By Emmanuel Kwada
Cameroon’s government has shut down rumors about President Paul Biya’s health, calling them “pure fantasy.” The 91-year-old president hasn’t been seen publicly since the China-Africa forum in Beijing in early September, sparking concerns about his well-being. His absence from a recent summit in France fueled speculation, but government spokesperson Rene Sadi insists Biya is in good health and will return to Cameroon soon.
Biya’s private visit to Europe after Beijing was revealed by Sadi, who issued a formal denial of the rumors. However, opposition parties and civil society groups are demanding an official update on Biya’s health status and whereabouts.
The situation is precarious, with three African ministers expressing concern about Biya’s absence from the Paris summit. “He’s over 90, and if he dies, the situation is likely to get out of hand,” one minister said anonymously. “No one has prepared for the aftermath. We don’t know what Cameroon would be like without Paul Biya.”
No one has prepared for the aftermath. We don’t know what Cameroon would be like without Paul Biya
This isn’t the first time Biya’s health has raised concerns. The country’s Anglophone crisis has displaced thousands, and the government’s response has been criticized by human rights groups.
As the situation unfolds, many are watching closely to see how Cameroon will navigate its future under Biya’s leadership – or potentially, without it.
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