Biya appoints new Generals, reshuffles military from abroad!.

The appointments are the content of three Presidential decrees, signed yesterday, August 3, 2026. The decrees, read on CRTV’s 5p.m newscast, affects different branches of the central and territorial commands of the armed forces. 

In the first decree, President Biya promoted Colonel Eloundou Mesmin Magloire Aristide of the National Gendarmerie and Colonels Beko’o Abongo Raymond Jean Charles, Nchankou Mbouobouo Njindam Oumar, Epie Ngome Wilson and Mezui Zo’o Elie Romance of the infantry, to the ranks of Brigadiers General. 

Biya, in the second and third decrees, appointed some of the new Generals to various positions of responsibilities.

Colonel Beko’o Abongo Raymond Jean Charles, Commander of the Presidential Guard, was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and maintained in his position while Brigadier General Eloundou Mesmin Magloire Aristide was appointed Central Director of the Directorate of Central Administration and Logistics at the Secretariat of State for Defence, SED. 

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces also appointed Brigadier General Mezui Zo’o Elie Romance as Commander of the Rapid Intervention Brigade.

Brigadier General Epie Ngome Wilson was handed the post of Inspector of Forces while Brigadier General Nchankou Mbouobouo Njindam Oumar, was appointed Commander of the 11th Motorise Infantry Brigade.

In the other decrees, President Biya appointed Brigadier General Agha Robinson Ndong as Logistic Adviser at the Ministry of Defence. 

At the Defence Headquarters, Major General Ebaka Hippolyte was appointed as the new Deputy Defence Chief of Staff. He replaces Major General Hector Marie Tchemo, who was last week sent to Second Section by a Presidential decree. 

Biya also made changes at the military training institutions, with the appointment of Brigadier General Assoualai Blama as Commander of the Yaounde International War College and Brigadier General Nka Valere as Commander of Military Schools and Joint Training Centres. 

The Head of State also appointed Colonel Ekoman Ekoman Yves Edgard, as the new Commander of the Military Headquarters Brigade. 

At the level of the territorial command, President Biya appointed Brigadier General Melingui Nouma Donatien as Commander of the First Joint Military Region, which covers the Centre, South and East Regions. 

He replaces Brigadier General Simon Ezo'o Mvondo, who died on July 14, 2026, at the Continental Hospitals of Hyderabad, following an illness. 

In the Third Joint Military Region, Biya appointed Rear Admiral Ade Nkwenti Hilary, as Commander, while Brigadier General Nouma Joseph, was appointed Commander of the Fourth Joint Military Region. 

Context of appointments 

The appointments have been given varied interpretations, especially as they come at a time the Commander-in-Chief has spent nearly 60 days abroad. 

While many see the appointment of new Generals as a move to replace those who recently died or were admitted to Second Section, others see it as a move by the Head of State to ensure full grip of the military and build a fortress of loyal army around him. 

Those who hold this thought pattern argue that this is so, given the recurrence of questions from the opposition and civil society on the Head of State’s state of health and exact whereabouts.

It also adds to claims by the opposition and other regime critics that there is vacancy at the helm of the State. 

Biya’s protracted stay abroad, it should be said, has triggered intense public speculation and growing uncertainty over succession, given delays in the appointment of a Vice President of the Republic. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3868 of Tuesday August 04, 2026