part of the 15th summit of La Francophonie reserved for First Spouses, Mrs Chantal Biya showed keen interest in events as they unfolded.

At the Dakar Abdou Diouf Conference Centre, she was an attentive listener as her husband and other Heads of State dwelled on issues concerning countries that have the French Language in common. She joined her husband when during an audience with the President of Niger.

Of particular importance to the First Lady and her mates from other countries was the theme of the summit which examined the major role played by women and young people in the current climate of economic difficulties and political tension.

Needless to emphasise the importance of the theme to Mrs Biya, who is constantly interested in humanitarian activities for women and vulnerable children in Cameroon and elsewhere.

At the Terrou-Bi Restaurant, the First Lady of Cameroon, together with other First Ladies such as those from Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal, had much to discuss, given their role in their countries.

During lunch by the First Lady of Senegal, Mrs Marieme Faye Sall, the wife of the out-going Secretary General of La Francophonie, Elizabeth Diouf, Mrs Biya joined the First Spouses to savour Senegalese meals amidst cultural display from local artists.

While the First Ladies exchanged niceties over lunch along the seaside breeze of Terrou-Bi Hotel, they were treated to a rich display of Senegal’s culture through displays from artistes such as Youssou Ndour and the Orchestre Daane Lemol, Baaba Maal.

Lunch time created a kind of networking amongst the First Ladies and other guests. Not only did the First Ladies spend time talking with other guests at the lunch, they also had time to take some souvenir pictures.