Biya & Chantal Issue Joint Condolence Message - Dispel Rumours About Estranged Relationship As Yang & Linda At Par At Ayos-Bonis Road Inaugural

By Yussuf Sariki

For quite some time now, President Paul Biya has not been seen in public with his wife Chantal. This has raised many doubts about the whereabouts of the first lady. Even when President Biya left Yaounde a fortnight ago for a “private trip abroad”, without his wife, many multiplied their doubts. He is yet to return, yet has raised hopes that the relationship with his wife, may not be as paltry as the public may conjecture. A condolence message from the head of state to the “Reverende Superieure generale de la congregation des filles de Marie”, tells a story. Yet, the issue of top government officials exposing their spouses had since been eclipsed. During last week’s inaugural of the Ayos-Bonis road in Bertoua, East region, Prime Minister Philemon Yang sat at a distance away from his wife Dr. Linda.

According to Biya’s condolence message, it reads: “mon epouse et moi meme avons pris connaisance… (my wife and myself had been notified…). To commentators, this was the first time after several months, for President Biya to make such a presentation. Chronicle is even aware that even the civil cabinet at the presidency, which has persistently announced issues pertaining to the head of state or first lady has not been able to make a jolt, to clarify doubts about the first lady’s whereabouts.

It is expected that upon president Biya’s return, probably before next week, he would be accompanied by the first lady, by dint of the strength of the condolence message to the first superior general of the congregation of Mary’s follwers/offspring in Yaounde, who died last August 6, 2012 in Yaounde

To some commentators, the content of the message from Paul Biya had been seen as rare. Accordingly, interpreting the absence of Chantal Biya from public view since March 8, 2012- Women’s day; May 20^th manifestations and reception at the state house foretold a rumpus. That even the head of state’s outings for the inaugural of the Memve’ele and Lom Pangar projects in the South and East regions respectively, without Chantal had since been seen as a rife.

Where is Chantal Biya, had since been the question on almost every Cameroonian lip. Chantal’s absence, Chronicle is aware had since affected the presence of the spouses of other top government officials at official outings.

Last week, while inaugurating the tarring of the nearly 200kum of the Ayos-Bonis road in the East region, Prime Minister Philemon Yang was separated with his wife, Dr. Linda Yang. This, Chronicle is aware was unlike the scenario witnessed during the inaugural of the Muea-Kumba stretch of the tarred road, some 2 years ago. At that event, PM Yang came with his wife, Linda and they occupied the front seat.

But in Bertoua last week, While Yang took the honoured position, his wife Dr. Linda was spotted buried in the crowd. She was positioned alongside CERAC women, who were in Bertoua for the same occasion.

To commentators, the absence of Chantal from public scene has trickled down to the inabilities of her peers to also show-up. But as Chronicle has been hinted, with Biya’s return soon, Chantal would re-emerge to public view and reassert her place as the bonafide first lady of the republic.