Yaoundé: President Paul Biya returned to Cameroon on Thursday following a 73-day absence, which had sparked speculation concerning the 93-year-old's health and the governance of the country. The world's oldest serving head of state arrived in Yaoundé from Geneva at approximately 1600 GMT, after staying in the Swiss city since June 7 for what his office described as "a short private stay." According to France24.com, Cameroonian media reported that Biya, who has led the country since 1982, was accompanied by family members and close aides during his stay in Geneva. Upon his return, President Biya, alongside First Lady Chantal Biya, waved to supporters from a car en route to the presidential palace. At the airport, dozens of supporters from the ruling party gathered, donning attire adorned with Biya's image to welcome him back. The president's healthhas been a topic of speculation, largely due to his frequent visits to Geneva. On June 18, Communication Minister René Emmanuel Sadi refuted claims that Biya had b een hospitalized in a Geneva clinic. His extended absence fueled criticism from the opposition, which criticized the "institutional vacuum" and claimed the country was on "autopilot," with important governmental appointments pending for months. Teacher Giles Owono, among those who greeted Biya, commented that it is normal for a democracy to question a president's prolonged absence, though he asserted it did not alter the country's functioning. James Fame Ndongo, a prominent ruling party member and higher education minister, dismissed notions of a power vacuum, stating that the president continued to manage state affairs. Yet, for many Cameroonians, Biya's frequent absences over the years have been a source of increasing frustration. Univers opposition party leader Prosper Nkou Mvondo expressed indifference, stating that Biya's presence or absence makes little difference in governance, as the president does little even when present. The ramifications of Biya's nearly fifty-year rule have been mixed, with ch allenges such as Boko Haram insurgencies in the north, separatist movements in the west, and a lackluster economy leading to disillusionment among the youth. His re-election for an eighth term in October 2025 led to protests that were violently suppressed, resulting in numerous deaths, though the authorities have not provided a comprehensive toll. The 2008 constitutional amendment that removed term limits has allowed Biya to outlast most of Cameroon's citizens, with over 70% of the nearly 30 million population being under 35 years old. His lengthy stay abroad has also fueled discussions about a post-Biya era and intensified competition among potential successors. In the absence of a vice-president, Senate President Aboubakary Abdoulaye would assume leadership if a power vacuum occurs, until a presidential election can be organized.
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