Canal 2’Or 2026: After His Slip of the Tongue About Chantal Biya, Papa Essola Defended by Flavienne Tchatat

At the Canal 2’Or ceremony in Yaoundé on October 31, 2026, Salomon Tatmfo, known as Papa Essola in the series L’Orphelin, received a special award for his contribution to Cameroonian cinema. While thanking First Lady Chantal Biya, he reportedly said the name Irène Biya, President Paul Biya’s first wife, prompting online comments and political interpretations. On November 2, actress Flavienne Tchatat defended him on Facebook, saying he has suffered from health problems for several years and urging the public to consider his age and life’s work. She called on people to celebrate his long career rather than draw political conclusions from the slip.