Cameroon’s opposition party calls for urgent constitutional clarity after president’s extended absence
Cameroon’s political landscape is shrouded in uncertainty as President Paul Biya, who left for Europe on June 7, 2026, for what was officially described as a brief private visit, remains outside the country after more than 40 days. The official statement from the Civil Cabinet offered no specifics beyond confirming the president’s departure from Yaoundé, while credible reports indicate he traveled to Switzerland for undisclosed reasons. This prolonged absence has sparked widespread speculation and raised questions about the continuity of governance in the Central African nation.
Domestic observers and political figures are voicing concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding the president’s prolonged stay abroad. Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya, president of the United Democratic Cameroon (UDC) party, has been particularly vocal, condemning the silence enveloping the head of state’s absence from the seat of power. The UDC argues that the stability of Cameroon’s institutions hinges on clear mechanisms for managing the president’s temporary incapacitation, including the timely appointment of a vice president—a provision introduced in the constitutional revision of April 14, 2026.
Demands for institutional transparency and constitutional adherence
The UDC has put forward a series of recommendations to address the current institutional vacuum. Among these are the establishment of strict protocols for presidential absences, ensuring regular updates to the nation and Parliament, and defining a clear process for delegating presidential functions when necessary. The party also calls for a transparent procedure to confirm temporary or permanent incapacitation, warning of the risks of institutional paralysis without such safeguards. In its view, the prolonged absence of the president demands immediate action from governing bodies to reassure the public about the continuity of state functions.
Political tensions rise as constitutional reforms stall
The controversy deepens amid unanswered questions about the president’s eighth term, which began following the recent presidential election. Despite promises to form a new government to implement policy during this seven-year mandate, more than six months have passed without tangible progress. Meanwhile, the constitutional amendment of April 14, which mandates the appointment of a vice president, remains unimplemented. This gap has already led to incidents, including the circulation of fake presidential decrees that nearly triggered an institutional crisis.
Public frustration has also manifested in unconventional ways, with self-proclaimed activists from the Brigade Anti Sardinard staging a protest outside the president’s residence in Yaoundé, demanding his immediate return. The timing of the president’s absence is particularly sensitive, coinciding with the approach of legislative and municipal elections—a pivotal moment that is already reshaping the dynamics within political parties, including the ruling RDPC, whose Central Committee has convened an emergency meeting for July 21, 2026, without the party’s leader present.
