Paul Biya Health Crisis: Rumors and Succession Plans in Cameroon

The mystery surrounding the health and possible demise of Cameroon's President Paul Biya continues to deepen, as regime officials maintain tight-lipped silence, imposing a ban on discussions regarding the president’s health.

As speculation grows, exiled journalists and whistleblowers, including prominent figures like Boris Betolt and Miche Biem Tong, have shared controversial details about the situation, suggesting internal rifts and potential plans for succession.

A recent article by Jeune Afrique titled Santé de Paul Biya : ballet suisse et rumeurs parisiennes points to the uncertainty surrounding Biya’s return to Yaoundé after an expected arrival on October 13, 2024, was quietly canceled. Despite mobilizations to welcome him, Biya did not appear, fueling rumors about his declining health. In light of this, Chantal Biya, the president’s wife, has become the focus of public scrutiny, with some questioning her decisions regarding her husband’s prolonged international trips despite his frail condition.

Whistleblower Boris Betolt, exiled for his vocal criticism of the regime, dismissed claims that Biya is in a coma or dead but admitted the president’s health is deteriorating due to his age. Betolt’s revelations highlight suspicions of potential political maneuvering within Biya's circle, with rumors of coup discussions within the Cameroonian military and speculation that the Constitutional Council might declare the presidency vacant if Biya does not return to Cameroon by a specific deadline.

Journalist Paul Chouta further amplified concerns, accusing regime barons of plotting to ensure Franck Biya, the president's son, or Louis Paul Motaze, the finance minister, succeeds Biya in what many view as attempts to establish a dynastic succession. According to Chouta, a constitutional reform could be in the works, enabling an early election while keeping Biya officially in power until a successor is sworn in. This would prevent a power vacuum, allowing the regime’s internal apparatus of control to remain intact.

In addition to internal power struggles, Chantal Biya’s reluctance to return to Cameroon amid fears of facing a fate similar to Sylvia Bongo, the widow of the former Gabonese president, adds to the uncertainty. Chantal reportedly hinted at potentially burying Biya in Switzerland if her son, Franck, is not chosen as his successor.

These unfolding events paint a complex picture of a regime grappling with internal fractures, a looming power vacuum, and a population eager for transparency and change. As the political and military elites deliberate on the future of the country, Cameroonians remain in the dark, with the president’s fate and the nation’s leadership hanging in the balance.