Cameroon’s president keeps ruling from afar
As concerns mount over his extended absence, Cameroonian president Paul Biya is employing a barrage of official decrees to signal continuous governance and reinforce his authority. The 93-year-old head of state left the country on June 7 with his wife, reportedly for a “short private stay in Europe”.
Yet two months later, Paul Biya remains out of public view, fueling speculation about his health and the stability of the nation’s leadership.
Strategic decrees to assert authority
In response to mounting questions, the president has intensified presidential actions, signing multiple decrees to demonstrate his ongoing influence. On July 30, a landmark decree authorized the Economy Minister to finalize agreements with the Islamic Development Bank, securing nearly 28 billion West African CFA francs in funding.
On August 3, Biya reshuffled the military high command, promoting five colonels to brigadier general rank and appointing General Ebaka Hypolite as the new Chief of Army Staff. These moves serve a dual purpose: maintaining presidential oversight of state affairs and tightening control over Cameroon’s security apparatus.
Government assures return while opposition voices dissent
Officials continue to deny any deterioration in the president’s health and have pledged his imminent return to Cameroon. However, the prolonged absence has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures, who warn of a dangerous “institutional void” and describe the country as being in “autopilot mode”.
Calls for the appointment of a new vice president and government reshuffle have gone unanswered for months, intensifying political uncertainty in Yaoundé.
