Two months of absence, eight months after his eighth consecutive mandate inauguration, remains unprecedented in Cameroon’s political landscape.

Unprecedented but not illegal, insists Benoit Ndong Soumeth, Minister in charge of Mission at the Presidency. « A population may, out of affection, feel the need to know what is happening to its leader. The Director of the Civil Cabinet has confirmed that everything is fine. His response is the most valid to reassure everyone. There is no problem. We are not in an exceptional or emergency situation, » he asserts.

However, Roger Justin Noah, First Deputy Secretary-General and Acting National Secretary for Communication of Maurice Kamto’s opposition party MRC, views the lack of transparency about the President’s European trip as a disrespect to Cameroonians.

« Cameroonians deserve to be informed »

« Why manipulate the electoral process just to spend weeks abroad? If there are health concerns, Cameroonians deserve to know. There is no justification for ambiguity surrounding the President’s health, » he argues.

Cabral Libii, who finished third in October’s presidential election, dismisses the controversy as unnecessary. For him, the real issue lies in the first quarter of 2027. « I believe there’s no significant difference between his stay abroad and in Cameroon. From a legal standpoint, Cameroon currently faces a legislative void. I urge everyone to participate massively in the upcoming legislative and municipal elections to vote against this regime, » the opposition leader declares.

The PCRN deputy expresses hope for a possible majority shift to subsequently amend the laws governing presidential stays abroad.