President Paul Biya back in Cameroon after 73 days away

President Paul Biya, Cameroon's longest-serving head of state, returned to the country after a 73-day absence on Thursday. The world's oldest serving leader, Biya, had been in Geneva since June 7, with his absence sparking speculation about his health and governance. Biya arrived in Yaounde from the Swiss city, where he had been accompanying family and close aides.

A crowd of ruling party supporters warmly welcomed him, greeting him from a car as they headed to the presidential palace. Biya's frequent trips overseas have been a source of frustration for many Cameroonians, with concerns growing about who is really running the country during his lengthy absences. Despite criticism from the opposition, which condemned the "institutional vacuum" and warned of an "autopilot" government, ruling party members dismissed claims of a power vacuum, insisting that the president continued to oversee state affairs.

Biya's return comes after he was re-elected to an eighth term in October 2025, triggering protests that were met with violent suppression. His prolonged absence has also fueled speculation about the future leadership of Cameroon, as questions surrounding a potential successor and the role of the Senate president, Aboubakary Abdoulaye, remain unanswered.