The family of Alexis Dipanda Mouelle, former President of Cameroon’s Supreme Court, has released the full schedule for his final rites.
Alexis Dipanda Mouelle, who passed away on May 4 at the age of 84, will be laid to rest from June 22 to June 27, 2026. The mourning period begins with three days of prayer and reflection at the family home in Yaoundé’s Bastos district from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM each evening.
Key milestones in the obsequies
June 25: official tributes
On June 25 at 10:00 AM, the body will be taken from the Yaoundé General Hospital morgue. This will be followed by a formal judicial tribute at the Supreme Court, where Dipanda Mouelle served as First President from 1990 to 2014.
June 26: journey to his roots
A solemn procession will depart for his native village of Bonakou-Bwapaki in the Littoral region. The cortège will pause at the family estate in Bonakouamouang by Akwa in Douala for a final vigil before arriving at his birthplace, where a mass will be held at 3:00 PM at the Basilica of Mary Queen of the Apostles in Mvolye.
June 27: final interment
The burial will take place on June 27 in Bonakou-Bwapaki, marking the conclusion of six days of national homage.
A distinguished judicial legacy
Alexis Dipanda Mouelle began his legal career after graduating from the University of Paris in 1965. He steadily rose through the ranks, serving as Secretary-General of the Ministry of Justice in 1975 before becoming First President of the Supreme Court in 1986—a role he held for 28 years until his retirement in 2014.
His tenure was notably marked by the certification of Cameroon’s 1992 presidential election, a decision that confirmed President Paul Biya’s victory with 39.98% of the vote against opposition leader Ni John Fru Ndi, who received 35.9%. This verdict remains one of the most debated moments in the country’s return to multiparty democracy.
International recognition
Beyond Cameroon, Dipanda Mouelle contributed to global justice as President of the 17th session of the United Nations Committee Against Torture. He also served on the Arbitration Chamber of the International Court of Justice in The Hague and was a member of the International Institute of French-Speaking Law (IDEF).
