Cameroonian President Paul Biya, currently in Geneva, Switzerland, has missed several key international events, including the United Nations General Assembly in New York in late September, despite initial plans to attend. He was also absent from the Francophonie Summit in Paris on October 4 and 5, as well as from a gathering in Hamburg, Germany earlier this week. At 91 years old and having led Cameroon for 42 years, Biya’s absence has fueled speculation about his health.
In response to the growing rumors, Cameroonian authorities released an official statement to reassure the public. The rumors gained momentum after Africa Broadcasting Service (ABS), a private television channel based in Houston, USA, falsely reported the President’s death on Tuesday October 8. ABS, which is run by an exiled English-speaking separatist leader, claimed to have insider information from Cameroon, Switzerland, and France.
René Sadi, Cameroon’s Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, swiftly denied the rumors, describing them as “pure fantasy and imagination.” He confirmed that President Biya is on a brief private visit to Europe and remains fully engaged with national affairs.
Before Sadi’s remarks, two other high-ranking officials from the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) condemned the rumors. Jacques Fame Ndongo, Minister of State and Higher Education, labeled the claims as baseless, while the Presidency reaffirmed that Biya is in “excellent health” and actively working in Geneva. Minister of Labor Grégoire Owona warned that those spreading false information about the President’s death would face severe penalties and called on authorities to take action against these imposters.