By THE Cameroonian government has dismissed rumours about the death and health of its 91-year-old president, Paul Biya.
The government, jerked by the death narrative, stated that Biya is in good health.
It tagged the widespread death reports as “pure fantasy.”
Paul Biya
Biya, who has not been seen in public since attending the China-Africa forum in Beijing in early September, sparked concerns as he failed to attend a summit in France last weekend.
His absence fueled speculation about the nonagenarian leader’s well-being.
Government spokesperson, Rene Sadi, said in the statement, via Reuters that “Rumours of all kinds have been circulating through the conventional media and social networks about the president’s condition.
“The government unequivocally states that these rumours are pure fantasy … and hereby issues a formal denial.”
Stonix News reports that opposition parties and civil society organizations have been demanding an official update on the health status and whereabouts of President Biya.
After Beijing, Biya paid a private visit to Europe, Sadi said. “The head of state is in good health and will be returning to Cameroon in the coming days.”
Biya’s recent absence from the summit of French-speaking leaders in Paris is disturbing, according to three African ministers who attended the two-day event.
“He’s over 90, he hasn’t been involved in day-to-day business for a long time, but if he dies, the situation is likely to get out of hand.
“No one has prepared for the aftermath. We don’t know what Cameroon (would) be like without Paul Biya,” one of the ministers spoke on condition of anonymity.
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