Cameroon's parliament has approved a constitutional amendment reintroducing the position of Vice President after more than 50 years. The change, passed during a joint session of both legislative houses with strong majority support, allows the Vice President to assume office automatically if President Paul Biya dies or becomes incapacitated, completing the remaining term. Previously, the President of the Senate would serve temporarily until new elections were held. The bill now awaits Biya's signature to become law. Supporters argue it ensures smoother leadership transitions, while critics say the process was rushed and lacked public consultation.
The Vice President will be appointed by Biya, not elected, raising concerns about democratic erosion. Opponents, including boycotting opposition parties, warn the move consolidates power in the presidency and may serve to control succession. Paul Biya, 93, has ruled since 1982 and won a disputed eighth term in October 2023 with 53.7 percent of the vote, according to official results. The opposition rejected those figures, alleging widespread rigging. The Vice President role existed before 1972 under a federal system that balanced English- and French-speaking regions but was abolished when Cameroon became a unitary state.
This constitutional shift reignites debate over Biya's long-standing rule and who might succeed him.
Paul Biya, at 93 and in power since 1982, is shaping his legacy not through reform but by engineering succession from behind a closed door. The return of the unelected Vice President position gives him sole power to pick a successor without public input, making a mockery of democratic choice. For Cameroonians, this means the post-Biya era is already being decided by one man, not by institutions or votes. The amendment doesn't prepare the country for change—it postpones it on Biya's terms.
