KEY POINTS
- Paul Biya returned after 42 days away, sparking health rumors.
- The government banned public discussion of Biya’s health.
- Supporters celebrated his return, but questions about his leadership persist.
Following a 42-day absence that raised questions and fueled speculation about his health and whereabouts, Cameroon’s 91-year-old president, Paul Biya, returned to the country on Monday.
Biya’s return calms rumors, but no public address
One of the world’s longest-serving leaders, Biya has ruled for more than 40 years, and his extended absence heightened speculation about his ability to continue governing.
Just before 5 p.m. (1600 GMT), Biya and his wife, Chantal Biya, landed at Nsimalen International Airport in Yaounde, returning from Geneva on a chartered plane. Biya’s secretary-general, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, welcomed him upon arrival, and they exchanged a few words before he boarded his car. While Biya did not make any public remarks, he waved to supporters through the rear window of his car as his motorcade left the airport.
Biya’s prolonged absence sparked widespread rumors that he was ill, prompting authorities to issue multiple statements assuring the public of his good health. Despite these reassurances, the absence of a public appearance led to further speculation, eventually resulting in the government banning public discussion of the president’s health, citing national security.
Thousands of supporters from the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) party lined the 22-kilometer (13-mile) route from the airport to the Etoudi presidential palace, according to Reuters. Many wore clothing bearing Biya’s image and waved Cameroonian flags as the motorcade passed. In addition to party loyalists, onlookers and ordinary citizens gathered along the streets, hoping to confirm that the president had returned.
Supporters welcome Biya, but concerns about leadership remain
Billboards and banners welcoming Biya back lined the streets, with slogans like “Long life to His Excellency Paul Biya, father of the nation,” highlighting the significance of his return. The atmosphere in Yaounde was a mix of relief from his supporters and curiosity from those who had speculated about his absence.
Biya’s health and long absences remain key concerns for many in Cameroon, especially as he approaches his mid-90s. While some call for political change and transparency, others credit his long rule with providing stability. Biya’s return reaffirmed his influence and the loyalty of a large part of the population, though questions about his long-term leadership persist.
