Cameroon’s President Paul Biya returned home on Thursday, August 20, after the longest recorded stay abroad since he came to power more than four decades ago. His return came amid months of speculation about his health and whereabouts.
The 93-year-old leader, the oldest serving head of state in the world, arrived at Nsimalen International Airport in Yaounde on a charter flight from Geneva, Switzerland, after more than 10 weeks abroad. He left Cameroon on June 7 for what the president’s administration called “a short private stay in Europe.”
The president, accompanied by First Lady Chantal Biya, landed around 16:45 local time (15:45 GMT), after which he traveled in a motorcade to the Unity Palace Etoudi. He waved through a half-open window to hundreds of supporters of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), who lined the streets of the capital to greet him, waving party flags and banners in honor of the president.
Speculation about health and succession
Biya’s prolonged absence has sparked widespread speculation about his health and ability to govern the country, despite repeated assurances from the authorities about his imminent return. It has also intensified questions about political succession in a country where power remains highly centralized around the presidency.
Opposition politicians have called on the Constitutional Council to consider whether someone should temporarily assume the duties of head of state during the president’s absence. The Council has taken no action.
Constitutional provisions and uncertainty about the transfer of power
According to Cameroon’s constitution, in the absence of a vice president, the president of the Senate is to temporarily assume the duties of the president if the position of head of state is declared vacant due to death, resignation, or permanent incapacity.
Biya has not appointed a vice president, despite the reinstatement of this position last April. Critics argue that the lack of a clear succession system creates uncertainty about the potential transfer of power if the president becomes unable to govern the country.
Source: The Straits Times
