On June 29, 2026, Cameroon’s political landscape is once again in the spotlight. An article in the Paris‑based weekly Jeune Afrique, published on June 22, revealed that the question of President Paul Biya’s succession is coalescing around two figures sometimes referred to as his “sons.” Alongside the name of Franck Biya, already mentioned as a possible heir, another close associate of the head of state emerges behind the scenes, poised to consolidate his influence.
Louis Paul Motaze, a cousin of Franck Biya, is portrayed as an adopted son of the president. His blood tie to the Biya family and his adopted status place him both in the inner circle of power and in the public sphere, where his name is beginning to circulate as that of a potential successor.
According to journalist Albin Njilo, the Southern elites – a cornerstone of the public administration – have shifted their stance, expressing growing reluctance toward Franck Biya’s candidacy. This reversal, reported by Jeune Afrique, underscores the decisive weight of the Southern regions, where every appointment is gauged against the approval of local leaders.
Motaze’s career reads like a textbook on political ascent. He began as director general of the National Social Insurance Fund (CNPS), then was appointed minister of Economy, Planning and Territorial Development. After a cabinet reshuffle, he served as Secretary‑General of the Presidency (SGPR) before taking the helm of the Ministry of Finance. This series of posts, corroborated by several observers, positions him as the most powerful figure after the president in terms of network.
Beyond titles, Motaze wields near‑total control over the media. “He controls the press – prove it by naming a single outlet that criticises him,” says one analyst. His dominance extends to television stations and major business groups, especially in the West region, where he maintains strategic ties with traditional chiefs.
Among his allies is the charismatic Nayang Toukam Innocent, described as a key pawn. Through his leadership, he has been able to convene gatherings of African traditional chiefs, thereby bolstering Motaze’s influence within customary power structures. The governor of the West region, in turn, regularly summons the minister for sectoral meetings, reflecting a rare institutional closeness.
These dynamics raise several questions for Cameroonian citizens. On one hand, the concentration of power in a small family circle could amplify the perception of a “nepotistic” regime. On the other hand, the mobilization of Southern elites and traditional chiefs might ensure short‑term stability, but risks marginalizing civil‑society voices and those from the northern regions.
The succession scenario remains, for now, speculation fed by internal sources. The coming months will be decisive: party maneuvers, civil‑society reactions, and President Paul Biya’s decisions will determine whether Louis Paul Motaze will truly become the face of the next political era. Observers are eagerly awaiting the first concrete signs.
