Cameroon’s 91-year-old President Biya in good health, govt says

Cameroon’s 91-year-old president, Paul Biya, is in good health, the government said on Tuesday in a statement, calling widespread reports saying otherwise “pure fantasy.”

Biya has not been seen in public since attending a China-Africa forum in Beijing early September.

His failure to appear as scheduled at a summit in France last weekend stoked speculation that the nonagenarian was unwell.

“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 hereby issues a formal denial.” Opposition parties and civil society groups have been calling for an update on the status of Biya’s health and his exact whereabouts.

After Beijing, Biya paid a private visit to Europe, Sadi said. “The head of state is in good health and will be returning to Cameroon in the coming days.”

With no clear succession plan, Biya’s death would bring more political turmoil to West and Central Africa, which has seen eight coups since 2020 and several other military attempts to overthrow governments.