President Paul Biya’s prolonged absence raises questions about Cameroon’s leadership

The Head of State has been in Europe since June 7, 2026, initially described as a short private stay by his cabinet director, Samuel Mvondo Ayolo.

Following reports in the Jeune Afrique panafrican publication, authorities confirmed the President is indeed in Geneva, Switzerland—a location he has frequented since assuming power in 1982.

What began as a short trip has stretched indefinitely, fueling speculation about the 93-year-old leader’s health despite reassurances from officials. Some observers have even floated the idea of a power vacuum in Cameroon.

However, the constitution does not tie power vacancy to the number of days a president spends abroad. Legally, vacancy can only be declared in three specific cases: death, resignation, or definitive impediment of the sitting president.

Notably, the constitution offers no clear definition of definitive impediment, leaving room for interpretation. Therefore, a prolonged foreign stay alone cannot justify claims of a power vacuum.

Cameroon’s legal framework allows the President to govern remotely for the entirety of their mandate without violating any laws. The real debate centers on political ethics rather than legality.

Public frustration over delays in government formation after the October 2025 presidential election—and the swift reinstatement of the Vice-President position—may explain the growing habit of tracking the President’s days abroad. In over 43 years in power, President Biya has never issued significant decrees from overseas.