The Head of State His Excellency Paul BIYA granted audiences to the leaders of foreign observer missions that were present in Cameroon for the twin elections of 30 September 2013. The Francophonie delegation led by Mr. Pascal COUCHEPIN, former President of the Swiss Confederation was received in the morning, followed by the African Union delegation that was headed by Honourable AZIZOU El Hadj ISSA, Member of Parliament from Benin and leader of the West African parliamentary group in the African parliament. Later in the afternoon, it was the turn of the Economic Community of Central African Countries (CEEAC), under the leadership of Dr. Pierre Siméon ATHOMO NDONG, Minister Plenipotentiary and head of the electoral unit of the CEEAC.

Speaking to the press shortly after the audience with the Head of State, Mr. Pascal COUCHEPIN praised the electoral organ Elecam for the good preparation of the elections and the maturity of Cameroonians who were calm and very determined to participate in the elections. He said that the setting up of the Constitutional Council will be another positive step for Cameroon.

Honourable AZIZOU El Hadj ISSA praised the attention that the President of the Republic paid to the future of Cameroon by enabling the progress of the democratic process in the country. He indicated that his team advised the putting in place of a forum where all the political stakeholders could concert on the electoral process.

For his part Dr. Pierre Siméon ATHOMO NDONG was highly appreciative of the calm and serenity of the various political parties who demonstrated that an election is a peaceful and orderly choice and not a war between citizens of the country. He said that the little lapses that were noted could very easily be rectified to make the process much better.