Ambassador Sylvain Riquier addresses diplomatic protocols on Equinoxe Tv

On Sunday, July 19, 2026, French Ambassador to Cameroon, Sylvain Riquier, appeared on the program La Vérité en face, broadcast by the private Douala-based media outlet Equinoxe Tv. His presence on the show sparked discussions regarding a notable shift in diplomatic practice following Cameroon’s October 2025 presidential election.

Historically, France would extend congratulatory letters within days of the Constitutional Council’s official results, as observed after the 2018 elections. However, after the October 2025 ballot, this precedent changed dramatically. Instead of a swift endorsement of the official figures, the Elysée adopted a noticeably reserved position, omitting the customary public felicitation for President Paul Biya.

This diplomatic silence from Paris became a central point of inquiry during the broadcast. Ambassador Riquier, who had only recently arrived in Cameroon prior to the October 12, 2025 presidential election, responded to the questions with careful diplomacy and a measured tone.

Yaoundé and Paris: maintaining a strong diplomatic connection

During his exchange with journalist Duval Fangwa on La Vérité en face, Ambassador Riquier stated, “I do not believe I have seen a public letter. You would have seen it as well.” When pressed by Fangwa on whether the French President’s silence indicated any strain in relations between Paris and Yaoundé, the diplomat offered a cautious assessment.

“There was no public letter at that time. That’s it,” he confirmed succinctly, before promptly asserting the enduring strength of the relationship between Yaoundé and Paris. “We acknowledged that the election took place. I believe this does not prevent us from maintaining relations with the authorities, particularly through continuous cooperation. I am here, and I have a Cameroonian counterpart in Paris.”

Regular exchanges underscore bilateral ties

Ambassador Riquier further elaborated, emphasizing the ongoing cooperation between the two nations. “There is no room for doubt regarding this cooperation between the two states. The absence of a letter does not hinder normal relations between our two states, between our two governments, and between our two presidents. I believe the President of the French Republic did not deem it necessary to issue a public letter. Cooperation continues, and there have been exchanges of letters on the occasion of our respective national holidays,” he concluded, reinforcing the stability of Franco-Cameroonian diplomatic bonds.