Fifty-three days and counting: 93-year-old leader’s record absence fuels health speculation

The prolonged absence of Paul Biya from public view has become a pressing concern for Cameroon. At 93 years old, Biya has been in power since 1982, and his latest absence has raised questions about whether he is fit to lead or if there are deeper issues at play.

Biya’s absences have become a pattern over the years. He often takes long trips abroad, staying at luxurious hotels like the InterContinental in Geneva. Official explanations for these extended stays vary, but Labor Minister Grégoire Owona recently claimed that Biya is on annual leave. This explanation rings hollow considering Biya’s track record of governance.

Cameroon’s opposition parties are right to question the government’s lack of transparency regarding Biya’s health and whereabouts. In October 2024, authorities banned discussion of his health, fueling speculation and raising concerns about democratic institutions. The Constitutional Council’s dismissal of post-electoral complaints last November further eroded public trust.

The ripple effects of Biya’s prolonged absence can be seen in the electoral cycle. With parliamentary and municipal elections expected in early 2027, many are worried that uncertainty surrounding his leadership could disrupt the process. Cameroon’s largest economy in central Africa is at risk, with pressing issues such as high inflation, unemployment rates, and poor public infrastructure yet to be addressed.

The government has offered little reassurance on these concerns. Minister of Communication René Emmanuel Sadi claimed that Biya was “working from Geneva,” but this explanation only adds to speculation. Cameroonians deserve to know the truth about their leader’s health and whereabouts.

Investors are wary of committing resources to a country plagued by uncertainty over its leadership. As Nji Lucas, a businessman, noted: “No serious investor wants to commit resources in a country where there is uncertainty over political leadership.”

The opposition parties have called for an impartial procedure to determine Biya’s ability to continue leading the country. The reintroduction of the office of vice-president as part of a constitutional overhaul highlights the need for clear succession planning and transparency.

As Cameroon grapples with its internal issues, leaders must prioritize serving the people over holding onto power. Biya’s prolonged absence has created an institutional vacuum that threatens to destabilize the country further. It’s time for Cameroonians to demand answers and take control of their future.

Opposition leader Mamadou Mota noted: “A country cannot be governed by remote control while critical socioeconomic challenges go unaddressed.” The people of Cameroon deserve better than a government that operates in secrecy, ignoring pressing needs. It’s time for change – and it starts with transparency about Biya’s health and whereabouts.

The international community should take notice of the situation unfolding in Cameroon. As a major player in central Africa, addressing the implications of Biya’s prolonged absence on regional stability is essential. The silence from global leaders has only emboldened those who seek to maintain power at any cost.

Until the truth about Biya’s health and leadership is finally revealed, uncertainty will continue to haunt Cameroon. This serves as a reminder that true democracy requires more than just elections – it demands transparency, accountability, and a leader willing to serve the people, not just themselves.