Cameroon's President Biya Set to Appoint Vice-President After 43 Years

Cameroon's President Paul Biya, who has been in power since 1982 and is currently 93 years old, is set to appoint a vice-president for the first time in his 43-year rule. This follows a parliamentary vote that approved constitutional amendments, as reported by the BBC.

The BBC noted that Biya won his eighth term in an election last October, securing 53.7% of the vote, though the opposition claimed the election was rigged.

On Saturday, a joint session of both houses of parliament passed the bill with 200 votes in favor, 18 against, and four abstentions. The new law reinstates the vice-president position, which was eliminated in 1972, and specifies that the vice-president will be appointed by the president rather than elected.

Under the amendment, if Biya becomes incapacitated, the vice-president will serve out the remainder of his seven-year term before a new election is held.

The BBC reported that opposition parties, including the Social Democratic Front (SDF), criticized the amendments as hastily drafted and lacking broad consultation. The SDF, which has six representatives in parliament, boycotted the vote and advocated for the vice-president to be jointly elected with the president.

Additionally, the SDF pushed for constitutional provisions to address the linguistic divide between English and French-speaking regions, suggesting that top posts should reflect this balance.

Supporters of the bill argued that it would improve government efficiency by allowing the vice-president to handle presidential duties when necessary. They also stated that this change would relieve the Senate of succession responsibilities, enabling it to focus on legislative functions.

Previously, the constitution designated the Senate leader to temporarily assume the presidency in case of the president's incapacity, followed by a new election.