Biya’s promised reforms: “On attend l'enfant...”.

It humorously tells the story of a pregnancy that lasted abnormal than usual and turned out to be fake. 

Some commentators have used that phrase to describe the long wait of the highly-awaited cabinet reshuffle; which President Biya, in his December 31, 2025, end-of-speech, announced will be made public “in the coming days.” 

This is in addition to other reforms and more recently the “short trip” abroad, which is a month now. It is not a situation of humour for any country. 

In his inaugural speech for an eighth mandate on November 7 last year, President Biya proved he was abreast with the sufferings, toils and yearnings of his people.

“I fully fathom the gravity of the situation our country is experiencing. I am aware of the numerous and severe challenges we face. I understand the depth of frustrations and the scale of expectations,” he stated, noting that such challenges require expeditious action and presence. 

Biya also promised to “submit to Parliament some reforms to enhance the State’s efficiency by adapting our institutions to the demands of our environment”.

He did that by re-introducing the post of Vice President. The expectation from Cameroonians was that he will with automatic alacrity form a new government, which he promised in the “the coming days” that has not come, some seven months after.

Admittedly, he has revived the Constitutional Council that had been on a sleep of death for five years, keeping five batches of magistrate graduates from ENAM waiting for postings while courts are overwhelmed with cases that lead to congested prisons.

Ministers in anticipation of a change in portfolios since December last year have been working cautiously in timidity. Some commentators even say they are in suspense.

His recent short trip abroad, which has lasted more than a month, is the current “talk of town”, exhuming debates over his health, following reports by Jeune Afrique that he was hospitalised. 

But the Minister of Communication and Government Spokesman, Sadi Rene Emmanuel, quickly refuted. 

Other reports flooding the social media concern the birth day party of one of his sons.

Pictures on the media showing his family celebrating the 31st birthday of Biya Junior in Switzerland, are raising questions and various interpretations about his health and the possibility of succession discussions behind closed doors.

But as the Minister of Communication said, he continues to work from abroad. The latest evidence is a message to President Donald Trump, on July 2, 2026, ahead of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence.

In the message, President Biya reiterated his commitment to strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

President Biya offered his "warmest and most heartfelt congratulations" to the American people, on the occasion of the celebration and also emphasised the special significance of the year 2026 to Americans.

He used the occasion to point out that the United States is co-hosting the 23rd edition of the FIFA Men's World Cup. 

Beyond the formal diplomatic niceties, Paul Biya reaffirmed Cameroon's commitment to strengthening the excellent relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

He assured his American counterpart of his personal and his government's willingness to work towards reinforcing bilateral partnership.

Such messages are traditional diplomatic formalities.

As The Guardian Post has said before, Cameroonians are interested in seeing their President provide an environment that creates jobs, especially for youth, so as to discourage them from dying in the desert, oceans and forests on their way abroad to seek greener pastures.

Such an environment requires an urgent reform, where justice is seen to be done, fast and impartial; where business people pay their taxes without corruptions; where contracts are awarded based on competence; where top appointments and admission to professional schools reflect the national character and more importantly the bicultural specificities of the country.

The President in his powerful inauguration speech recognised “the sovereign people of Cameroon” for entrusting in him the “responsibility to work tirelessly for the advent of a united, stable and prosperous Cameroon.

“I know, just as you know, that this is a daunting but exacting task...especially when one has the people’s unflinching support. You showed me this support at each election,” he stated. 

The 2025 Presidential election is now at the back. Come back home Mr. President, after a well-deserved month-long vacation and; convene the Higher Judicial Council; appoint an Anglophone Vice President and end the waiting lyrics that make serenity of governance sound like a maternity ward comedy.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3840 of Tuesday July 07, 2026