Concern Mounts In Cameroon Over 93-Year-Old President Biya’s Prolonged Absence

Stephanie Nworah 2 hours ago 2 min read

Concerns have been raised by Cameroonians over the prolonged absence of President Paul Biya/Photo: Habari Network

As President Paul Biya remains unseen for nearly two months, uncertainty grows over his health, his whereabouts, and the country’s political future.

In Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé, the president’s extended absence has been the dominant topic in newspapers and everyday conversations over the past several weeks.

Paul Biya has now been away from public view for 58 days.

Still, some residents, like Mr. Njoya, are choosing to stay hopeful and don’t see the silence as a serious threat to the nation.

“If he is away, there is certainly a good reason,” Abdou Salam Njoya, a Yaoundé resident told Africa News.
“We trusted him to manage the country, and we remain confident in that.
“We hope everything is fine and that his absence will bring us good news.

However, for a growing number of people in Yaoundé, the president’s unusually long and unprecedented absence has started to feel worrying.

“The children took their exams and had very poor results,” said Tchoffo Jule, another Yaoundé resident.

“He should have been there to guide us and guide this young generation, to ask why these results were so weak, but unfortunately he is not here.

“I feel that these are the holidays he has been waiting for.

“Maybe it is time, I don’t know, maybe he has gone to rest as he said.”

“It has been almost two months now. We don’t know whether our president is alive or not, and this makes us even more uncomfortable,” said Majesté Arouna, a Yaoundé resident.

According to one political analyst, the nation is on track to face serious institutional difficulties.

Related: 93-Year-Old Cameroonian President, Biya, Appoints Son As Vice President

He points to the lack of a new government since the presidential election in October 2025, combined with mounting disarray within the administration, as reasons why conversations about what happens after Biya can no longer be put off.

“It is normal that, as we are now talking about 58 days of his absence from the country, Cameroonians are asking what this absence really means, especially because the government has shown signs of confusion,” said Cyrille Tchamba, a political analyst.

“There is a heavy silence among Cameroonians when it comes to thinking about what comes after Biya.

“Today, we must acknowledge and address this.”

With Biya’s absence nearing the two-month mark, no word has come on when, or if he will return.

Meanwhile, a series of recent military appointments has left observers uneasy about what might come next.

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