Cameroon’s President Biya, who is 91 years old, goes home

Paul Biya, Cameroon’s 91-year-old president, came back to the country on Monday after being away for 42 days, which had led to concerns about his health and whereabouts.

Before 5 p.m. (1600 GMT), the chartered plane bringing the president and his wife Chantal Biya touched down at Nsimalen International Airport in the city Yaounde.

Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, Biya’s secretary general, met him on the ground and they talked for a short time before he got into his car.

The head of state who was not married did not address the people. That being said, Biya waved to fans from the back window of his car as his motorcade drove away from the airport.

Many people thought Biya was sick because he hadn’t been seen in a long time, so the government released a statement saying the president was healthy.

Later, Cameroon said it was a matter of national security and would not allow anyone to talk about his health.

People wearing clothes with Biya’s picture on them lined the 22-km (13-mile) route from the airport to the Etoudi presidential house. They were fans of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) party.

A lot of people also went out into the streets to make sure the head of state was still living.

There were also banners with words welcoming the president back home and wishing him well. One of them said, “Long life to His Excellency Paul Biya, father of the nation.”