Cameroon’s ruling party has dismissed claims questioning the prolonged absence of the country’s leader, calling such assertions legal and political absurdities. State Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo emphasized that no legal or regulatory framework in Cameroon imposes a maximum duration for the president’s absence from national territory.

He argued that attempting to apply a non-existent constitutional provision to President Paul Biya would amount to fabricating legal loopholes. Fame Ndongo asserted that the Head of State, who has led the country since 1982, remains actively engaged in governance, meticulously reviewing files either in person or through established digital channels.

Opposition challenges official statements on presidential duties

The opposition Movement for the Renaissance of Cameroon (MRC) swiftly responded to the government’s remarks. In a statement, Vice-President Mamadou Mota questioned the feasibility of presidential duties when the leader is physically absent for extended periods. “Forty-five days outside the country isn’t just a trip—it’s effectively exile,” Mota argued, mocking the idea of a nation governed remotely through “clandestine telecommuting.”