ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Authorities in Cameroon on Tuesday dismissed widespread speculation about the 91-year-old’s health Chairman Paul Biya after a long public absence, during which he says he is visiting Europe and is doing well.
Biya was last seen in public a month ago at the China-Africa summit in Beijing. Since then, he has not attended meetings where he was expected, including the United Nations General Assembly and the International Organization of La Francophonie summit in France.
It is known that Biya, who is known for frequently traveling to Europe, is ill, but no details have been shared publicly.
The speculations and reports about Biya’s health status have “no relation to reality (and) are the product of fantasy,” Communications Minister Rene Sadi said in a statement.
“The head of state is doing well and will return to Cameroon in the coming days,” Sadi added, without giving details on the nature of the trip or the date of his return.
Biya is Africa’s second-longest serving leader and Cameroon’s second president since independence in 1960. He has been in power since 1982. He is the only leader many in the country have ever known.
Rights groups have accused him and his party of using various tactics, including persecuting and intimidating opponents, to strengthen his grip on political power.
Biya’s government faces several challenges, including: the secessionist movement in Cameroon’s English-speaking provinces, resulting in deadly clashes with security forces and Islamic extremist violence by the Boko Haram group in neighboring Nigeria.