Yaoundé, Cameroon – Cameroon’s parliament on Saturday approved a controversial constitutional amendment establishing the position of a vice president, despite strong objections from opposition lawmakers.
The vote saw 200 lawmakers in favor, 18 against, and four votes declared invalid, formalizing a new mechanism for succession in the event of a presidential vacancy. Debate on the amendment had only commenced two days earlier, on Thursday.
Opposition Denounces Power Grab
Veteran opposition leader Maurice Kamto criticized the move, describing it as an attempt to consolidate executive power.
“This bill is clearly a power grab, designed to bypass democratic norms and entrench the incumbent’s authority,” Kamto said in an address on Friday.
Critics have also raised concerns over the lack of electoral safeguards, noting that under the amendment, the vice president would assume office in the event of the president’s death, resignation, or incapacity without any obligation to hold new elections.
Supporters Cite Stability
Proponents argue the amendment is necessary to ensure institutional stability and continuity of governance, especially given the advanced age of President Paul Biya, who controversially secured reelection last October at the age of 93.
Supporters contend that the vice president role will help safeguard “the proper and harmonious functioning of institutions” and prevent leadership vacuums in times of crisis.
The bill’s passage marks a significant political development in Cameroon, intensifying debates about governance, legitimacy, and the future of democratic processes in the country.
