The world's oldest president has been outside Cameroon for two months now — ABC News
Cameroon’s 93-year-old President Paul Biya, who is the world’s oldest sitting head of state, has been out of the country for about two months. His prolonged absence has raised new questions about his health and his ability to govern the country.
Biya left Cameroon on June 7. At the time, his office stated that the president had traveled to Europe for a “short private visit.” However, the trip has dragged on and has become one of the head of state’s longest absences abroad.
Biya’s health has been the subject of speculation for many years. The president regularly spends extended periods of time in Europe, particularly in France and Switzerland. Meanwhile, some of the governing functions in Cameroon are effectively carried out by representatives of his party and members of his family.
Cameroon’s constitution does not prohibit the president from staying abroad for extended periods. At the same time, the country does not have a vice president.
Because of this, the opposition describes the situation as the country being run on “autopilot.” Opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakari stated that concerns about the president’s health are spreading among the population. He also criticized Biya’s prolonged stay in Switzerland.
Biya has led Cameroon since 1982. In 2008, the country abolished term limits for the presidency, allowing him to remain in power for decades.
According to the publication, Biya’s long reign has coincided with the fight against the “Boko Haram” group in the north of the country, a separatist conflict in the western regions, and economic stagnation.
More than 70% of Cameroon’s population—which numbers about 30 million—is under the age of 35. If Biya remains in power until the end of his current presidential term, he will leave office at nearly 100 years of age.
ABC News reports this.
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