At a time when Cameroon is contemplating significant constitutional reforms, Nkongho Felix Agbor, widely known as Agbor Balla, has issued a compelling call for national balance in the proposed restructuring of the executive branch.
Speaking from Buea, in the South West region on Friday, April 3, 2026, the President of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa emphasized that the introduction of a Vice President must go beyond administrative necessity and instead serve as a meaningful instrument for national cohesion.
A Defining Constitutional Moment
As Parliament deliberates on the possibility of creating a Vice Presidential office, Cameroon finds itself at a crossroads. According to Agbor Balla, this reform represents more than institutional adjustment, it is a test of the country’s commitment to unity in diversity.
Cameroon’s identity, he noted, is rooted in a complex coexistence of linguistic and legal traditions, particularly between its Anglophone and Francophone communities. Ignoring this reality in constitutional design, he warned, risks perpetuating long-standing tensions.
The Question of National Balance
Central to Agbor Balla’s argument is a principle he describes as essential for stability: if the President is Francophone, the Vice President should be Anglophone. “This is not about division. It is about inclusion. This is not about politics. It is about stability. This is not about symbolism. It is about trust,” he asserted.
For decades, grievances from Anglophone regions particularly in areas such as the South West Region and North West Region have underscored feelings of marginalization. These concerns, he argued, are not theoretical but deeply rooted in lived experiences that have impacted national cohesion.
A Path Toward Unity
Agbor Balla maintains that embedding balance at the highest level of executive authority would more accurately reflect Cameroon’s bilingual and bi-jural character while strengthening national cohesion. In his view, such a constitutional commitment would offer a credible response to long-standing grievances and reinforce the legitimacy of governance.
He warned, however, that establishing a Vice Presidency without addressing the issue of representation risks deepening perceptions of exclusion and undermining the very stability the reform seeks to promote.
Safeguards Beyond the Vice Presidency
Should this principle not be explicitly adopted, Agbor Balla called for constitutional safeguards within the line of succession to ensure that national balance is preserved. He stressed that even in transitional scenarios, the State must reflect its dual identity at the highest level of power.
A Historic Responsibility
As lawmakers continue deliberations, Agbor Balla stressed that Parliament carries a responsibility that extends beyond legal reform. It is an opportunity to rebuild trust between the state and its citizens and to lay the foundation for a more inclusive future. “This moment must not be lost,” he concluded. “Cameroon deserves a constitutional order that reflects all its identities, protects its unity, and inspires confidence in its future.”
Comments
Post a Comment