After 10 weeks abroad, Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has returned to the country but is yet to appoint a new government or vice president. His absence from the office and prolonged stay in Europe have triggered public debate

Paul Biya, the world’s oldest and Cameroon’s ‘forever’ president, has returned to country after spending 73 days (over 10 weeks) abroad. He left Cameroon on June 7, 2026.

His absence from the office and prolonged stay in Europe have triggered public debate on who rules Cameroon and also rumours regarding his public health.

After 10 weeks abroad, on August 20, Biya, 93, arrived at Nsimalen International Airport, located 27 kilometres south of Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon. He has yet to appoint a new government or vice president. Cameroon’s public, political analysts, and critics have been awaiting a promised government reshuffle.

But who is Cameroon’s 93-year-old ruler, and why is he always away? Here’s more.

Meet Paul Biya, Cameroon’s ‘forever’ president

Paul Biya, 93, first came to power more than four decades ago following the resignation of his predecessor, Cameroon’s first president, Ahmadou Ahidjo.

The nonagenarian has remained in power since and won every election in the past 20 years with over 70 per cent of the vote.

Before becoming president, Biya served as the fifth Prime Minister of Cameroon from 1975 to 1982. Cameroon has seen just two presidents since its independence from France in 1960.

As per AFP, Biya has ruled the country with an iron fist, repressing all political and armed opposition. Though he was trained to become a Catholic priest, he went on to study political science in Paris.

His health has been frequently speculated about, as Biya spends most of his time in Europe, with daily governance handled by key party officials and family members.

The Cameroon ruler’s overseas trips for medical treatment and holidays at a luxury hotel in Geneva have also triggered allegations of his spending tonnes of public money on himself and his entourage.

In 2018, an estimate by the international consortium of investigative journalists (OCCRP) found Biya’s trips had cost Cameroonians a total of $65 million (about Rs 577 crore).

He has awarded loyalists key posts, including parliamentary speaker, army chief and the head of the state-run oil and gas company, reported AFP.

In 2008, Biya abolished term limits. He has stayed in power by adopting the divide-and-rule strategy, Cameroonian political scientist Stephane Akoa told the French news agency.

Cameroon’s Biya, who is rarely seen

During his presidency, Biya has spent extended periods abroad, fueling questions about his health and who is running the country while he is away.

The president is rarely seen in his own country. His whereabouts and health have long been part of public life. Biya’s office has time and again pushed back against speculation that he was seriously ill or had died.

In 2024, the government prohibited media discussion over his health, calling it a national security matter. According to Cameroonians, Biya is the only president they have ever known.

Abit Riassai Acha, a 26-year-old doctoral student and community youth leader at the University of Yaoundé II, voted for the first time in last year’s presidential poll, supporting youthful opposition candidate Samuel Hiram Iyodi, 38.

Acha said, “Growing up, President Biya was the only president I knew, so his presidency has been part of my entire experience of Cameroon,” as quoted by CNN.

Acha pointed out that Cameroonians are used to his president’s repeated absence; however, “Becoming accustomed to something does not necessarily mean that people should stop asking questions about how the country is being governed.”

The 93-year-old continued to make several key decisions, including a big military reshuffle from abroad, despite being away.

Critics have remained long disappointed with Biya, not just because he has not stayed in office, but because of his failure to improve the lives of Cameroonians.

Political analyst Collins Molua Ikome, a Cameroonian based in Germany, witnessed the nation’s problems firsthand when he travelled to Cameroon in April. “Roads in Cameroon are extremely bad. I even witnessed a fatal accident,” he told CNN.

Ikome also underscored frequent electricity shortages, corruption and a lack of employment for young people, with healthcare being another major concern. Ikome asserted that quality healthcare remains out of reach for many people across Cameroon.

“Life expectancy in the country is below 70 years. However, Biya has far outlived that due to access to medical healthcare abroad, which the ordinary Cameroonian cannot access due to poverty,” Ikome told the outlet.

Culled from Firstpost.com