Record absence of world’s oldest head of state reignites health speculation

Cameroon’s president has not made statement or been seen since leaving for ‘brief private stay’ at Swiss hotel on 7 June

A record 53-day absence of 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 departed 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.