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| President Biya was consumed with emotions as he addressed Cameroonians |
Yaounde has been thrown in a state of panic and wide alert over the past fortnight as mutilated corpses of girls as young as 15-years, have been dumped on the streets. Fears of ritual killings have shocked the vibrant city as these bodies have had body parts such as eyes, genitals,breasts, etc removed.
In a speech to the nation addressing distressed Cameroonians, President Biya promised to track those behind such "vile" attacks and to "treat them like the dogs they are." The president cast a forlorn shadow as he pledged emphatically to Cameroonians such heinous crimes will not go unpunished. Racked by emotions, Mr Biya paused from time to time to wipe a tear which occasionally fell on his perspired glistened cheeks. Borrowing the words of British Prime Minister David Cameron, Mr Biya assured Cameroonians "We are all in this together."
President Biya's speech on Yaounde ritual killings:
"Our country is in mourning. When I heard the news of the attacks on these vulnerable young girls I instantly thought about my own daughter. As a parent, I was filled with indescribable sorrow at their young lives cut so short.
"Learning of the horrors inflicted on their bodies left me with a feeling of distraught and a sadness which still tugs at my heart. I cannot understand how such corrupt criminals live amongst us. Such wickedness in mankind. Have we no love for our own people we treat them like common stray dogs?
"What will possess one to act in such a cold calculated way towards a fellow human being? A defenceless young girl? I have asked myself these questions over and over again with no answers.
" My heart goes out to the affected families and I want to assure you we shall track those behind these vile attacks and treat them like the dogs they are. They shall not go free.
"You are not alone. We are all in this together. All of Cameroon mourns with you."
Accompanied by the First Lady Chantal Biya, the presidential duo appeared thoroughly shaken at the events. The usually glamorous Mrs Biya looked pale beyond recognition in a faded CPDM kaba (maxi gown) and badly sewn blond greffe (wig) which unashamedly showed her unrelaxed black roots. The contrast between the blond greffe and her charcoal dark roots created a rather unpolished look for a woman widely regarded on the international scene as Africa's First Lady of Fashion.
It is the first time President Biya has addressed the nation over such an incident. He has been accused in the past of being a ghost leader holed up in the anal cavities of France's president or hiding away in his numerous French Châteaux, completely disconnected from the plight of his people. However Mr Biya appears to prove his critics wrong as a more compassionate side to him has emerged.
Polls conducted by Cameroon's reliable news sources placed him firmly in favour with most Cameroonians who feel they have never had a better president, given the multitude of presidents the country has had.
