In his Monday editorial aired on Radio Tiémeni Siantou (90.5 FM in Yaoundé and Bafang), commentator Eric Boniface Tchouakeu questions President Paul Biya’s long private stay in Europe.

The Cameroonian Head of State has been away from the country since June 7, 2026, officially for a short private stay in Europe, according to a statement released by his Chief Cabinet Samuel Mvondo Ayolo.

Multiple reports from the reputable Jeune Afrique have confirmed that President Biya is indeed staying in Geneva, Switzerland, where he has maintained his residence since assuming office in 1982.

Initially presented as a brief trip, this prolonged absence has fueled widespread speculation about the 93-year-old leader’s health, despite repeated reassurances from authorities. Some observers have even suggested the possibility of a power vacuum in Cameroon.

Constitutional framework: when can presidential absence trigger a power vacuum?

Contrary to common belief, Cameroon’s constitutional framework does not allow for a power vacuum to be declared based solely on the number of days a president spends abroad. The country’s fundamental law contains no provisions limiting presidential travel abroad.

A power vacuum in Cameroon can only be established under three strictly defined constitutional scenarios: presidential death, resignation, or definitive incapacitation. However, the constitution provides no clear definition of what constitutes definitive incapacitation, leaving this critical interpretation open to debate.

Therefore, prolonged foreign travel by the Head of State cannot, by itself, justify claims of a power vacuum in Cameroon.

Political ethics vs. legal realities

While legally permissible, extended presidential absences raise important questions about political ethics and governance. The delayed formation of the government following the October 12, 2025 presidential election, coupled with the swift reintroduction of the Vice-President position, may explain why some citizens are closely tracking the days President Biya has spent abroad since June 7, 2026.

Throughout his 43+ years in power, President Biya has never signed or published major decrees from abroad, highlighting the unusual nature of his current prolonged absence.