World’s oldest leader to get a deputy for first time in 43-year rule
World’s Oldest Leader to Appoint Deputy for First Time in 43-Year Rule
Constitutional Shift Sparks Debate
Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, who has held power since 1982, will introduce a vice-president for the first time in his four-decade leadership. The decision follows recent constitutional amendments approved by parliament, which have drawn criticism for centralizing authority. Under the new rules, if Biya, 93, were to step down or become incapacitated, the vice-president would immediately take over the remainder of his seven-year term before a new election is called.
Opposition Calls for Transparency
Supporters argue the change will streamline governance by assigning the vice-presidency a more defined role. They claim it reduces the burden of succession on the Senate, allowing it to focus on legislative duties. However, the opposition accuses the ruling party of crafting the amendments in haste, aiming to secure long-term political control. One senator from Biya’s own party described the process as “suspicious,” highlighting concerns about the legitimacy of the reforms.
“This constitutional reform could have been a moment of political courage, but it is nothing less than a missed historic opportunity,” said Joshua Osih, chairman of the Social Democratic Front (SDF).
Parliamentary Approval and Party Disputes
A joint session of Cameroon’s legislative bodies passed the amendment on Saturday, with 200 lawmakers voting in favor, 18 opposing, and four abstaining. The bill now awaits Biya’s signature. The SDF, which has six representatives in parliament, boycotted the vote, advocating for a different model. They proposed that the vice-president should be elected jointly with the president, rather than appointed unilaterally, and sought a clause recognizing the linguistic divide between the nation’s English and French-speaking regions.
Legacy of the Federal System
Before 1972, Cameroon operated as a federal state, granting autonomy to its anglophone and francophone regions. The vice-presidency existed during this era, but a referendum that year transitioned the country to a unitary system, eliminating the role. Biya’s prolonged rule has intensified discussions about succession, though the recent reinstatement of the vice-president position does not fully resolve uncertainties about the country’s future beyond his leadership.
Biya secured an eighth term in October 2023, winning 53.7% of the vote. The opposition accused the election of being manipulated. With the constitutional changes enacted, attention now shifts to the selection of the new vice-president, a process expected to dominate public discourse in the coming weeks.
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