President Biya has recently been multiplying his long private stays out of the country. In just three months, the Cameroonian chief executive has travelled out of the country twice in what is often described by the state radio and television as “un bref sejour en Europe”. The reason for these numerous private- long- stay trips are never mentioned to the Cameroonian people.

On 24 August 2016, Mr Biya and some close associates of his Francophone Beti-Ewondo regime left Cameroon for Switzerland. The previous visit dates back to May 27, 2016. On June 25th, the Cameroonian dictator returned to the capital city Yaoundé, and he left again on Friday, May 27, 2016.

What is behind the private foreign travels of the head of state? No official reason has ever been advanced by the so called CPDM authorities for Biya’s continued long private stays in Europe. However, information provided by some flippant sources at the presidency of the republic, hinted that President Biya, journeyed to Swiss recently to meet his family.

The Cameroonian first lady in fact left Cameroon on May the 9^th 2016 and has not returned ever since. The children of the presidential couple we gathered are all with their mother. Some have opined that the 83 year old who has governed Cameroon for almost 34 years should retire before 2018.

By Rita Akana