Cameroon: President Biya’s extended absence fuels health speculation

President Paul Biya’s prolonged absence from Cameroon has sparked concerns about his health and whereabouts. The 91-year-old leader, who has ruled for 42 years, left the country in early July for an official mission abroad, starting in France and then China.

Biya’s absence from significant events, including the UN General Assembly and La Francophonie summit in France, has fueled speculation. An official statement cited rest in Switzerland as the reason for missing the UN event, while a source within the presidency attributed his absences to health issues.

There is no legal limit on the duration of a presidential stay abroad, though public opinion generally considers around 40 days acceptable. Biya has a history of extended foreign stays, sometimes leading to death rumors until his sudden reappearances.

Despite health concerns, several political leaders have called for Biya to seek another term in the 2025 presidential election. This tradition of urging his candidacy continues, even as questions about his ability to govern intensify.

Biya’s prolonged absence and the uncertainty surrounding his health raise questions about Cameroon’s political stability and the potential for a leadership transition in the near future.