Cameroon confirms Paul Biya’s return amid health speculations

The long silence has finally been broken. Cameroonian authorities have addressed mounting concerns about President Paul Biya‘s prolonged absence from public view, confirming he remains alive and is expected to return soon.

After nearly two months without a public appearance, the government broke its silence on Sunday, August 2, through Minister of Communication and government spokesperson René Emmanuel Sadi. Speaking in a national broadcast, he sought to quell rumors suggesting otherwise.

In a firm statement, Sadi dismissed all speculation of a power vacuum. “The Constitutional Council has not declared a vacancy of power. President Paul Biya is alive and has not resigned,” he affirmed. His remarks were aimed at addressing calls from opposition figures who, for weeks, had demanded official recognition of a vacancy due to the president’s extended absence.

The spokesperson provided no details regarding Biya’s current location or the exact date of his return. “I cannot confirm when President Paul Biya will be back, and even if I knew, it wouldn’t be my place to announce it here. But I can assure you he will return very soon,” he stated.

At 93 years old, President Biya has led Cameroon since 1982, making him the world’s longest-serving current head of state. His last public appearance was on June 7, when he left Yaoundé for what was officially described as a “private stay in Europe” alongside his wife, Chantal Biya. Since then, no official engagements have been recorded—a rarity in his decades-long tenure.

Despite his absence, the presidency has continued to issue official decrees signed in Biya’s name. On July 22, multiple decrees bearing the “Yaoundé” location were made public, sparking fresh debate online. Some social media users questioned the authenticity of these documents, further fueling speculation about the president’s health and whereabouts.