Jeune Afrique presents apology to Paul Biya

In an interview with the daily newspaper, Le Jour, the managing editor of Jeune Afrique, Yamed Bechir Ben, was conciliatory in his remarks.

Regarding the statement on youth peril, he indicated that the target wasn't only at Cameroon and that "the danger threatens the youth in all African countries, all developing countries and some Northern countries whose demography is dynamic like France. Cameroon is no exception."

A surprising remark from a newspaper which devoted the front page of one of its issues, December 2014 Africa edition to the issue of youth unemployed in Cameroon.

The newspaper of the Rue d'Auteuil asserted that the country was run by a band of seventy-year-olds in the peak of their lives. Apologetically, the managing editor of Jeune Afrique (JA) said in the interview that "it's not the age that determines if a president is good or bad or longevity in power."

About a possible candidacy of Paul Biya in 2018 presidential election, the former editor appeared as a monk respectful of republican values ??and the sovereignty of Cameroon. "He is the person to decide whether or not to be a candidate and for Cameroonians to decide," he said.

In this interview with Claude Haman Mana Tadjon, the question on the unrest in the ranks within the Cameroonian army, published by JA a few months ago was also mentioned.

Again, the columnist rounded corners confessing: "During the first incursions of Boko Haram in Cameroonian territory, the army was not particularly efficient ...but since then, the operational qualities of the army and especially its management personnel improved."

Ultimately, François Sudan wished to demonstrate that Jeune Afrique is not engaged in any campaign against Cameroon and even less against President Paul Biya. He states in this regard: "I would like to know what this campaign is which we would be its instruments, the architect, the sponsor and for what purpose. All this is pure fantasy."

Moreover, it seems that if there were harsh words against Cameroon, the fault will be placed on citizens of the country: "In recent years, I removed the daily monitoring of the coverage of Cameroon in Jeune Afrique. For several reasons: my management which is highly absorbent in the group, the need to hand over to younger journalists with a new and talented view to the example of your compatriot Georges Dougueli". He made this point when it came to the article: Who really runs Cameroon?. He retorted: "This analysis is that of Georges Dougueli, who is the author of the article in question, free to write what he thinks."

Finally, François Sudan definitely sealed the friendship between the country of Paul Biya and his editorial: "Our history with Cameroon has gone a long way, our sales are doing well..."