Cameroon has officially reinstated the office of vice-president after President Paul Biya signed a newly approved constitutional bill into law, marking a significant shift in the country’s executive structure.
The move follows parliamentary approval of the legislation more than a week earlier, as part of broader constitutional adjustments aimed at clarifying presidential succession and strengthening continuity of governance.
Under the new framework, the vice-president will be appointed directly by the president and is expected to assume the office of head of state in the event of a presidential vacancy, pending any further political or legal procedures outlined in implementing regulations.
The development comes decades after the position was abolished in 1984 during a major constitutional revision that replaced it with the office of prime minister, reshaping Cameroon’s executive hierarchy.
Lawmakers say the reintroduction is intended to reduce uncertainty around leadership transitions, though details on eligibility criteria, tenure, and the timeline for appointing the first vice-president in over 40 years have yet to be officially disclosed.
