Cameroon's president draws concern and criticism by staying abroad for 2 months

YAOUNDE, Cameroon -- Cameroon President Paul Biya on Thursday reached two months since the last time he was inside the borders of his country, a prolonged absence that has raised concerns for his health and criticisms about a possible power vacuum in the Central African nation.The world’s oldest president, who has led Cameroon since 1982, began his eighth term in office after winning a widely disputed election in November. But the 93-year-old left the country on June 7 for what Biya's office described as “a brief private stay in Europe” that has become one of his longest trips overseas.The health of the president has long been a topic of speculation as he spends significant time in Europe, including France and Switzerland, where he often spends weeks while leaving governance to key party officials and family members.Cameroon’s constitution does not specifically prohibit a president from leaving the country for months. But without a vice president, an appointment Biya has full control over, the opposition has described the country as being run on “auto pilot.”Opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the presidential runner-up in November and a former Biya ally, said Thursday there is...