Cameroon: President Paul Biya has finally returned home after being disappeared for over 10 weeks abroad. The 93-year-old leader arrived in Yaoundé from Geneva, Switzerland in a chartered flight. His unusual long absence had raised questions about his health and existence.
Biya is the world’s oldest head-of-state who has ruled Cameroon since 1982. He was welcomed warmly by his supporters as he returned to the presidential palace.
Reportedly, Pres. Paul Biya left the country two months ago on June 07 for “a brief private stay in Europe” as his office described but remained absent for the longest time of presidency as recorded.
Health of the president has been a major topic of speculation as he spent significant time in Europe. There he visited France and Switzerland, where he often spends weeks while leaving governance to fellow party officials and family members.
As per the law, the constitution of Cameroon does not prohibit a president specifically from leaving the country for months. The country has no vice-president even; it is a position where Biya can appoint himself and considering which the opposition said that the “country is running on autopilot.”
Cameroon 🇨🇲 President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state, has returned home after spending more than 10 weeks abroad.
The 93-year-old leader arrived in Yaoundé from Geneva, Switzerland, on a chartered flight.
His unusually long absence had raised questions about his… pic.twitter.com/81LtnBcEgO
— Africa View Facts (@AfricaViewFacts) August 20, 2026
During his landing, only the close collaborators of Biya were allowed to receive him at the airport on Thursday, August 20, 2026. No photograph of him has been released from the airport yet and interaction with the media was completely prohibited. Upon his arrival he was just seen waving his hand to his supporters from his car once.
President Paul Biya has ruled the country for nearly half-century that has left many youngsters disillusioned with the leader. His power has been mixed over these years mainly due to the armed insurgencies by Boko Haram in the north and separatists in the west as well as the irregular economy.
Re-elections held last year observed widespread protests that led to death of 16 people. The government stated that this raged significant tensions between the young generation and its aging leader.
After the official constitutional amendment abolished term limits in 2008, Biya has ruled Cameroon longer than most of its citizens who are still alive. Over 70% of the population nearly 30 million people are below the age of 35 in the county living right now.
Earlier in April 2026, parliament of Cameroon announced for the post of Vice president, which was criticised by the opposition as a “power grab”. As Biya has full right to appoint and dismiss the deputy person at his own will and wish and can determine the powers to run the office.