Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji told regional governors that these stories “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 leader – in office for more than four decades – has not been seen in public since 8 September, when he attended a China-Africa forum in Beijing.
Several officials have pushed back against speculation around Biya’s condition, insisting he was in good health and on a private stay in Geneva, Switzerland.
Nji said that the health status of the president was a matter of national security and urged governors to create units to ensure the order was being followed by private media outlets and social media.
Kai!