现年93岁的喀麦隆总统保罗·比亚自6月7日前往瑞士以来，已有53天未在国内公开露面[1]。这次超长缺席引发了对其健康状况和国家权力结构的广泛担忧。比亚自1982年起担任总统，已执政41年，并于今年11月宣誓就职第八个七年任期[1]。
政府对其缺席的解释存在明显分歧。喀麦隆沟通部长称比亚在日内瓦工作状况良好，而劳动部长则表示他在休年假，高教部长声称其在远程跟进文件[1]。这些自相矛盾的说辞加剧了外界的困惑。值得注意的是，喀麦隆当局曾在2024年10月禁止讨论比亚的健康状况[1]。
国家的权力结构面临制度空缺。议会虽在4月重设了副总统职位，但至今未进行任命[1]，这意味着没有明确的继任人安排。反对党指控比亚的长期缺席造成"明显的制度空缺"，并质疑经济部长在其名义下借入210亿中非法郎[1]。作为中非洲最大经济体，喀麦隆目前正面临失业率高企、通胀严重和公共基础设施不足等问题[1]。
Paul Biya, the 93-year-old president of Cameroon, has been absent from the country for 53 days since departing for Switzerland on June 7, triggering widespread speculation about his health and the state of national governance [1]. Biya, who has held office for 41 years and was sworn in for his eighth seven-year term this November, has made no public appearances domestically during this extended absence [1].
Government officials have offered conflicting accounts of the president's whereabouts and activities. The Minister of Communication stated that Biya is in good condition and working in Geneva, while the Minister of Labor claimed he is on annual leave, and the Minister of Higher Education suggested he is remotely following administrative files [1]. Opposition parties have accused the government of failing to adequately explain the prolonged absence, warning of an "apparent institutional void" and raising questions about decision-making authority [1]. Their concerns have intensified following reports that the Minister of Economy borrowed 210 billion Central African francs in Biya's name [1].
Cameroon's political system appears vulnerable to such prolonged leadership gaps. Although parliament reestablished the vice presidency in April, no successor has been appointed, leaving no designated line of succession in the event of presidential incapacity [1]. The authorities previously banned public discussion of Biya's health in October 2024 [1]. As the largest economy in Central Africa, Cameroon currently faces high unemployment, severe inflation, and inadequate public infrastructure [1].