Cameroon is facing renewed political debate as President Paul Biya remains outside the country for 48 days, raising concerns among opposition leaders and many citizens over delays in government decisions and the country's leadership.
Biya, 93, who has ruled Cameroon for more than four decades and is the world's oldest serving head of state, left the country on June 7 for what officials described as a brief private visit to Europe with his wife, Chantal Biya.
Since then, he has remained in Switzerland, where he has frequently travelled over the years.
His prolonged stay has again led to rumours about his health. Earlier reports claimed he had been admitted to a clinic in Geneva, but Cameroon’s Communication Minister, Rene Emmanuel Sadi, denied the reports on June 18, insisting that the president had not been hospitalised.
Despite the government's assurance, opposition parties say Biya's continued absence has left the country without active leadership.
Mamadou Mota, vice-president of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC), said the situation reflects a clear gap in the country's institutions.
The leader of the Cameroon Democratic Union (UDC), Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya, also called on the government to create a clear legal process for determining when a president is temporarily or permanently unable to carry out official duties.
The ruling party has rejected claims that the country lacks leadership. Higher Education Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo said President Biya remains fully involved in government work and continues to receive and review official documents wherever he is staying.
This is not the first time Biya's absence has attracted public attention. In late 2024, he also spent about 50 days outside Cameroon, leading to similar concerns.
The opposition Social Democratic Front (SDF) described the country as operating without active direction, saying government activities appear to be continuing without proper leadership.
Many Cameroonians have also expressed frustration over the slow pace of government decisions. Viviane Ondoua Biwole, a public management professor at the University of Yaounde, said many people are tired of waiting for changes. She noted that the current government has remained in office for eight years, while many citizens expected a cabinet reshuffle after the last election.
Biya secured an eighth presidential term in the October election, but the result sparked protests across the country. Security forces moved against demonstrators, and the government later confirmed that several dozen people died during the unrest, although it did not release a full casualty figure. Opposition parties rejected the election outcome, while several Western embassies reacted with caution.
In his New Year's address on December 31, Biya promised to appoint a new government in the coming days. More than seven months later, no new cabinet has been announced.
At the same time, municipal and parliamentary elections have been postponed several times, allowing current office holders to remain in their positions beyond their expected terms.
Although Cameroon has introduced some constitutional and institutional changes, including replacing the heads of both chambers of parliament in March and creating the office of vice-president through constitutional reforms in May, no one has yet been appointed to fill the new position.
The uncertainty has also encouraged the spread of false information. In June, fake documents made to resemble an official presidential decree were sent to a state-owned radio station in the capital, claiming that a vice-president had been appointed. Journalists verified that the documents were not genuine and refused to broadcast the claim.
As questions continue over who could eventually succeed Biya, political observers say there are reports of disagreements among people close to the president.
According to political analyst Stephane Akoa, different groups within Biya's inner circle are competing for influence, while First Lady Chantal Biya is becoming more involved in government matters and is increasingly mentioned in discussions about appointments and key decisions.
Under Cameroon’s constitution, if the presidency becomes vacant and no vice-president has been appointed, Senate President Aboubakary Abdoulaye would take over temporarily until a new presidential election is held.
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