The Cameroonian authorities have banned the media from discussing the health of President Paul Biya, following rumors of his death.
Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji told regional governors that these stories “disturb the tranquility of Cameroonians.”
“Any debate in the media about the president’s condition is strictly prohibited,” he insisted, and threatened that “offenders will face the full force of the law.”
The Cameroonians say they have not seen the 91-year-old leader in public since September 8, when he attended a China-Africa Forum in Beijing.
Authorities responded to questions about the whereabouts of Cameroon President Paul Biya on October 9, 2024.
Some officials have pushed back against speculation about Biya’s condition, insisting that he is in good health and on a private stay in Geneva, Switzerland.
Nji said the president’s health status is a matter of national security and urged governors to create units to ensure that the order is followed by private media outlets and social media.
Many journalists in the country see the ban as a violation of press freedom.
“By saying that mention of the president’s health situation should not be made, I see it as an infringement on our rights,” one Cameroonian journalist told the BBC on condition of anonymity. He added, “It will really affect the way we report because we certainly do not want to get into trouble with the government.”
The media restrictions have also raised concerns about the safety of journalists in a country where media professionals are regularly targeted by officials and insurgent groups.
In the past, Anglophone separatists have kidnapped journalists while the government has arrested and detained members of the media.
“I will continue to report even though I fear they might track me down because there is no way my report will not mention the president’s whereabouts or what could happen to him. I will continue to do my job,” another journalist said.
In a statement on Thursday, the global press freedom organization, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), called on the Cameroonian government to end its threats to sanction private media journalists who report on the condition and whereabouts of President Paul Biya.
“The health of the president, who has been in power for 41 years and may seek re-election next year, is a matter of public interest. Any misguided attempt to censor reporting on his health for national security reasons only encourages speculation,” Angela Quintal, head of the CPJ Africa Program, said.
“The Cameroonian government could simply put the rumors to rest by arranging a public appearance by the head of state,” she suggested.
As news about President Biya’s well-being continues, Cameroonians are eagerly awaiting his return to the country in the coming days, as promised by the authorities.