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Cameroon's president finally seen in public | Cameroon's president finally seen in public |
(32 minutes later) | |
TV pictures showed President Paul Biya being greeted by officials and supporters at the airport | TV pictures showed President Paul Biya being greeted by officials and supporters at the airport |
Cameroon’s 91-year-old President Paul Biya has been seen in public for the first time in six weeks amid speculation about his ailing health. | Cameroon’s 91-year-old President Paul Biya has been seen in public for the first time in six weeks amid speculation about his ailing health. |
His absence from the public eye led to unfounded rumours of his death. | His absence from the public eye led to unfounded rumours of his death. |
But on Monday afternoon state television showed footage of the president’s arrival at the airport in the capital, Yaoundé, on a flight from Switzerland. | But on Monday afternoon state television showed footage of the president’s arrival at the airport in the capital, Yaoundé, on a flight from Switzerland. |
The government had banned the media from discussing the health of Biya – in power since 1982 - classifying it as a matter of national security. | The government had banned the media from discussing the health of Biya – in power since 1982 - classifying it as a matter of national security. |
Rumours of his death have been circulating on and off for the past two decades. | Rumours of his death have been circulating on and off for the past two decades. |
Monday's broadcast pictures show the president dressed in his usual neat, conservative suit and looking visibly strong. | |
The last time Biya had been seen was on 8 September attending a China-Africa summit in Beijing. | The last time Biya had been seen was on 8 September attending a China-Africa summit in Beijing. |
Since then, the government has been under immense pressure to prove that the long-serving leader was alive. | Since then, the government has been under immense pressure to prove that the long-serving leader was alive. |
Government officials eventually denied claims that he had died, saying that Biya was in good health and on a private visit to Geneva. He is known for frequent visits to the Swiss city. | Government officials eventually denied claims that he had died, saying that Biya was in good health and on a private visit to Geneva. He is known for frequent visits to the Swiss city. |
After landing, Biya was welcomed by state officials and members of the ruling party. | After landing, Biya was welcomed by state officials and members of the ruling party. |
The unusual mobilisation of people on some streets in the capital suggests the clear intention of the government is to put to rest the speculation about his wellbeing. | The unusual mobilisation of people on some streets in the capital suggests the clear intention of the government is to put to rest the speculation about his wellbeing. |
His re-appearance could spark calls from within his CPDM party for him to seek another seven-year term at next year’s election. | His re-appearance could spark calls from within his CPDM party for him to seek another seven-year term at next year’s election. |
While the “Lion Man”, as he is called by his backers, is yet to openly state if he will run, his critics say his recent political moves signal an attempt to tighten the governing party’s firm grip on power. | While the “Lion Man”, as he is called by his backers, is yet to openly state if he will run, his critics say his recent political moves signal an attempt to tighten the governing party’s firm grip on power. |
More from the BBC on this story: | More from the BBC on this story: |
The 91-year-old African president who keeps defying death rumours | The 91-year-old African president who keeps defying death rumours |
Why African leaders maintain secrecy around their health | Why African leaders maintain secrecy around their health |
Cameroon country profile | Cameroon country profile |
Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent. | Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent. |
Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, external, on Facebook at BBC Africa, external or on Instagram at bbcafrica, external | Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, external, on Facebook at BBC Africa, external or on Instagram at bbcafrica, external |
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