Citizens in Cameroon are growing increasingly concerned about the whereabouts and health of their 91-year-old president, Paul Biya, who has not been seen in public for over a month. Despite assurances from government officials that Biya is in good health, rumors continue to circulate on social media, with many demanding proof that their long-serving leader is still alive.
A statement released on Tuesday by Samuel Mvondo Ayolo, the director of the Civil Cabinet, sought to address the speculation. According to Ayolo, Biya is currently in Geneva, Switzerland, where he has been conducting official duties and working toward the development of Cameroon. The statement comes after social media reports suggested that Biya had passed away, though no details were provided regarding where or when he supposedly died.
Biya was last seen publicly in Beijing over a month ago, where he attended the China-Africa Leaders Forum. His extended absence from the public eye has left many Cameroonians unconvinced by government reassurances.
Among those expressing skepticism is Gloria Wirkom, a businesswoman in the capital city of Yaoundé. She voiced her frustration, saying, “He is our president, and if there is something wrong with him, we have the right to know. So we are pleading with the government of Cameroon to let us know the state of our president’s health.”
Wirkom added that she would only believe Biya is alive if she sees him in person, reflecting a broader sentiment of mistrust toward official statements.
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On state television, government spokesperson René Emmanuel Sadi categorically dismissed the rumors, calling them “pure imagination.” He reiterated that Biya has remained in Europe after attending the China-Africa summit and is actively keeping an eye on the well-being of Cameroonians.
However, the lack of a public appearance by the president has done little to quell the growing demands for transparency. Akongnwi Neba, a merchant, criticized the government’s delayed response to the rumors, saying, “It is wrong for the government to wait until a rumor spreads before explaining where Biya is. We need to know his whereabouts, whether he is alive or dead. It is our right as citizens to know where our president is.”
As Biya’s health remains in question, the situation has highlighted broader concerns about leadership in Cameroon. Biya, the world’s oldest sitting head of state, has ruled the country for more than four decades. His supporters have recently held public rallies, urging him to run for another term in the elections slated for October 2025. Despite this, Biya has yet to confirm whether he will be a candidate.
The government’s inability or unwillingness to present clear evidence of Biya’s condition has further fueled uncertainty in a country already grappling with political and economic challenges. As the demand for transparency grows louder, the Cameroonian public continues to await a definitive appearance or statement from their president.
At present, there has been no confirmation from independent sources regarding Biya’s presence in Geneva, nor any indication of when, or if, he will make a public appearance.
