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Cameroon President Paul Biya reshuffles military leadership amid long absence
Cameroon’s 93‑year‑old President Paul Biya, who has been out of the country since June 7—a period of about 58 days—issued three presidential decrees that reshuffled senior military staff. The decrees, announced on national radio, promoted the head of the Presidential Guard, Raymond Jean Charles Beko’o Abondo, from colonel to brigadier general and kept him in charge of the guard. Major General Ebaka Hippolyte was elevated to Major General of the Armed Forces General Staff, and a new commander was named for the Rapid Intervention Brigade. Commanders in four of the nation’s five joint military regions were also replaced.
Government spokesperson René Emmanuel Sadi told French broadcaster RFI that the president is alive and will return soon, though no date was given. The ruling party convened a rare high‑level meeting of senior leaders last month as criticism grew over Biya’s prolonged absence and speculation about his health intensified. The reshuffle underscores the president’s effort to maintain control of the security apparatus while remaining abroad.
Entities
Cameroon · Claude René Meka · Dion Ngute · Ebaka Hippolyte · Mesmin Magloire Eloundou · Paul Biya · Raymond Beko’o Abondo · Raymond Jean Charles Beko’o Abondo · René Emmanuel Sadi
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] President Paul Biya has been absent from Cameroon for about 58 days since June 7. mix929.com · jack1065.com · wtvbam.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Cameroon’s ruling party held a rare high‑level meeting of senior leaders last month amid criticism of Biya’s absence. mix929.com · wtvbam.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Raymond Jean Charles Beko’o Abondo was promoted from colonel to brigadier general and retained as head of the Presidential Guard. mix929.com · wtvbam.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Three presidential decrees were issued to reshuffle senior military staff. mix929.com · jack1065.com · wtvbam.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Commanders in four of Cameroon’s five joint military regions were replaced. mix929.com · wtvbam.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Government spokesperson René Emmanuel Sadi said the president is alive and will return soon. mix929.com · wtvbam.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Major General Ebaka Hippolyte was promoted to Major General of the Armed Forces General Staff. mix929.com · wtvbam.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] A new commander was appointed for the Rapid Intervention Brigade. mix929.com · wtvbam.com