Cameroonian President Paul Biya returned to Yaounde on Monday, putting an end to weeks of speculation surrounding his health.
The 91-year-old leader, who had been out of the country for several weeks, was seen arriving at the capital’s international airport, alongside his wife, Chantal Biya.
His return was broadcast live on state television CRTV, which showed him shaking hands with officials while a jubilant crowd cheered his arrival.
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Supporters, dressed in outfits adorned with his portrait, gathered along the route to the presidential palace, chanting and drumming in celebration.
The motorcade swiftly left the airport, with the streets lined by citizens welcoming the leader back.
Speculation about Biya’s health had grown after his disappearance from public life following his departure from Beijing in early September, where he attended a China-Africa summit.
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His prolonged absence fueled rumors, particularly after he missed the United Nations General Assembly in New York and a Francophone summit in Paris.
A presenter on CRTV declared, “The president’s return will put an end to all the speculation,” as flight tracking data confirmed that Biya’s plane, previously seen in Geneva, had departed from the Swiss city earlier in the day.
In Yaounde, large billboards and posters were put up across the city, welcoming the president home.
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One read, “Welcome home, Mr President of the Republic,” as reported by AFP journalists.
On October 8, following weeks of rumors, the Cameroonian government issued a statement confirming that Biya would return soon.
The government also imposed a ban on local media from discussing the state of his health, leaving many unanswered questions about the president’s condition during his time abroad.
Biya, who has been in power for over 40 years, remains one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
