Cameroun
Amidst escalating accusations of a power vacuum stemming from his prolonged absence, Cameroonian President Paul Biya has strategically increased the issuance of presidential decrees. This calculated move aims to assert his continued engagement and underscore his unwavering capacity to govern the nation.
The 93-year-old head of state, accompanied by his wife, departed Cameroon on June 7 for what was initially described as a “brief private visit to Europe.”
However, nearly two months have now passed, and President Biya remains out of public sight, fueling a surge in speculation regarding his health and whereabouts.
To quell the growing inquiries and reassert his authority, the veteran leader has adopted a new communication approach: a noticeable uptick in official presidential acts.
In late July, the Cameroonian President notably signed a decree authorizing the Minister of Economy to finalize critical agreements with the Islamic Development Bank, securing funding valued at nearly 28 billion CFA francs.
Subsequently, on August 3, Paul Biya initiated a significant reshuffle within the military’s top echelons. This included the promotion of five colonels to the rank of brigadier general and the appointment of Division General Ebaka Hypolite as the new Major General of the Armies.
These recent appointments not only ensure Paul Biya’s continued influence over state affairs but also serve to further solidify his control over the national security apparatus.
The government, for its part, has consistently refuted any claims of a decline in the President’s health, assuring the public of his imminent return to Cameroon.
Nevertheless, this unusually extended absence has drawn sharp criticism from opposition factions. They vehemently denounce what they perceive as an “institutional void” and a country operating on “autopilot,” particularly as the long-anticipated formation of a new government and the appointment of a vice-president have been pending for several months.