Signs of instability mount as Biya’s grip weakens

In a recent opinion piece, filmmaker Jean Pierre Bekolo paints a stark picture of what awaits Cameroon should President Paul Biya step aside. He argues that the country is already sliding into a phase of permanent contestation, where authority is increasingly challenged through media narratives, social platforms, and behind-the-scenes power struggles.

Bekolo warns that the absence of Biya’s symbolic authority would strip legitimacy from all who claim leadership roles. Even as some advocate for his departure, he notes that no figure or institution today commands the respect that Biya still holds—whether due to age, illness, or absence, his presence alone sustains a fragile order.

Power struggles overshadow state institutions

Daily events seem to confirm his analysis. Public trust erodes as high-ranking officials face scrutiny over perceived corruption and inefficiency. Questions persist about the influence of presidential families and inner circles in managing state resources, with many citizens convinced that wealth is diverted from national coffers to private interests.

Institutions once seen as pillars of governance now face skepticism. Criticism of the Constitutional Council’s decisions, the prolonged tenures of certain corporate leaders, and the opacity surrounding new constitutional amendments all contribute to a growing sense of institutional decay.

The coming chaos: a system unable to stand on its own

Bekolo’s central claim is that Cameroon’s political system has been built around Biya’s authority. Without him, rival factions that have long operated in the shadows would openly clash, and existing tensions could escalate into violence. Institutions paralyzed by infighting would struggle to maintain order, and public finances would falter under the weight of succession disputes.

He describes a country where every decision is questioned, every appointment scrutinized, and every transition contested—leaving only one outcome: chaos.

A call for responsible departure

Rather than cling to power through questionable maneuvers, Bekolo urges leaders who recognize their inability to govern effectively to step aside. He advocates for a transitional government tasked with restoring trust, reforming institutions, and organizing credible elections.

Any attempt to prolong the current system, he warns, risks plunging Cameroon into deeper instability—one that future generations will hold today’s leaders accountable for.