Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has been in Switzerland since June 7, marking nearly 50 days away from his home country. His prolonged stay abroad, alongside his wife Chantal Biya, has stirred significant public frustration and renewed concerns regarding government stagnation. At 93, the long-standing leader has faced persistent questions about his health, though the government maintains that he continues to manage official duties remotely.
Government officials, including Higher Education Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo, have dismissed claims of a power vacuum, asserting that the president reviews state files regularly. However, the opposition remains unconvinced. Figures such as Mamadou Mota of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement have labeled the situation an institutional crisis, while others have called for formal procedures to assess presidential capacity. This is not the first time such concerns have surfaced; a similar period of absence occurred in late 2024.
Public fatigue is growing, as highlighted by academic Viviane Ondoua Biwole, who notes that citizens are weary of the current administration’s lack of movement. Despite promises of a cabinet reshuffle made by Biya in December, no new government has been formed. Additionally, the creation of a vice-presidential position earlier this year has yet to result in an appointment, leaving the line of succession dependent on the senate president.
Rumors and political infighting appear to be intensifying within the ruling elite. Analysts suggest that factions within the president’s inner circle, including the influence of the First Lady, are creating an atmosphere of uncertainty regarding the future of the nation’s leadership.