President Paul Biya returns to Cameroon after a 10-week absence from the country.
President Paul Biya returned to Cameroon on Thursday after a 10-week stay in Europe, ending the longest recorded absence of his presidency. The 93-year-old leader, who has governed the Cameroon since 1982, arrived at the international airport in Yaoundé from Geneva, Switzerland. His long absence raised concerns regarding his health and a potential power vacuum, as the country has lacked a vice president since the 2008 constitutional amendment abolished term limits. While the constitution does not prohibit a10-week absence, the opposition has criticized the administration's management of the country during his time away. Biya has led Cameroon for nearly half a century, during which the country has faced armed insurgencies and a stagnant economy. His reelection last year sparked widespread protests, with government figures reporting at least 16 people dead. Despite the aging leader's long tenure, the administration continues to manage the issues of a young population where over 70% of the citizens are under the age of 35.