Politics 4 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Cameroon Parliament Approves Vice President Role Amid Concerns Over Biya's Age
Cameroon's parliament has passed a constitutional amendment to reinstate the vice presidency, aimed at ensuring leadership continuity for 93-year-old President Paul Biya, the world's oldest serving head of state. Opposition critics decry it as a power grab that undermines democracy. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/cameroon-approves-role-of-vice-president-to-93-year-old-biya-5413596
Cameroon’s lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a constitutional change on Saturday to bring back the vice president position. The joint session of the National Assembly and Senate saw 200 votes in favor, 18 against, and 4 abstentions.
The new law states that the vice president, appointed by President Paul Biya, would take over if he dies, resigns, or is incapacitated. This interim leader serves out the remaining seven-year term but cannot amend the constitution or run in the next election.
Biya, who has ruled since 1982, is the world’s oldest head of state at 93. Discussions about his health remain prohibited in the country, a key oil and cocoa producer.
Government officials claim the move promotes stability during any leadership vacuum. Biya has 15 days to sign it into law.
Opposition figures, like Social Democratic Front leader Joshua Osih, slammed the reform. They say it centralizes power, weakens institutions, and misses a chance for unity in a nation facing civil conflict since 2017. Osih pushed for jointly elected president and vice president to honor Cameroon’s bilingual roots.
This is the first big constitutional update since 2008, when term limits were removed, sparking protests and crackdowns. The vice presidency existed before but was scrapped in 1972.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)