Chantal Biya, Yang ‘missing’

State media, both the CRTV TV and radio had made so much noise about the absence of the First Lady, Chantal Biya, at the official opening of the ceremony.

The radio had announced continuously that President Biya would be accompanied to the ceremony by his spouse, Chantal Biya. But it was never the case as Biya alighted alone from his car.

Her absence could reasonably be justified given that the First Lady recently lost her mother. Her remains are still being kept in a mortuary. But most shockingly was the conspicuous absence of the prime minister, head of government, Philemon Yang.

His absence created more disbelief, given that the prime minister is of English expression. Of the three Cameroonian authorities who occupied seats at the high table, none was Anglophone. Did he boycott or was assigned to take care of other pressing state issues?