CAMEROON: “SOME ELITES SCRAMBLE FOR POST OF VICE PRESIDENT.”
Wise or dangerous move? (My analysis)
The Yaounde regime has tabled a proposal to parliament aimed at amending the constitution once again. The office of the vice president introduced in the bill to parliament is already causing CPDM elites to scramble for positioning. Is this a wise or dangerous move? My analysis should remind all elites to be careful what they are scrambling for.
The new office of Vice President is being created for the person President Paul Biya has already chosen in his mind to succeed him, just as Ahmadou Ahidjo chose him.
History and President Paul Biya still remember the path he took to become president of Cameroon. Let me walk you through that path so you can draw your own conclusions.
1. From 1968 to 1975, Mr Paul Biya was SG at the presidency.
2. 1972 unification; Solomon Tandeng Muna became president of the National Assembly and constitutional successor to Ahmadou Ahidjo.
3. June 1975, Ahidjo created the office of “Prime Minister” (by constitutional amendment) and appointed Mr Biya as the prime minister.
4. June 1979, the constitution was modified again, with the Prime Minister now becoming the constitutional successor. (Notice how Muna was discarded.
5. November 4th, 1982 Ahidjo resigned.
6. November 6th, 1982 Mr. Biya succeeded Ahidjo as the new president of Cameroon. (Game over).
7. In 1996, the constitution was amended again, with the Senate president becoming the new constitutional successor.
8. Today, a new bill has been tabled in parliament introducing the office of “Vice President.” This is not by accident but by design for those who know how to read and understand the pattern.
If you are one of those elites fighting for the office of Vice President, this post should help you know exactly if you are fighting a wise or dangerous battle.
To be continued. Thank you.
Dr. David Makongo
