As Cameroon prepares for its October 12 presidential election, questions continue to swirl around the whereabouts of its long-serving leader, President Paul Biya. At 92, Biya is the world’s oldest head of state and has been in power since 1982. Despite launching his bid for an unprecedented eighth term, he is currently absent from the campaign trail.
Biya left Cameroon on September 22 for what his office described as a “private trip to Europe.” Diplomatic sources confirmed that he is in Geneva, Switzerland his frequent destination for personal visits. This absence has raised doubts about his ability to lead, especially after his daughter, Brenda Biya, briefly called on Cameroonians not to vote for him in a viral TikTok video before later retracting her remarks.
The president has made few public appearances in recent years, fueling speculation about his health. Although the presidency released a video showing Biya in seemingly good condition as he departed with his wife and close advisors, he missed his scheduled address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he was instead represented by his foreign minister.
Analysts say Biya’s invisibility works both ways. “The more he stays out of the public eye, the more he maintains the illusion that he is mentally and physically suited for the office,” noted David Kiwuwa, a political scholar.
Meanwhile, Cameroon’s opposition remains fragmented, unable to unite behind a single candidate. This division leaves Biya as the frontrunner despite mounting frustration among citizens.
Protests have already erupted among the Cameroonian diaspora in Europe, with demonstrators condemning his extended stays abroad while many back home face poverty, lack of healthcare, and limited access to basic services. A 2018 investigation revealed Biya has spent over four years of his presidency abroad, largely in Switzerland, at an estimated cost of $65 million.
With campaigning officially underway, Biya’s absence underscores the paradox of Cameroonian politics: a leader missing in action, yet still poised to extend his decades-long grip on power.
