In Cameroon, the Prolonged Absence of President Paul Biya Raises Questions
Opposition figures and analysts press for clarity as the ruling party says the state remains functional and Biya has been abroad for 45 days.
- On Wednesday, Cameroon's ruling CPDM party convened a rare meeting of senior leaders in Yaounde as criticism mounted over President Paul Biya's 45-day absence abroad.
- The 93-year-old head of state left Cameroon on June 7 for what the civil cabinet described as "a brief private stay in Europe," marking his longest overseas trip yet.
- Opposition lawmaker Jean Michel Nintcheu urged the Constitutional Council to declare the presidency vacant, though analysts note no clear law limits how long a president may remain abroad.
- With no vice president in place, the debate over institutional continuity is intensifying as the ruling party insists the state remains functional despite the lack of direct public updates from Biya.
- Speculation regarding Biya's health and governance capability continues to fuel public debate, especially as the government previously banned discussion of his health following similar extended absences in 2024.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Morgan County Citizen
Cameroon leader's absence sparks debate over government inaction
The lengthy absence of Cameroon's long-serving President Paul Biya, who has been in Switzerland since early June, has reignited debate about government inaction, in a country where many crave change.
Cameroon’s ruling party meets as Biya’s long absence draws criticism
By Amindeh Blaise Atabong YAOUNDE, July 22 (Reuters) - Cameroon's ruling party called a rare meeting of senior leaders on Wednesday as criticism mounted over the continued absence of President Paul Biya, 93, who has spent the last 45 days abroad. Biya...
The Straits Times
The East AfricanCameroon's ruling party meets as Biya's long absence draws criticism
YAOUNDE, July 22 - Cameroon's ruling party called a rare meeting of senior leaders on Wednesday as criticism mounted over the continued absence of President Paul Biya, 93, who has spent the last 45 days abroad. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Forty-four days have passed since President Paul Biya left Cameroon on Sunday, June 7, 2026, for what was presented to Cameroonians as another "short private stay in Europe" with his wife. Since then, the 93-year-old president has still not returned. Rumors about his health are fueling media coverage and public discussion. An opposition member of parliament has even asked the Constitutional Council to declare the presidency vacant. The president…
Biya’s Absence Fuels Cameroon Leadership Succession Fears
Political uncertainty has increased in Cameroon after President Paul Biya spent 45 days outside the country, prompting renewed questions over succession and the future of leadership. According to Reuters, Biya left Cameroon on June 7 for what the presidency described as “a brief private stay in Europe” but has not returned. The government has not announced when the president is expected back, making the trip his longest known absence abroad sinc…
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