In Cameroon, President Paul Biya's extended absence suggests his 42-year reign may soon come to an end, portending intra-elite infighting, social unrest and an escalation of conflicts in the country's western and northern regions that will heighten the risk of a military coup. On Oct. 21, 91-year-old President Biya returned to Cameroon after a 49-day absence from the country, during which he mostly resided in Geneva, Switzerland. The aging leader's extended absence, together with his decision to not attend the recent U.N. General Assembly and Francophonie Summit, has generated widespread speculation that Biya may be facing potentially serious health issues, raising the prospect that he could either die in office, step down, or not run for an eighth term in the country's 2025 presidential election. This has, in turn, increased concerns about Cameroon's future political stability, as the power vacuum left by the long-ruling president's exit will open the door...
