Rumors of Cameroonian President Paul Biya’s death have ignited political speculation and controversy surrounding the country’s succession plans. Following Biya’s extended absence after the China-Africa Summit from September 4 to 6, 2024, lawyer Christian Ntimbane expressed concerns in an open letter to Samuel Mvondo Ayolo, the director of the Civil Cabinet. The absence of official updates on the 91-year-old president’s health has fueled widespread speculation, with reports suggesting he is either recovering in Switzerland or hospitalized in France. Ntimbane has called for transparency, urging the government to clarify the president’s situation, saying, “If he is on vacation, say so. If he is sick, say that too,” in a bid to calm public concerns. Biya’s absence has dominated media coverage, heightening anxiety among citizens about political
Online Speculations
On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), public opinion is split. Some users speculate that France is attempting to install Biya’s eldest son, Franck Emmanuel Biya, as his successor, while others believe Cameroon is on the brink of freedom from Biya’s prolonged rule.
According to Cameroon Concord, a political framework may already be in place to facilitate the transition, with Biya’s brother-in-law, Robert Nkili, positioned to serve as interim president. However, opposition leaders such as Maurice Kamto could mobilize to contest any attempt at dynastic succession, pushing for democratic reforms. Biya has been Cameroon’s president since November 6, 1982, following his role as prime minister from 1975 to 1982. He remains the second-longest-ruling president in Africa, the longest-serving non-royal national leader globally, and the oldest head of state. As speculation swirls, the government’s silence continues to fuel public uncertainty about Cameroon’s political future.
Health Condition
The Cameroonian president could again be hospitalized abroad. Resigned reactions, in Cameroon, to the prolonged absence of the head of state.In Cameroon, the health problems of Cameroonian President Paul Biya, with a possible new hospitalization abroad, highlight the discussions around his succession.
It has been several weeks since the health of President Paul Biya, 91 years old, kept him away from his duties. This new episode is part of a long series of medical absences and faced with this, Cameroonians are not surprised, accustomed to the travels, health or not, of their president.
“The repeated absences of the president should not surprise anyone,” he believes. Even if I have the strong feeling that Cameroon is now governed behind the curtains. Which is a shame! Cameroonians have the right to demand, to know what the president is doing, where he is and how he is doing.” Politician Saint Eloi Bidoung, a former activist of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Rally, the ruling party, deplores this lack of transparency on Paul Biya’s health.
War of Succession
Paul Biya’s last appearance dates back to a few weeks ago, on the occasion of the 4th Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Since then, there has been no news of the nonagenarian president.
This power vacuum, which is not entirely new, raises fears of internal struggles within the government and the ruling party.
Clarisse Yindou is a law student and she feels that the post-Biya era is taking on a new dimension.
“The war for the succession of the president is now open between the elites. As you can see, government solidarity has screwed up. Everyone does what they want, steals as best they can and it is us, the common people, who suffer. It can be seen that it is the president’s photo and his signature that govern this country,” says the student.
This lack of leadership, which dates back several years, has led to tensions within the administration and between different ministries, resulting in inefficient bureaucracy and stagnant infrastructure projects.
The setbacks of the Biya era
Saint Eloi Bidoung believes that President Paul Biya has failed:
“I don’t think that during the next seven-year term, the president will be in a position to lead Cameroon. He inherited a country at peace, he is leaving the country at war. He inherited a country in the process of democratization, he brought back the investitures, it’s a step backwards. He inherited a country that had a relatively prosperous economy, he made it an economy on its knees. He inherited a Cameroon where Cameroonians had found pleasure in living together, today it is tribalism, it is a failure.”
Some Cameroonians say that the absence is a strategy by President Paul Biya to stay in power in 2025. But a large part of the population, which has known only one president for more than four decades, is simply demanding change and democratic opening.
