World's oldest president reshuffles army as his absence stokes unease

After an unexpected coup three years ago in neighbouring Gabon, which toppled Bongo dynasty sending shockwaves across the continent, Cameroon immediately reshuffled its military leadership.Then, while running for a controversial eighth term in power at last year's presidential election, Biya reshuffled the top brass of the army.Again in June this year, he promoted several members of the defence and security forces to higher ranks.The circumstances under which the latest changes were made have sparked debate, especially among social media users. Biya made the appointments in separate decrees on Monday from the Swiss city of Geneva, where he has been staying since leaving Cameroon on 7 June for what his team described as a "brief private stay".Many in Cameroon have criticised the lack of information about his activities and the uncertainty surrounding the duration of his foreign trip.After last year's election, he promised to name a new cabinet, but has yet to do so. A new post of vice-president that was created this April remains unfilled.During his nearly 60-day period abroad so far, he has signed several other decrees, including some authorising his government to sign loan agreeme...