On 4 April 2026, the Parliament of Cameroon, in a joint session of the National Assembly and the Senate, approved a constitutional amendment restoring the office of vice-president—for the first time since 1972. The vote passed with 200 in favor, 18 against, and 4 abstentions. The opposition boycotted the session and called the reform a consolidation of the president's personal power. Biya, who is 93 years old and has ruled the country since 1982, will now be able to personally appoint and dismiss the vice-president. In the event of a presidential vacancy, it is the vice-president who will automatically assume the office for the remainder of the seven-year term, without immediate elections.
The post of vice-president existed in the early years of independence but was abolished in 1972–1984 during previous constitutional reforms. Now it returns with a clear mechanism: the vice-president receives only those powers delegated by the head of state. The government explains the move as a necessity to ensure the "continuity of the state" given the leader's age. The opposition sees this as a classic tool for controlling the future.
Why this is important for Cameroon and the region
Cameroon is one of the key countries in Central Africa: oil, cocoa, a significant role in the CEMAC economy, and in the fight against terrorism in the Lake Chad basin. Biya's long rule (over 43 years) has long raised questions about succession. Previously, in the event of a sudden vacancy, power would have passed to the President of the Senate. The new scheme prioritizes a person chosen by the president himself.
This is not the first time that long-serving leaders in Africa have created mechanisms for a soft transition. But here, the emphasis is specifically on loyalty and control: the vice-president is entirely dependent on Biya's will and is not elected by the people. Such changes are rarely purely technical—they usually set a trajectory for years to come.
Among the circulating rumors is the possible appointment of the president's son, Franck Emmanuel Biya, to the post. While there is no official decree with a name yet (some reports about the "son's appointment" are based on unverified documents), the very fact that such a mechanism is being prepared is already changing the political landscape. If Biya does indeed choose a close relative or a trusted ally, it will reinforce the sense of a dynastic approach.
What comes next
Biya is expected to sign the law in the coming days. This will be followed by the appointment of a specific individual. This will be the first real test of the new structure. If the vice-president receives significant powers (for example, in the economy or security), it will be a signal of a gradual transfer of the helm. If the post remains purely formal, the reform will cement the status quo with minimal risks for the current elite.
For Cameroon, such a move could reduce uncertainty and speculation surrounding the president's health, which is important for investors and neighbors. But it also raises the question: how sustainable will a system built around one person prove to be, even with a "spare" vice-president?
And how do you assess such succession mechanisms in countries with a long-serving leader? Do they truly help avoid chaos or, conversely, do they hinder the natural renewal of elites and institutions? In the long term, will this strengthen the stability of Central Africa or create new risks of power concentration?
The article is based on facts as of the evening of 6 April 2026. The situation is developing rapidly—the next key event: the official appointment of the vice-president.
