Cameroun: growing concerns over Paul Biya’s prolonged absence

Since June 7, 2026, when President Paul Biya left Cameroon for what was officially described as a short private stay in Europe alongside his wife, the absence of Cameroon’s 93-year-old leader has triggered intense public debate. Now, 44 days later, the head of state has yet to return, deepening concerns about his health and the continuity of governance.

Rumors and speculations about his condition have spread across local media and social platforms, amplifying calls for transparency. The prolonged silence has raised serious questions about the stability of institutions and the effective exercise of presidential powers.

Government insists institutions remain stable

In response to mounting concerns, the ruling Rassemblement démocratique du peuple camerounais (RDPC) has sought to reassure the public. In an editorial published July 15 in L’Action, the party’s director of propaganda, Christophe Mien Zok, emphasized that national institutions continue to function normally.

« The power is not vacant. The Lion has not left », he declared, dismissing claims that Cameroon might be governed remotely or in an automatic pilot mode. Official presidential channels, however, have not provided any public appearances or detailed updates on the president’s activities, despite circulating messages of congratulations reportedly sent by Biya to foreign leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron on Bastille Day.

Opposition demands clarity on power continuity

The opposition has seized on the situation to demand official explanations. Member of Parliament Jean-Michel Nintcheu has filed a petition with the Constitutional Council to assess the potential vacancy of the presidency. Meanwhile, the Union démocratique du Cameroun (UDC) has urged authorities not to speculate about the president’s personal situation but stressed that institutional stability cannot rely on silence and assumptions.

The party argues that while an extended absence abroad does not automatically constitute a vacancy, it does raise critical questions about the continuity of state functions, the effective exercise of presidential prerogatives, and the mechanisms in place for handling temporary impediments to presidential duties.

Legal experts highlight gaps in constitutional framework

Constitutional law specialists point out that a delay exceeding 45 days could warrant formal review by the Constitutional Council, though no legal provision sets a maximum duration for a president’s absence from national territory. The UDC also notes that no vice president has been appointed since constitutional revisions in April 2025, further exposing the need for institutional reform.

The party advocates for the adoption of clear rules governing prolonged presidential absences to safeguard state continuity and prevent institutional uncertainty. As the days without President Biya continue to accumulate, the debate between authorities and opposition remains sharply divided—with the former insisting on normalcy and the latter calling for greater transparency and a stronger legal framework.