Cameroon has enforced a strict ban on any media discussion regarding the health of its 91-year-old President, Paul Biya, who has not been seen in public since early September. The directive was issued by Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji, through a letter dated October 9, which stated that public discourse on the president’s health is now “strictly prohibited.” The letter also ordered the establishment of “monitoring cells” to track online content, marking this as a national security matter.
The letter, labeled “highly urgent” and addressed to regional governors, warned that any violation of this order would result in legal action. This move has sparked criticism, with many seeing it as a form of state censorship.
President Biya was last seen at the China-Africa summit in Beijing in early September. Since then, he has been notably absent from several high-profile events, including the United Nations General Assembly in New York and a summit of French-speaking nations in Paris. His extended absence has fueled speculation about his health.
On October 10, government spokesperson Rene Sadi addressed the growing rumors, asserting that President Biya had made a private trip to Europe following his Beijing visit. He dismissed the speculations as “pure fantasy” and assured the public that Biya is “in good health” and would soon return to Cameroon.
However, the media ban has drawn sharp criticism from journalists and press freedom organizations. Hycenth Chia, a journalist based in Yaoundé, expressed frustration with the government’s censorship. “It’s normal for Cameroonians to be concerned about their president’s whereabouts,” he said, pointing out that discussions about the health of other world leaders, such as U.S. President Joe Biden, are common.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has also expressed concern, with Angela Quintal, head of the CPJ’s Africa program, condemning the ban as “outrageous.” She argued that invoking national security to silence discussion on such a critical issue undermines transparency and accountability.
As Biya approaches his 42nd year in power, there is growing concern over Cameroon’s future leadership. With no clear succession plan in place, observers warn that Biya’s death could lead to political instability in West and Central Africa, a region already fraught with recent coups and attempted government overthrows. Biya’s tenure is one of the longest in Africa, second only to Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea.
This unprecedented media ban highlights the delicate political climate in Cameroon, raising questions about leadership, press freedom, and the country’s future.
Source : Swifteradio.com
