Is Paul Biya Preparing Laurent Esso To Take Power

Recently Cameroons Minister of State, Minister of Justice and keeper of the Seals, Laurent Esso has represented President Paul Biya in two major international events. The first was on September 27, 2016 during the Installation ceremony of the re-elected President of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba. In fact Laurent Esso was the only Minister to represent his President, because other presidents sent their Prime Ministers. The Second event is the ongoing Summit on Maritime Security and Development in Africa in Togo. Again Laurent Esso is heading a Cameroonian delegation in Togo including foreign Affairs Minister Le Jeune Mbella Mbella.

These two outings of Laurent Esso, popularly called ‘the heart of the Nation’ have left many speculating that Mr Biya could be playing his card once again. That Cameroon has a Prime Minister Philemon Yang who is head of government and who on these occasions has been bypassed for his subordinate is a warning signal that Etoudi could be preparing a bombshell. But can Mr Biya show his cards openly to Cameroonians?

The Head of State is known for his game plan, he doesn’t want people to speculate on what he will do next. Is Mr Biya trying to get public opinion about Laurent Esso being the next president of is he trying to tell Yang Philemon that his time as Prime Minister is over? Is he ready to relinquish power to Littoral at the expense of his brothers of the South and Muslims in the North who have both being fighting a cold war over who take over after Biya?

These answered questions only keep Cameroonians wondering what Mr Biya is up to. The head of state has spent over 28 days now out of the country. He left of September 16, 2016 to prepare for the 71st General Assembly of the United Nations. Since then the whereabouts of Mr Biya is not known.Some sources say he returned to his hotel suit at the Swiss based Continental hotel.