Yaoundé, July 24, 2024 — Cameroon’s Paul Biya left Yaoundé today to attend the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games on July 26, 2024. This follows and invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron and Mr. Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee.
A statement signed by the Director of civil cabinet, Samuel Mvondo Ayolo said Biya was accompanied by eight government ministers and dignitaries.
“At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, Cameroonian President Paul Biya has left Yaoundé today to attend the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games, scheduled for Friday, July 26, 2024,” the statement said, adding that “accompanying President Biya on this official visit are his wife, Mrs. Chantal Biya, and a distinguished entourage.
His delegation include:
- Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Minister of External Relations
- Samuel Mvondo Ayolo, Minister and Director of the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency
- Paul Elung Che, Minister and Deputy Secretary-General of the Presidency
- Mounouna Foutsou, Minister of Youth and Civic Education
- Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, Minister of Sports and Physical Education
- Rear Admiral Joseph Fouda, Special Advisor to the President
- André Magnus Ekoumou, Ambassador of Cameroon to France
- Simon Pierre Bikélé, Chief of State Protocol
Biya’s delegation abroad has faced intense scrutiny over the years, with critics arguing that millions in state funds are squandered on sponsoring officials who may not need to travel at all.
But Ayolo specified that this “visit underscores the strong diplomatic ties between Cameroon and France, as well as the importance of the Olympic Games as a global event bringing nations together.”
