Cameroon’s prolonged wait for the return of President Paul Biya has reignited national debate over the pace of governance, with growing questions about leadership and the country’s political future.
As of Saturday, the 93 year old president, who has ruled Cameroon for more than four decades and remains the world’s oldest serving head of state, has spent 48 days outside the country after leaving for Switzerland in early June.
Officially, the presidency said Biya departed on June 7 for what it described as a short private visit to Europe alongside his wife, Chantal Biya. However, his extended stay has continued to fuel public speculation, particularly given his long history of travelling to Geneva and recurring rumours about his health.
Earlier this month, Communication Minister Rene Emmanuel Sadi dismissed reports suggesting the president had been admitted to a hospital in Geneva, insisting the claims were false. Despite the government’s assurances, opposition figures argue that the president’s continued absence reflects a deeper problem within the country’s leadership structure.
Mamadou Mota, the vice president of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, said the situation points to what he described as a clear institutional vacuum, questioning how the country continues to function without the physical presence of its leader.
Calls for institutional reforms have also intensified. Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya, who leads the Cameroon Democratic Union, urged the government to establish a transparent and impartial process for determining when a sitting president is temporarily or permanently unable to carry out official duties.
The ruling party has rejected suggestions that the country is experiencing a leadership crisis. Higher Education Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo insisted that President Biya remains fully engaged with state matters, explaining that official documents continue to reach him through his aides wherever he is.
Questions surrounding Biya’s absence are not new. Similar concerns emerged in late 2024 when he remained outside Cameroon for nearly 50 days. This time, however, critics say public frustration has grown even stronger.
The opposition Social Democratic Front recently claimed the country is effectively operating on autopilot, arguing that key government decisions have stalled while citizens continue waiting for promised reforms.
Professor Viviane Ondoua Biwole, a public management expert at the University of Yaounde, said many Cameroonians have grown tired of the lack of progress. According to her, the current administration has remained in office for eight years, an unusually long period, and many citizens expected significant changes following the last election.
President Biya secured an eighth term in office during the October presidential election, a result that sparked protests across parts of the country. The demonstrations were forcefully dispersed, with the government acknowledging that several dozen people lost their lives, although no official figure has been released. Opposition parties challenged the election outcome, while several Western diplomatic missions also expressed reservations over the process.
In his New Year address on December 31, Biya assured citizens that a new cabinet would be announced within days. More than seven months later, no such reshuffle has taken place, adding to growing concerns over delays in governance.
At the same time, municipal and legislative elections have repeatedly been postponed, allowing current office holders to remain in their positions for longer than originally expected.
Although some constitutional changes have been introduced, including replacing the leaders of both chambers of parliament and creating the office of vice president, the new position has yet to be filled.
The uncertainty has created room for misinformation. In June, forged documents resembling an official presidential decree were delivered to a public radio station in the capital, falsely claiming that a vice president had already been appointed. Journalists identified the documents as fake and declined to present them as authentic.
Political observers believe the growing uncertainty has intensified discussions about who could eventually succeed Biya. Professor Ondoua Biwole suggested there are signs of internal disagreements among influential figures within the government.
Political analyst Stephane Akoa also said reports of rivalry among different camps close to the president have become increasingly common. He noted that First Lady Chantal Biya is playing a more visible role in state affairs, with her name frequently linked to discussions surrounding major appointments and government decisions.
Under Cameroon’s constitutional order, if the presidency becomes vacant before a new election is held, Senate President Aboubakary Abdoulaye would assume leadership on an interim basis until a presidential vote is conducted.
