Richard Kwang Kometa
13 July 2009
An English version of the book by veteran French journalist, François Mattie that traces President Paul Biya's political exploits is now available.
«According to him, life, politics, and political life, are not a show". That is one of the many clues that François Mattei presents in his book about President Paul Biya. In actual fact, most if not few Cameroonians can say with certainty when President Paul Biya can spring up any surprises in the handling of public affairs in the country. Several compatriots have committed themselves in writing, producing essays about whom the Head of State is, how he functions and the perception he has of "the city" as a political scientist once qualified the Republic.
Of late, the veteran French journalist, François Mattei has added his voice to the existing literature on the President, but beyond simple literature, he captures salient aspects of the enigma through which President Paul Biya's stewardship in Cameroon is perceived and can be understood.
The book, which delves into the person, his background, probity in public actions, rallying capacity, excellent knowledge of Cameroon, disdain for corrupt practices and international standing brings to the fore values that have guided Mr Biya's choices and dictates - be it as he served under former President Ahmadou Ahidjo or when he assumed power in 1982 as President of the country. Mattei from the cover page of the book harps on his intentions to provide answers to what otherwise is an obstacle in understanding the current President of Cameroon. How he got there and the circumstances that surround his decisions as head of State are quit telling. Thus, he sets the ball rolling by announcing that the book is about "understanding the most secretive president".
Person and Background
Mattei presents this son of a catholic catechist and housewife from the equatorial forest of Cameroon who left his parents at the age of seven to be educated by the "Alsacian Fathers". That was to be the beginning of an adventure which fashioned a "serious, careful, hardworking, reasonable, discreet, always meticulous and elegant; and unpredic
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'veteran french journalist'! hahaha! all i know about this Francois Mattie is that he is a veteran bin man! yes, he is good at garbage collection, no wonder he picks up a story about another garbage such as biya to write about! biya and his entourage had to rush to france to look for a counter offensive over the news by sarkozy backed catholic NGO that he is keeping our money! let him bring it back...this is what our dear nicolas sarkozy will be pleading with the thief when he gets to paris. but not before our men and women… [Read Full Text]