The prolonged absence of Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has become a major talking point across the nation. The 93-year-old leader left the country on June 7, 2026, for what was described as a brief private stay in Europe with his wife. Yet, more than six weeks later, he has yet to return, leaving a growing void in the public sphere.
This unexplained delay has sparked intense speculation about his health, dominating conversations in media outlets and social networks alike. The silence surrounding his prolonged stay is fueling concerns over transparency and the functioning of the state.
Government scrambles to reassure the public
In response to the mounting rumors, the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (RDPC) has launched a campaign to ease anxieties. In an editorial published on July 15 in L’Action, the party’s official newspaper, Christophe Mien Zok, the party’s director of propaganda, insisted that all institutions continue to operate normally.
«Power is not vacant. The Lion remains in charge,» he declared, pushing back against claims that the country is being governed remotely or left in automatic mode.
Official presidential channels have continued to release messages from Biya congratulating foreign heads of state, including French President Emmanuel Macron on Bastille Day and the President of Montenegro. However, no public appearances or detailed updates regarding the president’s activities have been made available.
Opposition demands answers on presidential vacancy
The opposition has seized on the situation, with lawmaker Jean-Michel Nintcheu filing a petition with the Constitutional Council to assess whether the prolonged absence constitutes a vacancy of power.
The Democratic Union of Cameroon (UDC) has also weighed in, stressing that while an extended absence abroad does not automatically constitute a vacancy, it raises critical questions about state continuity, the effective exercise of presidential powers, and the mechanisms in place for temporary impediments.
Constitutional ambiguities under scrutiny
Legal experts highlight that once the symbolic 45-day mark is surpassed, the Constitutional Council could be compelled to examine the situation. Yet, there is no legal provision setting a maximum duration for the president’s absence from national territory.
The UDC has also pointed out that no vice president has been appointed since constitutional reforms were adopted in April, a gap that underscores the urgent need for institutional reforms. The party advocates for clear rules governing extended presidential absences to ensure state continuity and prevent institutional uncertainty.
As the days without Biya continue to pile up, the debate between the government and the opposition shows no signs of abating. While authorities insist that institutions are functioning normally, critics are calling for greater transparency and a more robust legal framework to address such extraordinary circumstances.
