The Constitution of Cameroon is the supreme law of the Republic of Cameroon. Adopted in 1972, it is Cameroon's third constitution. The document consists of a preamble and 13 Parts, each divided into Articles. The Constitution outlines the rights guaranteed to Cameroonian citizens, the symbols and official institutions of the country, the structure and functions of government, the procedure by which the Constitution may be amended, and the process by which the provisions of the Constitution are to be implemented.
Cameroon adopted its earliest Constitution upon independence from France in 1960. This was a hurried draft based closely on French precedents. In 1961, British Southern Cameroons gained its independence and voted to join its French counterpart. Delegates framed a new Constitution, which made Cameroon a federation of two states under a single powerful president. In 1972, President Ahmadou Ahidjo pushed through a new document that abolished the federal system, renamed the country the Unitary Republic of Cameroon, and granted the president greater powers. After assuming the presidency, Paul Biya pushed through a revised Constitution in 1984. This document changed the country's name to the Republic of Cameroon, redrew the lines of the provinces, and redefined the line of succession to the presidency. The current Constitution was adopted in 1996 in response to pressure from Anglophone Cameroonian groups advocating a return to the federal system. It grants greater autonomy to the provinces (renamed regions) and established a Senate as the upper house to the National Assembly. Nevertheless, these provisions are still being agreed on.
Contents
The Constitution begins with a preamble that names the Cameroonian people's cultural and linguistic diversity as an integral part of the nation but expresses the desire to form a unitary government. It defines the ideals upon which the nation is built as "fraternity, justice and progress". The preamble asserts that the Cameroonian people shall advance "ever-growing bonds of solidarity among African Peoples" and shall adhere to "the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations". The preamble declares that the nation shall use its natural resources to improve the lives of its citizens.
The preamble lists several "inalienable rights" granted to all Cameroonian citizens. Among them are the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Charter of the United Nations, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. The preamble is the only portion of the Constitution to have remained unchanged since 1960.
Part One (Articles one–3) gives the name of the country as the Republic of Cameroon and defines the coat of arms, motto, flag, anthem, and seal. It establishes the nation as a "decentralized unitary State". English and French are designated the official languages. Yaoundé is made the national capital. Sovereignty is placed in the hands of the people, and government authorities are established as being elected by "direct or indirect universal suffrage" via secret ballot. The responsibilities of political parties are outlined, and state power is given to the president and the parliament.
Part II (Articles 5–13) defines the offices of the president and prime minister. The election of the president, limits of his term, and his constitutional successor are defined. The president is charged with "[defining] the policy of the nation", "[ensuring] respect for the Constitution", and "[ensuring] the proper functioning of public authorities".
The president is named head of state and head of the armed forces. The president may appoint ambassadors, enact laws, refer matters to the Constitutional Council, appoint civil and military personnel, dissolve the National Assembly, and declare a state of emergency, taking additional powers on a temporary basis.
The prime minister is named head of government, with duties to be defined by the president. The powers of government officials are limited.
Part III (Article 14–24) establishes and define the parliament and the means of the selection of its members and its operations. The legislature is made up of two houses, the National Assembly, and the Senate.
Part IV (Articles 25–36) reserves further rights to the legislature and details how the president and legislature may interact. This includes the ability to grant legislative power to the president under limited circumstances. The section also details the process by which a bill may pass into law.