Cameroon is once again standing at a critical point in its political journey. A proposed constitutional reform currently under national discussion is sparking debate amongst Cameroonians, drawing attention from citizens, political figures and opposition parties alike.
At the center of the debate is the planned introduction of a Vice President. While the idea itself is not unusual in modern governance, the details of its implementation have raised serious questions.
Under the current proposal tabled through a bill (BILL N° 2094/PJL/P TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT THE CONSTITUTION OF 2 JUNE 1972, AS AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED BY LAW NO.96/06 OF 18 JANUARY 1996 AND LAW NO. 2008/001 OF 14 APRIL 2008) in congress before members of the lower and upper houses of parliament, the Vice President would be appointed by the President of the Republic and could be dismissed at will. For many observers, this has become the most contentious aspect of the reform.
Critics argue that such a system concentrates excessive power in the presidency and raises concerns about democratic legitimacy especially given that the Vice President could eventually assume the highest office in the land.
Opposition voices have been particularly vocal. Maurice Kamto of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement has warned of a dangerous shift in the country’s institutional balance.
Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Front (SDF), one of the country’s oldest opposition parties, has proposed an alternative approach, one that places stronger emphasis on democratic legitimacy and national unity.
In a proposed amendment tabled by Joshua Osih and SDF parliamentarians, the party rejects the idea of an appointed Vice President. Instead, it recommends that the President and Vice President be elected together on a single ticket by the people.
The SDF argues that the current proposal creates “a position of subordination rather than constitutional legitimacy”, noting that a Vice President who may assume the presidency should not “derive authority solely from presidential discretion, not from the people.”
Beyond the question of election, the SDF introduces a proposal aimed at addressing Cameroon’s long-standing identity balance. It suggests that candidates on the same ticket should come from different historical regions; former East and West Cameroon. In practical terms, this means that if a President emerges from one side, the Vice President must come from the other, an approach intended to reflect the country’s bilingual and bicultural foundation.
The party also calls for more inclusive constitutional language, emphasizing that leadership positions should reflect gender equality and modern democratic standards.
While opposition parties raise concerns, some voices within Parliament see the reform through a different lens. Nourane Foster of the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation described the moment as “a historic turning point for Cameroon,” noting that the reintroduction of the Vice Presidency marks a major shift since its removal in 1984.
She further emphasized that the reform goes beyond creating a new office, stating that it “redraws the balance of power at the top of the State,” particularly in areas such as succession, institutional organization, and executive authority. According to her, the changes reflect “a desire to inject new institutional dynamics” aimed at strengthening state continuity and adapting governance to current realities.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear this is more than a legal adjustment. It is a national moment of reflection.
At this crossroads, the path Cameroon chooses will shape not only its institutions, but the trust its people place in them.