Cameroon’s opposition and civil society groups are demanding urgent governance reforms following President Paul Biya’s return from an extended stay abroad.
The 93-year-old leader arrived back in Yaoundé after spending 73 days in Geneva, Switzerland, since departing on June 7.
The unusually long absence, among his longest ever outside Cameroon, triggered widespread public speculation about his health and fitness to govern.
Political leaders are now pressing him to address economic distress, youth unemployment, and stalled national governance without further delay.
They are also calling for the appointment of a Vice-President to guarantee constitutional continuity given his advanced age.
Parliamentary aspirant Prince Lesley Nformi said repeated postponements of local and legislative elections have fuelled growing public frustration.
He noted that no cabinet reshuffle has occurred since Biya’s election, despite mounting demands for change.
Nformi said Cameroonians are expecting clarity on the twin municipal and legislative elections, which have been postponed several times.
He added that the president’s mandate technically ended after five years, yet the process has now stretched into a seventh year.
Nformi urged Biya to ensure the newly scheduled February elections are not postponed again.
Biya has remained publicly silent since returning home, offering no comment on the speculation surrounding his health or governance plans.
His silence has deepened uncertainty over whether the February municipal and parliamentary polls will proceed as scheduled.
Cameroon has faced years of delayed elections, raising concerns among voters and opposition figures about democratic accountability.
Analysts say the coming weeks will test whether Biya’s government can respond to rising public pressure for reform.
For now, Cameroonians remain watchful, awaiting signs of action from a leader whose long absence has only sharpened calls for change.