Cameroonian filmmaker Jean-Pierre Bekolo has issued a stark warning about the future of his country, suggesting that the absence of President Paul Biya would plunge the nation into chaos.

Signs of a crumbling authority

In a recent op-ed, Bekolo paints a picture of a Cameroon already mired in permanent unrest, where authority figures—once shielded by Biya’s presence—are now openly scrutinized and distrusted. “The clans that have been jockeying for influence behind closed doors will soon take their battles into the open,” he cautions.

Institutions losing their grip

Bekolo highlights a growing perception that key state institutions—including the Constitutional Council and ministries—are either ineffective or complicit in mismanagement. Cases of disputed mineral wealth, contested political decisions, and prolonged leadership tenures have eroded public confidence.

• Mines Minister’s controversial statement about state-owned gold reserves raised suspicions that national resources are being diverted to private interests.
• The Constitutional Council faced accusations of endorsing what many view as political deception, undermining its credibility.
• Prolonged mandates of public enterprise leaders and state officials, often beyond legal limits, have fueled perceptions of systemic impunity.

A nation held together by one man

The filmmaker argues that Biya’s symbolic authority has been the only force preventing deeper fractures. “Even in illness or absence, Biya’s name still commands respect—something no other figure or institution can claim today,” he notes.

Without Biya, Bekolo warns, Cameroon risks violent confrontations, institutional paralysis, and a breakdown in governance. “Every decision will be challenged, every appointment scrutinized, and every succession contested,” he declares, painting a scenario of unchecked chaos.

The path forward: a responsible exit

To avert disaster, Bekolo calls on Cameroon’s leadership to prioritize a peaceful transition. He advocates for a limited-term interim government tasked with restoring trust, reforming institutions, and organizing credible elections. “Their final service to the nation is not to cling to power but to ensure a dignified transition,” he asserts.

Any attempt to prolong the current system—through backroom deals or constitutional manipulations—is dismissed as a dangerous gamble that could plunge Cameroon into instability.

In closing, Bekolo leaves no doubt: “The chaos we fear will not come from opposition or foreign interference—it will be the inevitable consequence of a system that cannot survive without President Biya.”