I did not take dictatorial power - Paul Biya

President Paul Biya, a master of small sentences that vibrate and make the buzz addressed on Friday a press conference with his counterpart, French President François Hollande during his visit to Cameroon.

To the question of the Special Envoy of the French public television in France, Gérard Griesbeck, who wanted to know if the Cameroonian President was not full of power and if he would finally give up, Paul Biya said, "I first want to say that those who stay in power don't do that because they want to, but because they can." He then continued his argument by explaining that if he stayed in power, it was because of the will of the people.

"I will make a second observation, which is that I am not the head of state by force. I have not taken dictatorial power. I have always been elected by the people and at the moment I am just finishing a mandate that was given to me by the people. There were other candidates in the election but I won!"

As for his future, he did not respond. The octogenarian leader implied we should wait and see. "This is to say that the presidential elections in 2018 is distant. We have time to think and when the time comes, the French friends and the world will know if I will be a candidate or if I will retire."

Q & A

Sévérin Tchounkeu, Group Director of La Nouvelle Expression

Question to Mr Holland, the Debt Reduction and Development Contract (C2D) has shown a very high propensity to give execution projects to French companies. The Inter Employers Group of Cameroon has applied multiple times, can we expect in the context of new projects a shift in favour of Cameroonian companies? Mr. Chairman, fifty years after independence, it remains a latent conflict, the history of the Cameroon administration during the France period, is it not time to address this issue by declassifying the documents relating thereto? Can Cameroon expect a response from you, similar to the one you made in Algeria?

You have been unjust on the placement of French and Cameroonian businesses deleveraging the development contract. We see only advantages to this partnership… In the development agreement, the French Development Agency which is present here, does not create the link with national companies. I found out that when there are calls for tenders, there are also French companies that are selected. They are chosen for their quality, for their expertise and their know-how.

On matters of history, I admit it is true that there has been extremely tormented and tragic periods...I think of the repression in the Sanaga Maritime of the Bamileke country and we are, as everywhere, opening the history books and archives as well.

Question from a journalist of France 2 to Paul Biya

You are in power since 1982, today you are one of the older presidents on the planet. You have been elected several times and you made several seven-year terms, and the constitution of Cameroon does not limit the number of terms. The next election is in three years. I want to know what state of mind you are in? Will a new term be welcome? Do you wish to handover and say that retirement would be well deserved? What state of mind are you in?

Paul Biya

Thank you! Let me first say that those who stay in power do that not because they want to, but because they can. I will make a second observation that I am not the head of state by force. I did not acquire power the dictatorial way, I have always been elected by my people and right now, I'm just finishing a mandate that was given to me by the people and for that matter, there were other candidates in this election and I won ... The Cameroonian presidential elections in 2018 is still far. We have time to think and when the time comes, the French, Cameroon and my friends will know if I am a candidate or if I will retire.

Question from a journalist of Jeune Afrique to both Heads of State

I have a question for both Presidents. Mr. President Francois Hollande, have you talked with your counterpart regarding the fate of the lawyer Lydienne Eyoum, your countryman and you Mr. Paul Biya, do you consider making a move in this regard?

Hollande

In the relationship we have established with President Biya, we talk about everything from all subjects including issues that affect people. That's what we did, except that there are decisions which belong to President Biya, the Cameroonian authorities and the Cameroonian justice.

Biya

Regarding the question that you asked, I would first like to emphasize that the court in Cameroon is completely independent. Even if we want the executive to influence them, the executive would not succeed. I followed as everyone till the verdict regarding this person. I want to say she was not a political activist hostile to the Government. So I have no reason to accuse her. Moreover, many political opponents here roam freely and debate openly. But it turns out that we have made the fight against corruption a priority. And if you mention this in this framework, the lawyer in question had been asked to recover a sum of FCFA two billion from a bank to deposit at the treasury. Instead of depositing two billion, she deposited a billion. It is on this that justice has run its course, the Supreme Court made a decision. I'll see what I can do if this is the wish of the applicant. And if the constitution gives me the means to do something, it's with a good heart that I will, in due course.

Hollande

I just wanted to point out also that Barrister Eyoum’s family, of course have met me. I also want to thank Cameroon for the action it took to rescue my fellow countrymen who were kidnapped. I remember the family of Moulin Fournier and father Vanderbouch. For us it was very important that you could secure their release ... They were particularly trying times...