Cameroon's President Paul Biya, the world's oldest head of state at 93, has not been seen or heard from for 53 days, reigniting speculation about his health and whereabouts. Biya left for Switzerland on June 7 for what officials called a 'brief private stay' with his wife, Chantal, but has not addressed the nation or appeared publicly since. The prolonged absence has sparked rumors and concern, even though discussing the president's health is illegal in Cameroon.
Conflicting statements from officials
Government officials have offered contradictory explanations. Communication Minister René Emmanuel Sadi said Biya is in good health and 'working from Geneva, where he currently resides,' dismissing reports of illness as 'pure fantasy and malicious manipulation.' Higher Education Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo claimed Biya is 'meticulously following the files submitted to him by his aides.' However, Labour Minister Grégoire Owona described the trip as annual leave, stating, 'Paul Biya, elected by the Cameroonian people and paid by them, is a worker who has the right to annual leave.' No official timetable for his return has been provided.
Political vacuum and opposition concerns
Opposition leaders have criticized the absence. Mamadou Mota, vice-president of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, called it a 'glaring institutional vacuum,' saying, 'A country cannot be governed by remote control while critical socioeconomic challenges go unaddressed.' Patricia Tomaïno Ndam Njoya of the Cameroon Democratic Union urged an impartial procedure to determine any 'temporary or permanent incapacity of the head of state.' The opposition Social Democratic Front argued the government has failed to explain the extension of what was initially a brief visit.
Economic and electoral implications
Biya was sworn in for his eighth seven-year term in November 2024, after an election marred by allegations of irregularities. He has yet to name a government, and with parliamentary and municipal elections expected in early 2027, his absence could disrupt the electoral cycle. Cameroon, with the largest economy in central Africa, faces high unemployment, inflation, and poor infrastructure, particularly affecting its young population, which makes up about two-thirds of the estimated 30.6 million citizens.
Opposition voices and debt concerns
Kohtem Sambit, secretary general of the Movement for Patriotism and People's Prosperity, said, 'Politics should be about serving the people, but the CPDM appears more interested in holding on to power.' He noted that the economy minister borrowed over 21 billion Central African francs in Biya's name, adding, 'You do not see the person who signed, nor do you know his whereabouts. That debt will be paid by the public.' Sambit also criticized Labour Minister Owona's remarks, stating, 'If the president is on annual leave, he is still accountable to the Cameroonian people because he is paid with taxpayers' money.'
Institutional gaps and succession jockeying
In April, parliament reintroduced the office of vice-president, but the position remains unfilled, leaving no designated deputy if Biya becomes incapacitated. Reports indicate Biya's son and stepson are jockeying for position, and public disagreements among cabinet ministers have become common. Last week, CPDM Secretary General Jean Nkuete convened a rare meeting of senior party officials, described only as an 'important working session,' with no agenda released. Several party officials declined interview requests.
Public and investor uncertainty
Businessman Nji Lucas expressed economic concerns: 'I do not have confidence because it is almost as if the country is on autopilot. No serious investor wants to commit resources in a country where there is uncertainty over political leadership.' The prolonged absence has eroded trust, with Lucas noting, 'Investors require certainty before making long-term decisions.'
