With Agency Reports
Cameroon’s ruling party on Wednesday, July 22, called an urgent meeting of senior leaders as criticism mounted over the continued absence of 93-year-old President Paul Biya who has spent the last 45 days abroad, Reuters News Agency reported.
Biya, the world’s oldest head of state, left Cameroon on June 7 for what the cabinet described as “a brief private stay in Europe” and has since not returned. The government has provided no information as to when he might be back.
Jean Nkuete, Secretary-General of the central committee of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), who convened the meeting, did not disclose its agenda, describing it in a statement only as “an important working session.”
In office since 1982, Biya has for years spent extended stretches in Switzerland and elsewhere in Europe, though his advanced age means they have increasingly fuelled speculation about his health, whereabouts and ability to govern. The current overseas trip is his longest so far.
After a similarly extended period out of the country in 2024, the government banned discussion of Biya’s health.
That has not stopped some opposition figures from commenting on the president’s absence.
The Cameroon Democratic Union, an opposition party, said in a statement on July 18 that officials should “provide the nation with the necessary clarifications regarding the effective continuity of the state.”
In a Facebook post on July 17, opposition lawmaker, Jean Michel Nintcheu, said the Constitutional Court should declare the position of head of state vacant.
A government spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. The government has previously dismissed reports that Biya is receiving medical treatment and said he can effectively run the country from overseas.
Lawmakers in April approved the re-introduction of the role of vice president, who would be first in line to succeed Biya, but the position has not been filled.
Biya has also not appointed a new government despite winning re-election last October.
