It has been revealed that President Paul Biya is deliberately keeping many army generals who have long passed retirement age. The situation has reportedly created a squabble at the Ministry of Defense now headed by Joseph Beti Assomo. Cameroon Intelligence Report gathered that many highly placed military officers have crossed the retirement age limit among them General Meka Rene-Claude, 78, Benoit Asso Emane, 80 and Pierre Semengue, 80 plus.

The military generals have each served and continue to do so from a building provided by President Biya. The Francophone regime has given them a pet name known as “Reserve Generals” and their faithfulness and loyal services have taken precedence over their retirement.  Ever since Cameroon gained independence, very few generals have been retired. Many of them die in office as was the case with Paul Yakana Guebema, who passed away on the 13th of April 2007 while serving as chief of staff of the air force.

There are fears that the new generation soldiers may stage a revolt within the Cameroonian army as the old guards many of whom have gone beyond 80 are still in office and continue to enjoy all the advantages related to their functions, notwithstanding their advanced age. We got intelligence that Biya has been advised to consider a rejuvenation of the strength of the army for greater efficiency.

By Chi Prudence Asong