Ferdinand Léopold Oyono was born on September 14, 1929, and died on June 10, 2010. He was a diplomat, politician, and author from Cameroon.

Oyono’s books are known for using humor and irony to show how people can be tricked. He wrote in French during the 1950s, but his time as a writer was short. His novels, which criticized colonial rule, are seen as important works in African literature from the 20th century. His first book, Une vie de boy (later translated as Houseboy), was published in 1956 and is especially valued.

Starting in the 1960s, Oyono worked as a diplomat and government official in Cameroon. He was a close advisor to President Paul Biya. From 1992 to 1997, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs. From 1997 to 2007, he held the position of Minister of State for Culture. Between 1977 and 1978, he was Chairman of UNICEF.

Early life and education

Oyono was born near Ebolowa in Cameroon's South Province. After finishing his secondary school in Yaoundé, Oyono continued his studies in Paris.

Political and diplomatic career

After Cameroon gained independence, Oyono joined the Cameroonian delegation to the United Nations in 1960, when the country became a member of the UN. From 1965 to 1974, Oyono worked as Cameroon's ambassador to several countries. In 1965, he served briefly as ambassador to Liberia. Later, he was ambassador to the Benelux countries and the European Communities from 1965 to 1968. From 1969 to 1974, he was ambassador to France and also represented Cameroon in Spain, Italy, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. From 1974 to 1982, Oyono was Cameroon's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. In 1975, he presided over a meeting of the United Nations Security Council in place of the United Kingdom's representative. From 1977 to 1978, he led UNICEF. From 1982 to 1985, Oyono again served as ambassador to Algeria, Libya, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavian countries.

In 1985, President Paul Biya asked Oyono to return from London and named him Secretary-General of the Presidency of Cameroon. Oyono held this position for about a year before being appointed Minister of Town Planning and Housing in 1986. The role of Secretary-General of the Presidency was historically strong, but Oyono's time in the position was marked by a reduction in its power under President Biya. In 1990, Oyono was removed from the government, but he was later named Minister of Foreign Relations on 27 November 1992. He served in this role until 8 December 1997, when he became Minister of State for Culture. Oyono was a member of the National Commission that helped organize President Biya's re-election campaign in the October 2004 presidential election. He also led the campaign's support and follow-up committee in the South Province.

After nearly ten years as Minister of State for Culture, Oyono was removed from the government on 7 September 2007. He was believed to be a close friend of President Biya, and some believed his departure was due to his age and health. Oyono was criticized for not working at his ministry for long periods. After leaving the government, he was thought to still have influence as an unofficial adviser to Biya. In 2009, Biya named Oyono as a roving ambassador.

As Biya's representative, Oyono attended a play in May 2010 that celebrated Cameroon's independence and the country's reunification. The event was part of celebrations marking Cameroon's 50th anniversary of independence from France.

Death

During a visit to Cameroon by Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Oyono, who was 80 years old, died suddenly in Yaoundé on June 10, 2010. It was said that Oyono fell ill at the presidential palace after a reception for the Secretary-General. He got medical help right away, and an ambulance was sent, but he died quickly. Later that day, President Biya released a statement saying he was sad about Oyono's death, but the statement did not include any details. Secretary-General Ban also expressed sadness during a speech to the National Assembly of Cameroon.

An official funeral took place for Oyono. Events started on June 24, 2010, and ended with his burial at Ngoazip, near Ebolowa, on June 26.

Novels

Oyono's novels were written in French in the late 1950s. They were translated into English about ten to twenty years later.