Human Rights Watch (HRW), an international press freedom monitor, has asked Cameronian authorities to reverse a recent decision outlawing media reports on the health of President Paul Biya.
The ban, deemed to be anti-press freedom, was instituted by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, after rumours swirled on social media about Biya’s health and potential death.
“The decision has caused uproar among media professionals and opposition party leaders who appropriately criticized it as step backwards for freedom of expression,” wrote HRW’s Senior Sahel Researcher, Ilaria Allegrozzi.
“Yet, this decision is just the latest in a series of government moves seeking to squash free speech ahead of the 2025 presidential elections,” she added.
The media began raising concerns after President Biya, 91, had been missing from public view for over a month. This was after he attended the China-Africa summit on September 5-6, 2024.
However, the government has been kicking back against the media reports, with Minister Atanga Nji calling on Governors to monitor and report media outlets that continue to report on the President’s health.
Human Rights Watch said the restriction doesn’t meet the threshold of conditions for limiting press freedom under international law.
“As elections near, Cameroonians need more free speech, not less. Authorities should respect freedom of expression and reverse this decision,” HRW wrote.
The government decision has been widely opposed by other stakeholders as well.
The Committee to Protect Journalists earlier asked the government to make a public appearance of President Biya to quell rumours about his health, rather than restricting the press.
Politicians like Edith Kah Walla, Akere Muna, Jean Michel Nintcheu and Fabrice Lena also resolutely condemned the decision as a constitutional violation and an abuse of power.
While debates about the health and whereabouts of President Paul Biya continue, the Minister of Communication and the Director of Civil Cabinet have rejected claims that the President is sick.
But he is yet to be seen, 35 days since his last public appearance.
