Biya’s Absence from Francophonie Summit Fuels Speculations of Deteriorating Health

By David Atangana

President Paul Biya was absent from the opening ceremony of the 19th summit of the International Organization of La Francophonie (IOF), fueling reports about his health condition.

Grouping 88 countries, the summit opened Friday, October 4, at a chateau in Villers-Cotterets, northeast of Paris.

Day two of the summit held this Saturday with proceedings in the French capital.

President Paul Biya had, in September, confirmed his participation, according to Jeune Afrique Magazine.

However, it was Le Jeune Mbella Mbella, Cameroon’s Foreign Affairs Minister, who answered present for the 91-year-old.

President Biya’s whereabouts have remained unknown to ordinary Cameroonians since he left Beijing on September 8 after attending the China-Africa summit.

He has since been absent from public view and international engagements after participating in a global event in China in early September.

His trip to the United Nations General Assembly was cancelled at the last minute.

He was also publicized to take part in the ongoing Francophonie Summit, though no official communication was made.

Grappling With Health Issues?

Mr Biya is 91 years old, an advanced age that is vulnerable to health challenges.

His long period of absence from public view and the secrecy surrounding it is already attracting the attention of international media.

According to German international broadcaster, Deutche Welle, President Biya’s absence “is part of a long series of medical absences and, faced with this, Cameroonians are not surprised, accustomed to the trips, health or otherwise of their president.”

Commenting on the issue, former US Undersecretary of State for Africa, Tibor Nagy Jr, in a tweet said, “We may be seeing the final scene of the final act of 91-year-old Cameroon Prez Biya’s 41 years in power who is allegedly in Geneva for medical treatment and hasn’t been seen since leaving Beijing on Sep 8. I can imagine all the maneuvering in Yaoundé!”

Some media reports speculate that Paul Biya left Beijing on September 8 and headed for Geneva from where he had planned to take off for New York to attend the UN General Assembly.

Like the ongoing La Francophonie summit, he was represented at the UNGA by Minister Mbella Mbella.

Nothing has hitherto filtered from the presidency on these speculations as Cameroonians back home remain worried over the whereabouts or state of health of their leader.