Biya Contradicts BBC On Its Special Program On Chantal

By Musa Isa

A special current affairs program, broadcast over the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Between 10a.m and 11a.m on Sunday August 19, 2012 focused on Chantal Biya’s whereabout. As of the Cameroon head of state listened to it, a message was unleashed the ensuring week, contradicting the allegation that the presidential couple were at par. President Biya who left Yaounde nearly a month ago is expected back soon. To some analysts, his return would put an end to allegations that his relationship with his wife had since suffered a brick wall.

Most Cameroonians have been pricked by the absence of their pretty first lady. Event the local press has made reports insinuating the whereabouts of the first lady. In one of them, Le Messager dared to question where Chantal had been for the past few months. Le Messager pinpointed that she was absent at the May 8, 2012 women’s day parade; May 20^th parade and reception at the Unity Palace; Memve’ele and Lom Pangar electricity foundation stone occasion. Even with the departure of President Biya for his brief private stay in Europe, Chantal’s absence was questioned.

Le Messager faulted the civil cabinet of the presidency for keeping Cameroonians speculating. The French paper further inferred that most Cameroonians speculated that Chantal had accompanied her mother for treatment in France, but the mother had since returned without her. The paper precluded that there must be something wrong.

The BBC in its special program of Sunday August 19, 2012 had some key panelists, who gave their views about the Cameroon head of state’s wife’s whereabouts. One of them alleged that Chantal was spotted at one-time at West end in London. The panelists questioned what she could have been doing there. One other suggested that she would have gone there for respite. The program however ended without any conclusions about Chantal’s whereabouts.

Recently, President Biya proved to his detractors that he was in command of his household. He dispatched a message of condolence to the Reverend Superior General of the Sisters of Marie’s Congregation. It was a condolence message, expressing regrets for the passing away of Rev Sister Johanna Alegue Messi, the first superior general of the said congregation.

Though Biya signed the message, its content dispelled the fact that he did it alone.

“Mon épouse et moi-même avons pris connaissance avec émotion…”, adding that “nous nous unisons volontier a vous dans les célebrations organisées depuis l’annonce de son décès”.  (My wife and myself have been shocked by the news…; we would together assist in the cry-die…) – Chronicle’s own understanding.

The condolence message had since allayed all allegations about the separation of the presidential spouse. Cameroonians and the world have been waiting on Biya’s return to either intensify the rumour or keep sealed (Affair a suivre…)