Biya’s Candidacy in 2018: UPC calls on Hollande for help

The Union of the Populations of Cameroon (UPC) has called for the mediation of President Francois Hollande with his Cameroonian counterpart, Paul Biya, for the latter to no longer appear in the presidential elections of 2018.

According to the daily Emergence in its Monday August 10, 2015, the memorandum filed in the French diplomatic services in Cameroon had two basic topics.

In the first matter, the UPC asked France to help prepare for the 2018 presidential election, convinced of the reign of President Paul Biya: "We wanted the Hexagon to intercede with his friend from Cameroon to avoid overflow that could result from the participation of Paul Biya in the elections. We also asked Hollande to intercede with his counterpart, in order for the dialogue between the political staff of Cameroon is implemented without delay in order to avoid violence. Because we are a party that wants power and are ready to counter the candidacy of Paul Biya."

The second theme of the memorandum filed in the French diplomatic service was linked to the history between Cameroon and France; the recognition of the genocide in French Cameroon by President Francois Hollande.

"During his friendship and work visit in Cameroon on July 3, the French President acknowledged the crimes perpetrated by the French in some localities of our country and it was apprehended by many political observers as a real duty to remember," the document stated.

In addition, the daily recalled that "outside the UPC, the Cirsis Group International report published in August 2014, at the peak of the war against Boko Haram in the Far North, suggested to Paul Biya not run for president in 2018.”