Franck Emmanuel Biya, the eldest son of the Cameroonian president, continues to attract media attention. After his recent highly publicized appearance during the Mbankolo tragedy, where he expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, he is once again at the center of discussions. In videos circulating on the internet since yesterday, we can see him during a political meeting of the RDPC, the ruling party in Cameroon. During his speech, Franck Emmanuel Biya raised for the first time publicly the question of the succession of his father, President Paul Biya.
During this meeting, which was held in Nice in France to celebrate Paul Biya’s forty years in power, Franck Emmanuel Biya addressed CPDM activists. He began his speech by emphasizing that he did not wish to speak on political subjects, due to his duty of confidentiality. However, he quickly expressed his support for his father, calling him “the natural leader of the Party”. He also insisted on the importance of remaining faithful to his heritage and supporting him in his political vision.
This cautious statement leaves doubt as to the real intentions of Franck Emmanuel Biya with regard to his succession. However, it marks a certain increase in his political involvement. Having remained in his father’s shadow for a long time, he is now gradually becoming noticed by public opinion.
A month ago, during his visit to the site of the Mbankolo tragedy, Franck Emmanuel Biya had already made an impression by appearing alongside the bereaved families. In addition to this, Cameroonians had the opportunity to hear his voice for the first time during this CPDM meeting. This public appearance has revived calls from his supporters who want him to take over from his father as head of state.
It is still difficult to predict the political future of Franck Emmanuel Biya and what role he will play in the presidential succession in Cameroon. His presence on the political scene is becoming more and more significant, but it remains to be seen whether he will manage to gain the trust and support necessary to ascend to the presidency. In any case, his increasingly visible commitment only fuels speculation and discussions within the country.