President Biya Makes First Outing Since Death Rumours

Cameroon’s President, Paul Biya, who has not been seen in public for over a month, has written to three countries in one day.

It was his first official outing since rumours swirled the media that he was sick or had possibly died.

On Friday, October 11, 2024, the president signed and dispatched separate letters to newly selected Ethiopian President, Taye Atske; the King of Spain, HM Felipe VI; and Equatorial Guinea President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

The letter to the Ethiopia’s ceremonial president was that of congratulations.

While President Paul Biya congratulated Taye Atske, who was elected by the Ethiopian parliament recently, he also saluted the “excellent relations of friendship and cooperation which exist between” both countries.

He also mentioned “their commitment to the integration of Africa”.

From the letter to Ethiopia, he wrote another to the Kingdom of Spain in which he equally congratulated King Felipe VI for the celebration of the Spanish National Day on October 12.

“I seize this solemn circumstance to assure you of my availability and that of my government to work ever more to the continuous promotion of the excellent relations of friendship and cooperation which exist between cameroon and Spain,” he wrote in the telegram letter.

Just after that, he proceeded to write another one to Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea.

It is almost the same as Spain, as Biya congratulated Obiang for the celebration of Equatorial Guinea’s National Day on October 12.

“I rejoice on this solemn circumstance, at the excellent relations of friendship and cooperation which exist between our nations, as well as at our common will, to consolidate them further every day,” he told Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
 

Biya’s Whereabouts Still Uncertain

Despite demonstrating that he is still in charge and working, as earlier said by Civil Cabinet Director Mvondo Ayolo, President Paul Biya is yet to be seen publicly.

He disappeared from public eye on September 8 after attending the China-Africa Summit.

Coupled with his absence from the Francophonie Summit in France, rumours about him being unwell inundated the media space.

However, the Cameroon Director of Civil Cabinet at the Presidency said Biya is in an excellent state of health and carrying out state duties in Geneva, Switzerland.