Paul Biya’s health: government denies power vacuum in Cameroon

Government confirms Paul Biya is alive and actively leading

After weeks of speculation surrounding his health, Cameroon’s government has firmly denied rumors that President Paul Biya is no longer in office. Speaking on behalf of the administration, Minister of Communication and government spokesperson René Emmanuel Sadi clarified that the Head of State remains in good health and continues to fulfill his duties.

Addressing health concerns and absence from Cameroon

Minister Sadi acknowledged that President Biya has been receiving medical attention in Switzerland but emphasized that he is not hospitalized. He confirmed that the Cameroonian leader underwent a surgical procedure some time ago, though the exact nature of the intervention was not disclosed. The spokesperson also stated that Biya is currently in Geneva and is expected to return to Cameroon in the near future.

The government has made it clear that President Biya has not resigned from his position. Sadi dismissed concerns about a potential power vacuum, asserting that Cameroon’s institutions are functioning normally under the President’s leadership. He underscored that the country’s top officials continue to perform their official duties without interruption.

Constitutional provisions and official statements

Minister Sadi stressed that the question of a power vacuum at the head of the state is unfounded. He pointed out that the Constitutional Council—the only body authorized to make such a determination—has not issued any statement regarding the President’s absence. This, he argued, further confirms that there is no legal basis for concerns about a leadership crisis in Cameroon.

By Claire Mvondo — Security and State Policy Expert