Race to Unity Palace: Biya, retire, maintain dignity - Dr Fomunyoh.

Dr Fomunyoh made the declaration on Radio France Internationale, RFI, last Friday, July 11, 2025. 

He said by not seeking re-election, President Biya will be doing great honour to his image and legacy.

His outing on RFI came hours to the convening of the electorate for the forthcoming Presidential election, to be held on October 12, 2025.

Dr Fomunyoh was categorical that after serving the nation for 42 long years, the time for Biya, 92, to retire, is now.

Commenting on a recent public disagreement between Government's Spokesman, Emmanuel Rene Sadi, and CPDM Communication Secretary, Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo, on Biya’s chances of seeking re-election, Dr Fomunyoh told the Paris-based radio that he wasn’t surprised by such inconsistencies from the public officials.

“This doesn't surprise me at all. On the contrary, it demonstrates what we have always criticised about the current regime. Minister René Sadi, for example…seems to understand the anguish in which the people of Cameroon live…he tried to be rational and even to reassure these people to a certain extent. But a few hours later, we were very surprised that Minister Fame Ndongo came out and launched into an exaggerated sophism, which is confusing, not only for Cameroonians, but also for all Africans who are watching with curiosity, what is happening in Cameroon,” he noted.

Quizzed by the French media organ on what could be his response, should he be contacted by President Paul Biya for advice, Dr Fomunyoh was blunt: “I would clearly tell him to get some rest, because, if I wanted to be cynical, I would say, as some people do, that Paul Biya's candidacy would be a gift. The greatest gift that the ruling party could give to the opposition. Because it would be very easy to beat him in a campaign, where he won't be able to campaign, where he won't be able to tour the country's ten Regions, where he won't be able to interact with journalists and the people. But I'm not that cynical. I'm an optimist by nature and I would say to him outright: ‘As a grandfather, as a great-grandfather, it's time to retire and be respected by Cameroonians, by Africans and by the whole world’'.

Commenting on US President, Donald Trump’s recent meeting with five African Heads of State at the White House, last Wednesday, on what he thinks of the United States' new trade approach to Africa, Dr Fomunyoh said: “…given the continent's natural wealth, it will open up new prospects. We sensed this on Wednesday, when the five Heads of State took turns to talk about their countries' natural resources. And there are plans for another summit, perhaps in September, in New York, and perhaps this will change the paradigm”.

On mining contracts as one of the arguments that the United States is now putting on the table, after 25 years of failure in the Great Lakes Region, Dr Fomunyoh said: “Perhaps the two States of Congo and Rwanda, seeing a common interest in the possibility of new wealth from mineral exploitation, could agree to settle their conflicts through negotiation. So, if this can calm things down and avoid the loss of human lives that Congo has suffered in the east of its territory, it will be welcomed”.

Reminded that last March, the current President of Gabon, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, revealed that the Chinese had wanted to set up a military base on the coast of Gabon, but that Gabon had turned down the proposal, Dr Fomunyoh noted that: “you can see that since the transition in Gabon, Gabon has been trying to influence diplomatic conversations with Washington. We also felt it on Wednesday when the new Gabonese President showed his openness”.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3503 of Monday July 14, 2025