“She has very little in common with the young 24 year old woman presented to Cameroonians on the night of the National Day of 1994 after a surprise wedding.” - Quotes the article written by one George Dougueli.
According to the article, Chantal Biya’s influence over the president became apparent when speculations that Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, former Secretary General at the presidency of the republic was going to be axed from the government did not come to fruition. Mr Ngoh Ngoh was in charge of all public contracts related to the 2019 African Nations Cup which was to hold in Cameroon but had to be withdrawn because of delays in work on stadiums and other public infrastructure.
In the January 4 cabinet reshuffle, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh not only kept his place in the government. He was promoted to Minister of State, a move which many believe is the orchestration of Chantal BIya. Ismael Bidoung Mpkatt who many also thought will receive the axe was removed from minister of sports to minister of culture. Both Ngoh Ngoh and Bidoung Mpkatt are known to be protégés of Chantal Biya.
According to the article, it appears Chantal Biya has transitioned from being knows as just a public companion to the president to being referred to by courtiers at the Unity Palace as “Madame la Présidente.” It is said the law the forbids women from entering the Unity palace in trousers is hers. The article goes ahead to mention many of Biya’s close collaborators whose fate have ultimately been decided by their relationship with Chantal Biya.
The article suggests that the real source of her power lies in the Chantal Biya foundation which has wives of ministers, presidents of institutions, and ambassadors as members with- a long waiting list too. The foundation known as CERAC is said to be a mirror of the government as the wives of government officials understand they are unwanted when their husbands get cut off from Biya’s circle.
Do you think Chantal Biya is strategically placed to be Cameroon’s next president or is her power going to go away with her husband’s?
- TeamPoise