**Cameroon's President's Health Sparks Controversy Amid Media Ban**

Concerns are swirling around the health of Cameroon's long-serving president, Paul Biya. At age 91, rumors about his well-being have become a topic of much speculation. However, discussing Biya's health publicly is strictly forbidden within the country. This new directive comes from Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji, who emphasized that any debate on the matter has been deemed a national security issue. Nji issued a stern warning: anyone caught discussing the president's health would face severe legal consequences. The minister further directed regional governors to keep a close watch on social and private media, reinforcing the crackdown on free discussion.

Despite the clampdown on information, official statements insist that the rumors surrounding Biya's health are unfounded. Authorities, including the Cameroonian ambassador to France, have dismissed talk of his ill health as "pure fantasy." They reassured the public that Biya is in good condition in Geneva, Switzerland, dismissing claims that he had died in either Geneva or a French hospital. The president, who has held office since 1982, was last seen at the China-Africa forum in Beijing but missed a recent summit for French-speaking countries in France.

The ban on discussing Biya's health has drawn sharp criticism from journalists and advocates for press freedom. Cameroonian journalist and talk show host Hycenth Chia pointed out the stark difference in media freedom by comparing the situation to the open discussions about the health of leaders like Joe Biden. Critics argue that the country needs fresh leadership to address pressing issues, such as the ongoing rebellion by English-speaking separatists in western Cameroon. Despite these criticisms, Biya's supporters encourage him to seek another seven-year term when his current one ends next year. Some citizens even view his role as largely symbolic and akin to that of a constitutional monarch.