Cameroon President Paul Biya has reportedly left the country for Europe again, less than a month after returning from a 73-day stay abroad, according to several African media reports.
The reported departure came on Wednesday, September 16, with multiple outlets saying the 93-year-old president had travelled to Europe. However, the Cameroonian presidency had not publicly confirmed the new trip or disclosed his destination, purpose or expected duration by Thursday.
The reports come just weeks after Biya returned to Yaoundé on August 20, following more than two months outside Cameroon.
The presidency confirmed his return at the time, saying Biya and First Lady Chantal Biya arrived at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport after a private stay in Europe.
Biya had originally left Cameroon on June 7 for what the presidential Civil Cabinet described as a “brief private stay in Europe”. He eventually spent 73 days abroad, arriving back from Geneva, Switzerland, on August 20.
The extended absence attracted scrutiny inside and outside Cameroon. Reuters reported in July that Biya’s prolonged stay abroad had prompted criticism and a rare meeting of senior leaders of his ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM). At that point, he had been outside the country for 45 days.
Biya’s latest reported departure has therefore raised questions because it comes only 27 days after his return.
Presidency yet to confirm new trip
Reports of the latest journey have circulated across African news platforms, but there was no corresponding announcement identified on the official presidency website confirming that Biya had left Cameroon again.
Panorama Papers, which reviewed the reports, noted that several outlets had independently reported a new European trip but that the presidency had not publicly confirmed it. The reports also differed on the possible destination, with no reliable confirmation that he had returned to Geneva.
That distinction matters. Biya’s previous European stay was officially acknowledged by his government, while the latest departure, as of Thursday, remained reported rather than officially confirmed.
Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982, is the world’s oldest serving head of state at 93. His extended periods abroad have repeatedly generated public debate over presidential visibility and the administration of the country.
During his previous 73-day absence, government officials maintained that Biya remained in charge and continued carrying out presidential functions. The presidency said he signed decrees on matters including senior military appointments while abroad.
For now, the central question is simple: has Paul Biya actually left Cameroon again, and if so, where is he headed?
Until the presidency confirms the journey, the destination and purpose of the reported trip remain unclear.
