{"id":2859,"date":"2026-07-31T05:41:05","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T05:41:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cnnglobalnews.com\/2026\/07\/31\/fifty-three-days-and-counting-93-year-old-leaders-record-absence-fuels-health-speculation\/"},"modified":"2026-07-31T05:41:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T05:41:05","slug":"fifty-three-days-and-counting-93-year-old-leaders-record-absence-fuels-health-speculation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/?p=2859","title":{"rendered":"Fifty-three days and counting: 93-year-old leader\u2019s record absence fuels health speculation"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-14sl0e4\">\n<div class=\"dcr-17l77cs\">\n<figure id=\"6797380e-9d7a-452e-9bfe-a63bda824d57\" class=\"dcr-191xnya\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Paul Biya speaks into microphones at a lectern, with Chantal Biya sitting to his left, in a crowded outdoor venue\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/0573f48fbd220420f616585597f66132310ff88d\/1375_436_2592_2075\/master\/2592.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"372.25115740740745\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><span class=\"dcr-kogzpx\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-18mnkpm\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1294qmb\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-4sl2vt\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1mfxiaj\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Paul Biya giving a speech in Maroua, Cameroon, last October, with his wife, Chantal, sitting beside him.<\/span> Photograph: Xinhua\/Alamy<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"6797380e-9d7a-452e-9bfe-a63bda824d57\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-qda0hp\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1e9iiy9\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Paul Biya giving a speech in Maroua, Cameroon, last October, with his wife, Chantal, sitting beside him.<\/span> Photograph: Xinhua\/Alamy<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-ql9l8l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-6mja0y\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-l0wuod\">Fifty-three days and counting: 93-year-old leader\u2019s record absence fuels health speculation<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1xpojbf\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1gm5ptv\">\n<p>Cameroon\u2019s Paul Biya has not made a statement or been seen since leaving for \u2018brief private stay\u2019 at Swiss hotel on 7 June<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-x1al2c\">\n<div class=\"dcr-11gq2tx\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-1w2vkyc\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-ogvvui\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">A record 53-day absence by the world\u2019s oldest head of state has renewed speculation in his native Cameroon about whether he is dead or alive, even though <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2024\/oct\/11\/cameroon-bans-discussing-presidents-health-amid-speculation-on-his-absence\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">discussing his health is illegal in the country<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">On 7 June, 93-year-old Paul Biya left for Switzerland for what officials described as a \u201cbrief private stay\u201d alongside his wife, Chantal. Almost two months later, neither the president nor the first lady have addressed the country or been seen publicly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Biya, who took office in 1982 after a seven-year stint as prime minister, has taken increasingly long absences from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/cameroon\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Cameroon<\/a> in recent years, spending much of his time at the five-star InterContinental hotel in Geneva.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">No official timetable has been announced for the president\u2019s return from his latest trip abroad, leaving Cameroonians to rely on a succession of conflicting statements from government officials.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The minister of communication, Ren\u00e9 Emmanuel Sadi, said Biya was in good health and \u201cworking from Geneva, where he currently resides\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cReports claiming otherwise are pure fantasy and malicious manipulation aimed at destabilising opinion,\u201d he added. Jacques Fame Ndongo, a senior official from the ruling party and the higher education minister, said Biya had been \u201cmeticulously following the files submitted to him by his aides \u2026 wherever he is\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The labour minister, Gr\u00e9goire Owona, gave a different explanation, saying the president was on annual leave and comparing him to regular Cameroonian citizens. \u201cPaul Biya, elected by the Cameroonian people and paid by them, is a worker who has the right to annual leave,\u201d he said. \u201cHis employer is obliged to grant it. He informed his employer before leaving and will do the same upon his return.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"2a6eb8e6-6612-43bf-a673-e112001df651\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-2\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Elevated view of members of the national assembly sitting during a parliamentary session\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f278ce0648721a979c661c14f9e2c374857bcd03\/0_0_3456_2304\/master\/3456.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.66666666666663\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-2\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"2a6eb8e6-6612-43bf-a673-e112001df651\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">A session of Cameroon\u2019s national assembly this month.<\/span> Photograph: Mengnjo Etienne\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Cameroonian authorities banned discussion of Biya\u2019s health in October 2024, during another absence. Nevertheless, local media have published claims in recent weeks that he is critically ill, and jokes about Biya being a work-from-abroad president or a remote-work president have resurfaced on social media.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Mamadou Mota, the vice-president of the opposition Cameroon Renaissance Movement party, said Biya\u2019s latest absence had created a \u201cglaring institutional vacuum\u201d. \u201cA country cannot be governed by remote control while critical socioeconomic challenges go unaddressed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Last November, Biya was sworn in for his eighth consecutive seven-year term, a month after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2025\/oct\/27\/cameroon-paul-biya-oldest-serving-head-of-state-declared-winner-in-election\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">a presidential election<\/a> marred by widespread allegations of irregularities and voter suppression. Although the Constitutional Council dismissed post-electoral complaints by opposition parties, many of them refused to recognise the outcome, arguing that the election had further eroded public confidence in Cameroon\u2019s democratic institutions.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"bc5f0f49-6c2a-4b7e-91c4-6c1c9949f412\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-3\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A crowd of people pointing, waving and raising a fist march along a road, one of them holding up a small banner in support of Issa Tchiroma\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/d4a61afccfd460448ef3c271599f65d769db35a7\/0_0_4121_2695\/master\/4121.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"291.01553021111386\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-3\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"bc5f0f49-6c2a-4b7e-91c4-6c1c9949f412\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Supporters of the opposition politician Issa Tchiroma protest in Douala after Biya\u2019s re-election in October last year.<\/span> Photograph: Zohra Bensemra\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Biya has yet to name a government since being sworn in for his latest term. With parliamentary and municipal elections expected in early 2027, many are worried that the ripple effect of that and his prolonged absence could disrupt the electoral cycle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Cameroon has the largest economy in central <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/africa\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Africa<\/a>, but unemployment rates, high inflation and poor public infrastructure are stymieing the prospects of its young people, who make up about two-thirds of its estimated population of 30.6 million.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cPolitics should be about serving the people, but the [ruling] CPDM [party] appears more interested in holding on to power than addressing the concerns of Cameroonians,\u201d said Kohtem Sambit, the secretary general of the opposition Movement for Patriotism and People\u2019s Prosperity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cThe minister of the economy borrowed more than 21bn [Central African francs] in the name of the Cameroonian people, saying it was approved by Mr Biya,\u201d Sambit told the Guardian. \u201cHow do we justify this? You do not see the person who signed, nor do you know his whereabouts. That debt will be paid by the public.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Referring to Owona\u2019s remarks, Sambit said: \u201cIf the president is on annual leave, he is still accountable to the Cameroonian people because he is paid with taxpayers\u2019 money. His whereabouts should therefore be disclosed.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"a28952a7-3b84-48f6-8e99-03270ff85874\" data-spacefinder-role=\"richLink\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-1oq85qr\">\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" data-link-name=\"rich-link-17 | 17\" data-component=\"rich-link\" data-name=\"placeholder\" class=\"dcr-1rx5ky9\">\n<div data-format-theme=\"5\" data-format-design=\"0\" data-format-display=\"0\" class=\"dcr-uyoh2p\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/jun\/02\/cameroon-president-paul-biya-successor-franck\" class=\"dcr-f35c0u\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-vvxpdt\">\n<div class=\"dcr-6z6e7\">\n<div class=\"dcr-zh9rih\">A tale of two Francks? World\u2019s oldest leader creates deputy role \u2013 raising prospect of dynastic succession<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-oj13vq\">\n<div class=\"dcr-ef9nua\">Read more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Another opposition party, the Social Democratic Front, has argued that the issue is not whether the president has a constitutional right to travel, but rather the government\u2019s failure to explain the extension of what had initially been described as a brief private visit. Another opposition leader, Patricia Toma\u00efno Ndam Njoya, of the Cameroon Democratic Union, has called for an impartial procedure to determine any \u201ctemporary or permanent incapacity of the head of state\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">In April, parliament reintroduced the office of vice-president as part of a constitutional overhaul, but the position has yet to be filled, leaving Cameroon without a designated deputy should the president become incapacitated. As Biya\u2019s son and stepson <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/jun\/02\/cameroon-president-paul-biya-successor-franck\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">reportedly jockey for position<\/a>, public disagreements between cabinet ministers have become commonplace.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Last week, the party\u2019s secretary general, Jean Nkuete, convened a rare meeting of senior party officials. The CPDM described the gathering only as an \u201cimportant working session\u201d and did not release an agenda or further details. Attempts to obtain comment from senior party figures were unsuccessful. Several party officials have declined interview requests, citing personal reasons.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">For the businessman Nji Lucas, the president\u2019s prolonged absence has become an economic concern. \u201cI do not have confidence because it is almost as if the country is on autopilot,\u201d he said. \u201cNo serious investor wants to commit resources in a country where there is uncertainty over political leadership. There is no trust, and investors require certainty before making long-term decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-swayiu\"><span class=\"dcr-1xhbmzr\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-2c03t5\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-p7nd18\">\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/world\/cameroon\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Cameroon<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/world\/africa\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Africa<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-313bdz\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Fifty-three%20days%20and%20counting:%2093-year-old%20leader%E2%80%99s%20record%20absence%20fuels%20health%20speculation&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/jul\/30\/record-absence-paul-biya-cameroon-president-health-speculation?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-ncybeu\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-19bkree\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fworld%2F2026%2Fjul%2F30%2Frecord-absence-paul-biya-cameroon-president-health-speculation&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=world\/2026\/jul\/30\/record-absence-paul-biya-cameroon-president-health-speculation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-1c41onw\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1kq7f60\"><span class=\"dcr-1ryr20k\"><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Paul Biya giving a speech in Maroua, Cameroon, last October, with his wife, Chantal, sitting beside him. Photograph: Xinhua\/Alamy View image in fullscreen Paul Biya giving a speech in Maroua, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/?p=2859\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":2860,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2859","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2859","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2859"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2859\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2860"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2859"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2859"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2859"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}