Cameroon’s long-serving leader, Paul Biya, has appointed his son, Franck Emmanuel Biya, as Vice President and Head of the Armed Forces, significantly consolidating political and military authority within his family amid rising national tensions.
The appointment, confirmed in a decree dated April 4, 2026, also names Franck Biya as Minister Delegate at the Ministry of Defence, placing him at the core of the country’s security and governance structure.
The presidency said the move was made in line with constitutional provisions and “service requirements.”
The development comes shortly after Biya, 92, secured a controversial eighth term in office following a disputed election that sparked protests and drew international concern.
Official results showed him winning 54 percent of the vote, ahead of opposition figure Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who rejected the outcome and alleged electoral fraud.
While the government has defended the credibility of the election, critics argue that the latest appointments signal a deepening concentration of power and raise fresh concerns about democratic governance and succession planning in the country.
Having ruled since 1982 after succeeding Ahmadou Ahidjo, Biya now faces mounting scrutiny as opposition voices warn that the move could further inflame political tensions in the Central African nation.
