By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, August 31, 2023 – Cameroon’s president on Wednesday urgently reshuffled his military personnel in the central unit of the Ministry of Defence following the coup orchestrated in neighbouring Gabon as he looks to conserve his stronghold on power.
Among the posts reshuffled were the delegate to the Presidency in charge of defence, air force staff, navy and the police. Recently appointed senior military leaders in the army include Ajeagah Njei Felix, Kamdom Lucas Nguema Ondo Bertin Bourger and others. Edou Essono Serge Durel and Moundio Herve have been appointed to positions within Cameroon’s marine corps.
Observers say this move is like the last kick of a dying horse and it is to mitigate any hope of a rebellion forming from his close aids. “The champagne Parties of despots and authoritarian leaders parading themselves for democratic leaders will end in the most disgraceful and humiliating manner,” Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor, founder of the Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, CHRDA said on his official Twitter account.
“The earlier they see the handwriting on the wall, the better for them. The confiscation and zombification of power and the act of taking countries hostages shall come to an end. Africa shall be liberated from the hands of anti-people’s leaders. The people shall triumph, they will get back their power.”
Rinu Oduala, a Nigerian Twitter user called on President Biys to step down from his position. He said: “Why not just leave? At 90 years old?”
The 90-year-old also announced a series of decrees appointing the Rector of the University of Ngaoundere, officials of some universities and another, transforming the Consulate of the Republic of Cameroon at Ouesso, Republic of Congo into a General Consulate.
For more than one year now, several African countries have witnessed a coup from Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and now Gabon. The coups have sent shockwaves across the African continent and to former colonial master, France who continue to see her influence on the continent dwindling.
President Paul Biya has ruled Cameroon since 1982 and is Africa’s second longest-serving president. He is expected to complete his present mandate in 2025 with grassroots mobilization already in place to deliver the president another seven-year mandate. He came to power following a coup in 1982 and since then, his rule has been marred by reports of oppression and human rights violations.
As if things were tailored, Rwandan President Paul Kagame equally took the step of changing his military personnel. According to the Rwanda News-Times, President Kagame approved the retirement of several RDF generals, including the senior presidential advisor on security matters, James Kabarebe.
The senior military officers also include Fred Ibingira, Charles Kayonga, Frank Mushyo, Martin Nzaramba, Eric Murokore, Chris Murari and others.
