Cameroonian President Paul Biya, aged 93, has been in Switzerland for a record 53 days since departing on June 7 for what was initially described as a private visit. His prolonged absence has reignited debates over his health and ability to lead the country.
The government maintains that Biya remains actively engaged in state affairs from abroad. Communications Minister René Emmanuel dismissed rumours about the president’s health as "pure fantasy and malicious manipulation." Labour Minister Grégoire Owona described the extended stay as part of Biya’s annual leave.
However, opposition leaders have expressed frustration over the lack of clarity regarding the president’s whereabouts and the duration of his trip. Mamadou Mota, vice president of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, criticised remote governance amid pressing socioeconomic challenges.
The ongoing absence comes months after Biya’s inauguration for an eighth consecutive seven-year term following a contested election in October 2025. Critics note that since then, no new Cabinet has been announced, and the newly established vice-presidential post remains vacant.
Calls for Transparency and Assessment
- Opposition parties demand more openness about Biya’s health and leadership capacity.
- Some advocate for an independent evaluation of the president’s ability to govern.
- Concerns grow as Cameroon prepares for parliamentary and municipal elections in 2027.
The government’s ban on public discussion of Biya’s health, introduced after a previous extended stay abroad in 2024, has further complicated the discourse. Meanwhile, the uncertainty fuels speculation and political unease in Cameroon.
