Cameroonian President Paul Biya and his wife, Chantal Biya, returned to Yaoundé on August 20, 2026, concluding a 73-day private stay in Europe – his longest to date. The couple landed at Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport to a welcoming reception organized by the ruling Democratic Rally of the Cameroonian People (RDPC). Biya departed Cameroon on June 7, 2026, without publicly explaining the extended length of his stay in Switzerland, sparking public concern. His absence fueled debate regarding presidential vacancy and the lack of a designated vice president to assume duties. The prolonged trip also highlighted pending governmental issues requiring the president’s attention, including the appointment of a vice president, government reshuffle, and welcoming the victorious women’s national football team. Close collaborators, the RDPC, and the government offered reassurance during his absence, but the issue revealed loopholes in legal frameworks concerning presidential absences.