Persistent rumors are circulating in Cameroon regarding a possible constitutional revision, fueling speculation about the succession of President Paul Biya, who is 93 years old. These rumors surface sixteen years after the 2008 reform that removed presidential term limits, allowing Biya to remain in power.
The main objective of this revision would be to allow the current presidential term, which began on October 12, 2025, and is theoretically due to end in 2032, to reach its term, with or without Paul Biya. The absence of a vice-president in the current institutional architecture creates a legal vacuum in the event of a vacancy of power, which some are seeking to fill through this revision.
Although no official text has been submitted, circles of power appear to be actively preparing the ground. The challenge is to guarantee the continuity of the system without resorting to an early election. The creation of a vice-presidential post would circumvent the organization of such an election, as the current president of the National Assembly, traditionally designated to ensure the interim, does not guarantee the continuity desired by those close to power.
This approach is part of a logic of locking down the Cameroonian political system. The 2008 revision aimed to eliminate alternation, while the 2026 revision would seek to control the transition. The Cameroonian Parliament, dominated by the ruling RDPC party, could quickly adopt such a revision, requiring a two-thirds majority.
The official announcement of such a project could trigger a major political crisis. The opposition, already marginalized, could try to mobilize the streets, while international partners would closely monitor respect for democratic principles. The creation of a vice-presidential post would profoundly alter the institutional balance, reinforcing political immobility.
Cameroon already experienced a constitutional revision in 2008 to allow Paul Biya to remain in power. Today, a new revision seems to be looming to manage his potential absence. Does the country's institutional history boil down to a series of legal adjustments aimed at avoiding alternation? The answer to this question will determine Cameroon's political future.
