ABS EDITORIAL, Oct. 23, 2024
Yaounde – On Monday, October 21, Cameroon’s state-controlled media, CRTV, aired what it claimed was President Paul Biya’s return to the country. However, a series of noticeable inconsistencies in the coverage have left many wondering whether it was truly the president himself or a carefully staged appearance by the state. While CRTV aired footage purportedly showing Biya’s arrival at the Yaoundé-Nsimalen Airport, the anomalies in the broadcast, alongside questionable details and omissions, have cast doubt on its authenticity. Here are the key discrepancies that have fueled skepticism and left the official narrative deeply unconvincing.
1. Only State-Controlled CRTV Was Allowed to Cover the Event
One of the first red flags is the fact that CRTV, Cameroon’s national broadcaster, was the sole media outlet allowed to cover Biya’s arrival. In today’s media landscape, where independent journalism thrives, and reporters from numerous outlets typically cover major events, why would the government restrict access solely to CRTV? This level of control creates an atmosphere of suspicion, especially when the footage begins to exhibit strange inconsistencies.
If President Biya’s arrival was as routine as the state claimed, why were no international or independent media outlets present? Even if security concerns were an issue, it’s hard to imagine that in a public space like an airport, no other cameras were rolling. Political leaders of Biya’s stature typically attract considerable media attention, even under stringent circumstances. The silence from all but CRTV is both unusual and troubling.
2. Nobody Saw Biya Stepping Out of the Plane
Perhaps the most glaring omission in the CRTV broadcast is the absence of any footage showing Biya stepping out of the plane. Viewers were shown the aircraft arriving and moving across the tarmac, but the critical moment of Biya descending the aircraft’s steps or using a lifter was conspicuously missing. Instead, the footage cuts, and Biya is suddenly shown already on the ground, shaking hands with top government officials like Secretary-General Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh.
Why skip such an important moment? The absence of this footage invites speculation that what followed—the scene of Biya walking toward Ngoh Ngoh—could have been filmed at a different time. If CRTV wanted to quell doubts, they could have easily shown Biya exiting the plane, as is typically done with high-profile arrivals. This missing detail is a significant factor in the theory that the public was shown a pre-recorded or manipulated version of events.
3. A Disjointed Sequence at the VIP Wing
The sequence shown after Biya’s supposed arrival only adds to the intrigue. CRTV’s footage shows Biya walking toward Ngoh Ngoh, appearing to emerge from the VIP wing of the airport. However, the editing raises questions. It’s unclear whether Biya was walking directly from the plane or whether this was spliced together from a different segment. Could the footage have been manipulated to hide something? The disjointed nature of the sequence raises legitimate doubts about whether Biya was physically present at the airport.
4. Absence of Press Interaction: No Questions Allowed
Another odd deviation from previous appearances is the lack of press interaction. While Biya has avoided the press in the past, there have been multiple occasions when he’s answered brief questions upon returning from trips abroad. For example, on November 30, 2017, upon his return from Ivory Coast, Biya addressed the media at the airport, declaring war on Ambazonia. This time, however, there was no interaction with the media at all.
Could it be that CRTV wanted to avoid airing a live conversation with Biya, fearing that his current health condition might reveal something damaging? A brief interaction with the press would have added authenticity to the arrival, but its absence further weakens the credibility of the broadcast.
5. Poor Quality of the Broadcast
Several viewers pointed out that the footage aired by CRTV appeared distorted and of notably poor quality, as if it were an old recording. This detail is significant because modern broadcasts, especially of state events, are typically shown in high definition. In contrast, the footage shown here looked oddly dated, sparking theories that it may have been recycled from a previous event.
There was no rain or inclement weather at the time of Biya’s arrival, yet the footage appeared degraded, leading some to believe that the visuals may have been tampered with or were part of an older recording. If this was truly a live broadcast of Biya’s return, why did the footage look so outdated?
6. Lack of Independent Photographic Evidence
Perhaps the most striking inconsistency is the absence of any independent photographic evidence of Biya’s arrival. Despite state media showing a large crowd of thousands at the airport to welcome the president, no independent photos of Biya or his wife, Chantal Biya, disembarking from the plane have surfaced on social media. In an age where nearly everyone has a smartphone capable of taking photos, it seems implausible that no one captured the moment.
Moreover, in the footage aired by CRTV, Chantal Biya appeared noticeably different—larger and heavier than she has been seen in recent appearances. While people’s appearances do change over time, this drastic shift, combined with the lack of independent images, raises further suspicion.
7. Mysterious Convoy Arrival at the Presidency
The final point of concern comes from the conclusion of CRTV’s broadcast. After the convoy supposedly carrying Paul Biya arrived at the presidency, the coverage abruptly ended without showing Biya stepping out of the vehicle and entering the building. This is yet another moment where the footage leaves more questions than answers. If the purpose of the broadcast was to show the president’s return, why not film him completing the journey?
This lack of transparency raises serious concerns. If Biya was truly in the vehicle, why not show him stepping out and entering the presidency? What could the government be hiding?
The Need for Public Proof
Given the number of inconsistencies in the CRTV broadcast, it’s difficult not to be skeptical. Without a live press conference or a public event where Biya can be seen and heard, the heavily edited broadcast is not sufficient proof that the president is alive and well. The absence of footage showing him stepping out of the plane, the distorted quality of the broadcast, and the lack of independent photographic evidence all contribute to growing suspicion.
Until the government provides credible and verifiable evidence that Biya is truly alive, doubts will only continue to grow. Without a live, unedited appearance, the official narrative remains deeply unconvincing.
