Cameroon’s Biya Reshuffles Military Ahead of Eight...

Cameroon’s Biya Reshuffles Military Ahead of Eighth-Term Bid

Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state, has reshuffled the country's military leadership in a move analysts interpret as an effort to secure army loyalty ahead of his controversial bid for an eighth presidential term.

Announced through a series of presidential decrees this week, the sweeping changes affect nearly every branch of the armed forces. New chiefs of staff were appointed for the infantry, air force, and navy, while eight brigadier generals were promoted to the rank of major general.

Among those promoted is the coordinator of the elite Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR), a special forces unit central to Biya’s security strategy and frequently deployed in counter-terrorism operations. The decrees also included the appointment of a new special military adviser to the presidency.

The military overhaul came just two days after Biya confirmed his candidacy for the October 12 presidential election, which—if successful—would extend his rule until nearly the age of 100. Biya has been in power since 1982.

The announcement sparked a wave of criticism in local media and on social media platforms, with growing public concern over his advanced age and repeated long absences from the country.

Despite this, the government insists Biya remains in good health and fit to govern.

Analysts believe the military appointments are part of a broader strategy to fortify the president’s hold on power.

“This is a calculated move to surround himself with loyal generals who can suppress unrest and ensure the regime’s survival,” said Anthony Antem, a peace and security analyst at the Nkafu Policy Institute in Yaoundé.

Celestin Delanga, a researcher with the Institute for Security Studies, said the reshuffle comes at a delicate moment for Cameroon, both politically and in terms of security. He noted that Biya is likely preparing for potential instability during and after the election, hence the need for “additional trusted personnel.”

Cameroon, a key cocoa and oil producer in Central Africa, faces ongoing security threats including an armed separatist conflict in its English-speaking regions and incursions by Nigeria-based Islamist groups in the north.

No official reason was given for the reshuffle.

The last major military shake-up occurred in October 2024, shortly after Biya returned from an extended stay abroad that reignited speculation about his health.