Cameroon President Paul Biya has announced fresh changes within the country's military while remaining outside the country for close to two months, a move that has renewed debate over his prolonged absence and the leadership of the Central African nation.
The 93-year-old leader, who has not appeared in public since leaving Cameroon on June 7 for what his office described as a "brief private stay", signed a series of decrees on Monday from Geneva, Switzerland, appointing officials to key military positions and promoting five colonels to the rank of brigadier general.
Among those promoted was Raymond Jean Charles Beko'o Abondo, who was immediately reappointed as commander of the elite presidential guard. The unit is tasked with protecting President Biya, and Abondo has held the position since 2013.
Military changes of this nature have become a familiar feature of Biya's administration, especially during periods of heightened public attention or when questions arise about the government's stability.
A similar reshuffle took place after the unexpected military coup in neighbouring Gabon three years ago that brought an end to the Bongo family's decades-long rule and sent shockwaves across Africa. The president also reorganised the military leadership while seeking a disputed eighth term in office during last year's presidential election.
Earlier in June this year, Biya again promoted several members of the defence and security forces to higher ranks.
The latest appointments have, however, drawn fresh public attention because they were made while the president remains in Geneva, where he has stayed since departing Cameroon nearly 60 days ago.
Many Cameroonians have criticised the limited information provided about the president's activities and questioned why his stay abroad has lasted much longer than initially expected.
Since last year's election, Biya has also not fulfilled a promise to appoint a new cabinet. In addition, the office of vice-president, which was created in April this year, is yet to be filled.
Despite remaining outside the country, Biya has continued to sign official documents, including decrees authorising the government to enter into loan agreements with international financial institutions.
His lengthy absence has fuelled renewed speculation about his health, although the government has repeatedly denied reports claiming the president has been admitted to hospital.
Questions surrounding his health have remained sensitive in Cameroon, particularly after authorities announced two years ago that local media were barred from reporting on the president's health.
Communication Minister René Emmanuel Sadi has maintained that the president is in good health and is expected to return home soon.
Speaking to French-language broadcaster RFI, Sadi also rejected claims by opposition leaders that Biya's continued stay abroad had created a vacancy in the country's leadership, insisting that the president continues to discharge his duties from Geneva.
The opposition CRM party has, however, maintained that the situation has created uncertainty within the country's leadership.
Its vice-president, Mamadou Mota, said President Biya's continued absence had left Cameroon with a "glaring institutional vacuum".
"Executive power is exercised at the heart of the nation, not through smoke signals or telepathy from hotel suites on the other side of the world," he said last month.