President Paul Biya’s prolonged absence has reignited discussions about a potential power vacuum at the nation’s helm. Joshua Osih, a prominent figure in the Social Democratic Front (SDF), maintains that Cameroon is currently operating on “autopilot.”
Having departed on June 7 for what was described as a “short private stay in Europe,” President Paul Biya has yet to return to Yaoundé, remaining abroad for over 40 days. This extended absence has intensified the debate surrounding a presumed power vacuum at the highest levels of government.
During a press conference held on Thursday, July 23, SDF President and Member of Parliament, Joshua Osih, openly criticized the current political situation, stating that it has plunged the nation into uncertainty. “A Head of State absent for over six weeks. A vacant vice-presidency. A Cameroon on autopilot, and we cannot rely on autopilot during a storm,” the elected official declared.
Osih emphasized that his party, the SDF, is not merely pointing out the problem but is actively seeking solutions. “We have come with water to extinguish the fire,” he asserted. The opposition leader urged a return to the foundational principles of the rule of law in Cameroon. His statements align with calls previously made by various opposition figures and civil society leaders, including Jean-Michel Nintcheu, who formally requested the Constitutional Council to declare a power vacuum at Etoudi.
Conversely, the ruling party firmly rejects any suggestion of a power vacuum. “There is no power vacuum at the top of the state,” affirmed Jacques Fame Ndongo, Minister of State and National Communication Secretary for the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (RDPC).
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