French President Emmanuel Macron has begun a nation tour of African States in the first trip to the continent since winning re-election as he seeks to reboot France’s post-colonial relationship with the continent.
The long-lasting relationship between Cameroon and France was demonstrated at the Yaoundé Nsimalen Airport, as hundreds of Cameroonians assembled to welcome the President.
Since his arrival, Cameroonians on their social media handles have been reacting saying Macron must amongst other issues discuss the possibility of a peaceful transition in the country, as President Paul Biya has been in power for close to 40 years.
To Political Scientist Macron is expected to see into the country’s political, economic and security challenges which till now remains unresolved.
Others are however of the opinion that the president needs to seek ways on how some presumed political prisoners of the Anglophone crisis can be released. To the Communication officer of the opposition party MRC, the President needs to meet the leaders of the Anglophone secessionist as well as some opposition political parties in Cameroon.
To some humanitarians, Macrons visit to Cameroon has been described as timely as they are of the opinion that French President is in a unique position to urge President Paul Biya to accept talks and end the crisis affecting the two Anglophone regions in the country.
“Macrons priority in Cameroon should be encouraging peaceful and prosperous economic environment in Cameroon”. They equally added that schools in the Anglophone Regions have been shut down for close to five years so Macrons utmost priority should be to end the long-term crisis.
From every indication, Macrons visit is timely and hopes are however high that after his visit in the country, measures will be taken to ensure the expectations of Cameroonians be attained.
Emmanuel Macron will however travel to Benin and Guinea-Bissau on Thursday where he will meet President Umaro Sissoco Embalo who is preparing to take the helm of the Economic Community of West African States.