Cameroon — Following an unprecedented two-month absence from public view, government officials have broken their silence. Authorities confirm President Paul Biya remains alive and is set to return soon, amid growing speculation over his health and whereabouts.
For the first time since his disappearance from public life on June 7, the Cameroonian government addressed concerns about the 93-year-old leader’s prolonged absence. Communication Minister and government spokesperson René Emmanuel Sadi addressed the nation on August 2, seeking to dispel rumors and reassure citizens.
In a firm statement, Sadi dismissed claims of a power vacuum, emphasizing that only the Constitutional Council can legally declare such a situation. « The Constitutional Council has not ruled to declare a power vacuum at the helm of the state. President Paul Biya is alive. He has not resigned, » he stated.
His remarks also aimed to counter persistent calls from opposition figures, who have for weeks demanded recognition of a power void due to the president’s extended absence. When questioned about Biya’s current location and return timeline, the spokesperson remained evasive but hinted at an imminent return. « I cannot say exactly when President Paul Biya will return. Even if I knew, it is not for me to announce it here. What I can say is that he will be back very soon, » he told reporters.
Biya, who has led Cameroon since 1982, holds the record as the world’s longest-serving head of state. His departure on June 7 was officially described as a « brief private stay in Europe » alongside his wife, Chantal Biya. Since then, no public appearances have been recorded—an unprecedented gap in his decades-long tenure.
Despite the uncertainty, official decrees bearing Biya’s signature continue to be published, with Yaoundé listed as the signing location. The most recent batch, released on July 22, fueled further debate online, with some questioning the authenticity of these documents and amplifying doubts about the president’s condition and whereabouts.
