Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, 93, has executed a constitutional reshuffle that has triggered what observers describe as a succession war at the heart of one of Africa’s longest-ruling regimes.
The establishment of a vice-presidency—a new position—has intensified factional struggles within the ruling apparatus, with multiple power centres positioning themselves for a post-Biya era that many believe cannot be far off.
Paul Biya has governed Cameroon since 1982, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. His tenure has been characterised by political stability on the surface, underpinned by a strong patronage network and control over key state institutions. The Anglophone Crisis, which erupted in 2016 and has since devolved into a deadly separatist conflict, has been one of the most serious challenges to his rule. Yet Biya has outlasted many crises, and his regime has shown resilience through careful management of elite factions and strategic concessions when necessary.
The creation of a vice-presidency changes the political landscape. The move introduces a formal succession line where previously none existed in such a visible form. It also creates a new locus of power and ambition around the vice-presidential office. Multiple figures within the regime are now believed to be positioning themselves, creating both opportunities and tensions. Those close to the president—family members, long-standing loyalists, and security chiefs—each have their own calculations.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Cameroon’s Northwest and Southwest regions remains dire. The Catholic Church, which mediated a temporary ceasefire during Pope Leo XIV’s April visit, continues to play a central role in providing humanitarian support—work made more critical by reductions in USAID funding under the Trump administration’s second term. Separatist fighters have held their ground despite military operations, and civilian populations continue to bear the brunt of the violence, displacement, and insecurity.
Cameroon’s trajectory matters beyond its borders. The country is a key regional actor, a member of the Commonwealth, and a partner for Western powers in the fight against extremism in the Sahel. The prospect of a leadership transition—however distant—creates uncertainty about the direction of Cameroon’s domestic and foreign policy.
For now, Biya remains in control. But the reshuffle has revealed fractures and ambitions within the system that will likely define Cameroon’s political landscape for years to come.
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