Paul Biya Removed in Peaceful Coup After 50-Year Rule in Cameroon Paul Biya, Cameroon’s longest-serving president, has been removed from power in a stunning and bloodless military takeover that sent shockwaves across Africa. For nearly five decades, Biya held a tight grip on the country.
His rule outlasted many African leaders, and his presence shaped nearly every part of Cameroonian life. But in a sudden turn of events, his presidency ended—not with a civil war, not with mass protests, but through a calm and calculated military operation.
Many call the coup the most disciplined and peaceful military transition in Africa in decades. The announcement came in a short, powerful broadcast from a military spokesperson: “President Paul Biya has been removed from office.” The message was direct. The effect was electric. Within hours, crowds gathered in the streets. Some danced. Others wept. There was no violence, only raw emotion and overwhelming relief. For many, it felt like the chains of a long, silent oppression had finally broken.
The mastermind behind the operation was Brigadier General Arnaud Ambassy, a quiet strategist admired within the army ranks. He had built trust among a younger generation of soldiers who were educated overseas and driven by a vision of national dignity. Working alongside him was Sergeant Didier Ekulay, who helped coordinate the plan. Together, they led a team that acted with remarkable precision.
They avoided loud confrontations or dramatic takeovers. Instead, they moved like shadows. They replaced Biya’s presidential guards quietly. They locked down key command centers. Power changed hands in the dead of night—without a single gunshot. Many are calling it the most disciplined and peaceful military transition in Africa in decades. Citizens saw it as a message: real change doesn’t have to come with blood.
During Biya’s presidency, Cameroon became deeply tied to France. In exchange for political support, France gained open access to the country’s rich natural resources—oil, timber, and minerals. The cost? Cameroonians remained trapped in poverty while French companies raked in billions. The new military leaders wasted no time. They opened the doors of the presidential archives. What they found stunned even the most cynical observers. Financial documents showed that billions of Cameroon’s public funds had been diverted into foreign accounts in France. Other records detailed secret meetings where French diplomats allegedly influenced election outcomes and helped preserve Biya’s power.
With these revelations, many Cameroonians now see the past not just as a dictatorship, but as an international betrayal. The new leaders have ignored outreach from France.
Their silence speaks volumes. For the first time in decades, many people believe Cameroon might finally belong to Cameroonians. The fall of Paul Biya also sends a strong message to other African nations ruled by aging leaders clinging to power. It shows that change is possible, and it doesn’t always need to come with chaos.
In homes, markets, and schools, people now talk about hope. Parents speak of a future where their children might live with dignity. Young people feel their voices matter again. Soldiers feel proud to serve the people, not a single man. Analysts say the next steps will be crucial. The military must show transparency, build trust, and create a path for democracy. But for now, the nation is breathing. Paul Biya’s time is over. The people are rising. The world is watching.