Several officials have spoken out against speculation surrounding Bio’s condition, insisting he was in good health and in private residence in Geneva, Switzerland.
Njie said the president’s health was a matter of national security and called on governors to set up units to ensure that private media and social media are in order.
Many journalists in the country have said that they consider the ban a violation of press freedom.
“Saying that the president’s (health) situation cannot be mentioned, I believe it is a violation of our rights,” a Cameroonian journalist told the BBC on condition of anonymity. He added that “it will really affect the way we report because we certainly don’t want to get into trouble with the government.”
Media restrictions have also raised concerns about the safety of journalists in a country where media professionals are regularly targeted by officials and rebel groups.
In the past, English-speaking separatists kidnapped journalists, and the government arrested and detained media representatives.
“I will continue to report even though I fear that I may be tracked because my report will not say where the president is or what might happen to him. I will continue to do my job,” another journalist said.
In a statement on Thursday, global press freedom organization the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on the Cameroonian government to “stop its threats to impose sanctions on 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 reports about his health on national security grounds simply fuels rampant speculation,” said Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa program director.
“The Cameroonian government should simply stop the rumors by organizing a public speech by the head of state,” she suggested.
As speculation about President Biya’s well-being continues, Cameroonians are eagerly anticipating his return to the country in the coming days, as promised by the authorities.
