President Paul Biya’s two-month absence from Cameroon, occurring just eight months into his eighth consecutive term, marks an unprecedented period of withdrawal from public view. This extended hiatus has naturally fueled widespread speculation and concern across the nation.

However, Benoit Ndong Soumeth, a minister attached to the Presidency, maintains that this situation, while unusual, remains entirely within legal bounds. “A population, driven by affection, may feel the need to understand what is happening with its leader. The Minister, Director of the Civil Cabinet, has already confirmed that all is well. His assurance stands as the most authoritative statement to calm public anxieties. There are no issues; we are not facing an exceptional circumstance or an emergency,” he affirmed.

Conversely, Roger Justin Noah, the First Deputy Secretary-General and interim National Secretary for Communication of Maurice Kamto’s opposition party, the MRC, views the lack of transparency surrounding the president’s stay in Europe as a profound disrespect towards the Cameroonian populace.

The Cameroonian people deserve transparency

“Why manipulate the electoral process only for the president to spend weeks upon weeks outside our country? If he is indeed facing health challenges, the people of Cameroon have an undeniable right to be informed. There is no justification for maintaining ambiguity around the Head of State’s health status,” Noah insisted, demanding clarity from the government.

In a contrasting view, Cabral Libii, who secured third place in the October presidential election, dismisses the current debate as an “unnecessary controversy.” For him, the true focus should be on the political landscape evolving towards the first quarter of 2027. “I believe there isn’t a significant difference between his time spent abroad and his presence in Cameroon. Regardless of how one perceives it, from a legal standpoint, Cameroon currently faces a judicial void. I urge everyone to participate massively in the upcoming legislative and municipal elections to vote against the current regime,” the opposition figure declared.

The PCRN deputy expresses a strong desire for a change in the parliamentary majority, aiming to subsequently amend the legislative texts that govern presidential stays outside the country.