Cameroonian Academic Olivier Bilé Rejects Ministerial Role, Criticizes Leadership

Bilé, a prominent academic and political figure, shared his views candidly on the state of Cameroon's leadership and governance.

"Paul Biya can no longer appoint a government in Cameroon. It's over," Bilé said, claiming that the President has entered a phase of "incapacity" which, in his view, explains the political stagnation currently facing the country.

Bilé, who leads the *Union for Fraternity and Prosperity* (UFP) party, further revealed that he had been approached for a ministerial position between 2018 and 2019 but chose to decline. “I do not engage in politics to become a minister. If I wanted to, I would have accepted the offer back then,” he stated, emphasizing that his political involvement is driven by principle rather than personal ambition.

In the same program, Bilé raised concerns about the mismanagement of Cameroon's mineral resources. Referring to a report by a non-governmental organization, he criticized the underreporting of the country's gold exports. “Where statistics show that one gram of gold is declared for export, the reality is that 10,000 grams have left the country,” Bilé explained, highlighting the discrepancies in official data and the loss of potential revenue.

Olivier Bilé, born on April 16, 1967, is a university professor and a former presidential candidate whose bid to run in the 2018 elections was rejected by the Constitutional Council. Despite setbacks, Bilé remains active in Cameroonian politics and continues to be a vocal critic of the current administration.

His recent comments come amid growing speculation about the political future of Cameroon, as many question the ability of the 91-year-old President Biya to effectively manage the country’s affairs. Bilé’s views add to a broader debate about governance, accountability, and the need for leadership reforms in Cameroon.