Cameroon political stability and Paul Biya leadership crisis
The developments in this story so far, most recent first.
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Development
Cameroon's president reshuffles military as speculation on whereabouts persists
No separate article for this desk or language yet.
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· date approximate Background
Paul Biya left Yaoundé for a private stay in Geneva.
On June 7, Cameroon President Paul Biya left the capital, Yaoundé, for what was described by the government as a short private visit to Europe. While official authorities did not disclose a specific country, reports indicated that he was in Geneva, Switzerland. Although the visit was intended to be short, no official return date was announced at the time.
During this period, the government stated that President Biya continued to carry out state affairs while abroad. Despite his absence from the public eye since June 7, the presidency continued to publish official acts signed in his name.
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· date approximate Development
Cameroon President Paul Biya absent from country for 54 days
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· date approximate Background
A constitutional amendment re-established the office of Vice President.
On April 4, 2026, the Cameroon Parliament accepted a constitutional amendment that re-established the office of Vice President.
Under this new constitutional framework, a Vice President is to be appointed by the President to complete the remainder of a term in the event of the President's death, resignation, or permanent inability to perform their duties.
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· date approximate Background
Paul Biya won the most recent presidential election.
Paul Biya secured victory in Cameroon's most recent presidential election in October 2025.
This election win continues a sequence of electoral successes for Biya, who previously won presidential elections in 1984, 1988, 1992, 1997, 2004, 2011, and 2018.
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· date approximate Background
A constitutional amendment removed term limits for the presidency.
No separate article for this desk or language yet.