Cameroon president returns home after 10-week absence

Cameroon's President Paul Biya returned to the country on Thursday, concluding a 10-week absence that had raised concerns about his health and ability to govern. The 93-year-old leader made his way back to Yaounde's Nsimalen International Airport on a chartered flight from Geneva, Switzerland. Biya's journey home began on June 7, when he left Cameroon for what the civil cabinet described as a "brief private stay in Europe".

Accompanied by his First Lady, Chantal Biya, the president disembarked from the plane at around 4:45 p.m. local time (1545 GMT) to a warm welcome from supporters lining the streets of the capital. The president waved through a partially opened window to the enthusiastic crowd, who displayed party colors and banners in his honor.

Biya's prolonged absence had sparked speculation about his well-being and governance capabilities. Despite assurances from authorities, questions remained about the political succession in a country where power is heavily centralized around the presidency. Opposition politicians had urged the Constitutional Council to consider filling the interim head of state position, but no action was taken.

Cameroon's constitution states that in the absence of a vice president, the president of the Senate should assume interim duties if the presidency is deemed vacant due to death, resignation, or permanent incapacity. However, Biya has not appointed a vice president since April, when the role was reintroduced. Critics argue that this lack of clear succession planning creates uncertainty about a potential transition in the event that Biya becomes unable to govern.