YAOUNDÉ, April 6 — Cameroon's President Paul Biya, the world's oldest leader, has appointed his son, Franck Emmanuel Biya, to three of the country’s most powerful positions, days after controversial constitutional changes backed by parliament.
A presidential decree dated April 4, names Franck Emmanuel Biya as Vice-President of the Republic, Head of the Armed Forces and Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, consolidating executive and military authority in a single office.
The document, issued under the authority of the presidency in Yaoundé, cites the constitution and existing laws governing the military and the organisation of the presidency, stating that the appointments were made “in the interest of service.”
Under the decree, Franck Emmanuel Biya assumes oversight of the armed forces while simultaneously serving in the executive branch, marking a significant shift in the structure of power in Cameroon.
The move is likely to intensify debate over political succession in the Central African nation, where Biya, 93, has ruled for more than four decades and remains one of the world’s longest-serving leaders.
Constitutional Changes
Biya's son, becomes his father's first vice-president in his four-decade rule. The position was scrapped in 1972.
A joint sitting of both houses of parliament on Saturday passed the bill changing the constitution, with 200 lawmakers voting in favour, 18 against and four abstaining.
Supporters said the bill would enhance government efficiency as it would elevate the level of representation whenever an official is required to stand in for the president. It would also lift the burden of succession from the Senate to enable it to focus on its legislative functions.
Prior to the amendment, the Constitution designated the leader of the Senate to briefly take over in case the sitting president dies or is incapacitated. An election would then be held.
The approved bill now stipulates that the vice-president - appointed by the president rather than elected - will become the head of state to serve out the rest of the seven-year term.
The opposition said the amendments were hastily drafted and aimed at consolidating power. Even one senator from Biya's party described the process as "suspicious".
There has been frequent private speculation about the state of Biya's health, but openly discussing it is taboo and he has always defied rumours of his death by appearing in public after long absences.
While Franck Emmanuel Biya has long been viewed by some analysts as a potential successor, he has until now held no formal government position.
The decree, signed in Yaoundé and marked for immediate implementation, states that it will be published according to emergency procedure and entered into the official gazette. There was no immediate official comment on the broader implications of the appointments.
The consolidation of executive and military roles under a single individual is rare and could signal a major reconfiguration of governance in Cameroon ahead of any potential leadership transition.
The Making of a Longevity Legacy
Biya’s ascent to power was uneventful on the surface. Appointed Prime Minister by Cameroon’s first president, Ahmadou Ahidjo, in 1975, he was the designated successor when Ahidjo stepped down in 1982.
But what followed was anything but peaceful. A bitter power struggle erupted between the outgoing president and his protégé.
Ahidjo, accused of plotting a coup, fled into exile in 1983. His allies were purged, and Biya emerged unchallenged – consolidating power with a firm grip on the military, the judiciary, and the ruling party.
Over the years, Biya perfected a system in which loyalty trumps competence, dissent is silenced, and institutions exist to serve the executive, not the people. After the wave of democratic reforms that swept Africa in the 1990s, Cameroon briefly opened up – only for those gains to be rolled back.
Constitutional amendments in 2008 abolished term limits, effectively granting Biya a lifelong mandate. Today, there is no legal barrier to his continued rule – only the limits of age, health, and accountability.
Biya himself spends extended periods abroad – often in Switzerland – where he has access to advanced medical care. His absences, sometimes lasting months, raise serious questions about presidential continuity and governance.
Yet, upon his return, he resumes office without public scrutiny or constitutional challenge. The machinery of government continues to function – on autopilot – sustained by a loyal inner circle that benefits from the stability of stagnation.
Biya's long time in power, which began in November 1982, has sparked a debate about his succession. Following the move to reinstate the vice-president position and appointing his son, the future of Cameroon has sparked debate. The president won an eighth term in power last October with 53.7% of the vote in an election that the opposition said was rigged.
