In an opinion piece, the president of the Cameroonian Democratic Front (FDC) believes it is urgent to proceed with the appointment of the Vice-President of the Republic as the country prepares to celebrate the 54th edition of the National Unity Day. Read his reasons in full in his opinion piece below.
»NATIONAL UNITY DAY 2026: THE URGENCY OF APPOINTING THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
As Cameroon as a whole prepares to celebrate the 54th edition of National Unity Day, many of our fellow citizens have the right to ask whether the President of the Republic Paul Biya still has the physical capacity to preside over this great ceremony on Boulevard du 20 Mai in Yaoundé as tradition and customs require. The recent trip of the Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, to Africa and Cameroon in particular revealed the image of a tired and weakened Head of State. A physical state understandable at his very advanced age. It is objectively difficult for it to be otherwise.
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Due to his age and natural limitations, there are things President Paul BIYA can no longer do, regardless of his will and the efforts of his State Protocol. That is why for several years, the May 20 parade has been tailored to the capacities of President Biya to “stand,” both for the grand parade on Boulevard du 20 Mai and for the Grand Dinner at the Unity Palace during which the cream of the Nation and the Diplomatic Corps commune with the Head of State. Several observable restrictions have been imposed because of the physical limits of the President of the Republic. This has consequently reduced all the importance, majesty, symbolism, and solemnity of this great national event, not only in Yaoundé the Capital but also in the rest of the country.
All those who wish to express their loyalty to the nation and their patriotism unfortunately can no longer do so from the heart. Even taking part in the parade has become very difficult for various components of the nation. For example, the squares of political parties represented in parliament have been drastically reduced. Political parties not represented in parliament are purely and simply excluded from the parade, like pariahs, even though they are supposed to compete in the expression of universal suffrage that allows access to the supreme office of President of the Republic. Universities, schools, public and private companies are systematically excluded from the Grand Parade because the President can no longer stand for long.
Should May 20, 2026, also be so drastically limiting and exclusive? At the FDC, we say No. A national holiday deserves to be inclusive. All citizens must feel concerned and vibrate to the rhythm of the celebration of National Unity Day. National Unity Day should not be organized on the cheap because the President of the Republic is exhausted and weakened. For this edition, the FDC advocates for a popular and inclusive celebration, as it was known and celebrated in the past.
The Cameroonian Parliament, through a congress, adopted on April 4, 2026, a constitutional revision that reintroduces the post of Vice-President of the Republic. President Paul Biya promulgated this law on April 14, 2026. This means that the President of the Republic now has the constitutional prerogatives to freely and discreetly appoint the Vice-President of the Republic.
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The introduction of the post of Vice-President is now established and therefore binding on everyone. But why does President Biya not use this prerogative granted to him by the Constitution to be assisted by a more vigorous Vice-President during this 2026 edition of the National Unity Day Celebration in Cameroon?
No one forced the President of the Republic to have this new constitution adopted and promulgated, which establishes this post of Vice-President that has caused much debate. Therefore, the appointment by the competent authority must be made quickly so that this provision does not remain a dead letter, like some others. We are convinced today that the appointment of the Vice-President is now an extreme urgency… including notably to assist the Head of State whose presence is beginning to be a problem at our National Unity Day. There is no need to recall that this solemn and effective presence is even more crucial at this moment when Cameroon is strongly weakened at its foundations by persistent security crises in the North-West, South-West, and Far North regions, and by shocks and vibrations of tribal and community divisions never known before. It is very worrying.
Our conviction is that the May 20, 2026 parade deserves to be presided over by a more vigorous Vice-President to restore to this celebration all the symbolism and impact that give meaning and reality to the idea and project of National Unity and real living together. This will allow everyone to live and be concerned by this key moment of our living together. No one deserves to be excluded from this May 20 parade no matter where they are.
We remain convinced that the urgently appointed Vice-President will be able to give a great image, another meaning, splendor, height, in short, to rekindle the desire of Cameroonians to live and vibrate to the rhythm of this unique national day. It is, moreover, the greatest day to allow Cameroonians to commune with their President even if tired, and their Vice-President whom they are eager to discover.
There is really an urgency. It is even a national urgency at this critical moment in the life of our Nation.
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Denis Emilien Atangana
Municipal Councillor
National President of the FDC »
