Cameroon: Government Scrambles To Reassure Restive Polity On Rumors of President Paul Biya’s Death

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

BUEA, Cameroon – The Cameroonian government has officially dispelled persistent rumours surrounding the health of President Paul Biya, following widespread speculation on social media that the 91-year-old leader had passed away, calling the news all “fantasy”

In a communique on Tuesday, October 8, the Minister of Communication, and government spokesman, René Emmanuel Sadi, assured the nation that the President is alive and in good health.

"Rumours of all kinds have been circulating through the conventional media and social networks about the president's condition," government spokesperson Rene Sadi said in the statement. "The Government unequivocally states that these rumours are pure fantasy ... and at this moment issues a formal denial."

President Biya has not been seen in public since attending the China-Africa Forum in Beijing in early September. His failure to appear as scheduled at a summit in France last weekend stoked speculation that the nonagenarian was unwell.

Minister Emmanuel Sadi said that after Beijing, Biya paid a private visit to Europe. The head of state is in good health and will be returning to Cameroon in the coming days."

Biya is in excellent health, according to a statement issued Tuesday by Samuel Mvondo Ayolo, Director of the Civil Cabinet. Ayolo said Biya is in Geneva, Switzerland, where he has been granting audiences and working for the development of Cameroon.

The rumour mill surrounding President Biya's health has once again highlighted the power of social media in shaping public discourse. Across the country, reactions to the government's statement were mixed. While many expressed relief at the clarification, others remain sceptical, citing the President's age and the lack of recent public appearances.

Gloria Wirkom, a businessperson in Cameroon's capital, Yaounde told VOA, "He is our president, and if there is something wrong with him, we have the right to know," she said. "So, we are pleading with the government of Cameroon to let us know the health state [state of health] of our president."

"We are asking the government to prove to us where he [Biya] is," said Neba. "We need to know his whereabouts, whether he is alive or dead. It is our right as citizens of the country to know where our president is,” Akongnwi Neba, a merchant, said it is wrong for the government to wait until a rumour spreads before explaining where Biya is.

At 91 years old, Paul Biya remains one of Africa's most enduring political figures, having ruled Cameroon for over four decades. His presidency has seen the country navigate complex issues such as regional conflicts, economic fluctuations, and international diplomacy. While he has faced criticism over human rights and governance, Biya continues to command a strong following, particularly within the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM).

The latest wave of rumours regarding his health once again sparked discussions about the future of Cameroon's leadership. Although Biya's long reign has provided continuity, questions about succession have remained largely unanswered, contributing to the intensity of public reactions whenever his health is called into question.

As the government moves to dispel the rumours, all eyes are on President Biya's next public appearance, which will likely serve to reassure the nation and solidify his position as Cameroon's leader. For now, the message from the top is clear: President Paul Biya is alive, and the business of governing Cameroon continues uninterrupted. How the people will take it is another matter considering that the government let the government linger around for about a week before the cascade of responses.