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

Forty-nine days have elapsed since President Paul Biya last set foot in Cameroon, matching the longest absence recorded in 2024. Departing on June 7 for what was initially described as a private trip to Europe, the 93-year-old leader has not reappeared in public since, leaving journalists in Yaoundé and beyond watching the clock—and grappling with growing unease.

Echoes of the past: parallels with 2024

Reports place the president in a Geneva hotel, mirroring the scenario of 2024. Authorities moved swiftly to dismiss rumors, with Communications Minister René Emmanuel Sadi issuing a denial on June 18 regarding any hospitalization in a Geneva clinic.

Yet tangible evidence remains elusive. No recent images or videos have surfaced to corroborate the government’s statement, leaving doubts firmly in place.

On Sunday, during an appearance on Droit de Réponse on Equinoxe TV, RDPC activist Lucien Bidima claimed to have visited the InterContinental in Geneva and witnessed a president in robust health, fully engaged in discussions. His account, however, lacked verifiable visual proof, raising questions about its credibility and purpose.

Chantal Biya’s rising influence and constitutional concerns

The current absence introduces a new dynamic: the growing visibility of First Lady Chantal Biya. Multiple sources suggest her influence in state affairs is expanding, with her name surfacing in discussions around key appointments. Her consistent presence beside the president during Swiss visits fuels speculation that access to Paul Biya may now be mediated through her.

Adding to the uncertainty is Cameroon’s lack of a vice president. In the event of presidential incapacity, the Senate President, Aboubakary Abdoulaye, is constitutionally mandated to assume interim leadership. This mechanism, untested in such a scenario, is fueling anxiety among political stakeholders. Whether this prolonged absence signals a turning point or merely another chapter in Biya’s tenure remains unclear—but the atmosphere, already strained, offers little reassurance.