Cameroon’s 93-year-old president draws opposition concerns over prolonged absence from the country.
Cameroon President Paul Biya has faced renewed criticism after spending several weeks in Geneva, Switzerland, following what officials described as a private trip. The president reportedly left Cameroon on June 7 with his wife for what was announced as a short stay,
Biya’s extended absence has sparked debate among opposition figures and political observers, with concerns growing over the leadership of the country. The 93-year-old leader, who has ruled Cameroon for more than four decades, is the world’s oldest sitting head of state,
The Cameroonian government has maintained that Biya is in good health and has rejected reports suggesting that he was hospitalised during his stay in Switzerland. Communication Minister René Emmanuel Sadi previously dismissed claims about the president’s health, insisting that reports of a medical emergency were false,
However, questions about Biya’s health and long periods away from Cameroon have continued to fuel public discussion. The president has made several trips to Geneva over the years, often leading to speculation about his condition and ability to carry out his duties,
Opposition politician Mamadou Mota criticised the prolonged absence, describing it as a serious leadership gap. He argued that the president’s absence creates uncertainty and affects the functioning of state institutions,
Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya, president of the Cameroon Democratic Union (UDC), has also called for a formal process to determine whether the head of state is temporarily or permanently unable to perform his responsibilities,
Ndam Njoya urged authorities to establish what she described as an impartial procedure for assessing the president’s capacity to govern. Her comments have added to wider calls from opposition groups for greater transparency regarding the president’s health and official duties,
This is not the first time Biya has faced criticism over long periods away from Cameroon. In late 2024, he was criticised after spending 50 days outside the country, raising similar concerns about presidential accountability,
Supporters of the president have defended his leadership, while government officials continue to insist that he remains capable of carrying out his responsibilities. Authorities have not announced any change to his role or official duties,
As criticism grows, the debate over Biya’s extended stays abroad has renewed broader discussions in Cameroon about leadership transition, political stability, and the future direction of the country after more than 40 years under one president.
