Sylvain Riquier, France’s Ambassador to Cameroon, addressed the media during an interview on a private television channel.

In previous elections, such as in 2018, France had sent letters of congratulations following the announcement of results by the Constitutional Council. However, after the October 2025 presidential election, this tradition was abandoned. Instead of immediately endorsing the official figures, the Élysée Palace adopted a cautious stance.

This silence from Paris was questioned during the interview on the same private television channel. Sylvain Riquier, who had arrived in Cameroon just days before the 12 October 2025 presidential election, emphasized a measured approach.

Yaoundé and Paris maintain strong ties

« I do not believe there was any public letter. You would have noticed as well, » the French Ambassador replied to Duval Fangwa during the interview. When asked whether this silence from the French President suggested tensions between Paris and Yaoundé, the diplomat remained cautious.

« There was no public letter at that time. That is the fact, » he stated succinctly, before adding that relations between Yaoundé and Paris remain robust. « We noted that the election took place. I believe this does not prevent us from maintaining relations with the authorities, including ongoing cooperation. I am here, and my counterpart in Paris is there. »

Bilateral exchanges continue despite absence of public letters

« There is cooperation between the two states. There is no doubt about this. The absence of a public letter does not prevent normal relations between our two states, between the two governments and the two presidents. I believe the French President did not consider it necessary to issue a public letter. Cooperation continues, and there have been exchanges of letters on the occasion of our respective national holidays, » Sylvain Riquier explained.