The comprehensive funeral arrangements for Alexis Dipanda Mouelle, the esteemed former head of Cameroon’s Supreme Court, have been officially released by his family.
The inaugural president of Cameroon’s Supreme Court is set to embark on his final journey, with memorial services scheduled from Monday, June 22, to Saturday, June 27, 2026.
From June 22 to Wednesday, June 24, 2026, a period of solemn contemplation and prayers will be observed daily between 6 PM and 7 PM at the family residence located at Bastos crossroads in Yaoundé, the nation’s political capital. Thursday, June 25, 2026, will commence at 10 AM with the removal of the body from the Yaoundé General Hospital morgue, followed by formal judicial tributes held at the Supreme Court.
Village Bonakou-Bwapaki
Later that day, at 3 PM, a memorial mass will take place at the Marie Reine des Apôtres Basilica in Mvolye. The day will conclude with an evening vigil at the family home. Friday, June 26, 2026, marks the departure of the funeral cortege towards the ancestral village of Bonakou-Bwapaki. 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 scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2026.
Alexis Dipanda Mouelle, a distinguished Cameroonian magistrate, left an indelible mark on the country’s judicial and political landscape, serving as the First President of the Supreme Court from 1990 to 2014. Born on March 25, 1942, in Bonakou Bwapaki, Littoral region, he passed away on May 4, 2026, at the age of 84.
Daniel Mekobe Sone
Educated at the prestigious University of Paris, he began his career in the Cameroonian magistracy in 1965. He steadily ascended through the ranks, becoming the Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice in 1975. His appointment to lead the Supreme Court came in 1986, a role that later formally recognized him as its First President. He held this pivotal position for 24 years until his retirement on December 31, 2014, when Daniel Mekobe Sone succeeded him.
His career is notably intertwined with the official validation of the highly contentious 1992 presidential election. It was Alexis Dipanda Mouelle who announced the narrow victory of Paul Biya, securing 39.98% of the votes, against the historic opposition leader Ni John Fru Ndi, who garnered 35.9%. This verdict proved deeply controversial amidst Cameroon’s transition back to a multi-party system, a significant moment in African politics.
The International Institute
Beyond his national contributions, Alexis Dipanda Mouelle also held significant international roles. He presided over the 17th session of the United Nations Committee Against Torture, served as a member of the Arbitration Chamber of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, and was an active member of the International Institute of Law of French Expression and Inspiration (IDEF).
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