'Former minister Essimi Menye is not dead'

Rumours in Yaoundé on Tuesday, October 27 spreading like wildfire suggested that "former minister Essimi Menye has died" pending confirmation by the authorities.

As the information spread beyond Yaounde, we visited the CNPS hospital where Essimi Menye has been admitted with tight security.

Inside the hospital, everything seems normal with no panic. There has been no record of death of an authority here in the hospital. Essimi Menye is not dead. A position confirmed by a close family member: "Indeed this afternoon we receive many phone calls from family members, relatives home and abroad about the death of Minister Essimi Menye. This information is false. I will confirm that the minister, despite his critical condition is still alive at the moment".

He took illness while he was in full function two weeks before the reshuffling of the Government on October 2 during which he lost his position as Minister. Essimi Menye is confined to his hospital bed and his situation is becoming increasingly worrying. Family source say he risks paralysis of his lower limbs.

The Minister of Health has also intervened to propose solutions to his case requiring a medical evacuation. The Cameroonian association of human rights, democracy and peace has argued that the case of Essimi Menye must be taken seriously to avoid the worst. Meanwhile, Essimi Menye is not dead.