The Finance Minister’s bombshell and its implications for succession
«On June 29, 2026, the Finance Minister delivered a scathing public address on the rehabilitation of the National Refinery Company. This statement follows a contentious analysis suggesting the Finance Minister is now central to the presidential succession race», notes political commentator Michel Njilo.
According to Njilo, the Finance Minister has been thrust back into contention after what he describes as «a smear campaign orchestrated by a pan-African publication against Franck Biya». The targeted questioning then emerges: «Why this relentless assault on Franck Biya?»
Njilo further reveals that «in a provocative article, claims were made that Franck Biya’s candidacy has been rejected by the Bulu elite, with assertions that southern youth oppose his potential presidency. Yet, the reality appears different: Franck Biya increasingly unsettles other vice-presidential aspirants. Behind-the-scenes revelations from Geneva indicate that, prior to his departure for Switzerland, the Head of State faced two competing proposals for the vice-presidency and cabinet reshuffle: one from the First Lady advocating for a Deputy CCE candidate, and another from the Presidency’s General Secretariat proposing an SGPR candidate. Not only did the President decline both propositions, but he also bypassed standard travel protocols for his Swiss trip—where working sessions with Franck Biya were scheduled», explains Njilo.
Franck Biya’s alleged gold mining ventures
This week, whistleblowers including Boris Bertolt accused Franck Biya of involvement in a gold trafficking scandal. Such allegations, analysts argue, signal the final stages of a hidden power struggle within state institutions. The escalation of corruption cases—particularly those tied to the murder of journalist Martinez Zogo and gold mining scandals under review by the Special Criminal Court—are viewed by observers as deliberate tactics to destabilize key regime figures vying for the vice-presidency. As the delay in announcing the vice-president and cabinet reshuffle persists, scandals multiply, exposing those driven by unchecked ambition.
Njilo warns that this impasse poses grave security risks for the Head of State. «Following the Martinez Zogo case, which exposed links between the presidential guard and businessman Amougou Belinga, President Biya reportedly shifted reliance to the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR). The BIR commander, previously stationed in Melen, now operates from an office within the Etoudi Palace. The BIR, an elite military unit, serves as the President’s primary safeguard for national sovereignty», he adds.
«Since intelligence reports—shared with US authorities who monitor Cameroon’s stability risks amid an unresolved succession—warned against unnecessary travel due to security concerns, discretion has become paramount. Reports indicate a recent covert visit by CIA Director William Joseph Burns to Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport, where he met with top Cameroonian intelligence officials. These developments underscore President Biya’s firm grip on governance despite persistent rumors. Acutely aware of factional infighting, he must prioritize personal security to ensure a peaceful transition—something only he can guarantee», concludes Njilo.
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