Eight months of silence and a symbolic beard

Cameroon’s veteran journalist Souley Onohiolo made a bold public pledge in October 2025: he would not shave his beard until President Paul Biya reshuffled the government. Eight months later, with no changes in sight, the journalist prepares to keep his word.

A historic shaving ceremony

The “Operation Tomber la Barbe” (Operation Drop the Beard) will take place on Friday, July 3, 2026, at 12:00 PM at the Botanik’s Beauty Center in the Essos district of Yaoundé. This unprecedented event, organized by a dedicated committee, will bring together journalists, media personalities, and citizens to witness the symbolic act.

Under the patronage of Dieudonné Mveng Balla, founder of Info TV, the ceremony aims to celebrate not only the end of the beard challenge but also the spirit of civic engagement it represents. The organizers describe it as a “one-of-a-kind gathering” uniting Cameroon’s media elite and global press figures around a man whose silent protest has resonated across eight months.

A civic gesture with deeper meaning

For Onohiolo, the beard became more than facial hair—it was a statement. A statement against political inertia, a call for accountability, and a personal commitment to push for change. The committee emphasized that this was never just about a beard: “It’s about resistance, a mark of civic duty, and a firm will to impact society.”

The decision to finally shave, taken in the absence of any government reshuffle, closes a chapter that began when the journalist made his pledge. The July 3 event will serve as both a conclusion and a tribute to those who followed his journey—whether from afar or up close.