With two weeks until the World Trade Organization's (WTO) 14th Ministerial Conference scheduled in Yaoundé from March 26 to 29, Cameroon claims a 75% readiness level. However, the WTO is discreetly activating Geneva as a Plan B, raising questions about Cameroon's capacity to host the event. An emergency meeting was held in Geneva on March 5, where the possibility of withdrawing from Cameroon was considered.
The WTO Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, led the African group to block an outright relocation, insisting that the conference remain in Africa. However, the WTO has agreed in principle to choose Geneva as a fallback solution, and all preparatory committees have been transferred to Switzerland.
Several factors motivate this distrust of Yaoundé. Significant delays are noted in the renovation of the Mont Fébé hotel, a key hotel infrastructure. The distance between accommodation sites and the Palais des congrès poses logistical problems, and difficulties persist regarding the issuance of visas. In addition, Cameroonian civil society actors have called for the conference to be relocated due to the repression of post-election demonstrations.
A WTO delegation visited Geneva to assess the availability of reception infrastructure, and Swiss hotels and conference centers could absorb the event quickly. WTO technicians are now working from Switzerland, preparing two parallel scenarios, allowing a switch to Geneva in 72 hours.
If the conference were to be relocated, it would be a setback for Cameroon, casting doubt on its ability to organize an international event of this magnitude. It could also reinforce the idea that Africa is not ready to host major global trade events. The pressure is on Yaoundé to transform its stated level of preparedness into an irreproachable organization. Cameroon has two weeks to prove its ability to organize a global conference that meets WTO standards.
