President Paul Biya, the 93-year-old leader of Cameroon, arrived back in the capital city of Yaoundé on Thursday following an absence of more than two months. Official statements from the president’s office characterized his time in Switzerland, which began on June 7, as a “short private stay.” However, the duration of the trip—totaling 73 days—has drawn significant attention to his leadership, as he has held power since 1982.

The return of the world’s oldest serving head of state has reignited discussions regarding his health and his ability to effectively manage the country. While the government maintains that the president is fit to lead, opposition figures have been vocal in their criticism. According to France24, critics have accused the administration of running the country on “autopilot” during the president's time away.

Reports from local media suggest that Biya spent his time in Geneva accompanied by family members and close aides. The SCMP notes that the length of this absence has fueled fierce debate within Cameroon about the stability of his long-standing rule. While both outlets agree on the timeline and the location of the president's stay, they differ slightly in their characterization of the political fallout; SCMP focuses on the broader debate regarding his 44-year tenure, while France24 highlights specific criticisms from the political opposition regarding the governance of the state during his absence.