Cameroon's President Biya reshuffles army amid unease at his long stay in Switzerland - BBC News

Cameroon's president has been absent for two months while his team denies rumours about his health.

Image source, AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption, Paul Biya - photographed here in April at one of his last public engagements - has been away from Cameroon for nearly 60 days

Cameroon's veteran leader Paul Biya - who has not been seen in public for nearly two months - has reshuffled the country's military amid growing concerns over his prolonged stay abroad.

The 93-year-old president appointed officials to key positions within the army and promoted five colonels to the rank of brigadier general.

One of the newly promoted brigadier generals is Raymond Jean Charles Beko'o Abondo, who was immediately reappointed as commander of the elite presidential guard - responsible for protecting Biya - a position he has occupied since 2013.

Such shake-ups are not unusual under Biya's administration, particularly at times of intense public scrutiny or perceived weakness.