Cameroon president paul biya issues new decrees amid prolonged absence

With a prolonged absence fueling speculation about a power vacuum, Cameroon’s 93-year-old president Paul Biya has been issuing a flurry of decrees to assert continued authority and reinforce his grip on governance.

The Head of State departed Cameroon alongside his wife on June 7, initially framed as “a brief private trip to Europe.”

Yet, nearly two months later, he remains out of public view, with health concerns sparking growing rumors.

To counter mounting questions, the president has adopted a proactive approach by accelerating the issuance of presidential decrees.

In late July, he signed a decree empowering the Economy Minister to finalize financing agreements with the Islamic Development Bank, totaling nearly 28 billion CFA francs.

On August 3, Biya further reshaped the military hierarchy, promoting five colonels to brigadier general rank and appointing Major General Ebaka Hypolite as the new Chief of the Defence Staff.

These strategic moves not only reaffirm his presence in state affairs but also tighten control over the security apparatus.

Government officials have dismissed concerns about the president’s health, insisting he will return to Cameroon shortly.

His extended absence has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures, who warn of a “constitutional void” and describe the country as being in “autopilot mode.” Demands for the appointment of a new vice-president and cabinet reshuffle have gone unanswered for months.