The Cameroonian government have stopped the media from discussing the condition of President Paul Biya, following rumours of his loss of life.

Inner Minister Paul Atanga Nji informed regional governors that those tales “disturb the tranquillity of Cameroonians”.

“Any debate in the media about the president’s condition is therefore strictly prohibited,” he insisted, threatening that “offenders will face the rigour of the law.”

The 91-year-old chief – in administrative center for greater than 4 many years – has no longer been detectable in society since 8 September, when he attended a China-Africa discussion board in Beijing.

A number of officers have driven again towards hypothesis round Biya’s status, insisting he used to be in just right condition and on a personal keep in Geneva, Switzerland.

Nji stated that the condition condition of the president used to be a question of nationwide safety and steered governors to build gadgets to assure the series used to be being adopted via personal media shops and social media.

Many newshounds within the nation have stated they believe the prevent a contravention of press autonomy.

“By saying that mention should not be made of the president’s [health] situation, I find it an infringement on our rights,” a Cameroonian journalist informed the BBC on status of anonymity. He added that “it’s going to really affect the way we report because we’ll certainly not want to run into trouble with government.”

The media restrictions have additionally raised issues concerning the protection of newshounds in a rustic the place media execs are ceaselessly centered via officers and rebel teams.

Within the moment, Anglophone separatists have abducted newshounds future the federal government has arrested and detained contributors of the media.

“I will continue to report even though I fear they could track me down, because there’s no way my report will not talk about the president’s whereabouts or what could be happening to him. I’ll continue to do my job,” any other journalist stated.

In a observation on Thursday, international press autonomy organisation the Committee to Give protection to Reporters (CPJ) steered the Cameroonian executive 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 of public interest. Any misguided attempt to censor reporting about his health for national security reasons simply fuels rampant speculation,” Angela Quintal, head of CPJ’s Africa Programme said.

“The Cameroonian government should simply put the rumours to rest by arranging a public appearance by the head of state,” she instructed.

As hypothesis concerning the wellbeing of president Biya continues, Cameroonians are extremely expecting his go back to the rustic within the coming days, as promised via the government.