Biya’s Absence at Pope Francis’s Funeral: A Symbol of Changing Leadership in Cameroon? – Opinion

April 26, 2025, was a solemn day at the Vatican, as world leaders and religious figures gathered to bid farewell to Pope Francis. He is the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. His funeral, held at Saint Peter’s Square, witnessed the presence of thousands of people from around the globe. This included political heavyweights and dignitaries from Africa and around the world. However, one notable absence was that of Cameroonian President Paul Biya. Biya at the age of 92, did not attend the service, instead sending Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji to represent him.

A Diplomatic Decision, or Something More?

Diplomatic circles are raising several eyebrows over the decision to send Atanga Nji, a minister responsible for Cameroon’s internal affairs, instead of the foreign minister or another high-ranking diplomat. Ministers of foreign affairs or ambassadors traditionally oversee foreign policy and international events. But rather than being a straightforward diplomatic decision, Atanga Nji’s role in representing Biya suggests something more profound, perhaps an internal political strategy.

Atanga Nji is not an unfamiliar figure in the Cameroonian political landscape. He has been a trusted ally of Biya for years, often appearing in sensitive and high-stakes situations. His presence at such a monumental event as the Pope’s funeral seems to signal more than just diplomatic representation. With President Biya nearing the end of his tenure, due in large part to his advanced age, his decision to send Atanga Nji may also highlight the delicate internal political manoeuvrings within the government.

Why Atanga Nji?

The decision to send Paul Atanga Nji to represent Cameroon raises significant questions about the choice of representation. The president chose to send the minister of territorial administration to handle this duty, even though it is typically the responsibility of Mbella Mbella, Cameroon’s Minister of External Relations. The Minister of Territorial Administration usually focuses on internal affairs, not foreign diplomacy.

His Excellency Dr. Dominique Awono Essama, Cameroon’s Ambassador to Italy, typically represents Cameroon at events in Italy, making his absence equally striking. As the country’s official diplomatic envoy in Rome, Awono Essama manages duties and ensures the representation of Cameroon’s interests in Italy. Moreover, Antoine Zanga, the Ambassador of Cameroon to the Holy See, would also have been a natural choice, given his direct connection with the Vatican.

Why did they send Atanga Nji instead of these more qualified diplomats? The answer likely lies in the internal political dynamics of Cameroon’s government. Atanga Nji has long been one of President Biya’s most trusted allies, particularly in dealing with sensitive internal issues. His presence at the funeral may reflect Biya’s desire to maintain control within his inner circle, where loyalty is prized over traditional diplomatic protocols. The absence of Mbella Mbella, AWONO ESSAMA, and Zanga suggests that Biya is consolidating power among a close-knit group of individuals, even as the country faces mounting political challenges.

The Age of Biya: A Nation’s Uncertainty

Paul Biya, who has been in power since 1982, has lived through multiple decades of leadership. At 92 years old, his health and political vitality are increasingly under scrutiny. Over the years, questions surrounding his leadership and the country’s future have grown louder, particularly as Biya’s age and limited public appearances make his leadership seem more symbolic than active. Many view Biya’s absence and decision to delegate Atanga Nji instead of attending the funeral himself as a sign of his diminished role on the world stage.

It is no secret that Cameroon, under Biya’s reign, has seen its fair share of internal unrest and political struggles, especially in the English-speaking regions, where calls for independence have simmered for years. The president’s advanced age and absence from the funeral may indicate a leadership vacuum that is already being filled, quietly, by figures like Atanga Nji. Sending the Minister of Territorial Administration to a key international event may be less about diplomacy and more about ensuring that Biya’s loyalists maintain control of political power and present a unified front.

Atanga Nji’s Role in Cameroon: A Troubling Trend

Atanga Nji has served as Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration since 2018, a role that traditionally focuses on domestic affairs such as the management of local governments, administrative regions, and the country’s security apparatus. His involvement in international diplomacy is generally minimal, as it is not his remit to engage in foreign affairs directly. Time and again, the president has sent Atanga Nji to represent him at sensitive events, including this funeral.

This choice highlights an emerging political trend within Biya’s administration. Atanga Nji, a long-time ally and trusted figure in the regime, has carved a niche for himself in handling politically sensitive or delicate matters. He shows unwavering loyalty to Biya, yet his time as the Minister of Territorial Administration has been marked by controversy. Atanga Nji faces significant criticism for his management of the ongoing Anglophone Crisis, as violent conflict erupts between separatist forces and government troops in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions. Human rights violations and escalating violence under his watch have widely criticised his role in managing the conflict.

Recently, Atanga Nji’s leadership has been associated with ineffective governance and poor conflict resolution. His failure to de-escalate the Anglophone Crisis and the growing instability in regions under his purview have left many questioning his ability to handle domestic issues effectively. Despite these failures, Atanga Nji stays firmly entrenched in Biya’s inner circle. His appointment to represent Cameroon at Pope Francis’s funeral serves as a reward for loyalty rather than an indication of diplomatic competence.

A Bleak Future

While Atanga Nji’s absence of expertise in foreign affairs should have disqualified him from such a key diplomatic mission, his loyalty to Biya appears to have been the decisive factor. In a country where Biya’s age and prolonged absence from public life have raised serious questions about the future, Atanga Nji’s continued prominence may reflect an administration toying desperately with a difficult transition, struggling to define the future of the country.

The failure to send a competent foreign diplomat to represent Cameroon at the funeral of one of the world’s most influential religious leaders might be an indication that, as the country looks toward the future, its leadership is increasingly inward-looking, relying more on political loyalty than professional diplomacy.

A Final Farewell

Pope Francis, the first pope in over 300 years to be buried outside the Vatican, was laid to rest at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, marking the end of an era in the Catholic Church during his funeral. The Pope passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88. People remembered him for reaching out to those from low-income backgrounds and marginalised groups, and his burial reflected his minimalist and humble approach to life.

The funeral service, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, paid tribute to the Pope’s leadership with an open heart. In his eulogy, Re highlighted the Pope’s ability to connect with people from all walks of life, earning him the title of “Pope among the people.” As the world commemorated the life of Pope Francis, many political leaders reflected on the state of their own leadership and legacies.

Mimi Mefo Info