Cameroon presidency dismisses rumors of Paul Biya's death

The Cameroonian presidency has dismissed social media rumors claiming that President Paul Biya has died. Samuel Mvondo Ayolo, director of the Civil Cabinet, rejected the reports, describing them as fake and stating that the 93-year-old leader remains in good health and is continuing to perform his official duties.

The speculation began on October 15, 2026, after an account named ‘Human Rights Forum’ posted on X that the president had passed away and that political figures were discussing his replacement. The post gained hundreds of thousands of views, leading to widespread online speculation.

To refute the claims, Mvondo Ayolo pointed to a presidential decree signed by Biya on October 15 as evidence of his ongoing activity. Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982, recently returned to the country in August after a prolonged stay in Europe, an absence that had previously drawn criticism from opposition figures regarding his health and ability to govern.