International
CAMEROON: Opposition, CSOs seek clarity despite govt claims over health of 91-yr-old President Biya
Opposition parties and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Cameroon have continued to call for clarity over the whereabouts of the country’s 91 years old president, Paul Biya.
This is even as the Cameroonian government has dismissed rumours about the health of Biya, while describing the reports as “pure fantasy.”
Biya has been out of public eye since attending a China-Africa forum in Beijing in early September.
However, his failure to appear as scheduled at a summit in France last weekend stoked speculation that the nonagenarian was unwell.
A statement from government spokesperson, Rene Sadi reads: “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.”
Opposition parties and civil society groups have been calling for an update on the status of Biya’s health and his exact whereabouts.
READ ALSO: Troops arrest 8 Nigerians smuggling fuel to Cameroonian rebels
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.”
With no clear succession plan, Biya’s death portends more political turmoil to West and Central Africa, which has seen eight coups since 2020 and several other military attempts to overthrow governments.
His recent absence from the meeting of leaders from French-speaking countries in Paris was much remarked on at the two-day event, according to three non-Cameroonian African ministers who attended.
One of the Ministers, who spoke anonymously said: “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.”
Join the conversation
Opinions
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.