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After an unexpected coup three years ago in neighbouring Gabon, which toppled Bongo dynasty sending shockwaves across the continent, Cameroon immediately reshuffled its military leadership.<\/p>\n
Then, while running for a controversial eighth term in power at last year’s presidential election, Biya reshuffled the top brass of the army.<\/p>\n
Again in June this year, he promoted several members of the defence and security forces to higher ranks.<\/p>\n
The circumstances under which the latest changes were made have sparked debate, especially among social media users. <\/p>\n
Biya made the appointments in separate decrees on Monday from the Swiss city of Geneva, where he has been staying since leaving Cameroon on 7 June for what his team described as a “brief private stay”.<\/p>\n
Many in Cameroon have criticised the lack of information about his activities and the uncertainty surrounding the duration of his foreign trip.<\/p>\n
After last year’s election, he promised to name a new cabinet, but has yet to do so. A new post of vice-president that was created this April<\/a> remains unfilled.<\/p>\n During his nearly 60-day period abroad so far, he has signed several other decrees, including some authorising his government to sign loan agreements with international financial institutions.<\/p>\n His absence sparked further speculation about his health, but the government has continually debunked reports that the head of state has been in hospital.<\/p>\n