Governance expert condemns president’s extended foreign stays

Benjamin Ngongang, a prominent governance analyst in Cameroun, has publicly criticized President Paul Biya’s prolonged absences from the country during a recent appearance on Canal Presse on Canal 2 International. The discussion centered on the president’s 49-day absence from Cameroun, which Ngongang argues undermines effective state governance.

“The President of the Republic is not elected to govern from abroad,” Ngongang declared. “It is unacceptable that elected officials, including opposition members and even ruling party deputies, remain silent while the head of state spends 49 consecutive days outside the country.” He noted that President Biya left Cameroun on June 7 and has yet to return, potentially setting a new record for extended foreign stays.

“There is no country in the world where a president can remain abroad for more than 30 days, whether for personal or official reasons,” Ngongang emphasized. “This situation is unprecedented. Cameroun is setting a dubious benchmark that no other nation should emulate.”

The governance expert went further, comparing Cameroun‘s situation to global leaders managing critical conflicts. “Even leaders facing far greater challenges—the U.S. President and Iran’s Assembly President—are actively engaged in resolving wars in Geneva or other locations,” he stated. “They do not remain abroad for 49 days. When the supreme leader is needed, they arrive to finalize negotiations handled by technical experts.”