Cameroonian authorities have imposed a media ban on reporting about President Paul Biya’s health following rumors of his death. Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji instructed regional governors to enforce this ban, stating that such discussions “disturb the tranquility of Cameroonians.”
Nji emphasized that any media coverage on the president’s health is prohibited, warning that violators will face legal consequences. The 91-year-old Biya, who has been in power for over 40 years, has not been seen in public since attending a China-Africa forum in Beijing on September 8. Some officials have countered the rumors, asserting that Biya is in good health and is currently staying privately in Geneva, Switzerland.
Nji described the president’s health as a matter of national security and directed governors to establish units to monitor compliance with the media restrictions. He urged them to ensure both private media and social platforms adhere to the law.
Many journalists in Cameroon view this ban as an infringement on press freedom. One journalist, speaking anonymously, told the BBC that the ban is a violation of their rights. “It’s going to really affect the way we report,” he said, expressing concerns about possible government retribution.
The media restrictions have raised fears about the safety of journalists in a country where media professionals have faced threats from both the government and insurgent groups. Journalists have been targeted by Anglophone separatists and arrested by government forces in the past.
Despite these dangers, some reporters say they will continue their work. One journalist noted that while they feared retaliation, they would not stop reporting on the president’s condition, as it is a matter of public interest.
In response to the media crackdown, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) issued a statement calling on the Cameroonian government to end its threats against journalists covering President Biya’s health. “The health of the president, who has been in power for 41 years and may seek re-election next year, is of public interest,” said Angela Quintal, head of CPJ’s Africa Programme. She argued that censoring reports only fuels speculation and called for the government to address the rumors by arranging a public appearance by the president.
As Cameroonians await Biya’s return to the country, promised by authorities, speculation about his health continues to grow.
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