Communication Minister Says President Biya is Fine

Communication Minister, René Emmanuel Sadi, has dispelled rumours about President Paul Biya’s health condition, stating that the Cameroonian leader is fine and is flying home in the days ahead.

In a statement this Tuesday, October 8, he urged Cameroonians and friendly nations to not be distracted by rumors circulating about President Biya.

Minister Sadi said rumors circulating on conventional media and social networks about the President’s health emanate from television channels seeking attention.

He described those spreading the rumors as biased and insisted that the rumors are inconsistent with reality.

“The Government of the Republic states unequivocally that these rumours are the product of fantasy and pure imagination of their authors and hereby intends to formally deny them,” he wrote.

Minister Sadi added that the Head of State took “a brief private stay in Europe” after rising from the China-Africa Summit on September 7.

He, however, did not state which country was hosting President Biya and what could have been keeping him out of the country for more than 30 days.

To Emmanuel Sadi, Biya “remains, as usual, and wherever he is, attentive to the evolution of national life.”

“Therefore, the Government of the Republic invites Cameroonians, as well as our partners and friendly countries, not to let themselves be distracted by maneuvers of disinformation, instrumentalization, and destabilization orchestrated by small groups and individuals pernicious for unavowed purposes.” 

He clearly stated that 91-year-old Paul Biya is doing well and will return to Cameroon in the next few days.

Coming After Pressure

The government was responding to speculations, arising from the President’s long absence from public view, that the 91-year-old might have died.

Owing to those rumors, many started pushing for the government to communicate Biya’s whereabouts.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Cameroon Democratic Union Party of Hon. Tomaino Ndam Njoya released a statement demanding the civil cabinet of the presidency or government spokesperson to clarify the doubts.

Before Sadi could react, some Ministers, including Jacques Fame Ndongo of Higher Education and Gregoire Owona of Labour and Social Security, had debunked claims that President Biya was dead.