Unfounded rumors of his death spread as a result of his absence from the public eye.
However, footage of the president’s arrival at the capital’s airport in Yaoundé on an aircraft from Switzerland was broadcast on official television on Monday afternoon.
As a matter of national security, the government forbade the media from reporting on Biya’s health. Biya has been in power since 1982.
For the past 20 years, there have been intermittent rumors that he passed away.
According to the broadcast images from Monday, the president is wearing his typical dapper, conservative suit and appears to be in good physical shape.
Biya’s most recent appearance was at a China-Africa conference in Beijing on September 8.
Since then, there has been tremendous pressure on the government to provide evidence that the long-serving leader was still alive.
Eventually, government representatives refuted reports that he had passed away, stating that Biya was in good condition and in Geneva for a private visit. His frequent trips to the Swiss city are well known.
Members of the ruling party and state officials greeted Biya upon his arrival.
