The condition and exact whereabouts of Cameroon’s President Paul Biya remain unclear as of Thursday, two days after the government was compelled to confirm that he is alive in Geneva, Switzerland, in response to rampant social media speculation regarding his death.
Biya, who has not been seen in public for over five weeks since attending the Africa-China forum in Beijing in early September, has become the subject of intense speculation. His absence has fueled concerns about his health and the stability of governance in Cameroon.
In an effort to quell these rumors, Cameroon’s Territorial Administration Minister, Paul Atanga Nji, traveled to Massock, a village near the Atlantic coast, to reassure residents. He informed them that Biya had tasked him with providing humanitarian assistance to flood victims in the central African nation. Nji, along with other senior officials, asserted that the 91-year-old president is in good health, attributing the circulating death rumors to individuals aiming to incite chaos in Cameroon.
“The president of our nation Cameroon cannot be dead,” stated Gregory Mewano, a member of Biya’s Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), during an interview on Cameroon state radio. “And you find the prime minister in Germany with a whole entourage, the minister of interior managing internal politics, and the minister of public works inspecting projects.”
While officials have indicated that Biya will return to Cameroon soon, they have not disclosed a specific timeline. Notably, there were no signs of ill health during his last public appearance in Beijing, where he was scheduled to attend a meeting of French and African leaders in Paris, but he did not show up, and no explanation was provided.
The uncertainty surrounding Biya’s health has raised concerns among opposition and civil society groups. They are calling on government officials to present Biya publicly rather than simply asserting that he is alive. With elections approaching in a year, some factions are advocating for the emergence of a younger candidate to lead the country forward.
Michael Ngwese Eke Ekosso, president of the opposition United Socialist Democratic Party, emphasized the need for a unified opposition front. “We have made it clear to both national and international observers that several opposition political parties are consulting regarding the events in Cameroon, and the rumor about Biya’s death is part of that discourse. Decisions regarding the upcoming presidential elections will be forthcoming.”
Among the proposals gaining traction is the candidacy of Akere Muna, a 72-year-old English-speaking anti-corruption lawyer and governance advocate. Muna’s supporters are rallying behind him as a potential candidate for the October 2025 presidential election. If elected, he aims to initiate a three-year transitional period to guide Cameroon out of Biya’s prolonged 42-year rule.
“Our profound reflection is that a non-renewable transition is essential,” Muna stated. “We envision strengthening democracy and governance, adopting a new constitution that reflects the current and future aspirations of the people, and promoting free and fair elections.”
Should Muna succeed, he would make history as Cameroon’s first leader from the western regions, where English is predominantly spoken. His supporters argue that a leader from this region may be pivotal in resolving the seven-year insurgency by English-speaking armed groups, who claim marginalization by the French-speaking majority.
Opposition parties have criticized Biya for failing to address the ongoing crisis, leaving many Cameroonians anxiously awaiting tangible signs of his health and a return to the country. As the nation grapples with uncertainty, the call for transparency and leadership in Cameroon becomes increasingly urgent.
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