Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the minister of communication and so-called government spokesman has attempted to justify why President Biya has not been seen in any public forum ever since he returned from his long private trip in Geneva.

In a press conference on Tuesday, October the 25th, a beaming and frustrated Tchiroma gave the CPDM government’s clarifications about the railway accident at Eséka that according to him claimed the lives of 76 people and wounded 599.  However, having decreed a day of national mourning, President Paul Biya did not participate in any of the inter-religious celebrations or visit the victims in hospital.

The 83 year old Cameroonian dictator has not been attended any official ceremony following his return to the country on the 23^rd of October. He simply ordered an investigation and as usual instructed the Prime Minister to make sure that the hospital bills of the injured were paid by the state.

Asked why the president has been completely and totally absent from the happenings in the country? Minister Tchiroma said, “Those who ask this question do not understand politics. President Biya is present wherever there are Cameroonians.”

The government spokesman added: “If President Biya had gone personally to the crash site, they would have questioned why he has never visited the families of fallen soldiers killed by Boko Haram. Paul Biya is alive and active through his ministers and he shares the pain of the families.”

The Biya spin doctor was questioned in 2010 about the “prolonged and repeated absences” of President Paul Biya from the country and he stated that “the President is working wherever he is.”

By Rita Akana