Ernest Sumelong
10 November 2008
opinion
Paul Biya, who became Cameroon's Head of State on November 6, 1982, was born February 13, 1933, at Mvomeka, South Province of Cameroon. Biya is the third of eight children born to Etenne Mvondo Assam and Anastasie Eyinga Elle. His father was a catechist while his grandfather was a farmer.
When he was seven, his parents sent him to the Catholic mission school at Ndem, approximately 30 miles from his home. One of Biya's French tutors there found his work excellent, and determined that Biya should become a priest. At the age of 14, he was admitted at the Edea and Akono Junior Seminaries, run by the Saint Esprit fathers.
He later gained admission at Cameroon's most prestigious high school, Lycee General Leclerc, Yaounde. At the Lycee, Biya studied Latin, Greek, and Philosophy. He passed his baccalaureate (in the Philosophy series) in June 1956 at the Lycee General Leclerc.
Due to his brilliant performance in secondary school, Biya was allowed to study at the University of Paris, where he focused on Law and Political Science.
He received his Law degree in 1960. After graduation, Biya lived in France and studied Public Law at the Institute of Overseas Studies. In the course of his University studies, he obtained a Diploma from the Institute of Political Studies in Paris (Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris), where he graduated in 1961 with a diploma in International Relations. He obtained another Diploma from the Institute of Overseas Higher Studies.
He also holds a BA in Public Law, then, in 1963, he obtained a postgraduate diploma in Public Law. He is also a former student of the Lycee Louis-le-Grand and also attended the renowned University of Sobborne, France. In 1962, Biya returned to Cameroon where his administrative and political career started.
Through hard work and his academic background, Biya held several administrative and political positions under President Ahidjo.In October 1962, Biya was in charge of missions at the Presidency (he was put in charge of the Department of Foreign Development Aid), and two years later (January 1964) he became Director of Cabinet to the Minister of National Education, Youth and Culture.
From this position, three years later, he was made Director of the Civil Cabinet to the President of the Republic. A year later he served as Secretary General at the Presidency, simultaneously with his duties as Director of the Civil Cabinet.
In his steady climb to the hem of administration, in August 1968 he was made Minister, Secretary General at the Presidency. Biya also served as Minister of State, Secretary General at the Presidency for two years before he was made Prime Minister in 1975.
Following Law No. 79/02 of June 1979, Biya became the constitutional successor to the President of the Republic, Ahmadou Ahidjo. Thus, on November 6, 1982, Biya became President of the Republic following the resignation on November 4, of President Ahmadou Ahidjo on grounds of ill health.
Besides his administrative climb to power, Biya was the 1st Vice Chairman of the Central Committee and member of the Political Bureau of the CNU Party. Biya is said to have had a very close relationship with late President Ahidjo as he was said to be loyal to him. In spite of their religious and educational backgrounds (Ahidjo was a Muslim and Biya a Roman Catholic.
While Biya had studied abroad and had many certificates, Ahidjo had only elementary education and had worked as a telephone operator before he became president) the two men worked closely. Over time, Ahidjo became Biya's political mentor.
President Biya is Commander of the Order of Valour, Commander of the National Order of Germany; Commander of the National Order of Tunisia; holder of the Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit of Senegal; Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour of France.
Biya has been described to be reserved, sober and hard working.
He is also said to be a serious sportsman; he goes cycling, jogging, walking and plays golf and tennis. He also adores classical music.President Biya has two brothers and five sisters; Regine Ngonda, Benoit Mvondo, Elizabeth Mekou, Justine Eyinga, Etienne Mvondo Mvondo, Marie Mengue Mvondo and Pierre Mebaa (not known if all are still alive)
Biya married Jeanne-Irène Biya with whom he had a son, Franck Biya in 1971.
After Jeanne-Irène Biya died on July 29, 1992, Paul Biya married Chantal Biya on April 23, 1994, and he has had two more children with her. President Biya has a publication to his credit; Communal Liberalism.
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