Cameroon’s government has reassured the public regarding the health of President Paul Biya, who has not been seen in public for over a month.

Officials insist that the 91-year-old leader is in “excellent” condition, despite widespread speculation about his wellbeing following his absence from several key events.

President Biya last appeared publicly on September 8, during a China-Africa forum in Beijing. Since then, he has missed significant occasions, including the United Nations General Assembly in New York, heightening concerns about his health.

In a recent statement, Samuel Mvondo Ayolo, director of the civil cabinet, confirmed that Biya remains well and continues to fulfill his duties while in Geneva.

He condemned those spreading rumors about the president’s health and alleged impending death, labeling them as “mischievous individuals.”

Government spokesperson René Sadi also commented, stating that Biya would return to Cameroon “in the next few days,” and dismissed health concerns as “pure fantasy.”

Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982, has faced criticism over his frequent absences from the country, particularly his extended stays in Switzerland.

A report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) revealed that he has spent the equivalent of four-and-a-half years abroad during his presidency. The Intercontinental Hotel in Geneva is reported to be his preferred location.

Under Biya’s long tenure, Cameroon has transitioned from a one-party state to a multi-party system, yet his administration has been marred by allegations of corruption and a rollback of democratic reforms, including the abolition of presidential term limits in 2008.