(FILES) Cameroon President Paul Biya delivers a speech during a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Provence during World War II, at the Boulouris National Cemetery (“necropole nationale”) in Boulouris-sur-Mer, south eastern France, on August 15, 2024.
Cameroon’s government has taken a drastic measure to curb rumors surrounding President Paul Biya’s health. The 91-year-old leader, Africa’s second-longest-ruling president, hasn’t made a public appearance since early September, fueling speculation about his well-being. In response, the government has banned media discussions about his health, citing national security concerns.
A document signed by Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji on October 9, 2024, stated that “all discussion in the media on the president’s condition is therefore officially banned” ¹. The document, marked “highly urgent,” warned that anyone violating this order would face severe consequences.
This move comes as President Biya’s absence from recent high-profile events, including the United Nations General Assembly and a summit of French-speaking countries, has sparked intense speculation. However, the president’s office maintains that he is in “excellent health” and working from Geneva, with plans to return to Cameroon soon.
As the world’s oldest leader, President Biya has been at the helm of Cameroon for over 41 years, with his public appearances becoming increasingly rare in recent years ¹. This ban on media discussion raises concerns about transparency and the public’s right to know about their leader’s health.
