While Cameroonian blogs speculate that President Paul Biya is expected to arrive in Cameroon today, Cameroon Concord reports that no flight activity has been recorded for the presidential jet. Data from the CMR1 aircraft indicates that its last flight took place on September 23, 2024, when the jet traveled from Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport to Geneva, Switzerland.
For over three weeks, the jet has been inactive, casting further uncertainty over Biya's location.
Flight History for CMR1 Presidential Jet
- Departure: Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (France)
- Destination: Geneva Airport (Switzerland)
- Date: Monday, September 23, 2024
- Flight Time: 6:52 PM CEST – 7:19 PM CEST
- Status: Landed. No flights in the past 14 days.
International Coverage Sparks Speculation
The German press outlet Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) recently published a report on Biya's unexplained absence, adding to a wave of international concern. The article describes Biya, now 91, as a leader known for disappearing from public view, a tendency that has fuelled rumors about his health and political future.
According to SZ’s report dated October 15, 2024, Biya was last seen on September 8, 2024, in Beijing during the China-Africa Summit. His absence from other key diplomatic events—such as the UN General Assembly and the Summit of Francophone Nations—has led to intensified speculation, with unconfirmed rumors suggesting he might have died in a hospital in Paris or Geneva.
The Cameroonian government, however, has denied these rumors. On Friday, the Minister of Interior instructed regional governors to suppress discussions of Biya’s health status across traditional and social media platforms. Despite government denials, Biya's prolonged absence and silence continue to raise questions about the future of Cameroon’s leadership.
A History of Disappearing from Public View
Biya’s tendency to vanish from public life has sparked similar speculation in the past. In 2004, rumors of his death surfaced, only for him to return unexpectedly from Switzerland, dismissing those rumors and remarking, "Those wishing me dead will have to wait another 20 years." Now, 20 years later, similar rumors are circulating, with growing public uncertainty about his health and intentions.
For decades, Biya has ruled Cameroon from abroad, spending much of his time at the InterContinental Hotel in Geneva, where he reportedly rents an entire floor. According to former hotel employees quoted by the Wall Street Journal, expenses are often settled in cash. Despite his prolonged absences, Biya has maintained a tight grip on power, suppressing opposition and dominating elections.
Leadership Crisis Looms
Biya’s continued absence raises pressing concerns about Cameroon’s political stability. With elections scheduled for 2025, Biya’s supporters have reportedly urged him to run for an eighth term, which would conclude during his 100th year. However, uncertainty about his health has triggered fears of a power struggle. Speculation suggests potential rivalries between Biya’s son, his wife, and other contenders, which could escalate into conflict.
Cameroon also faces numerous unresolved crises, including a longstanding civil conflict between its Anglophone and Francophone regions, a persistent Boko Haram insurgency in the north, and an unstable economy. The situation has prompted Foreign Policy magazine to warn that Cameroon could become the next Sudan if Biya’s departure—through death or retirement—results in internal chaos.
Conclusion: All Eyes on Biya's Next Move
As Cameroon awaits clarity on Biya's status, both domestic and international observers are growing restless. With no official photos or public appearances, the absence of reliable information only deepens the mystery surrounding the future of the Biya regime. Should the president fail to return soon, questions about succession will dominate political discourse, and the country may be heading toward an unpredictable transition.
The coming days will be crucial in determining whether Paul Biya re-emerges or if Cameroon enters a new political chapter filled with uncertainty and potential unrest.
