Cameroon’s President Reappears After Public Absence Amid Health Speculations.

Cameroon’s 91-year-old President, Paul Biya, was seen in public on Monday for the first time in six weeks, following widespread rumors about his health and alleged death.

His prolonged absence had triggered speculation, placing the government under pressure to clarify his status.

Biya’s return was captured on state television, showing his arrival at Yaoundé airport, the capital, aboard a flight from Switzerland. The footage depicted him in his trademark neat, conservative suit, appearing visibly strong, in an apparent effort to dispel rumors of poor health.

The president had last been seen on September 8, attending the China-Africa summit in Beijing. Since then, questions about his well-being grew, leading to public concern. Government officials consistently dismissed the death rumors, affirming that Biya was healthy and merely on a private visit to Geneva. The government had also banned media outlets from reporting on his health, categorizing it as a national security issue.

Biya’s frequent visits to Geneva have long drawn public attention, as the Swiss city remains a preferred destination for the aging leader. However, his extended absence this time fueled a resurgence of rumors, which have recurred intermittently for over two decades.

Upon his arrival in Yaoundé, the president was greeted by top officials, ruling party members, and supporters mobilized along some streets. The scale of the organized welcome suggested the government’s intention to silence speculation about Biya’s condition.

Biya, in power since 1982, is known as the “Lion Man” by his supporters for his enduring leadership. With presidential elections set for next year, his reappearance could prompt internal pressure within the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) to encourage him to run for another seven-year term.

While the president has yet to confirm whether he will seek re-election, recent political moves suggest he may be tightening control over the party and government, signaling an intention to extend his decades-long grip on power.

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