Concerns grow over cameroon’s President Paul Biya’s health

Reports suggest Cameroon’s President Paul Biya is in Geneva for health reasons, sparking speculation about succession and governance as he remains absent from public view.

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, aged 93, has drawn renewed attention after reports indicated he traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, with his wife Chantal Biya on June 7, 2026. According to Jeune Afrique, the trip was linked to health concerns, though the Cameroonian government has denied claims that Biya was hospitalized.

International media noted that members of Biya’s close family, who rarely accompany him abroad, recently arrived in Switzerland. This has fueled speculation that the president may be seriously ill or even preparing matters of succession.

Government spokesperson René Emmanuel Sadi confirmed Biya’s presence in Geneva but insisted he is not in hospital and continues to perform his duties. He dismissed reports of severe illness as unfounded rumors.

Despite official reassurances, Biya’s prolonged absence from public life and the unusual family presence abroad have intensified debates about Cameroon’s political future. Having ruled since 1982, Biya is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, often spending extended periods in Switzerland.