President Paul Biya, 93, has reshuffled Cameroon's military from Geneva, promoting five colonels and reappointing Raymond Jean Charles Beko'o Abondo as commander of the presidential guard. Biya left Cameroon on 7 June for a "brief private stay" and has been abroad for nearly 60 days while continuing to sign decrees, including approvals for international loans. Critics warn his prolonged and opaque absence creates a "glaring institutional vacuum," while the government insists he is governing from Geneva and denies health rumours.
Cameroon's 93-Year-Old President Reshuffles Military From Geneva — Absence Fuels Institutional Fears
Paul Biya - photographed here in April at one of his last public engagements - has been away from Cameroon for nearly 60 days [AFP via Getty Images]
Cameroon's long-serving President Paul Biya, 93, has issued a fresh reshuffle of the country's military leadership from Geneva, where he has been staying since 7 June. The changes — which include the promotion of five colonels to brigadier general and the reappointment of Raymond Jean Charles Beko'o Abondo to command the elite presidential guard — have intensified public unease about the length and opacity of his absence.
Key Appointments and Promotions
The decrees, signed separately from Geneva, promoted five officers to the rank of brigadier general. Raymond Jean Charles Beko'o Abondo was immediately reappointed commander of the presidential guard, a post he has held since 2013 and which is responsible for the president's personal security.
Context And Timing
Personnel reshuffles are a recurring feature of Mr Biya's rule and often come at moments of heightened scrutiny. Cameroon previously reorganised its military leadership after the 2023 coup in neighbouring Gabon and again during Biya's campaign for a controversial eighth term, as well as in June this year when several defence and security officers received promotions.
Concerns Over Prolonged Absence
Many Cameroonians have expressed frustration at the lack of detail about the president's activities and the unspecified duration of his trip. Although the presidency described the visit as a "brief private stay," Biya has been abroad for nearly 60 days and continues to sign decrees, including authorisations enabling the government to finalise loan agreements with international financial institutions.
[BBC]
"A country cannot be governed by remote control while critical socio-economic challenges go unaddressed," said Mamadou Mota, vice-president of the opposition CRM party, calling the situation a "glaring institutional vacuum."
Cameroon's Communication Minister, René Emmanuel Sadi, told French-language broadcaster RFI that the president is alive, working from Geneva and expected to return soon. Government spokespeople have repeatedly denied rumours that Mr Biya is hospitalised.
Transparency And Press Restrictions
Two years ago press freedom groups criticised a government ban on reporting about the president's health, a restriction that has added to concerns about transparency. Critics say the combination of long absences, limited public information and unfilled senior posts — including a vice-presidential position created in April and a promised new cabinet yet to be announced — deepens political uncertainty.
The reshuffle has therefore reignited debates over leadership, accountability and institutional resilience in Cameroon at a sensitive political moment.
Additional reporting by Natasha Booty.
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