This Thursday afternoon, President Paul Biya, accompanied by his wife Chantal and their entourage, is expected to touch down in Yaoundé, having departed Geneva aboard a private Boeing jet registered P4 – CLA. Their arrival is slated for late afternoon, marking a significant moment for the nation.

Across the country, activists from the ruling party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (RDPC), have been mobilized, meticulously preparing a particularly enthusiastic and grand welcome for the Head of State.

The Cameroonian authorities are orchestrating an elaborate spectacle for this presidential return. A prime example of this meticulous planning is the unprecedented deployment by CRTV, the national public media group, which has assigned 200 of its staff members to provide live radio and television coverage. This event is being elevated to a major national happening, with the President’s landing and the entire 22-kilometer motorcade journey from the airport to the presidential palace set for live broadcast and detailed commentary across their channels.

A prolonged absence from the nation

This eagerly awaited return flight, for which neither the Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon nor the government issued any official communication, concludes an exact 74-day absence of the Cameroonian Head of State from his country. This record-breaking period away from home sparked a flurry of speculation regarding his condition, particularly his health. Rumors circulated widely, with some suggesting severe illness and hospitalization following a knee operation, while others insisted on routine medical consultations.

Cameroonians are now keen to observe whether their Head of State leveraged this extended period abroad to advance certain key promises, such as the formation of a new government, which was announced eight months ago but remains pending. There is also considerable anticipation surrounding the designation of a vice-president, a position that was officially created last April.