Cameroon will soon have a Vice-President. A bill to create this position was submitted to the parliament of this Central African country for consideration on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Cameroonian members of parliament and senators are meeting in congress to vote on amending certain constitutional provisions necessary for the creation of a vice-presidency. But the initiative is divisive.
Those in power welcome a decision that will help to revitalize the functioning of institutions.
There will be amendments to certain articles of the constitution which, according to what we understand, will allow the President to establish a Vice Presidential post. Wouldn't this contribute to the smooth and harmonious functioning of the institutions? This is because we are in a seven-year period of greatness and hope," declared Tabouli Célestin, a member of parliament from the ruling CPDM party.
This desire for change surprises Cameroonians as well as opposition MPs who believe that the urgent matter is not the creation of a Vice-President position or changing the constitution.
Criticizing the fact that the text was only revealed during a session of Congress, President Paul Biya's opponents reject any constitutional changes without the approval of the people. They also refuse to grant this prerogative to members of Parliament whose mandates have just been extended, thus raising questions about their legitimacy.
“This amendment really needed broad consultation. We have had important forums in our country, the tripartite meeting, the national dialogue. We cannot simply emerge from an election like this, especially when Cameroonians have been demanding changes to the electoral code for years. We cannot make this decision unilaterally. And furthermore, submitting the text to elected officials whose mandates are supposed to have been extended raises serious questions about the legitimacy of these men and women,” declared Ndam Njoya Hermine Patricia Tomaino, opposition MP.
According to the bill, the Vice-President could be appointed, and would have to complete the presidential term in the event of death, resignation or vacancy of power.
But no sooner had the project been put on the table than it triggered the ire of a part of the Cameroonian political class who believe that the current President wants to establish a monarchy in his country.
