Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has carried out a major reshuffle of the country’s military leadership after remaining out of public view for nearly two months.
Three presidential decrees announced on state radio on Monday replaced commanders in four of Cameroon’s five joint military regions and promoted several senior officers.
Among the most notable changes, the head of the Presidential Guard was promoted from colonel to brigadier general. Biya also appointed a new commander of the Rapid Intervention Brigade and approved changes to several motorised infantry brigades.
Major General Ebaka Hippolyte was named Major General of the Armed Forces General Staff, while a number of colonels were elevated to the rank of brigadier general.
The reshuffle comes amid growing questions over Biya’s prolonged absence from Cameroon. The 93-year-old president left the country on June 7 for what his civil cabinet described as a brief private stay in Europe but has not returned or appeared publicly since.
Government spokesperson Rene Emmanuel Sadi did not respond to requests for comment. However, he told French broadcaster RFI on Sunday that the president was alive and would return soon.
Cameroon’s ruling party held a rare meeting of senior officials last month as public criticism and speculation intensified over Biya’s whereabouts, health and ability to govern.
Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state, has ruled Cameroon since 1982. He has frequently spent long periods abroad, but his latest absence is among the longest and has renewed concerns over political uncertainty in the Central African country.