The announcement of Laurent Esso’s representation for President Paul Biya at the funeral of Alexis Dipanda Mouelle was made via an official communication.

A correspondence from Samuel Mvondo Ayolo, Director of the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency of the Republic, addressed to the Minister of State, Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, dated June 10, 2026, confirmed that Laurent Esso would serve as President Paul Biya’s “personal representative” at the funeral of Alexis Dipanda Mouelle, the very first president of Cameroon’s Supreme Court.

The funeral proceedings for Alexis Dipanda Mouelle commenced on Monday, June 22, and are scheduled to conclude on Saturday, June 27, 2026. From Monday, June 22, through Wednesday, June 24, 2026, periods of reflection and prayers were held daily from 6 PM to 7 PM at the family residence located at the Bastos intersection in Yaoundé, the political capital of Cameroon. This Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 10 AM, the body will be removed from the Yaoundé General Hospital morgue, followed by judicial tributes at the Supreme Court.

Journey to Bonakou Bwapaki

Later in the day, at 3 PM, a mass will be celebrated at the Basilica Marie Reine des Apôtres de Mvolye. The day will conclude with an evening vigil at the family home. Friday, June 26, 2026, marks the departure of the funeral procession for Bonakou-Bwapaki village. En route, a stop is planned at the family concession in Bonakouamouang, near Akwa in Douala, before proceeding to a vigil in his native village. The interment is set for Saturday, June 27, 2026.

Alexis Dipanda Mouelle was a distinguished Cameroonian magistrate who left an indelible mark on the country’s judicial and political landscape. He served as the First President of the Supreme Court from 1990 to 2014. Born on March 25, 1942, in Bonakou Bwapaki, within the Littoral region, he passed away on May 4, 2026, at the age of 84.

A legacy of judicial leadership

After receiving his education at the University of Paris, Alexis Dipanda Mouelle joined the Cameroonian magistracy in 1965. He steadily ascended through the ranks, becoming Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice in 1975. His appointment to head the Supreme Court came in 1986, a position later formally recognized as First President. He held this pivotal role for 24 years until his retirement on December 31, 2014, when Daniel Mekobe Sone succeeded him.