Biya Snobs Yang At Unity Palace

By Yussuf Sariki

The presence of Prime Minister Philemon Yang at the Unity Palace last January 3, 2013, during the presentation of New Year wishes to Head of State was an indication. This placed a halt to speculations that the PM had absconded; that Yang was very sick and was awaiting to be declared incapacitated. However, Yang, looking frail and trimmed-down, walked majestically to shake hands with the president. Yet, this was not enough.

At occasions of the presentation of New Year wishes, it takes two formats: individual handshakes and group chats with the Head of State. Immediately Biya wrapped-up phase I handshakes, he scudded into having a chat with his key collaborators.

Biya hobnobbed with Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, the House Speaker, Generals, then avoided Yang, who stood expecting a chat with Biya. The move had since been seen as telling. Biya shared pleasantries with Peter Mafany Musonge (Ex PM and Grand Chancellor of the National Order), Ni John Fru Ndi, SDF National Chairman with Jean Jacques Ekindi before Alexis Dipanda Mouelle. Then he left the scene.

Why did Biya not concert with Yang at the Unity Palace? Was it not just prudent that after convalescing, he could have barely asked his PM how he now felt? Many questions have been raised.

A presidential insider however counseled Chronicle that Yang may not be in the good books of Biya again. Accordingly, Yang had been messed up in the CONAC report. Worse still, his management of CAMAIRCO had raised many doubts about he being qualified as “Mr. Clean”. Proof to this, Chronicle was told that on same day Biya shook hands with Yang, he fired Alex Van Elk as CAMAIRCO GM, though Yang survived as Board Chairman.

It is common knowledge that once Biya wants to replace a PM, he avoids any direct contact with him. When Chief Ephraim Inoni was to be fired, Biya introduced his wife, Chantal Biya to sit beside him during the May 20 parade in Yaounde. Inoni could not communicate directly with him.

Commentators hold that Yang’s days at the Star Building are numbered, following interpretations of last week’s new year wishes ceremony at the Unity Palace. North Westerners are awaiting Yang when he must have been flushed out, to tell them what he did to them while as PM. (Affaire a suivre…)