Paul Biya - President of Cameroon, Birthday and Family
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Paul Biya is a Cameroonian politician and the President of Cameroon since 1982
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | February 13, 1933 |
| Nationality | Cameroonian |
| Famous | Leaders, Political Leaders, Presidents, President of Cameroon |
| Spouses | Chantal Biya, Jeanne-Irène Biya |
| Known as | Paul Barthélemy Biya'a bi Mvondo |
| Childrens | Anastasia Brenda Biya Eyenga, Franck Biya, Paul Biya Jr. |
| Universities |
|
| Founder / Co-Founder |
|
| Birth Place | Mvomeka'a |
| Political Ideology | Political party - People's Democratic Movement |
| Religion | Catholicism |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Etienne Mvondo Assam |
| Mother | Anastasie Eyenga Elle |
| Net Worth | $200 million as of Jan 15,2017 |
| Sun Sign | Aquarius |
| Born in | Mvomeka'a |
| Famous as | President of Cameroon |
Paul Biya's photo
Who is Paul Biya?
Paul Biya, often dubbed as Cameroon’s ‘lion man’, is the President of Cameroon since 1982. He is one of the longest-serving leaders in the African continent. The octogenarian has been ruling the West African nation, after his predecessor, Ahmadou Ahidjo, announced his surprise resignation. Even though he was motivated by the Catholic missionaries of his village to become a priest as a child, he chose to educate himself in Paris and return back to join the civil services. Through his perseverance, dedication and hard work, he rose to various ranks and senior positions, eventually becoming the Prime Minister of Cameroon. Thereafter, he became the President but after assuming power as the President, he changed the prevailing methods of governing the nation and administered authoritarian rule. Despite enjoying a decent trade with other nations, he has failed to improve the economic condition of Cameroon, mainly due to his inability to exercise the right power, proper management, and peaceful political change. Today, he is counted among the world’s top 20 worst dictators, along with the head of states of other sub-Saharan African nations, namely, Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea, and Swaziland, by American populist historian David Wallechinsky.
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Childhood & Early Life
Paul Biya was born as Paul Barthelemy Biya’a bi Mvondo on February 13, 1933, in Mvomeka’a village, South Region French Cameroon, in a modest family, to Etienne Mvondo Assam and Anastasie Eyenga Elle.
He attended Catholic mission, Ndem, when he was seven. Seeing his excellent performance, his French tutor suggested him to become a priest, after which he was enrolled in Edea and Akono Junior Seminaries, at the age of 14.
He moved to a high-class secondary school, Lycee General Leclerc, Yaoundé, where he studied Greek, Latin and philosophy, apart from other subjects.
After completing high school, he went to the University of Paris to study law and political science. He graduated in 1960 with a degree in law. Thereafter, he pursued public law from the Institute of Overseas Studies.
Career
Upon his return to Cameroon in 1962, he was appointed in-charge of the Department of Foreign Development Aid, reporting directly to President Ahmadou Ahidjo.
Despite differences in their backgrounds and personalities, Ahidjo became his political mentor, under whom he held various positions, including director of the cabinet, general secretary of the presidency, and minister of state.
He was appointed as the Prime Minister of Cameroon by Ahidjo in 1975. After the sudden resignation of Ahidjo in 1982, Biya succeeded him as the next President.
He conducted presidential elections in January 1984 and got re-elected as the President.
Following two military coup attempts on Biya in August 1983 and April 1984, Ahidjo was arrested and put on trial for his involvement and sentenced to life imprisonment.
He dissolved CNU and established a new party, Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) in 1985, as its President.
Under his presidential term, he took major steps to improve the economic condition of Cameroon; however, it started facing economic crisis in 1987, affecting the export of its natural resources, which continued till 1996.
He was re-elected for a second term in the 1988 presidential elections. It was during this term that he permitted formation of opposition parties, due to increasing pressure from his countrymen.
The first multiparty elections were conducted in 1992, with the opposition candidate being John Fru Ndi from Social Democratic Front (SDF). Although officials claim that Fru Ndi won, Biya declared himself the winner.
The opposition parties, including Fru Ndi, boycotted the 1997 presidential elections alleging them to be fraudulent. As a result, Biya won and once again continued as President.
To improve his country’s economic situation, he set up deals with Chad, United States, and China. Although imports and exports started growing, matters within Cameroon were far from settled.
Despite the opposition parties claiming the elections to be rigged, he won the 2004 presidential elections and was sworn in for the fifth term.
Political scenario in Cameroon became unstable, especially due to prevailing problems between Francophones and Anglophones. However, when Biya rose to power, he chose to support Francophones, thus taking no steps to fix the issues.
Realising his inability to contest for President in 2011 following the two-term limit, he chose to make amendments in the 1996 Constitution claiming it to be unfair on limiting people’s choice, to ensure he stays in power.
Even though violent protests were held to cancel the revision of the Constitution, the National Assembly agreed to make changes in 2008. He further got immunity for himself from any possible prosecution after leaving office as President.
In 2009, he was voted at number 19 in the Top 20 list of ‘The World’s Worst Dictators’ by Parade Magazine.
With the 2011 elections, he became the President of Cameroon for the sixth term. Presently, he is also serving as the National President of CPDM, a position he has held since its formation in 1985.
Major Works
He is known for ending the dispute over the oil-rich territory of Bakassi Peninsula with his neighbor, Nigeria, by moving to the International Court of Justice and signing the Greentree Agreement with the Nigerian government, in 2006.
Personal Life & Legacy
He married Jeanne-Irene in 1960. The couple did not have any kids but she adopted Frank Biya, an offspring from Biya’s extra-marital affair.
After Jeanne’s sudden death in July 1992, he re-married Chantal Biya, 38 years his junior, in April 1994. The couple has two children – son Paul Biya Junior and daughter Anastasia Brenda Biya Eyenga.
The first couple of Cameroon is constantly under media coverage, mostly due to their luxurious lifestyle.
He owns two presidential Boeing 747s, two private mansions in Cameroon, and other homes in Switzerland and France.
Net Worth
His net worth is expected to be around $200 million.
Trivia
A lion and lioness have been named after this first couple at Yaoundé’s Mvog Beti Zoo.
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Paul Biya biography timelines
- // 13th Feb 1933Paul Biya was born as Paul Barthelemy Biya’a bi Mvondo on February 13, 1933, in Mvomeka’a village, South Region French Cameroon, in a modest family, to Etienne Mvondo Assam and Anastasie Eyenga Elle.
- // 1960After completing high school, he went to the University of Paris to study law and political science. He graduated in 1960 with a degree in law. Thereafter, he pursued public law from the Institute of Overseas Studies.
- // 1960He married Jeanne-Irene in 1960. The couple did not have any kids but she adopted Frank Biya, an offspring from Biya’s extra-marital affair.
- // 1962Upon his return to Cameroon in 1962, he was appointed in-charge of the Department of Foreign Development Aid, reporting directly to President Ahmadou Ahidjo.
- // 1975 To 1982He was appointed as the Prime Minister of Cameroon by Ahidjo in 1975. After the sudden resignation of Ahidjo in 1982, Biya succeeded him as the next President.
- // Aug 1983 To Apr 1984Following two military coup attempts on Biya in August 1983 and April 1984, Ahidjo was arrested and put on trial for his involvement and sentenced to life imprisonment.
- // Jan 1984He conducted presidential elections in January 1984 and got re-elected as the President.
- // 1985He dissolved CNU and established a new party, Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) in 1985, as its President.
- // 1985 To 2011With the 2011 elections, he became the President of Cameroon for the sixth term. Presently, he is also serving as the National President of CPDM, a position he has held since its formation in 1985.
- // 1987 To 1996Under his presidential term, he took major steps to improve the economic condition of Cameroon; however, it started facing economic crisis in 1987, affecting the export of its natural resources, which continued till 1996.
- // 1988He was re-elected for a second term in the 1988 presidential elections. It was during this term that he permitted formation of opposition parties, due to increasing pressure from his countrymen.
- // 1992The first multiparty elections were conducted in 1992, with the opposition candidate being John Fru Ndi from Social Democratic Front (SDF). Although officials claim that Fru Ndi won, Biya declared himself the winner.
- // Jul 1992 To Apr 1994After Jeanne’s sudden death in July 1992, he re-married Chantal Biya, 38 years his junior, in April 1994. The couple has two children – son Paul Biya Junior and daughter Anastasia Brenda Biya Eyenga.
- // 1996 To 2011Realising his inability to contest for President in 2011 following the two-term limit, he chose to make amendments in the 1996 Constitution claiming it to be unfair on limiting people’s choice, to ensure he stays in power.
- // 1997The opposition parties, including Fru Ndi, boycotted the 1997 presidential elections alleging them to be fraudulent. As a result, Biya won and once again continued as President.
- // 2004Despite the opposition parties claiming the elections to be rigged, he won the 2004 presidential elections and was sworn in for the fifth term.
- // 2006He is known for ending the dispute over the oil-rich territory of Bakassi Peninsula with his neighbor, Nigeria, by moving to the International Court of Justice and signing the Greentree Agreement with the Nigerian government, in 2006.
- // 2008Even though violent protests were held to cancel the revision of the Constitution, the National Assembly agreed to make changes in 2008. He further got immunity for himself from any possible prosecution after leaving office as President.
- // 2009In 2009, he was voted at number 19 in the Top 20 list of ‘The World’s Worst Dictators’ by Parade Magazine.
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Paul Biya's FAQ
What is Paul Biya birthday?
Paul Biya was born at 1933-02-13
Where is Paul Biya's birth place?
Paul Biya was born in Mvomeka'a
What is Paul Biya nationalities?
Paul Biya's nationalities is Cameroonian
Who is Paul Biya spouses?
Paul Biya's spouses is Chantal Biya, Jeanne-Irène Biya
Who is Paul Biya childrens?
Paul Biya's childrens is Anastasia Brenda Biya Eyenga, Franck Biya, Paul Biya Jr.
What was Paul Biya universities?
Paul Biya studied at École nationale d'administration, Sciences Po
Which company or organization was founded by Paul Biya?
Paul Biya was the founder/co-founder of Cameroon People's Democratic Movement
What is Paul Biya's political ideology?
Paul Biya's political ideology is Political party - People's Democratic Movement
What is Paul Biya's religion?
Paul Biya's religion is Catholicism
Who is Paul Biya's father?
Paul Biya's father is Etienne Mvondo Assam
Who is Paul Biya's mother?
Paul Biya's mother is Anastasie Eyenga Elle
What is Paul Biya's sun sign?
Paul Biya is Aquarius
How famous is Paul Biya?
Paul Biya is famouse as President of Cameroon