On June 29, 2026, the Minister of Finance made a significant public statement regarding the restoration of Sonara.
This development has positioned the minister back at the heart of the ongoing discussions regarding the future leadership of Cameroon. After a period of intense media pressure directed at Franck Biya, the Minister of Finance appears to be regaining momentum in the political arena. The motives behind the recent wave of negative coverage targeting the President’s son remain a subject of intense debate among observers.
Recent claims have suggested that certain elites and local youth groups are resistant to a potential political rise for Franck Biya. However, these assertions likely reflect the growing concern among other contenders for the vice-presidency. Information from high-level circles indicates that before his journey to Switzerland, President Paul Biya was presented with two distinct proposals for the vice-presidency and a cabinet reshuffle—one from the First Lady’s entourage and another from the Presidency’s Secretariat. The President reportedly declined both, choosing instead to bypass standard protocols for his departure to Switzerland, where he held working sessions with Franck Biya.
Is Franck Biya involved in shadow gold operations?
Lately, various whistleblowers have circulated accusations attempting to implicate Franck Biya in a gold trafficking scandal. This is a clear indication that the internal power struggle within the state has entered its final, most aggressive phase. The ongoing revelations surrounding the Martinez Zogo case and the gold-related scandals currently under review by the Special Criminal Tribunal (TCS) are being closely monitored by the President. These legal mechanisms may eventually lead to the political sidelining of several high-ranking figures who are currently vying for the vice-presidency. The longer the wait for a new government and a vice-presidential appointment, the more these scandals emerge, exposing the fierce competition for power.
This period of transition also carries significant security implications for the President. Following the Martinez Zogo affair, which exposed links between security apparatuses and private business interests, the President has increasingly relied on the BIR (Rapid Intervention Battalion). The commander of the Presidential Guard (GP) has even established a presence within the Etoudi Palace to ensure maximum protection. The BIR remains the elite force dedicated to defending national sovereignty under Paul Biya’s direction.
International security agencies are also paying close attention to the situation in Cameroon. Following a previously interrupted travel plan, American intelligence services—who are tracking the risk of instability in the absence of a clear succession plan—reportedly suggested that the President limit his international movements. The security of Paul Biya has even drawn the attention of figures like Donald Trump. Furthermore, a private flight recently landed at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport carrying William Joseph Burns, the Director of the CIA. He held high-level discussions with Cameroonian intelligence chiefs shortly after his arrival. These developments confirm that President Paul Biya maintains firm control over the nation’s affairs. Amidst internal rivalries, his continued leadership is essential to ensuring a peaceful transition for all Cameroonians.