Paul Biya’s 49-day absence fuels speculation in Cameroon

For 49 consecutive days, Paul Biya has remained outside Cameroon—matching his longest absence this year. The 93-year-old president left the country on June 7 for what was initially described as a private visit to Europe, yet no public appearances have been recorded since. In newsrooms across Yaoundé, the silence has only deepened concerns.

Echoes of a familiar pattern

Reports suggest President Biya is currently staying at a Geneva hotel, mirroring last year’s situation. Authorities moved swiftly to dismiss rumors, with Communications Minister René Emmanuel Sadi denying on June 18 that the president was hospitalized in a Geneva clinic.

Yet, without fresh visual evidence, skepticism lingers. Sunday’s broadcast of Droit de Réponse on Equinoxe TV featured Rdpc activist Lucien Bidima, who claimed to have personally visited the InterContinental Geneva. He described seeing a president in “excellent health,” actively engaged. However, no accompanying photos or videos were provided to substantiate his account, leaving many to question whether this was merely another attempt at damage control.

Chantal Biya’s growing influence and constitutional concerns

What sets this absence apart is the prominent role of First Lady Chantal Biya. Multiple sources indicate her involvement in state affairs is intensifying, with her name even surfacing in discussions about key government appointments. Her consistent presence during the president’s Swiss stays fuels speculation that access to Paul Biya now depends on her.

Compounding the uncertainty is Cameroon’s lack of a vice president. Should the presidency fall vacant, constitutional protocol designates the Senate President, Aboubakary Abdoulaye, as interim leader—a scenario never tested under these conditions. The political class watches with unease as tensions continue to rise, leaving many to wonder whether this prolonged absence signals a turning point or just another chapter in Biya’s extended tenure.