Cameroon military reshuffle: president Biya approves major leadership changes
President Paul Biya of Cameroon has authorized a sweeping overhaul of the country’s military leadership while remaining abroad for nearly two months. Multiple decrees bearing his signature were made public, confirming substantial changes across the armed forces. The reshuffle includes five new brigade generals, the appointment of a new army chief of staff, and the reassignment of several key territorial and strategic unit commanders, including the Presidential Guard.
One of the most notable moves is the promotion of Raymond Jean Charles Beko’o Abondo to the rank of brigade general, while he retains his position as head of the Presidential Guard—a role he has held for over a decade. Security analysts point out that this marks the first time in the unit’s 40-year history that its commander holds this rank, a decision widely seen as a strong endorsement from the head of state.
In another significant shift, Major General Ebaka Hippolyte has been named the new army chief of staff, succeeding his predecessor who has entered the second section. Six new territorial commanders have also been installed across four of the country’s five inter-service military regions, with deployments notably targeting high-risk areas such as the Far North—where Boko Haram insurgencies persist—and the Anglophone South-West regions.
Beyond their military implications, these appointments carry clear political weight. They signal a reinforcement of command authority and reaffirm President Biya’s ongoing leadership despite his prolonged absence. Critics, including opposition figures like Maurice Kamto of the MRC, argue that these changes fall short of addressing concerns about power continuity and call for greater transparency, as well as the long-awaited formation of the government promised by the president since December 2025.
