Cameroon vice presidency: Paul Biya’s son and cousin in succession battle

As speculation grows over who might succeed president Paul Biya, two names from his inner circle have emerged: his adoptive son Franck Biya and his cousin Louis Paul Motaze. Both are quietly positioning themselves for the vice presidency.

Louis Paul Motaze, a cousin of Franck Biya, is said to be capitalising on a shift among influential elites from the country’s southern region. According to well-placed observers, these elites have indicated to the head of state that they do not support Franck Biya’s candidacy. “Everyone knows the weight of southern elites in Cameroon’s public administration,” notes a political analyst familiar with the matter.

Motaze’s career trajectory is impressive: former director general of the National Social Insurance Fund (CNPS), minister of economy, planning and regional development, secretary general at the presidency, and minister of finance. Many analysts describe him as the most powerful man after Paul Biya in terms of network and influence.

Batoufam and strategic alliances

“He controls the press – name a single media outlet that criticises him – he controls television media and is deeply connected to the business world across all regions, especially in the West. His ties with traditional chiefs in the West are strategic. Among his key allies is the highly charismatic Nayang Toukam Innocent, whose leadership enabled him to host meetings of African traditional chiefs on his soil. He regularly receives sectoral meetings from the governor of the Western region. Louis Paul Motaze personally met him at the royal palace of Batoufam five years ago, accompanied by a delegation that included the businessman and head of Biopharma. This chief has made Batoufam the world’s 20th ecotourism destination according to the International Organisation of Social Tourism,” explains a political observer.

A true strategist, Motaze has carefully distanced himself from businessman Amougou Belinga after the scandal surrounding the murder of Martinez Zogo. His reputation is that he is not tribalistic, even in his inner circle. The question remains about his record since 2007, when he entered Cameroon’s government through the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development. Motaze’s main rival is his cousin Franck Biya, who is seen as the protégé of the first lady, alongside Oswald Baboke. Another competitor is Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, who despite his merits is said to be less generous than Motaze’s camp suggests. As for Franck Biya, sources indicate that he projects a certain coldness towards the youth from the southern region.