Cameroon’s Biya Makes First Public Appearance in 73 Days to Honour WAFCON Champions.

President Receives Indomitable Lionesses at The Unity Palace.

Cameroon President Paul Biya has made his first public appearance in 73 days, receiving the country’s women’s national football team at the Unity Palace in Yaoundé following their historic 2026 WAFCON triumph. The appearance took place on August 22, but was reported internationally on August 24, bringing renewed attention to the president’s prolonged absence from public view.

The meeting with the Indomitable Lionesses offered a rare public glimpse of the 93-year-old president after weeks of speculation surrounding his health and his ability to carry out his duties. Biya had returned to Cameroon on August 20 after spending roughly ten weeks abroad, with his extended absence prompting questions from opposition figures and sections of the public.

The Lionesses’ Historic Achievement.

The presidential reception came days after Cameroon secured its first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, defeating Malawi in the final in Rabat. The victory represented a landmark moment for women’s football in Cameroon and generated celebrations across the country.

Biya’s decision to receive the players at the presidential palace placed the team’s achievement at the centre of national attention. It also provided an opportunity for the government to celebrate a sporting success that has generated considerable public enthusiasm at a time when political issues remain highly sensitive.

Biya’s Absence Had Fuelled Political Debate.

Before his return, Biya’s prolonged absence had become a major political talking point. His stay abroad lasted approximately 73 days, prompting opposition voices to question the lack of regular public communication about the president’s condition and the implications of such a long absence from the country.

His return has eased some of the immediate speculation, but it has not completely removed questions about governance and presidential succession. The issue remains particularly significant because Biya is the world’s oldest sitting head of state and has governed Cameroon since 1982.

A Sporting Celebration With Political Significance.

The appearance alongside the WAFCON champions therefore carried significance beyond football. For the government, celebrating the Lionesses provides a powerful moment of national unity around a team whose success has brought together Cameroonians across political and regional divisions.

For the public, however, the president’s appearance also serves as confirmation that he is back in the country and engaging in official activities after an unusually long absence.

Biya’s reception of the WAFCON champions has given Cameroon a moment of celebration after weeks dominated by questions about presidential health and governance. While the Lionesses’ historic victory remains the central story, the president’s return to public view ensures that the occasion will also be remembered as an important moment in Cameroon’s political landscape.