Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has reportedly appointed his son, Franck Emmanuel Biya, as his Vice President of the Republic and the Head of the Armed Forces.

The appointment, confirmed in an official decree dated April 4, 2026, also names Franck Biya as Minister Delegate at the Ministry of Defence, positioning him at the heart of Cameroon’s security structure.

The document states: “Mr Franck Emmanuel BIYA is appointed Vice President of the Republic of Cameroon.”

It further adds: “Mr Franck Emmanuel BIYA is appointed Head of the Armed Forces.”

Expanding his role, the decree notes: “The Vice President of the Republic, Mr Franck Emmanuel BIYA, is also appointed Minister Delegate at the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cameroon.”

Citing constitutional provisions and defence laws, the presidency said the appointments were made in line with “service requirements,” adding that the decree “shall be registered, published according to the procedure of urgency, and inserted in the Official Gazette.”

The new development comes just months after Biya, 92, was sworn in for an unprecedented eighth term in office after a contested election that sparked nationwide protests and drew international scrutiny.

Biya secured 54 percent of the vote in the election, defeating opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who polled 35 percent. Tchiroma Bakary has rejected the outcome, insisting he was the rightful winner and accusing authorities of electoral fraud, claims the government denies.

He described the election as “satisfactory” and commended the electoral body for its conduct, while congratulating security forces for containing the demonstrations without addressing allegations of excessive force.

The Constitutional Council dismissed multiple petitions challenging the results, citing insufficient evidence or lack of jurisdiction.

Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982 after succeeding former president Ahmadou Ahidjo, now faces renewed criticism from opponents who accuse him of tightening his grip on power through both political and military channels.

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Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has engaged the services of a United States lobbying firm ahead of the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.

It was understands that Atiku engaged the services of a Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., in a 12-month deal worth $1.2 million (about ₦1.9 billion).

According to documents filed with the US Department of Justice, as reported by Premium Times, the deal was signed on 10 March and formally registered with the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) Unit on 1 April.

According to the filing, the firm will provide strategic advisory services, congressional and executive branch engagement, and reputational management services targeted at US policymakers and institutions for Atiku.

The lobbying firm will “inform and, where appropriate, influence” the US government officials on issues relating to Nigeria, including democratic governance, regional stability, economic development, and bilateral relations.

The firm is also expected to shape Atiku’s policy messaging, coordinate meetings with the US officials, and manage his perception among policymakers in Washington.

The agreement outlines four key objectives: advancing understanding of Atiku’s leadership vision, strengthening his reputation in Washington, countering narratives from incumbent authorities, and building structured relationships across US institutions.

The services include preparing policy briefs, arranging meetings with members of Congress and executive officials, and advising on political and reputational risks.

It was reports that Atiku, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is expected to seek the ADC presidential ticket for the 2027 presidency.

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Cameroon’s president, Paul Biya, is set to get a vice president for the first time in his four-decade rule, following controversial constitutional changes backed by the parliament.

In a ‌joint session of the ruling party-dominated National Assembly and Senate, lawmakers voted 200 to 18 in favour, with four abstentions, to pass the bill.

The bill stipulates that the vice president will ​automatically assume the presidency if President Paul Biya dies, resigns, or becomes incapacitated.

Biya, ​93, has led the Central African country since 1982 and is the world’s oldest serving head of state. Public discussion about ​his health is banned.

According to the legislation, a copy of which was seen by ​Reuters, the vice president will be appointed and dismissed by the president, serving for the remainder of the president’s seven-year term.

However, the interim leader would be prohibited from initiating constitutional changes or ​running in a subsequent election.

Prior to the amendment, the constitution designated the leader of the Senate to briefly take over in case the sitting president d!es or is incapacitated. An election would then be held.

The Social Democratic Front (SDF) party, which has six representatives in parliament, boycotted the vote. It had pushed for a revision in favour of the vice-president being jointly elected with the president, rather than appointed.

The party also sought a constitutional provision that reflects the linguistic split between English and French-speaking regions. The SDF wanted the nation’s top two posts to be shared between Cameroon’s two communities, which was the position before 1972.

“This constitutional reform could have been a moment of political courage, but it is nothing less than a missed historic opportunity,” SDF chairman Joshua Osih said.

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