An imminent crisis looms over Cameroon

In a recent op-ed, filmmaker Jean-Pierre Bekolo delivers a sobering warning about the future of Cameroon in the absence of President Paul Biya. He argues that the nation is already slipping into a state of relentless political turmoil, where authority is collapsing and respect for institutions is eroding.

Bekolo asserts that Cameroon is already trapped in a cycle of permanent contestation, playing out through media narratives, social media battles, and behind-the-scenes power struggles. The factions vying for influence are merely biding their time before escalating their conflicts into more destructive forms.

A system built on a single figure

Even as Biya’s physical presence fades, his symbolic authority remains unmatched. His absence would strip away the fragile legitimacy of those currently in power, many of whom have benefited from a system built around his prolonged presidency.

Every day, new examples emerge of officials whose positions command neither confidence nor respect. Public trust has eroded, particularly as questions mount about the roles played by presidential families and inner circles in managing the nation’s wealth and resources.

Rumors of shadow networks operating above state institutions further deepen the perception that power in Cameroon is no longer derived from constitutional authority, but from personal connections and backroom deals.

Institutions crumbling under scrutiny

The credibility of key institutions has taken a severe beating. A recent mining minister’s controversial statement about state gold reserves—suggesting that the gold in question belonged to private interests—has fueled accusations that national resources are being diverted away from the public good.

Similarly, the Constitutional Council’s validation of a contentious political maneuver has left many citizens convinced that justice is no longer blind. The council, once seen as a pillar of integrity, is now viewed as a tool of convenience rather than impartiality.

Ministries that once held sway now appear paralyzed, unable to address the daily struggles of ordinary Cameroonians. Meanwhile, their leaders continue to enjoy the perks of office without delivering results. Long-serving directors and CEOs, whose mandates have long overstayed their welcome, remain untouchable, shielded by a system that resists renewal.

The recent constitutional amendment creating a vice-presidential position—passed by deputies whose own terms had expired—has only intensified suspicions. The proliferation of decisions made through proxy authority has blurred the line between presidential directives and the ambitions of his inner circle, leaving citizens questioning every appointment, every policy.

The looming power vacuum

Bekolo warns that a Cameroon without Paul Biya would plunge into chaos. The absence of a unifying figure would expose the fragility of a system built on compromise, silence, and manipulation. The factions that have long operated in the shadows would no longer feel constrained, escalating from media wars to outright violence.

Those who assumed they could inherit power through decree or arrangement would soon discover that the system they seek to control is a ticking time bomb. Without Biya, no leader or institution would command the respect needed to hold the nation together.

The filmmaker paints a bleak but clear picture: Cameroon is already in the grip of permanent upheaval, where every decision is contested, every appointment questioned, and every transition challenged.

A call for responsibility

Bekolo issues a stark challenge to those clinging to power: “They must pack their bags—not out of humiliation, but out of historic responsibility.” His message is directed at officials who have served long enough, who recognize that they can no longer provide the leadership Cameroon desperately needs.

He advocates for a limited-term transitional government tasked with rebuilding trust, restoring institutional integrity, and organizing credible elections. Such a transition, he argues, is the only peaceful path forward.

Any attempt to prolong an outdated system through secret maneuvers, backroom deals, or constitutional contortions would only deepen the crisis. The Cameroonian people, Bekolo insists, must not be denied their right to a future defined by transparency and accountability.

In his words: “The chaos we fear does not come from the opposition or foreign interference—it stems from a system exhausted by its inability to function without Paul Biya.”

Conclusion: the choice between order and collapse

Cameroon stands at a crossroads. The path of transition, though difficult, offers a chance to break free from decades of stagnation. The alternative—a desperate scramble to preserve a crumbling system—risks plunging the nation into instability, with consequences no one can predict or control.

As Bekolo’s warning makes clear, the time for action is now. The choice is between order and chaos, between responsibility and ruin.