Questions about Paul Biya’s location have been asked periodically during his presidency of Cameroon, which began in 1982. This stems from his penchant for lengthy trips out of the country and the related question of who is responsible for the administration of Cameroon in his absence, his limited public appearances when he is in Cameroon, and concerns about his health, especially as he has aged (he turned 93 in 2026).
Beginning in July 2026, there were concerns over the fact that Biya had departed for Switzerland on June 7 and had not been seen since then. On August 20, Cameroon state media reported that Biya had returned to Cameroon that day, sharing video of Biya’s motorcade leaving the airport and being cheered on by throngs of supporters as he waved from a partially open car window.
During another notable absence, in September–October 2024, speculation about Biya’s health was banned in Cameroon.