The Guardian World· World
Fifty-three days and counting: 93-year-old leader’s record absence fuels health speculation
Cameroon’s Paul Biya has not made a statement or been seen since leaving for ‘brief private stay’ at Swiss hotel on 7 JuneA record 53-day absence by the world’s oldest head of state has renewed speculation in his native Cameroon about whether he is dead or alive, even though discussing his health is illegal in the country.On 7 June, 93-year-old Paul Biya left for Switzerland for what officials des
Published Thursday, 30 July 2026 at 12:36

Cameroon’s Paul Biya has not made a statement or been seen since leaving for ‘brief private stay’ at Swiss hotel on 7 JuneA record 53-day absence by the world’s oldest head of state has renewed speculation in his native Cameroon about whether he is dead or alive, even though discussing his health is illegal in the country.On 7 June, 93-year-old Paul Biya left for Switzerland for what officials described as a “brief private stay” alongside his wife, Chantal. Almost two months later, neither the president nor the first lady have addressed the country or been seen publicly. Continue reading...
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