Paul Biya became president of Cameroon in 1982.
That was before most Cameroonians alive today were even born. Since then, he’s held onto power through elections that opposition groups and international observers often criticize as unfair or heavily manipulated.
What’s truly remarkable and controversial about Biya isn’t just his long rule. It’s how little time he actually spends inside Cameroon.
For years, Biya has been famous for spending extended periods abroad, particularly in Switzerland, where he owns or rents luxurious accommodations.
Reports suggest that between 2006 and 2018, he spent at least four and a half years outside his country — often staying in five-star hotels in Geneva.
That’s not just a few vacations. It’s an entire political pattern. Cameroonians even have a name for it: they call him the “absentee president.”
While he’s abroad, government ministers run day-to-day affairs, but major decisions still require Biya’s approval. Critics argue that this absentee leadership style has contributed to policy stagnation, rising corruption, and a sense of abandonment among ordinary Cameroonians.
His extended stays overseas have also sparked protests from Cameroonian diaspora groups, especially in Switzerland, where activists have tried to embarrass or disrupt his visits.
Despite public frustration, Biya continues to win elections, often with suspiciously high margins.
His party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), dominates the political landscape, and opposition figures face harassment or arrest.
Biya’s foreign stays aren’t just vacations. Some say they’re a strategic tool.
By staying out of the local political fray and letting ministers and elites compete for influence in his absence, Biya maintains control while avoiding the day-to-day conflicts that topple other long-serving leaders.
So when people say “Biya spends more time abroad than at home,” it’s not an exaggeration. It’s become a symbol of how power, once secured, can become detached from the people completely — yet still survive
NKONKONSA.com
