Is Paul Biya 93 and Absent From Cameroon Since June 7?

Direct Answer

Yes, Paul Biya is 93 and has been absent from Cameroon since June 7, 2026. He left for what officials called a brief private stay in Geneva, but has remained abroad for over two months, raising questions about his health and governance.

What the Evidence Shows

The core facts in this claim check out across multiple independent international news outlets and reference sources. Paul Biya was born on 13 February 1933, making him 93 years old, and he has held the presidency since 1982. He left Cameroon on 7 June 2026 for what his office described as a brief private stay in Europe, and as of reporting more than two months later he remained in Geneva, signing decrees remotely. His government confirmed he is alive, not hospitalized, and still working, though his prolonged absence has fueled legitimate questions about his health and the practical functioning of government. His 2025 eighth-term election win is accurately described as disputed, given widespread reporting of restricted opposition, institutional control, and criticism from international observers and rights organizations.

Sources & Methodology

• 01
  BBC News

  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg9kd27lkpo

• 02
  CNN

  https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/15/africa/paul-biya-europe-trip-controversy-intl

• 03
  Encyclopaedia Britannica

  https://www.britannica.com/biography/Paul-Biya

• 04
  The New York Times

  https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/world/africa/paul-biya-cameroon-election-old.html

• 05
  Al Jazeera

  https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/6/cameroons-biya-worlds-oldest-ruler-at-92-sworn-in-for-eighth-term

• 06
  Civicus Lens

  https://lens.civicus.org/cameroon-worlds-oldest-leader-holds-back-the-tide-for-change/

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