Supporters of Cameroon’s President Paul Biya waited for hours under the scorching sun at Yaoundé Nsimalen Airport, eager to welcome the 91-year-old leader’s return after his 49-day absence abroad. However, at the end of their long wait, all they could glimpse were the president’s four fingers through the half-lowered window of his car.
Biya’s return, which followed weeks of speculation about his health and whereabouts, triggered mass mobilization from militants of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM). Supporters held banners and waited in anticipation, but their patience was only rewarded with a brief appearance of the president. Even those watching the broadcast from state television saw little: Biya stood for about a minute and a half, briefly conversing with Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, the Secretary-General of the presidency, before swiftly entering his vehicle.
While the gathered crowd remained outside the airport gates, Biya and his wife disembarked via a lifter, bypassing the traditional staircase descent. His hand emerged through the tinted glass of the car window, providing the only direct interaction supporters had with their leader.
A Shrinking Presidential Protocol
President Biya’s once-ceremonial departures and returns have noticeably diminished in grandeur over the years, reflecting the toll of age. In earlier years, Biya would arrive at the airport and hold short discussions with key officials like the Prime Minister, Secretary-General, and Speaker of Parliament, often engaging in handshakes before boarding or disembarking. Upon his return, he shook hands and received briefings on events that transpired during his absence, then waved to acknowledge the public.
Now, Biya’s protocol is much more subdued. When departing, the president heads straight for the plane with minimal interaction, only briefly greeting the Prime Minister and Secretary-General. The Speaker of the National Assembly, once a mainstay of these events, is no longer part of the farewell or welcome rituals. Even on his return, as seen this past Monday, Biya no longer lingers for briefings or acknowledges the public with a wave.
State media cameras have restricted filming of much of his movement, creating a stark contrast to earlier public appearances. As Biya’s age advances, his public engagements have shrunk, leaving Cameroonians with fewer opportunities to see their long-standing leader in person. The president’s health has been the subject of widespread speculation, making his diminished public appearances all the more noteworthy.
