The Cameroonian government has imposed a ban on media discussions regarding the health of 91-year-old President Paul Biya, who has not made a public appearance since early September. The decree, issued by Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji on October 9, categorizes any debate on the president’s condition as a “matter of national security” and warns of severe legal consequences for violations.
In a letter marked “highly urgent” and addressed to regional governors, Nji instructed the creation of “monitoring cells” to track online content, emphasizing that any violations of the directive would be met with “the full force of the law.” The ban has sparked widespread concerns about state censorship and the suppression of press freedoms.
The absence of President Biya from key international gatherings, including the United Nations General Assembly in New York and a summit of Francophone countries in Paris, has fueled speculation about his well-being. His last public appearance was at the China-Africa summit in Beijing over a month ago. Since then, rumors regarding his health have spread across media platforms and social networks.
Government spokesperson Rene Sadi attempted to quell the rumors in a statement on Tuesday, asserting that the president had made a private trip to Europe following his Beijing visit. “Rumors of all kinds have been circulating through the conventional media and social networks about the president’s condition,” Sadi said. “The government unequivocally states that these rumors are pure fantasy … and hereby issues a formal denial.” Sadi insisted that President Biya is “in good health” and would return to Cameroon “in the coming days.”
The ban has also drawn the attention of international press freedom organizations. Angela Quintal, head of the Africa program at the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), condemned the government’s move. “Trying to hide behind national security on such a major issue of national importance is outrageous,” she said. The CPJ expressed deep concern over the restrictions, urging the government to lift the ban and allow open discussions about the president’s condition.
Cameroon’s National Communication Council, the country’s media regulator, was not immediately available for comment. The ban has fueled concerns about transparency in a country where political uncertainty is mounting. Biya, who has ruled Cameroon for over 41 years, is Africa’s second-longest-serving leader, after Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea. With no clear succession plan in place, observers fear that Biya’s prolonged absence, or any potential transition could trigger instability in a region already fraught with political turmoil.
West and Central Africa have witnessed a wave of political upheavals in recent years, including several coups since 2020. Analysts warn that any sudden changes in Cameroon’s leadership could exacerbate tensions, both domestically and across the region. The ban on media discussions regarding Biya’s health has sparked widespread debate in Cameroon, where many citizens believe they have the right to be informed about the status of their president. Since the government has been doubling down on its stance, the situation r
