Questions on Biya’s whereabouts heighten as he misses out on Macron’s conference call with African leaders

No state on the African continent has been left the same in the wake of the COVID-19 virus.

The past few weeks have see nations dishing out billions and instituting lockdowns to combat the virus.

In a bid to join forces against the virus, French president Emmanuel Macron had a conference call on Friday with key African heads of state.

They included; Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, DR Congo, Egypt, Mali, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya.

Key issues discussed included the need for Africa to stand together, speak with one voice and work through financial institutions to mobilize resources and harmonise the support from international partners.

Significantly absent at the conference call, was Cameroon’s President Paul Biya who has gone incognito for the past weeks.

Despite attempts from communication Minister, Emmanuel Sadi to dismiss rumours of Biya’s death, demands for physical proof keep increasing.

After Biya failed to heed to a seven-day ultimatum by the CRM’s Kamto to address Cameroonians in person, he has been given another seven days to proof he is in control.

In case Biya fails to do so, “we would be forced to initiate adequate legal procedures to obtain confirmation, by the competent bodies, of the presidential vacancy and its constitutional consequences” Kamto says.

While it is unlikely that the President will respond, many believe his surprising absence from Macron’s conference call may be a signal of deteriorating relations with France or even more.

MMI