In an effort to ease tensions inside the armed forces, the president has announced several military reforms. The security services are characterised by internal frictions and many junior officers are disgruntled over the refusal of senior officers to retire for fear of losing their economic and political privileges. According to the reform programme, military ranks will be streamlined to speed up promotion from junior to senior positions and there will be a harmonisation of the retirement age. Furthermore, junior gendarmerie and army officers will be introduced in order to rejuvenate the army. What this will mean in practice for the country's 21 generals and their senior staff is uncertain, particularly as the president relies on their support to maintain his hold on power (November 2010, The political scene).

In addition to an overhaul of the military's career progression, Mr Biya also announced the introduction of a military housing scheme, a review of food allowances and the creation of a state secretariat for veteran affairs. He also promised to look into the possibility of a health assistance fund. Low pay, idleness, and frustration in the armed forces have led to criminality and a lack of discipline, which poses a threat to political stability. These reforms, unless they are associated with significant improvements in living standards in regular military units (rather than only for the elite units), are unlikely to placate junior officers.