(Opinionated) Translation by Innocent Chia
Story by Philippe Broussard of L’Express.fr
Cameroon anxiously waits own turn in the investigation of Paul Biya’s “Ill-gotten Wealth”…
Will Cameroon be the next African country to be taken by the storm of investigations of the "ill-gotten wealth" of its leaders? As at now, the judicial procedure that aims to determine the "French" heritage of certain heads of States has been limited to Gabon, Congo Brazzaville and Equatorial Guinea. But the Catholic Committee against Hunger and for Development (CCFD), a NGO that played a role to trigger the first investigation, is very interested in the Cameroon of Paul Biya, in power since 1982.
In its report made public on Wednesday June 24, the committee specifically pinpoints the "magnificent Villa Isis", in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin (Maritime Alps), belonging, it seems, to Franck Biya, the son of the president. Questioned by The Express, President Biya’s entourage claims that this is "nothing abnormal for a man his son’s caliber that heads an important forest corporation". Even more surprising to the CCFD is the aid (financial) provided by Cameroon to the Osti, an esoteric organization whose name had appeared, in 1999, as part of investigations into a sect known as the Order of the Solar Temple.
The Osti (initiatory temple of the sovereign Order) was founded in 1988 by Raymond Bernard. Now deceased, Raymond Bernard was known in 2006 for his Rosicrucian, Templar and Masonic activities, as well as for his financial links with French-speaking black Africa. Presenting itself as "counsel" to Paul Biya, it asserted, in 1998, that he was president of honor of the Circes (a branch of the Osti) in his country and, by this very fact, therefore, unrepentant beneficiaries of Biya’s extreme "generosity".
Indeed, in 1990, he even helped the organization in obtaining its Parisian headquarters located on the Beaunier Street (XIV). The loan amount was a whopping 40 millions French francs! And get this: it was repayable, with zero interest payment on the loan, in 99 years! Part of this sum was immediately poured out by the National Hydrocarbons Corporation, a Cameroonian public establishment, into the account of Raymond Bernard at Crédit Lyonnais.
Quizzed about this, the presidency denied all and any relations with the Temples, even guaranteeing that the Presidency has never "consented to such loan". Only problem: when questioned by The Express, Otsi does not deny that it has received the sum 40 millions French francs from Paul Biya. In an email correspondence with the current association leader, Yves Jayet, he indicates that this loan "has been the subject of important reimbursements each year since 1999"!? The Grand Master does not specify the addressee into whose account the reimbursements are made.
A week in Kondengui for Popol will at least quench the anger of some, if not most, Cameroonians. Age is dealing squarely with him.
Posted by: Bob Bristol | June 24, 2009 at 01:12 PM
Telling interview of Paul Biya's Guru, the late Christian Bernard http://www.fghoche.com/tribunes/intereng.htm
There is intertwining between these kind of European occult groups and the secret services, the billionaires and the control of Africa by dark forces in Europe. Clearly rosicrucians, masons and osti na the same okro soup. Africans who belong to these things are just opening themselves up to manipulation.
Posted by: oyez | June 24, 2009 at 07:49 PM
That is how they waste public funds giving to such organizations believing they will save them from death. He must have been scared to shit looking at Bongo's face as he laid stricken solid in his coffin. Good luck and fat chance.
Posted by: Sunday J. | June 24, 2009 at 07:58 PM
What I find interesting is that the above article missed the overall political under pins of this investigation affair. It did not happen by accident. These are well thought out strategies being pursued by the French pro-african advocacy group Survie(http://survie.org/). So weather Biya is in or out is not a matter that will fall in place by the wind or some cosmic interplay. It is weather Cameroonians hook-up with this ally of African people and provide them with the material to work with to make Biya the next target of their campaign to refuse African dictators using France as a safe haven for their stolen wealth. Are we gonna work this line or what?
Posted by: Valentine Eben | June 24, 2009 at 08:26 PM
I like the fact that Sarkozy appears to be genuinely disgusted about dealing with these guys.
Eben, how can we support Survie in what it is doing?
Posted by: oyez | June 25, 2009 at 06:56 AM
What a good story line for the Cameroonian journalists.You guys must INVESTIGATE and tell the Cameroonian people the whole truth.
Posted by: Ewi | June 25, 2009 at 02:43 PM
what about the 90 trillion dollars of 14 african money still sitting in the french treasury, as a coletral for using french currency, THE FRANC CFA? THESE MONEY THE FRENCH USES IT TO PAY FOR THEIR PENSION AND RETIREMENTS, EVEN INVEST IN BANKING AND YES LEND BACK TO THE AFRICANS (THE RIGHTFUL OWNERS) AT HIGH INTEREST,
WHEN WILL THE FRENCH STOP THE STATE SPONSORED ROBBERY OF AFRICANS? AND RETURN ALL AFRICAS MONEY TO AFROCA?
Posted by: DANGO | June 26, 2009 at 01:30 AM
My Dear Cameroonian brothers its high time you guys should, know that when it comes to Mr Biya,nobody not even Barrack Obama of America can take him away from his position.It is high time we accept the fact that Mr Biya was chosen by GOD to rule and lead a blesssed nation like Cameroon.Those who wish him death, i tell you, sorry for he will not die when people expect.Please in order to be ok in health and life lets just go on and forget about him.It might suprise cameroonians to know that the most castigated Frank Biya will be, our next head of state,lets just pay attention and watch his dramatic entry into the political scene..watch out my dear brothes ..for that is a nighte mare come true.
Posted by: NNOKO MBOH JOHNSON | June 26, 2009 at 05:43 AM
Mr Paul Biya the Lion who devours all opponents without mercy, is counting his days and surely concern what will follow next knowing his young sons and youthful wife will certainly outlived him.The recent cabinet appointment of a son from the North west is an act of appeasement for he knows the horrible crimes his regime and cronies have inflicted on the people of this region and Southern Cameroons as a whole.The people of this region are not fools.They may take to the streets in celebration because they are hungry and deprived but the scars and wounds of Biya brutality still runs deep and we will never forget.Even in death Biya will face International Justice for his attrocities and his lineage will pay dearly for it.The people of the Grand North are bidding their time so are we. Those who live by the sword will face Justice by the Sword, there are no two ways.
Atsebom Forminyen
Posted by: Atsebom Forminyen | July 01, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Forminyen I hope you guys do not waste energy and opportunity when it arises for revenge but apply minds towards real freedom. Opportunity is not the appointment of Yang.
Posted by: Mbango | July 02, 2009 at 02:58 AM
Mr Paul Biya the Lion who devours all opponents without mercy, is counting his days and surely concern what will follow next knowing his young sons and youthful wife will certainly outlived him.The recent cabinet appointment of a son from the North west is an act of appeasement for he knows the horrible crimes his regime and cronies have inflicted on the people of this region and Southern Cameroons as a whole.The people of this region are not fools.They may take to the streets in celebration because they are hungry and deprived but the scars and wounds of Biya brutality still runs deep and we will never forget.Even in death Biya will face International Justice for his attrocities and his lineage will pay dearly for it.The people of the Grand North are bidding their time so are we. Those who live by the sword will face Justice by the Sword, there are no two ways.
is has come the time for the south west region of cameroon to act.when mr biya gave us the post of prime minister,few bakweri and bayangui people tough that it was all an all. if you care vote SDF or not bakweri and some bayangue people have sell the hold southen population
Posted by: esengwa tiko boy | July 02, 2009 at 03:49 PM
We are not worried because the God almighty who made this government in Cameroon is washing. However, God made made to have a choice and make his own decision.
Our head of State, President Paul Biya has made his choice and made a decision with what he have to offer us. We may call call on the general public, God fearing and peaceful Cameroonians to pray endlessly and we shall win the fight.
It is the ends that matters
Posted by: Ekane Ewane | July 22, 2009 at 02:15 AM
What a good story line for the Cameroonian journalists.
Posted by: viagra online | April 20, 2010 at 11:56 AM
Cameroon has always known to be a very peaceful country and I'm proud to be a Cameroonian But There are so many Aspect Which the Gouverment needs to consider . Such as Unemployement Because alot of young people are really Strugling to make something out of there lives and it has really become chanllenges in our society today. in a way that after so many years of strugling to study hard only to come and faced Uneployement. We shall continue to Pray that God Almighty will put it in the Heart of our Gouverment to Know that these youths are the future of Cameroon and it will be better if make the world a Better Place for all........
Posted by: Adetola osho | August 29, 2010 at 05:01 PM