International Crisis Group warns: Vice President position could worsen infighting among regime barons!.

Biya re-echoed his resolve with promise of appointing a new government “in the coming days”, during his end-of-year address to the nation, on December 31, 2025.

It raised the hopes of many compatriots that the Head of State would, without delay, weed out deadwoods from his bloated government, unproductive managers of State corporations and pump in fresh blood in key areas. The wait, since the presidential promise, has been long.

The Constitutional amendment of April, 2026, re-introducing the post of Vice President, despite opposition disapproval, many had hoped, would be followed by the long-awaited changes Biya promised. 

But the wait may still be a little longer based on the warning of International Crisis Group, ICG, a global non-profit think tank, conducting research and analysis on global crises.

According to the international organisation, the Constitutional amendment, enabling Biya to handpick a successor and fire him/her at will, which was hurriedly clapped through by the ruling-party-controlled legislature, is rather triggering a power struggle among regime barons. 

The International Crisis Group warning is the content of its April 2026 CrisisWatch bulletin. It is a monthly a global conflict tracker, designed to identify both risks of escalation and opportunities to advance peace in different situations. 

The organisation has described the Constitutional amendment creating the post of Vice President as a potential source of tension within the ruling elite in the country. Such, it said, is worsened with rising speculation of presidential succession.

“Changes could heighten tensions among rival power blocs within the ruling elite, amid intense speculation over the identity of Biya’s successor,” the organisation warned. 

The bill, voted during Congress of Parliament on April 4, 2026, and promulgated into law on April 14, 2026, was heavily criticised by members of the opposition as “anti-democratic” and further attempt to grab power. 

Self-exiled runner-up of the October 12, 2025, presidential election, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, described the amendment as “unconstitutional maneuvers” and “…a violation of democratic principles” and the “monarchical drift of an illegitimate regime”. 

Opposition politician and runner-up of the 2018 presidential poll, Prof Maurice Kamto, had described the bill as a “Constitutional and institutional coup”.

Infighting already blocking appointments?

Though President Biya has for his over 44 years and counting at the helm of the State, remained unpredictable, questions and debates about his succession and infighting in silence have become common.

The reported infighting, many say, is a clear indication of things falling apart and the centre not able to hold again. 

Based on the reasoning of many, with the Constitutional amendment, and considering his advanced age, President Biya would have, without further delay, appointed a Vice President to immediately assume office.  

This, pundits say, would have dispelled claims he is currently governing the country by “proxy and Very High Instructions,” from his close collaborator(s).

The delay in the appointment has further raised anxiety among citizens and even among those in government. 

Many who have been exercising patience, hoping to see the sweeping reforms become a reality, say they are now becoming impatient. 

Pundits say though the State machinery is seemingly grinding well at some levels, public conscience has remained restless on issues related to the appointment of a Vice President and a new government. 

Cameroonians, analysts say, are now more than ever before interested in knowing who the Vice President will be, as well as the new government.

Such delays, we have gathered, are not unconnected to the reported infighting between different power blocs within the system. We gleaned that the Head of State’s choice is being influenced by those close to his circle.

Since the Constitutional amendment, several names have featured in media reports as potential Vice Presidents. 

Even the name of the Head of State’s son, Frank Emmanuel Biya, has also been animating debates. Claims are rife that even those within the system appear to be fighting his appointment from different fronts. 

Some are said to be expressing fears that many power brokers see the appointment of a Vice President from another camp as a defeat to them.

 There are also reports of regime barons parading the corridors of the Unity Palace, even at ungodly hours, with money bags, to maneuver their way to prestigious positions. 

Rumours had been rife that the Head of State will appoint a Vice President before the visit of the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. Speculations were also rife that the appointment may be done before the National Day celebration on May 20, 2026. 

Understanding current transition 

Pundits also say how the impending transition will unfold also echoes another intrinsic cycle of political feuds. Constitutionally, without the appointment of a Vice President as it stands, in the event of a vacancy at the helm of State, due to death, resignation or permanent incapacity, declared by the Constitutional Council, the President of the Senate, Aboubakary Abdoulaye, will take over as Interim Head of State and organise election in 120 days.

Despite the delay, there are others who still think President Biya is a master of his time and best knows when to take action to achieve the goal he wants. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3788 of Wednesday May 13, 2026