YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon, Nov. 27 — Paul Biya, President of Cameroon since 1982, governs a country he spends little time in. At 91, Biya is the world’s oldest head of state and the second-longest-serving leader in Africa after Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea. Known for his long absences from the country, Biya often resides in luxurious accommodations in France and other European locations, prompting critics to describe him as a “president in exile.”
Biya’s presidency, spanning over four decades, has been characterized by an unprecedented consolidation of power. The Cameroonian constitution grants him far-reaching authority, allowing him to appoint ministers, dissolve parliament, call referenda, and even initiate constitutional amendments. The judiciary is also largely under his control, with courts allowed to review laws only at his request. These powers, critics say, have stifled democracy and entrenched a culture of patronage.
In recent years, scrutiny of Biya’s governance has intensified, especially regarding his extravagant lifestyle abroad. Reports suggest that a 2009 holiday in France cost approximately $40,000 per day, covering 43 hotel rooms for his entourage. Such excesses are a stark contrast to the living conditions of many Cameroonians, where poverty remains widespread, and over 40% of the population lives below the international poverty line of $1.90 per day. His extended stays in Europe have fueled criticism that he is detached from Cameroon’s pressing socio-economic challenges, including rising unemployment, inadequate healthcare, and ongoing separatist conflicts in the country’s Anglophone regions.
Biya’s tenure is also marked by his adeptness at political survival. Having risen to prominence as prime minister under former President Ahmadou Ahidjo, Biya succeeded him in 1982. Shortly after, Biya maneuvered to sideline Ahidjo’s loyalists, consolidating power through legal amendments and political purges. In 2008, amid growing calls for term limits, Biya oversaw a controversial constitutional revision that abolished such limits, enabling him to rule indefinitely.
Despite criticisms, Biya has maintained a core base of supporters who credit him with bringing stability to Cameroon. However, international observers note that this stability comes at a high cost: a lack of political freedom, limited press autonomy, and heavy-handed suppression of dissent. Under Biya’s rule, the country has witnessed recurring allegations of election rigging, with opposition parties frequently denouncing elections as neither free nor fair.
The disconnect between Biya and his nation is perhaps best symbolized by his infrequent public appearances. Even within Cameroon, he often governs from the presidential palace in Yaoundé, rarely engaging directly with citizens or media. Meanwhile, his frequent travels abroad have reportedly cost taxpayers millions of dollars annually, further eroding public trust.
As Biya marks 42 years in power, the debate over his legacy continues. Is he a stabilizing force in a volatile region or a symbol of Africa’s enduring struggles with authoritarianism? For many Cameroonians, the answer may depend on whether Biya’s eventual successor ushers in meaningful reform or continues the status quo of centralized power and economic disparity.