Cameroon vice-presidency race: Paul Biya’s sons jostle for position

A new report from late June 2026 reveals that after Franck, another son of the president has been quietly building his network for years in preparation to succeed his father.

Louis Paul Motaze, cousin of Franck Biya, the president’s adopted son, is reportedly capitalising on a shift among southern elites. These influential figures have communicated to President Paul Biya that they do not support Franck Biya’s bid for the vice-presidency. “The influence of southern elites in Cameroon’s public administration is well known,” notes a political commentator.

Louis Paul Motaze has held key positions: Director General of the Social Insurance Fund (CNPS), Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Secretary General of the Presidency, and Minister of Finance. Many observers consider him the most powerful figure after President Paul Biya in terms of connections and network.

Batoufam

He controls the press — name a single media outlet that criticises him — he controls television media and is deeply connected to the business world across all regions, especially the West. His relationships with traditional chiefs in the West are strategic. One key ally is the charismatic Nayang Toukam Innocent, whose leadership enabled him to host gatherings of African traditional chiefs in his domain. He frequently receives sectoral meetings from the governor of the Western region. Louis Paul Motaze personally met him at the royal palace of Batoufam five years ago, accompanied by a delegation that included the businessman and owner of Biopharma. This chief has made Batoufam the 20th ecotourism destination in the world according to the International Organisation of Social Tourism.

He is a true strategist. The revelations are not surprising: he skillfully distanced himself from businessman Amougou Belinga after the scandal surrounding the murder of Martinez Zogo. His reputation is that he is not tribalistic, even in his inner circle. The question remains his record since 2007 when he entered the cockpit of the Cameroon plane through MINEPAT. Louis Paul Motaze faces his cousin Franck Biya, the protégé of the first lady Oswald Baboke, and Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, who despite his merits is not very generous, contrary to what Motaze’s circle suggests. As for Franck Biya, he inspires a certain coolness among southern youth.