The world’s oldest president left for a ‘brief stay’ in Europe. He hasn’t returned in two months

Paul Biya, the world's oldest president at 93, left Cameroon for a "brief private stay in Europe" on June 7, 2025, marking his longest uninterrupted absence from the country in years. Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982, is now in Geneva, Switzerland, though government spokesman René Emmanuel Sadi confirmed he is not hospitalized.

Biya's lengthy absences have sparked concerns about his health and the country's governance during his time away. This is Cameroon's second president since gaining independence in 1960 and one of the world's longest-serving leaders. Despite Biya's long rule, questions about his health and leadership have only increased, with many Cameroonians questioning how the country is being run under his absence.