The Cameroonian authorities have banned the media from discussing the health of President Paul Biya, following rumours of his death.

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.