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

Cameroon President Paul Biya has made his first public appearance in 73 days, receiving the country’s newly crowned women’s football champions at the Unity Palace in Yaoundé following their historic Africa Cup of Nations triumph.

The 93-year-old president welcomed the Indomitable Lionesses on Saturday, August 22, accompanied by First Lady Chantal Biya, at a ceremony celebrating the team’s victory at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Biya’s appearance attracted particular attention because it was his first major public engagement since returning to Cameroon after spending more than two months in Geneva.

The president had returned to Yaoundé on August 20 after a 73-day absence from the country. His extended stay in Switzerland had generated speculation about his health and renewed questions about the country’s leadership and succession arrangements.

At the Unity Palace reception, however, Biya appeared alongside his wife to celebrate the footballers, who had secured Cameroon’s first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.

In his address to the players and coaching staff, Biya congratulated the team for their performance and described their achievement as a source of national pride.

Cameroon defeated Malawi 3-0 in the final on August 16 in Rabat, Morocco, to claim the continental title. The victory also secured the Lionesses a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

“On 16 August in Rabat, you flew the Cameroonian flag on top of Africa,” Biya said in his speech, according to Cameroon’s state media, praising the players for bringing joy and pride to the country.

He also highlighted the team’s discipline, courage and collective spirit throughout the tournament and urged the players to maintain the same standards ahead of next year’s World Cup.

The presidential reception was more than a ceremonial welcome.

According to the Presidency of Cameroon, members of the squad and technical staff were awarded the insignia of Knight of the Order of Valour in recognition of their achievement.

The players were also presented at the Unity Palace alongside senior government and football officials as the country continued celebrations over the historic continental victory.

The championship ended years of near misses for Cameroon in the women’s continental competition and established the current generation of Lionesses as African champions.

Biya’s appearance was also significant against the backdrop of his recent absence from public life.

The president left Cameroon on June 7 and spent more than 10 weeks in Geneva. His office described the trip as a private stay, but the unusually long absence fuelled speculation about his health and ability to govern.

His return on August 20 was followed by a public reception from supporters in Yaoundé. Two days later, he appeared at the Unity Palace to receive the women’s national team.

While the presidential event was centred on football, Biya’s reappearance was closely watched because of his age and his status as the world’s oldest sitting head of state.

The ceremony therefore served a dual purpose: celebrating one of the biggest sporting achievements in Cameroon’s history while providing the public with its first substantial glimpse of Biya after his prolonged absence.

For the Indomitable Lionesses, the reception marked another major moment in a remarkable month that saw them crowned African champions and qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.