Hollande's visit: Major flaws identified in presidential protocol

It has been disclosed that the presidential protocol did not perform their duties properly during Francois Hollande’s visit in Yaoundé on July 3. The head of state, Paul Biya, was forced to sometimes play the master of ceremony.

Le Jour newspaper reported this in its Thursday, July 16, 2015 edition adding that these duties were supposed to flow naturally other than like a “Chinese puzzle.”

Regarding non-coordination in the formal programme, the paper again revealed that media men who were supposed to be allowed to keep track of the visit "were forced to resort to Elysée the French websites and other French diplomatic sources".

Employees of Paul Biya eventually published a statement that a "dinner" was to take place at the Unity Palace but this was mentioned by the French. The confusion between "press conference" and "joint press statement" added to this non-coordination.

The newspaper also noted that there were too many people on the red carpet which saw Biya's aides shake hands with those of François Hollande.

In terms of diplomatic practice during a state visit, custom has it that each head of state introduces his officials. However this was not the case. The newspaper wrote: "After Hollande stepped down from the airplane, he met Paul Biya and they shook hands. Simon Peter Bikele, the chief of state protocol, was the one who introduced the government officials instead of Paul Biya who stood aside with his arms at his back.”

When it was finally time for dinner, the newspaper noted that President Hollande "was quite embarrassed by a waiter who carried a tray containing glasses of water and champagne and offered it to Hollande who at the same time wanted to have a word with Paul Biya. What was the most objectionable is that the water was already served in the glass". But the rule has it that at such meetings the presidential protocol inspects the drinks of the Elysée boss before they are placed on the table.