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

Forty-nine days without a public appearance. That’s how long President Paul Biya has now been away from Cameroon, matching his longest absence this year. The 93-year-old leader left on June 7 for what was officially described as a private trip to Europe, and he hasn’t been seen in public since. In newsrooms across Yaoundé, the clock is ticking—and so is the unease.

Echoes of 2024’s prolonged absence

Current reports suggest the Cameroonian president is staying at a Geneva hotel, just as he did last year. Authorities moved quickly to dismiss rumors, with Communications Minister René Emmanuel Sadi stating on June 18 that Biya was not hospitalized in a Geneva clinic.

Yet no recent images or videos have emerged to support this denial. The silence speaks volumes.

Over the weekend, on the Droit de Réponse program aired on Equinoxe TV, Rdpc party activist Lucien Bidima claimed to have personally visited the InterContinental Hotel in Geneva, where he allegedly saw a “very fit” and fully active president. However, no visual evidence—photos or videos—accompanied his statement. The claim risks being seen as little more than another attempt at damage control.

A shifting power dynamic and constitutional concerns

What sets this absence apart is First Lady Chantal Biya’s elevated role. Multiple sources indicate she is increasingly involved in state affairs, with her name even surfacing in discussions about key appointments. Her consistent presence alongside the president during his Swiss trips fuels speculation that access to the head of state now depends on her.

The real worry? Cameroon still lacks a vice president.

In the event of a power vacuum, the Senate President, Aboubakary Abdoulaye, would be constitutionally required to step in. Yet this mechanism has never been tested in such a scenario, leaving politicians uneasy. As the uncertainty drags on, questions arise: Is this absence a turning point or just another fleeting chapter in Biya’s tenure? With tensions already high for months, one thing is clear—the situation is far from calming.