Cameroon’s President Paul Biya returned to Yaoundé on Thursday, August 20, after 73 days abroad, ending the longest recorded absence of his presidency and months of speculation over his health and whereabouts.
The 93-year-old president arrived at Yaoundé’s Nsimalen International Airport at about 4:45 p.m. local time on a chartered flight from Geneva, Switzerland, where he had been staying since June 7. His office had initially described the trip as a brief private stay in Europe.
Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982 and is the world’s oldest serving head of state, was accompanied by First Lady Chantal Biya. He later travelled by motorcade to the Etoudi Unity Palace, waving to supporters who gathered along the route to welcome him.
His prolonged absence had fuelled speculation about his health and questions over who was effectively running the country. Opposition figures had called for the authorities to examine the situation, while government officials repeatedly maintained that Biya remained in control.
The government had also denied earlier reports that Biya was hospitalised in Geneva. His return now ends the unusually long period he spent outside Cameroon and comes amid renewed attention on the country’s leadership and succession arrangements.
