Cameroon President Paul Biya Reshuffles His Military Hours After Soldiers Grabbed Power In Gabon

• On Wednesday, August 30, military officers grabbed power from President Ali Bongo in Gabon one week after the country held an election
• Thereafter, Cameroon President Paul Biya who has been in power since 1982 appointed personnel to the internal and external services
• A statement posted on Paul Biya's official Twitter handle showed that he made significant changes in the Ministry of Defence

Yaoundé, Cameroon - President Paul Biya, the world's oldest serving leader, and Africa's second-longest serving head of state has decreed changes to his military.

The changes come hours after soldiers grabbed power from President Ali Bongo in Gabon.

A statement posted on the 90-year-old head of state's official Twitter handle showed that he made significant changes in the Ministry of Defence.

Biya, who has been Cameroon's president since 1982, appointed personnel at the internal and external services of the ministry.

Before assuming office, Biya served as the prime minister from 1975 to 1982.

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Gabon's Ali Bongo appealed for help from friendly nations to help secure his freedom.

How Ali Bongo cried out to the world

In a video statement, the deposed leader called on his friends worldwide to 'make noise' to secure his release from house arrest.

Bongo said he did not know where the coup plotters were holding his wife and son, adding that he was unaware of what was happening.

"I am Ali Bongo Odimba, President of Gabon. I am to send a message to all my friends all over the world to tell them to make noise for the people here who have arrested me and my family. My son is somewhere, my wife is in another place. Right now I am in the residence and nothing is happening. I don't know what is going on. So I am calling you to make noise. Thank you," he said.

What next after Ali Bongo's ouster

Coup leader Brice Oligui Nguema told French newspaper Le Monde that the president was entitled to enjoy all his rights after the military announced it had placed him under house arrest.

Nguema said Bongo said, like any other Gabonese, the deposed leader was entitled to his rights as a retired head of state.

“He is a Gabonese head of state. He is retired. He enjoys all his rights. He is a normal Gabonese, like everyone else,” Nguema said.

Nguema did not confirm if he would take over as the new president of the West African country, arguing that it was a debate they would have with all the generals.