Cameroonian Government Reacts to Rumors of President Biya’s Death

The Cameroonian government has officially denied rumors circulating about the health of its 91-year-old president, Paul Biya. Concerns over his well-being surfaced after his absence from recent public events, but authorities have firmly labeled these reports as “pure fantasy.”

President Biya, who last appeared in public at the China-Africa forum in Beijing in early September, raised eyebrows when he missed a major summit in France over the weekend. His failure to attend the event sparked widespread speculation about his health, particularly given his advanced age.

In a statement issued by government spokesperson René Sadi, the administration dismissed the claims. “Rumors of all kinds have been circulating through conventional media and social networks about the president’s condition,” said Sadi. “The government unequivocally states that these rumors are pure fantasy… and hereby issues a formal denial.”

Opposition parties and civil society groups had been calling for clarity regarding Biya’s health and whereabouts, fueling further public debate. According to the government, following his participation in the Beijing forum, the president made a private visit to Europe and is expected to return to Cameroon in the coming days.

Biya’s absence at the recent summit of French-speaking leaders in Paris did not go unnoticed, with several African ministers reportedly expressing concern. “He’s over 90, he hasn’t been involved in day-to-day business for a long time, but if he dies, the situation is likely to get out of hand,” one minister stated anonymously. “No one has prepared for the aftermath. We don’t know what Cameroon will be like without Paul Biya.”

Biya, who has ruled Cameroon for over four decades, remains one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. However, his long-standing grip on power has also raised questions about the country’s political future in the event of a leadership transition.