Surely, this would be one of the most significant highlights of the joint press conference held in Cameroon on the 3^rd of July 2015 by France’s and Cameroon’s Presidents. This conference happened during Francois Hollande’s short official visit to Cameroon after visiting Benin and Angola. Paul Biya had then been interviewed by a Journalist from France 2 in regards to the duration of his stay in Power. A deafening silence followed just about when the journalist finished his first sentence. “You have been in power since 1982. That makes you one of the oldest presidents on earth. You have been elected many times; you have had many terms (7-year each). Of course, there is no limit on the maximum number of terms in Cameroon’s constitution. And in three years from now, there will be a new election. I would like to know your state of mind, would you welcome a new term or are you considering handing over and going on a well-deserved leave? What is your state of mind today? “, asked the French journalist.

Calm, Cameroon’s president first glances at Hollande, points at the journalist that voiced his concern and thanks him. Breaking the silence, his answer steals a few smiles from surrounding Cameroons’ journalists. “First, let me start by saying that it is not up to one’s will to remain in Power, but up to one’s aptitude to do so”, says Paul Biya whilst smiling regardless of the bemused look from Francois Hollande who, soon, will be facing candidates such as Nicolas Sarkozy or Alain juppé, Marine le Pen and others, in other to defend his own position during the presidential elections coming up in 2017.

Paul Biya’s smile followed the statement, gives rise to a rush of smiles and murmurs in the conference room of Etoudi Palace in Yaoundé, mostly from his close officials seated in the front row.  Martin Belinga Eboutou, civilian Chief of Staff, Ferdinant Ngoh Ngoh, secretary general of the president’s office, or standing secretary of the National Security Council, Paul Atanga Nji, could be seen there. As the question was being asked, their tense expressions slowly relaxed allowing them to listen with attention and interest to the next part of their president’s answer. “Another point I would like to emphasize on here is that, I did not rely on violence to be in Power. Neither did I acquire it through dictatorship. I have always been elected by my people. And as we are speaking, I am completing a term which was granted to me by my people. Moreover, they were other candidates during this election. I still won, didn’t I?” he explained in the peculiar manner he is well known by.

Finishing his answer, he says: “(…) Cameroon’s next elections in 2018 are a sure thing, but still far ahead”. “We still have much time to think, and when the time comes, people of Cameroon, France and the rest, will find out if I will be a candidate or if I prefer taking my leave.” He concludes.

During this press conference, French president was quite receptive to interrogations concerning the French archives in relation to France’s repression period in Cameroon following its independence. “Truly, they were some extremely tormenting and even tragic events. Since after the independence, they were some repressions in the Sanaga-maritime and the Bamiliké. And as I declared everywhere else, we are ready for the opening of history books as well as our archives.” declared Hollande. Truly a first, one must admits.