Cameroon's President Paul Biya returned home on Thursday after his longest recorded stay abroad since taking power more ​than four decades ago, ending months of speculation about his ‌health and whereabouts.

The 93-year-old leader arrived at Yaounde's Nsimalen International Airport aboard a chartered flight from Geneva, Switzerland, after more than 10 weeks away.

Biya, the world's oldest head ​of state, left Cameroon on June 7 for what the ​civil cabinet described as "a brief private stay in Europe".

The president, ⁠accompanied by First Lady Chantal Biya, touched down around 4.45 p.m. local ​time (1545 pm GMT) before departing in a motorcade for the Etoudi Unity ​Palace.

He waved through a half-open window to hundreds of supporters of the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) who lined the streets of the capital to welcome him home, ​waving party colours and banners praising the president.

Biya's prolonged absence had fuelled widespread speculation about his health and capacity to govern, despite repeated assurances from authorities that he would return soon. It also raised more questions about political succession in a country where power remains highly centralised around the presidency.

Opposition politicians had called on the Constitutional Council to examine whether someone should fill in as head of state during the president's absence. The council did not take any action.

Under Cameroon's constitution, in the absence of a vice president, the president of the Senate should assume interim duties if the presidency is declared vacant due to death, resignation, or permanent incapacity.

Biya has not appointed a vice president despite the reintroduction of the role last April, ⁠and ​critics say the lack of a clear ​succession framework raises uncertainty about a potential transition in the event he becomes unable to govern.