a nation at the edge of collapse

Filmmaker Jean Pierre Bekolo argues that Cameroon is already experiencing the chaos of a nation without President Paul Biya’s firm leadership. In a striking op-ed, he warns that the country’s current period of permanent contestation—visible in media, social platforms, and power struggles—will soon escalate into more dangerous confrontations.

«The future is not blurred. It is perfectly visible. In fact, we have been witnessing it for months without even naming it.»

the fading authority of a weakened system

As President Biya’s authority wanes, the lack of legitimacy among those claiming power becomes glaringly obvious. Even in his advanced age and despite his physical absence, Biya continues to command a symbolic authority that none of his inner circle possesses. Every passing day brings fresh examples of this reality.

Public frustration grows as high-ranking officials—who theoretically hold the nation’s highest offices—fail to inspire either trust or respect. Questions swirl around the roles of presidential families and inner circles in managing state resources, public wealth, and strategic enterprises. The public senses that some networks now operate above the Republic itself, wielding more influence than the country’s institutions.

institutional decay and the illusion of control

Each new revelation—such as the Minister of Mines’ admission that the gold everyone speaks of does not belong to the state—undermines national sovereignty. Citizens question the Constitutional Council’s legitimacy after what many view as a politically motivated validation. Ministries appear invisible, failing to address daily hardships while their leaders cling to perks tied to their positions. Extended mandates for board chairs and CEOs, constitutional reforms approved by expired parliaments, and the proliferation of decisions made through permanent delegation blur the line between presidential authority and shadow governance.

Individually, these issues may spark debate. Collectively, they tell a single story: without Paul Biya, no one commands true respect in Cameroon.

the coming storm of succession battles

Bekolo warns that rival factions currently contained within media wars and influence campaigns will soon escalate into far more dangerous confrontations. He cautions that those hoping to inherit power through decrees or private arrangements will discover too late that a Cameroon without Biya is a ticking time bomb. The nation’s institutions—already paralyzed—will be unable to fulfill their roles. Internal dissent will erupt, challenging every decision made.

Financial systems and funding mechanisms will also collapse under the weight of these succession wars, plunging the country into deep crisis. Every decision will face scrutiny. Every appointment will raise suspicion. Every transition will spark contention.

This is the definition of chaos—and it will not come from the opposition or foreign forces. It will arise from a system exhausted by its inability to function without Paul Biya.

the only path forward: responsible departure

Bekolo calls on those who have served long enough to step aside not in humiliation, but in historical responsibility. Their final duty is not to cling to power, but to organize a transition. This transition must include a provisional government tasked with rebuilding institutions, restoring trust, establishing clear rules, and—most importantly—organizing a credible election.

Any attempt to prolong the existing system through backroom deals, secret meetings, or shadowy maneuvers risks accelerating the very chaos they seek to avoid. Those who pursue such paths will bear full responsibility before history.

The writer concludes: «All attempts to artificially extend a system that has reached its end only deepen the danger. The chaos we all fear is not inevitable—if we choose the path of transparency, responsibility, and renewal.»