Cabinet reshuffle: Biya's next battle!.

President Biya has traditionally attempted to solve problems raised during election battles with a new government to reward winners and penalised losers.

As he said at the swearing-in, "...I understand the depth of the frustrations and the magnitude of the expectations of Cameroonians", especially the youth and women smeared in the mire of unemployment and poverty.

How he tackles these problems will depend on the composition of his new government to reflect geopolitical character, youth and women; whom he has in words, demonstrated his attachment to their concerns.

Although members of government often go to their constituencies telling people to "vote for Biya" so that they can be maintained and bring amenities to the areas, there is the likelihood that such pranks would not be used in the reshuffle this time.

The evidence is in the "leaked" list trending on social media. If that list, which is at times leaked deliberately to test public opinion, is maintained when the Head of State finally makes his appointments, it would be a departure from the past obnoxious practice, where ministers who perform exceedingly well are sure of retaining their jobs or being promoted.

For instance, Ndian Division where the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Dr Chief Joseph Dion Ngute hails, recorded one of the best results for the CPDM. But Dion Ngute's name does not feature on the supposed leaked government.

Osih Joshua Nambangi, representing the SDF, also from Ndian, who had a humiliating score of less than one percent, is on the list as Minister of Public Works.

The South West, one of the Regions which also gave President Biya a sweeping victory, in the leaked list, has only Paul Tasong Njukang promoted from Minister Delegate to a full-fledged Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development.

Dr Luma Henry Namme from Fako, the only Division in the Anglophone Region where Tchiroma officially defeated President Biya, is given the portfolio of Public Health Minister. 

Paul Elung Che remains Assistant Secretary General at the Presidency while Elvis Ngolle Ngolle returns to Special Duties, a post he held before being appointed Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, and then demoted to Coordinator of CPDM Academy.

The North West Region, going by the supposed leaked government, has a Lion's share, compared to its South West cousin with the Vice Prime Minister in charge of National Reconciliation, a newly created post; attributed to former Governor Fai Yengo Francis.

The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications goes to Mbayu Felix and if the list remains unchanged, Prof Fuh Calistus Gentry will be heading the newly-created Ministry of Industries while Mme Kilo Vivian Asheri will be Minister Delegate in the Ministry of Education and Prof Sammy Beban Chumbow as Minister Delegate at the Ministry of Higher Education. 

Given the so-called "clan war" of positions in anticipation of a post-Biya era, the leaked list, if it comes to pass, would have been a defeat for the all-powerful Minister of State, Secretary General at the Presidency, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, moved to External Relations where his professional calling anchors.

Territorial Administration Minister, Paul Atanga Nji, sent to Special Duties, who is said to have been working closely with Ngoh Ngoh, two personalities said to be very close confidantes of the Head of State, appear to be the losers, going by by the 'leaked government'.

If the 'leaked government' is confirmed, political pundits would attribute it to the little influence the dual personalities, despite their clout in government, reportedly have in the Central Committee and Political Bureau of the ruling CPDM party, which is said to call the shots in the regime.

Whatever the case, the leaked or proposed government, if it comes to be confirmed, further marginalises Anglophones, who, in the past, have been on the fourth rung of the power ladder, coming after the President of the Republic, President of the Senate and Speaker of the National Assembly.

According to the 'leaked government' that has gone viral on the social media, and not contested as fake, the highest post an Anglophone will occupy will be that of Vice Prime Minister! Should it come to pass, that would further incite Anglophones against the Biya regime. 

President Biya said at his swearing-in ceremony that: "I understand the number and severity of the challenges we are confronting, and I understand the depth of the frustrations and the magnitude of the expectations".

The first expectation is to appoint a new government, not of those who inflated voting numbers in his name for egoistic interest, not of bootlickers who hypocritically glorify him at every twist and turn, but one of young technocrats accountable to the electorate and should reflect the aspirations of Anglophones.

To delay the appointment will only fuel the perceived clan war of egoism among barons of the regime in a pretentious competition of loyalty.

It could also degenerate into what the US lawmakers in a letter to State Department Secretary, Rubio, said create “a vacuum for terrorism, organised crime, and foreign influence” in Cameroon given, the uncertainty of actions Issa Tchriroma could take.

Like The Guardian Post has said before, President Biya doesn't need a midwife to deliver a new government. The time is now to end the battle, not for compensation for results from the poll, but for the rejuvenation of a geriatric architecture of State management.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3624 of Friday November 14, 2025