President Paul Biya designates Laurent Esso as his personal envoy for the funeral rites of Alexis Dipanda Mouelle.
In a significant directive dated June 10, 2026, President Paul Biya officially appointed Laurent Esso, the current Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, as his “personal representative” to attend the funeral services for Alexis Dipanda Mouelle. Mouelle was a towering figure in Cameroonian jurisprudence, having served as the very first President of the Supreme Court. This crucial notification was conveyed through a correspondence from Samuel Mvondo Ayolo, the Director of the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency of the Republic, addressed directly to Minister Esso.
The extensive funeral program for Alexis Dipanda Mouelle commenced on Monday, June 22, and is set to conclude on Saturday. The initial days, from June 22 to Wednesday, June 24, 2026, were dedicated to solemn vigils and prayers held between 6 PM and 7 PM at the esteemed family residence located near the Bastos roundabout in Yaoundé, Cameroon’s political capital. On Thursday, June 25, 2026, the body will be removed from the morgue of the Yaoundé General Hospital at 10 AM, followed by a series of dignified judicial tributes at the Supreme Court itself.
Journey to Bonakou Bwapaki
Later that day, at 3 PM, a memorial mass will be celebrated at the Basilica of Mary Queen of Apostles in Mvolye. The day’s solemn observances will culminate with an evening vigil once again at the family home. The itinerary for Friday, June 26, 2026, includes the departure of the funeral procession towards the ancestral village of Bonakou-Bwapaki. Along the route, a halt is scheduled at the family estate in Bonakouamouang, situated within the Akwa area of Douala. This will be followed by a night vigil held in his cherished native village. The interment is planned for Saturday, June 27, 2026.
Alexis Dipanda Mouelle was an eminent Cameroonian magistrate whose career left an indelible mark on the nation’s judicial and political landscape. He notably led the Supreme Court as its inaugural First President from 1990 until 2014. Born on March 25, 1942, in Bonakou Bwapaki, a locality within the Littoral region, he passed away on May 4, 2026, at the age of 84.
A distinguished legal career
After receiving his education at the prestigious University of Paris, Alexis Dipanda Mouelle officially joined the Cameroonian magistracy in 1965. He steadily ascended through the ranks, demonstrating exceptional dedication and skill, eventually becoming the Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice in 1975. His significant contributions led to his appointment as the head of the Supreme Court in 1986, a position later formally recognized as First President. He held this esteemed role for an impressive 24 years until his retirement on December 31, 2014, at which point Daniel Mekobe Sone succeeded him.
