Vice‑President Role Back in Cameroon: What It Means

Cameroonian lawmakers have voted to bring back the vice‑president post after a long pause. The decision was made by both houses of parliament, where the ruling party held a strong majority. A vote of 200 to 18 shows that the change has wide support among those in power.

New Rules

• If President Paul Biya (93, incumbent since 1982) dies or can no longer serve, the vice‑president will step in automatically.
• The president will appoint and dismiss the vice‑president.
• The interim leader may stay until the end of Biya’s current seven‑year term but cannot amend the constitution or run for a future election.

Supporters’ View

• Argues that the measure keeps the government stable in case something unexpected happens to the president.
• The law must be signed by Biya within 15 days.

Opposition Concerns

• Critics say it grants too much power to one person and makes the government less democratic.
• A main opposition leader proposes electing the president and vice‑president together, citing Cameroon’s history of being split between two colonial powers.

Historical Context

• This is the first major constitutional change in over a decade.
• The last significant revision was in 2008, when term limits were removed, sparking protests.
• Cameroon previously had a vice‑president role until 1972, when it was eliminated after a constitutional vote.

The Debate Continues

The debate centers on whether the new position will help or hurt Cameroon’s future. The outcome will depend on how the law is applied once it takes effect.