Political speculation and debate around succession plans for a new Cameroonian President have been sparked by rumours of Paul Biya’s death.
Lawyer Christian Ntimbane wrote an open letter to Samuel Mvondo Ayolo, the director of the Civil Cabinet, expressing worries over Biya’s prolonged absence following the China-Africa Summit, which took place from September 4–6, 2024.
Widespread rumours that the 91-year-old president is either healing in Switzerland or is in the hospital in France have been stoked by the lack of official updates on his condition.
Ntimbane has demanded openness and asked the administration to provide details on the president’s circumstances, stating, “If he is on vacation, say so. Say so too if he is ill”, to allay public fears.
This is as President Biya’s absence has dominated media attention, and voters’ concerns about political stability following his 42-year reign have increased.
Opinion is divided on social platforms like X (previously Twitter). Some people suspect that France is aiming to put Biya’s eldest son, Franck Emmanuel Biya, as his successor, while others feel Cameroon is on the brink of independence from Biya’s extended tyranny.
Cameroon Concord claims that since Biya’s brother-in-law, Robert Nkili, is set to take over as president in an acting capacity, there may already be a political structure in place to ease the transfer. Opposition figures like Maurice Kamto, nevertheless, would band together to oppose any effort at dynastic succession and advocate for democratic changes.
After serving as prime minister of Cameroon from 1975 to 1982, Biya assumed office as president on November 6, 1982. He continues to be the oldest head of state, the longest-serving non-royal national leader in the world, and the second-longest president in Africa.
As conjecture swirls, the government’s silence continues to exacerbate public unease about Cameroon’s political future.