President Paul Biya’s two-month disappearance from Cameroon, occurring just eight months into his unprecedented eighth consecutive term, marks a truly unique period in the nation’s political landscape.

While this extended absence is unusual, it is not deemed unlawful, according to Benoit Ndong Soumeth, a Minister with special duties at the Presidency. He acknowledged that citizens might naturally seek information about their leader’s well-being. However, he emphasized that the Minister Director of the Civil Cabinet has affirmed the President’s good health. “His response should suffice to reassure everyone. There are no issues. We are not facing any exceptional or emergency circumstances,” Ndong Soumeth asserted.

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 full disclosure

Noah questioned the rationale behind distorting the electoral process only for the President to spend extensive periods outside the nation. “Should health concerns be the reason, the Cameroonian people are entitled to this information. There is no justification for maintaining ambiguity regarding the Head of State’s health,” he stated emphatically.

Cabral Libii, who secured third place in the October presidential election, dismissed the ongoing debate as unnecessary. For him, the critical focus lies on the first quarter of 2027. “I believe there’s no significant distinction between his residence abroad and his presence in Cameroon. Legally speaking, a legislative void currently exists in Cameroon,” Libii asserted. He urged citizens, “As we approach the legislative and municipal elections, let us turn out in large numbers to vote against this regime.”

A Member of Parliament from the PCRN party expressed hope for a potential shift in the parliamentary majority, which could then facilitate amendments to the laws governing presidential trips abroad.