Yaounde, Cameroon – Each weekday at 5pm, Elvis Mbi tunes in to the state broadcaster’s flagship radio bulletin, hoping to listen to an announcement from President Paul Biya that might sign a change in Cameroon’s political management.
Biya, 93, returned to Cameroon on August 20 after spending about 10 weeks overseas. His extended absence fuelled hypothesis about his well being and whereabouts, together with unverified claims that he had died.
His return raised expectations of a authorities reshuffle, however no new authorities had been appointed by October 6. The vice presidency, restored by way of a constitutional modification in April, additionally remained vacant.
“Each Cameroonian was anticipating that upon his return house, he was going to alter authorities, however nothing as much as this second,” 39-year-old Mbi advised Al Jazeera.
In his December 31, 2025, deal with to the nation, Biya promised {that a} new authorities can be shaped “within the coming days”. Greater than 9 months later, the promised change had but to materialise.
Succession fears develop
The vacant vice presidency has drawn specific consideration since politicians authorised a constitutional modification in April restoring the place abolished in 1972.
Beneath Legislation No. 2026/002, promulgated on April 14, the president could appoint and dismiss a vice chairman.
The modification supplies for the vice chairman to imagine the presidency on an interim foundation if the workplace turns into vacant due to the president’s dying, resignation or everlasting incapacity.
The vice chairman serves the rest of the seven-year presidential time period below the circumstances set out within the Structure.
The reform establishes a proper succession mechanism whereas leaving the appointment of the vice chairman to Biya. The modification doesn’t set a deadline for filling the put up.
“Everyone knows the president wants help so as to execute state duties and that’s why we’re anxiously ready for the appointment, however nothing has occurred but to our biggest dismay,” Mbi mentioned.
A disputed presidential decree purporting to nominate a vice chairman has added to the hypothesis.
In June, a person delivered a sealed envelope to Cameroon Radio Tv (CRTV) in Yaounde containing a purported presidential decree appointing a vice chairman.
The doc appeared to bear the official seals of the presidency and a signature attributed to Biya, in keeping with a authorities assertion printed by state newspaper Cameroon Tribune on July 1.
CRTV didn’t broadcast what the doc mentioned. The federal government mentioned the decree had not been issued by way of the right official course of and confirmed that the person had been detained and an investigation was below means.
For Jude Mutah, a Washington-based governance and democracy knowledgeable and director of member relations on the Company Council on Africa, the eye paid to the state broadcaster’s night bulletin displays public expectations of political change.
Within the absence of clear data, rumours can acquire traction, he mentioned.
Cabral Libii, chief of the Cameroon Social gathering for Nationwide Reconciliation and an opposition determine within the 2025 presidential election, has argued that appointing a vice chairman would matter past filling a vacant put up.
“The vice presidency isn’t just one other administrative put up to be crammed. Appointing your vice chairman means securing your management,” Libii mentioned in a public enchantment.
“A vice chairman of this calibre might assist to mitigate the succession struggles which can be at the moment paralysing collective motion,” he added.
Financial uncertainty
The management questions are unfolding as Cameroon faces different challenges, together with a separatist battle in its English-speaking areas and an armed insurrection linked to Boko Haram across the Lake Chad Basin.
Jason Healy, a sub-Saharan Africa nation threat analyst at BMI, a part of Fitch Options, mentioned uncertainty over political management might weigh on investor confidence.
![CRTV Radio’s national station in Yaounde, where the 5–6pm news bulletin has drawn attention since President Paul Biya returned from his 10-week “brief private stay” in Europe. [Amindeh Blaise Atabong/Al Jazeera]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CRTV-Radio-2-1791551527.jpeg?w=770&resize=770%2C578&quality=80)
Healy warned that extended uncertainty might discourage some traders from committing to massive, long-term tasks. He additionally steered that delaying appointments may very well be a political calculation by Biya, permitting him to retain management over the timing and composition of any modifications.
Mbi Aziseh Azimboh, govt director of the Coverage Lab for Civic Innovation and Group Options (POLITICOS), mentioned extended uncertainty might sluggish authorities decision-making and delay reforms and public insurance policies.
Authorities defends president’s prerogative
The federal government has defended Biya’s authority to resolve when to make appointments.
In an interview with RFI in August, Communication Minister and authorities spokesperson Rene Emmanuel Sadi mentioned the president had the authority to type a brand new authorities and decide when to take action.
“It’s certainly fairly regular for him to take his time when entrusting such a excessive workplace to one among his fellow residents,” Sadi mentioned.
Elvis Ngolle Ngolle, a former minister and coordinator of the ruling Cameroon Folks’s Democratic Motion’s academy, mentioned residents’ considerations had been respectable however maintained that the president had the constitutional prerogative to behave when he selected.
The presidency didn’t reply to an Al Jazeera request for remark.
For Mbi, his radio-listening ritual continues.
“Nobody is aware of something any extra. It’s so disheartening after I tune in every time however don’t get the large information,” he advised Al Jazeera.
