President Paul Biya has appointed his son Franck Emmanuel Biya, as Vice President of Cameroon and Head of the Armed Forces, consolidating family control over political and military structures.
This strategic move fills a long-vacant position, effective immediately amid intensifying security and rising tensions over presidential succession.
The appointment was announced in an official decree dated April 4, 2026, which also named Franck Biya as Minister Delegate at the Ministry of Defence, placing him at the centre of Cameroon’s security structure.
The move reintroduces the vice president position (vacant since 1972) and strengthens the role of the military in the succession process.
According to the Presidency, the decision was made inline with constitutional provisions and defence laws, citing “service requirements” as the basis for the appointments.
The decree further stated that the directive would be registered and published urgently in the country’s official gazette.
The move comes months after President Biya, 93, was sworn in for an unprecedented eighth term following a disputed presidential election that sparked nationwide protests and drew international scrutiny.
Biya reportedly secured 54 percent of the vote in the election, defeating opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who polled 35 percent.
Bakary rejected the outcome, insisting he was the rightful winner and accusing authorities of electoral fraud, allegations the government has denied.
Despite the controversy, Paul Biya described the election as satisfactory and commended security forces for managing the protests, while the Constitutional Council dismissed petitions challenging the results, citing insufficient evidence.
Paul Biya, is Africa’s oldest and second longest-serving leader, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982 after succeeding power from former president Ahmadu Ahidjo, is facing renewed criticism from opponents who accused him of consolidating power through both political and military channels.
