Cameroon President Paul Biya has reshuffled the country’s military leadership, a move that comes as questions continue to mount over his prolonged stay in Europe and his absence from public appearances.
The changes, announced through a series of presidential decrees, affect several senior military positions, including top commanders within the armed forces. The government has not linked the reshuffle to the president’s stay abroad, describing it as part of the normal exercise of presidential powers.
President Biya, 93, has not been seen in public since early June, fueling speculation about his whereabouts and health. However, Cameroon’s government has repeatedly dismissed rumors surrounding the veteran leader, insisting that he remains in office and continues to carry out his constitutional duties.
Government spokesperson René Emmanuel Sadi previously said reports questioning the president’s ability to govern were “pure speculation” and urged the public to rely only on official government communications.
The military shake-up comes at a critical time for Cameroon, which continues to face security challenges, including the separatist conflict in its English-speaking regions and threats posed by Boko Haram in the Far North.
Political analysts say military appointments are closely watched in Cameroon, where President Biya has remained in power since 1982, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving heads of state. While such reshuffles are not unusual, the timing has drawn renewed attention because of the president’s extended stay outside the country.
The presidency has not announced when President Biya is expected to return to Cameroon or make his next public appearance.
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