Cameroonian President Paul Biya, a prominent and enduring figure in the nation’s political landscape, has initiated a significant military reshuffle. This development comes as the 93-year-old leader has been notably absent from public view for nearly two months, fueling growing concerns over his extended stay abroad.

The veteran head of state has appointed new officials to critical military positions and elevated five colonels to the rank of brigadier general, signaling notable changes within the armed forces leadership.

Such military adjustments are not uncommon during Biya’s lengthy tenure, often occurring in response to periods of intense public scrutiny or when there is a perception of vulnerability within the administration.

For instance, three years ago, following an unexpected coup in neighboring Gabon that toppled the Bongo dynasty and sent shockwaves across the continent, Cameroon swiftly restructured its military command. Similarly, as he sought a controversial eighth term in last year’s presidential election, President Biya once again reorganized the top echelons of the army. More recently, in June, he promoted several members of the defense and security forces to higher ranks.

The timing and context of these latest changes have ignited considerable discussion, particularly across social media platforms.

President Biya enacted these appointments through separate decrees issued on Monday from Geneva, Switzerland. He has been residing in the Swiss city since his departure from Cameroon on June 7, for what his office initially described as a “brief private stay.”

Within Cameroon, many have voiced criticism regarding the scarcity of information about his activities and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the duration of his international trip.

Following last year’s elections, he pledged to establish a new government, a promise that remains unfulfilled. The position of Vice-President, which was created last April, also continues to be vacant.

During his nearly 60-day absence abroad, President Biya has signed several other decrees, including those authorizing his government to enter into loan agreements with various international financial institutions.

His prolonged absence has intensified speculation about his health, though the government has consistently refuted reports suggesting the head of state has been hospitalized. Two years ago, press freedom organizations expressed outrage when Cameroonian media outlets were reportedly prohibited from reporting on Biya’s health status.

Cameroon’s Minister of Communication, René Emmanuel Sadi, affirmed in an interview that the president is alive and will soon return to the country. He also dismissed allegations from the opposition that the nonagenarian leader’s absence amounts to a vacancy at the helm of the state, asserting that Biya continues to carry out his duties from Geneva.

However, Mamadou Mota, Vice-President of the opposition CRM party, contends that President Biya’s extended absence signifies a “flagrant institutional void” in Cameroon. “Executive power is exercised at the heart of the nation, not through smoke signals or telepathy from hotel suites across the world,” Mota stated last month, highlighting the opposition’s strong disapproval of the situation.