Is a Biya political dynasty taking shape in Cameroon? | DW News

Paul Biya has ruled Cameroon for almost 40 years. When his term ends in 2025 he will be in his 90s. And increasingly attention is turning to his successor, with his son Franck Biya considered one of the contenders to fill his father's shoes. A number of political campaign groups have been stoking the fires of succession on his behalf. And raising the possibility of yet another political dynasty taking shape.
There's nothing official, but that hasn't stopped newspapers from speculating about a possible political family hand-over. The word is that Franck Biya could replace his father as Cameroon's president.
IT specialist Gabrielle Aristide is struggling to convince everyone here that Franck Biya should become head of state. He is one of the thousands of Cameroonians who have expressed support for him. And he insists it has nothing to do with succession.
Paul Biya has ruled Cameroon for almost 40 years. He has a firm grip on the army, legislation and judiciary. Analysts believe this could help him prepare his son to take over from him. Professor Ako John Ako says this is all too common in Africa.
Most of Cameroon's 25 million people are under 35 years old and have only known one president. There's a desire for change, but many do not want another Biya to lead the country. Lena Fabrice is an opposition party member who has been organizing small anti-Biya protests. He is strongly opposed to having Frank Biya as the next president.
By law, the president cannot hand over power. But even if Franck Biya becomes president by winning the election in 2025, many here will still see him as his father's son.
DW's Blaise Eyong reports from Douala.

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[Andrew-obij]

Why bother calling them Presidents, just say king and be done with it

[muhammad-bin-american]

This is quite normal in Africa. In fact if we end up with anyone else without the 'Biya' last name then I would be very surprised. Cameroon is one of those African nations that are tightly controlled by France and they care less about the will of the people. Hopefully some day the people will rise up and take back their country back.

[etiennet.]

Dynasty will be the critical issue for Central African states in the near future. Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea... If they fall into dynasty, they'll see more insurgencies, radical populism, poverty.

[randatatang]

Here in Cameroon, the fear is real and I fear it will bring instability in the country.

[onyangoolony]

In Kenya 🇰🇪 Kamwana rigged Elections..anyways it was democratic...Biya are 🇨🇲 greatest curse

[africa-first]

There is no way we Cameroonians can let this happen..

[GenerationZ]

While it true that Canada's current prime minister Justin Trudeau is the son of a former prime minister, he did not immediately pass the role to his son. In fact Justin Trudeau wouldn't become prime minister until 15 after his father's death after making a huge comeback for the Liberal Party of Canada.

[tanga]

Mr Lena Fabrice cameroon has lost its ID ever since.

[innocentgoitseone]

Francophone countries are a joke. Haha

[gracetamara]

What a shame...I'm always mesmerized at how just one person can control a country...pple of Cameroon rise...and those who accept to serve such dynasties are small minded pple...

[yuzef]

No stress, no worry it is the ends that is needed.

[emile]

Its really disheartening to know that the Cameroonian people done have any say in who will govern them even after Biya has gone. Why because of the nonsense agreement all French colonies signed with France for them to be continuously contoled by France as a condition for their so called independence.

The agreement is called the pact of continuous colonization.And here are the terms of the agreement.


1) All French colonies must Deposit 85% of their bank reserves in the French treasury. And if they wish to get access to any part of the money they must first present their country financial report to France and if France deems it necessary to give them, they can only give them 20% of the money but that will be as a loan and at a commercial interest rate.

2) that all their military hardware's must be bought from France. And all their soldiers must only be trained by French military

3) France has the first right of refusal of any natural resources discovered in any of the countries. And French companies have the first right of refusal of any public contracts in those countries.

4) That France has the right to invade any of these countries without any notice if France feels they are not working in their interests.

So for Cameroonians who don't know this is the agreement Cameroon has with France like the other French Colonies.

So what this means is that Paul Biya is France representative in Cameroon who is there to make sure that Cameroon respect all the terms of these agreement. Which further means that Paul Biya is not the head of state of Camerooon to represent the interests of Cameroon but to represent the interests of France. So technically he is not a Cameroonian but a French citizen.

That is why what ever is going on in Cameroon he has very little or nothing to do about it because the decisions are not for him to make but that of the French government.

Frank Biya the son of Paul will be the next France representative in Cameroon just to let you guys know so as to clear everyone doubts. That's why he resides in France, so to be growned by the French Government. The main reason they keep him in France is because before assuming his duty as the next France representative in Cameroon he will first have to sign all the agreements in France before heading to Cameroon to assume duty. And given the fact that France controls the Cameroonian military there is almost no way Cameroonians can prevent this from happening.

So that's the faith of Cameroon just so we know. And if care is not taking this might go on for hundreds of years to come.

So that is to say the only day Cameroonians will be able to say that they are truly independent and free will be the day Cameroon has been able to have it's own central bank, that prints it's own money, and regulates its it's own economy and has the freedom of how to use it's own natural resources and where and how to buy its military equipment or where to train its soldiers, and finally to decide on who governs them as their president.

As Cameroonians for us to be able to free our country from this great calamity that has befallen us the French and English Cameroon has to stand as one people and begin by sensitizing the Cameroonian population on what is going on and why our economic situation is this bad and why our people are suffering. If each and every Cameroonian understands the situation then we will be able to come up with a suitable strategy to break free our self from this ancestral cause.

[Jeremiah]

What a shame, Cameroon is still in darkness 😔 😞 😕

[stellak.]

Best definition of madness in Africa....what a shame

[savanah]

Listening to a young man with such a mindset. Talking about the person who was interviewed and he talked about Bush and kenyatta, it's very sad. As usual, , belly politics will never allow Africa to have good governance, and the masses believing for crumbs from selfish politicians during elections and promises of false regional or local investments all in a bit to get votes. What a shame.

[ashash]

I can imagine the political instability it will bring ... What happened in Egypt when Mubarak prepared his son to take over power and we know how it ended..

[africanqueen]

Frank is a puppet....if he knows what it's best for him, he will disappear the day his dad passes over...what is instability or even peace when majority still live in poverty, in fear or when our youth prefers to go die in the mediterraneen...diaspora is happy to come back for holidays but we are so relieved when we can leave....our love of the country is about football, foods and drinking, that's it! Cameroon is doomed....

[TylerHimself]

Common in Africa yes, is it right? OFCOURSE NOT! We need to wake up!

[bernardsaga]

Same thing is happening here in the philippines. The current president's daughter is gunning for the presidency next election cycle and the dutertes are soaked in blood of their people due to their massive failure war on drugs. Terrible times ahead.

[blakestutler]

France needs to get their greedy little hands out of Africa! I know we are allies with them but it’s about time the US gets involved