A letter shared by Cameroon's interior ministry has banned all discussions about the health of its 91-year-old President Paul Biya.
The announcement comes after Biya’s prolonged absence sparked rumors about his well-being. Authorities recently issued statements denying reports of the president's illness, stating he was on a private trip to Geneva and in good health.
They labeled claims of his deteriorating health as "pure fantasy."
In a letter dated October 9, Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji declared that discussing the president's health is now considered a national security issue.
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"Debating the president's condition in the media is strictly prohibited," Nji said, adding that violators would face severe legal consequences. He instructed regional governors to establish monitoring units to oversee private media channels and social media platforms to enforce this ban.
Cameroon, a significant cocoa and oil producer, has had only two presidents since gaining independence in the 1960s. With Biya’s health in question, many are concerned about a possible succession crisis if he becomes too ill to governor dies in office.
The decision to censor discussions about Biya’s health has sparked criticism, with many calling it an act of state censorship.
Yaoundé-based journalist Hycenth Chia pointed out that open discussions about the health of world leaders, such as U.S. President Joe Biden, are commonplace. Yet, in Cameroon, the topic is taboo.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also expressed concern, with Angela Quintal, head of CPJ’s Africa Program, calling the move an "outrageous" attempt to conceal a matter of national importance.
Biya’s absence from recent public events, including a summit in France, has further fueled speculation about his health.
