Cameroon Plans Constitutional Reform to Create Vice President Role.

A proposed constitutional reform to establish a Vice President position in Cameroon is generating intense debate among lawmakers and prompting questions about governance and legitimacy.

Proposal Details.

The draft bill, submitted to the parliament on April 2, 2026, aims to amend key provisions of the constitution. President Paul Biya has called for an urgent congress, which will bring together both the National Assembly and the Senate to expedite the changes.

Supporters of the reform argue that the move would bolster institutional stability and ensure continuity in leadership. Tabouli Célestin, a lawmaker from the ruling party, defended the proposal, stating that it would improve governance:There will be modifications to certain articles of the constitution which, according to what we have been told, will allow the President to establish a Vice President post. This would, of course, contribute to the proper and harmonious functioning of institutions.”

Opposition Concerns.

However, opposition figures have criticized both the timing and the process, asserting that such a significant reform requires broader consultation. Ndam Njoya Hermine Patricia Tomaino questioned the legitimacy of the move, especially given concerns over extended parliamentary mandates:

Regarding this amendment, a broad consultation should really have taken place… submitting the text to elected officials whose mandates are supposedly extended raises questions about the legitimacy of these men and women.”

Impact of the Reform.

Under the proposed changes, the Vice President would be appointed and would assume office in the event of a vacancy in the presidency. This initiative, which until recently had been mere speculation, has now become a focal point of political tension. Critics warn that it could reshape the balance of power in Cameroon’s political system.

The debate continues as both supporters and opponents grapple with the potential implications of this significant constitutional change.