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Recent rumors surrounding the health of two African presidents have highlighted how leadership well-being is often treated as a closely guarded state secret. In Cameroon, President Paul Biya, 91, was the subject of speculation, which officials denied, claiming he was in “excellent health.” However, the government quickly banned media from reporting on the matter. Meanwhile, in Malawi, President Lazarus Chakwera’s office responded to similar rumors by posting videos of him jogging and doing press-ups to demonstrate his fitness.
These contrasting approaches reveal a shared intent: projecting strength and vitality to avoid appearing vulnerable in the political arena. As Oxford University’s Professor Miles Tendi explains, political power in Africa is often a “performance of masculinity,” where leaders must display dominance and avoid showing weakness.
In Africa and beyond, the health of a leader can be a highly sensitive issue, with far-reaching consequences. According to Professor Adekeye Adebajo of the University of Johannesburg, leaders often give the impression that their personal health is tied to the country’s stability. In nations with fragile political systems, a leader’s illness can trigger power struggles and economic uncertainty.
Throughout history, several African leaders have concealed their health problems. In some instances, this secrecy has extended to outright denial, as seen in Zimbabwe with Robert Mugabe and in Tanzania with John Magufuli. In other cases, like Nigeria’s President Umaru Yar’Adua, leaders vanished from public view for months without explanation, only for their death to be announced later.
The reluctance to disclose health issues often stems from a fear of emboldening rivals or inviting foreign interference. However, there are calls for greater transparency, particularly from Africa’s increasingly youthful population. As political systems mature and succession processes improve, many argue that governments have a responsibility to inform citizens about the health of their leaders, whose well-being directly impacts the nation’s future stability.
