President Paul Biya Reshuffles Cameroon Military Amid Public Absence

Cameroonian President Paul Biya issued three presidential decrees on August 3 to reshuffle senior military staff and reorganize the army's central administration. The decrees promoted five colonels to the rank of brigadier general, including Raymond Jean Charles Beko’o Abondo, the commander of the presidential guard. Additionally, Major General Hypolite Ebaka was appointed as major general of the armed forces, replacing General Hector Marie Tchemo. Ebaka now serves as the official number two of the defense forces under army chief of staff René Claude Meka, who has been absent from his post since the first quarter of 2026 due to poor health.

The reshuffle occurred while President Biya, the world's oldest head of state, has remained out of the public eye since June 7. This absence has fueled speculation regarding his health and whereabouts. The reorganization also involved replacing commanders in four of the country's five joint military regions.

Some observers suggest the moves were intended to reinforce Biya's authority and secure his security apparatus by placing four generals in charge of units responsible for his protection. Public debate has also emerged regarding the ethnic composition of the promotions, as approximately 60 percent of the newly promoted officers are Beti, the same ethnic group as the president.