Retired Colonel Titus Ebogo, a pivotal figure who helped President Paul Biya retain power during the failed 1984 coup, passed away today at the age of 94 at the Yaoundé military garrison due to illness. This marks the end of a significant chapter in Cameroon’s history under the “New Deal.”
Multiple sources have reported that the 94-year-old will be buried immediately and without ceremony, in accordance with his last wishes.
For over 30 years, Titus Ebogo rendered honorable and loyal service to the Cameroonian army. Historical accounts tell that he was the one who reclaimed the Yaoundé International Airport from the coup plotters on April 6, 1984. At the time, he was an infantry battalion commander in Ebolowa. He was called upon to aid Yaoundé, which was under attack by the rebels. Arriving from the southern part of Yaoundé, Titus Ebogo entered the fray with over 150 men at the old Yaoundé International Airport, now the current airbase.
He was subsequently promoted to the first commander of the newly established Presidential Guard from 1985 to 1999, an elite unit created by Paul Biya to replace the former Republican Guard under Ahmadou Ahidjo.
Retired for over 30 years, Titus Ebogo had withdrawn to his village, Mengang. Despite his retirement from public affairs, he remained one of the most influential figures in his community. He is remembered for staunchly opposing the continued tenure of his municipality’s executive council in 2013. At 94, he joins the ranks of other key figures from 1984, such as General Asso’o Emane, General Oumaroudjam Yaya, and Abdoulaye Garoua, in eternity.
