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"Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) leader and opposition figure Maurice Kamto accused President Paul Biya of lacking the legitimacy to create the post of vice president, as he denounced plans to delay elections and launched an online petition against the constitutional amendment. "You cannot go out in public or appear on a television debate programme and claim that the President of the Republic is a stickler for the law when everyone can see that the law has just been blatantly and brutally flouted," Kamto told a press briefing in Yaounde on Thursday. This comes after the Cameroonian Parliament approved a constitutional amendment on April 4 to reintroduce the post of vice president. According to the new law, the VP is appointed by the president and can take over the position in case of the president's death or incapacity. The 72-year-old lawyer also accused the president of attempting to 'turn the country into a monarchy,' alleging that the proposed reforms are contrary to the Constitution. "He's just amended the constitution to create the position of heir apparent. Do you hear me? Aren't you going to say anything? He can take pride in his own depravity. But we cannot," the leader of the opposition added. Kamto warned that postponing parliamentary and local elections until 2027 would extend the mandates of officials beyond their legal limits. "As I speak, none of the public institutions has the necessary legitimacy to speak on behalf of the Cameroonian people," he said. "Their mandate has since expired." Kamato also explained the reasons behind creating the online petition. "If we were to ask Cameroonians right now to march, to take to the streets - even peacefully - people would say it is an insurrection [...]those are the words they use," he added. President Paul Biya, in power since November 6, 1982, remains the world's oldest head of state at 92 years old as of late 2026. He is serving an eighth term following a disputed October 12, 2025, election. Sworn in for a new seven-year term in November 2025, his mandate would keep him in office until nearly age 100. The latest victory drew controversy as the opposition claimed victory, and violent protests erupted thereafter."
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