By RFIPalled on 04-07-2019Modified on 04-07-2019 at 18:35

There are tourists that we would do well ... In Geneva, it is saying that the last stay of Paul Biya does not go unnoticed. Demonstrations of opponents in front of his hotel, arrest of several bodyguards of the Cameroonian president after the assault of a journalist ... What embarrass the Swiss authorities, engaged at the same time in a delicate negotiation between the Cameroonian government and the separatists English-speaking regions.

With our correspondent in Geneva, Jérémie Lanche

Is this the previous Abdelaziz Boutefklika at the beginning of the year? Still, it becomes more and more difficult for some leaders to stay quietly on the shores of Lake Geneva. Paul Biya is however a regular in Switzerland.

According to an NGO specializing in the fight against corruption, the Cameroonian head of state has already passed, since his election 37 years ago, more than 4 years and a half abroad, a good part to very chic Intercontinental hotel in Geneva where he would have his habits. The same NGO estimates the cost of a single night at the hotel for the president and his entourage at $ 40,000.

An expenditure of public money deemed scandalous for the opponents of Paul Biya, who came to grips last week with the bodyguards of the Cameroonian president. A Swiss journalist was even assaulted. Six members of Paul Biya's security service have since been sentenced to suspended sentences.

But the discomfort remains. Bern called Cameroonian representation to order. Geneva for its part speaks of a totally unacceptable event. A deputy even started a petition to demand the immediate departure of Paul Biya. She has already collected more than 11,000 signatures.

Paul Biya has nothing to do in Geneva. Thank you for signing and having the petition signed. https://t.co/YGB458PDDM

SYLVAIN THEVOZ (@scythez) June 29, 2019

Socialist Sylvain Thévoz says that, like banking secrecy, the hosting of African dictators in Geneva is perhaps a tradition that Switzerland must now abandon.

    On the same subject

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    Crisis in English-speaking Cameroon: Switzerland in the role of facilitator

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