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Cameroon’s President Biya returns after a long stay abroad raises health concerns
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- President Paul Biya returned to Cameroon after more than two months abroad, ending concerns about his health and potential power vacuum in the country.
- Biya, 93, has ruled Cameroon since 1982 and began his eighth term following a disputed 2023 election; his prolonged absence was the longest during his presidency.
- The president’s health has been a subject of speculation due to frequent extended stays in Europe, while governance is often left to party officials and family members.
- Cameroon currently lacks a vice president, a position Biya controls, leading opposition groups to claim the country is being run on “autopilot.”
- Biya’s long tenure has coincided with ongoing insurgencies, economic stagnation, and youth disillusionment, with over 70% of the population under 35 and recent protests highlighting generational tensions.
