At the end of the Supreme Magistracy Council held yesterday in the premises of the Presidential Palace in Yaounde, Paul Biya the head of State signed decrees on integration of justices in the judiciary and especially appointment of judges.

On this occasion, several judges were admitted to assert their rights to retirement. Of all those who were sent to rest, the most famous is Alexis Dipanda Mouelle.

At 79 years old, this formidable judge originating from the Littoral region seemed permanently affixed to the position of president of the supreme court where he spent 25 years.

During those long years of practice as the head of the highest judicial body in Cameroon, Alexis Dipanda Mouelle was renowned within the public as the magistrate who, from the top of his chair, proclaims the results of important elections in the country.

Among his feats of arms, his decision to validate the results of the presidential election of 1992 which made Paul Biya winner despite fraud, in extreme, at the expense of Ni John Fru Ndi.

This inception to retirement by Paul Biya, is seen by some as a simple tactical withdrawal, because sources say that Alexis Dipanda Mouelle could rebound as president of the Constitutional Council, an instance created since 18 years and which is still waiting to take off.