 INSTITUTION
Cameroon’s institutions also reflect the country’s diversity. Beside the President of the Republic who is the Head of State, there is the Government, headed by the Prime Minister who is accountable to the Parliament, the Judicial power, and the Constitutional Council , the guarantor for the constitution.
 THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
The head of state has a mandate of seven years. He is eligible for re-election once, by universal ballot to the majority of the votes expressed .Mr Paul Biya, second President of Cameroon since 1982 was successively re-elected in 1984,1988,1992,and 1997. The President of the Republic appoints the Prime Minister and, on proposal of the latter, the others members of government .He presides over the Ministerial Council and emits laws. He may dissolve the National Assembly. In the event of a serious threat , he may exercise special powers.
THE GOVERNMENT
The government implements the policy of the nation as defined by the President of the Republic. It is headed by the Prime Minister.
THE PARLIAMENT
The Parliament comprises two houses: the National Assembly with 180 members elected by direct and secret universal ballot for a five years. The Senate represents the regional local authorities. Each region is represented in the Senate by ten Senators of whom seven are elected by direct universal ballot on a regional basis , and three are appointed by the President of the Republic. They serve a five year term. The two houses pass bills and control government action.
JUDICIAL POWER
Judicial power is exercised by the Supreme Court of Appeal and Tribunals. It is independent of the executive and legislative powers. The President of the Republic guarantees the independence of judicial power. The court of impeachment has jurisdiction in respect of acts committees in the exercise of their functions , to try the President of the Republic for high treason and the Prime Minister , members of government officials to whom powers have been delegated for conspiracy against the security of the State.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL
It comprises eleven members chosen among renowned professionals and top personalities such as former Heads of States for instance. It ensures the regularity of presidential elections, parliamentary elections and referendum operations; it supervises the constitutionality of laws, treaties and international agreements
ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANISATION
Decision making process is detained by high authorities, then transferred to lower ones in order to bring the administration nearer to the population.
Hence, Cameroon is divided into ten major administrative units (provinces) headed by Governors. These units are divided into Divisions that in turn are divided into sub divisions and sometimes into districts. Find below in alphabetical order, the administrative organisation of the territory through its Provinces and Divisions:
Adamaoua (Ngaoundéré) Djerem - Tibati Vina - Ngaoundere Mbere - Meiganga Mayo Banyo - Banyo Faro et Deo - Tignere
Centre (Yaounde) Mfoundi - Yaounde Lekie — Monatele Upper Sanaga - Nanga-Eboko Mefou and Afamba - Mfou Mefou and Akono - Ngoumou Myong and So’o - Mbalmeyo Myong and Mfoumou - Akonolinga Mbam and Kim - Ntui Mbam and Inoubou - Bafia Nyong and Kele - Ekele
East (Bertoua) Boumba and Ngoko - Yokadoum Kadey - Batouri Upper Nyong - Abong-Mbang Lom and Djerem - Bertoua
Far North Diamare Maroua Logone and Chari - Kousseri Mayo Tsanaga - Mokolo Mayo Sava - Mora Mayo Danay - Yagoua Mayo Kani - Kaele
Littoral (Douala) Moungo - Nkongsamba Nkam - Yabassi Sanaga Maritime - Edéa Wouri - Douala
West (Bafoussam) Bamboutos - Mbouda Upper Nkam - Bafang Upper Plateaux Koung-Ki - Badjoun Menoua - Dschang Mifi - Bafoussam Nde - Bangante Noun - Foumban
North (Garoua) Benoue - Garoua Mayo Louti - Guider Mayo Rey - Tcholliré Mayo Oulo Faro - Poli
North West Bui - Kumbo Ndonga Mentum - Nkambé Momo - Mbengwui Mezam - Bamenda Mentum - Wum Ngok Etunjia -
South (Ebolowa) Dja and Lobo - Sangmelima Mvila - Ebolowa Ocean - Kribi Vallee du Ntem - Ambam
South West (Buea) Fako — Limbe Ndian — Mundemba Manyu — Manfe Meme — Kumba
DIPLOMACY
Since 1982, Cameroon’s diplomacy is characterised by a widening of its circle of partners. This was made possible by establishing new diplomatic relations, and by reinforcing its presence overseas through Embassies and Consulates.
 Diplomatic missions created since 1962 with the following countries:
Bulgaria 1964
Panama 1964
Hungary 1987
Colombia 1969
Namibia 1960
Tchekoslovaquia 1990
Zimbabwe 1991
Malaysia 1991
Venezuela 1991
Jamaica 1991
Bahamas 1991
Indonesia 1992
Renewed diplomatic relations since 1962: Israel 1986( interrupted in solidarity with Palestinian people ) .opened or reopened diplomatic missions:
Abidjan ( Ivory Coast )
Bern ( Switzerland )
Brasilia ( Brazil )
Dakar (Senegal)
N’djamena ( Chad )
Rabat (Morocco)
Tel-Aviv (Israel)
Tokyo (Japan)
THE NEW DELEGATIONS
Since 1982, the consular institution has witnessed a tremendous development with 8 State consulates(4 general) and 27 honorary consulates(2 general). Among these new consulates, it is worth mentioning those of Los Angeles and Hamburg.
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
Cameroon is linked with more than 30 countries through some 50 bilateral co-operation agreements, among which 10 are called “general co-operation agreements”. The other forty cooperation agreements are related to areas such as transport, tourism, commerce, health, cultural exchanges, fishing, technical co-operation, and so on. Since 1984, ten mixed commissions were set: Benin, Canada, Angola, Sweden, China, Spain, Great Britain, Republic of south Korea.
In Cameroon there are 25 resident diplomatic missions, and 18 with residence in third countries, 2 resident Chargés d’Affaires, 6 R.A Chargés d’Affaires, 24 consulates and 30 international organisations.
International organisations represented in Cameroon
United Nations
The World Bank
The Cinu
FAO
FNUAP
HCR
ITO
WHO
UNIDO
WFP
UNDP
ITU
UNESCO
UNICEF
BEAC (Bank of Central African States)
CAPTAC
CEKDOTOLA
FDF (French Development Fund)
IRCS (International Red Cross Society)
CRADAT (African regional centre for Labour Administration)
SRCD (Sud-Regional Centre for Development)
SCSA (Supreme Council for Sport in Africa)
IFORD (Regional institute for Demographic training and Research)
III (International Insurance Institute)
IITTA ( International Institutte of Tropical Agronomy)
IPD (Panafrican Institute for Development)
ISSEA (Sub-regional Institute of Statistics and Applied Economy
AOIP (African Organisation for Intellectual Property)
OCEAC
OAU
CAMEROONIAN - FRENCH COOPERATION
"Helping Cameroon meets its three big challenges of the moment”
The French state gives a diversified support to Cameroon through the following channels: technical assistance, aid to projects, FAC projects, CFD projects, support to the structural adjustment, scholarships and trainings, military cooperation, non governmental cooperation, access to French research institutes, support to intergovernmental bodies, French companies.
Technical assistance: French technical assistance to Cameroon is marked by a quantitative evolution with sectorial plans and economic reforms put into place by Cameroonian authorities. The set up of these reforms has necessitated the creation of high qualification posts for their realisation and coherence.
Aid to projects is in line with sectorial programmes which define for each target area, goals to be reached, actions and means to be put into place as well as follow-up mechanisms.
FAC projects are related to institutional support, as opposed to directly productive areas (state of law/ management, economy, education, rural development and environment, health, urban development, transport, youth and sport.
POLITICAL BACKGROUND
Political awareness began in Cameroon in 1946, the year the country was administrated. Decisions that would lead to Cameroon's independence were taken from the two Parliaments in Paris and Lagos.
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The 1946 French constitution placed all territories under French ruling within the French Union. The latter was made up of metropolitan France (French Republic) and associated States and territories. Under the 1946 constitution, Cameroon had the status of associated territory.
MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THIS CONSTITUTION
a) To bring the inhabitants of overseas States and territories closer to the metropolis
b) To strengthen the French policy of assimilation
CAMEROONIANS IN THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT
a) Representative of Cameroon: Ndumbe Douala Alexendre Manga Bell and Andre Marie MBIDA
b) Advisers of the French Union: Soppo Priso and Ahmadou Ahidjoc) Senators: Arouna Njoya and Charles Assale
THE “ASSEMBLEE REPRESENTATIVE DU CAMEROUN”
ATCAM (Cameroon House of Representatives)
A French decree of 25 October 1946 set up this house of representatives that brought together Cameroonian and French Citizens. In 1952, 24 out of the 40 delegates were Cameroonians, the most influentials being Abega Martin, Ahmadou Ahidjo, Charles Okala and Soppo Priso.
The Assemblée Territorial du Cameroun (ATCAM) had administrative and financial prerogatives whereas legislative and political affairswere preserved by the French High Commissioner.
The two Nationalist ATCAM groups
1) The “enlightened” nationalists: especially made up of traditional rulers, notables and trade unionists. They were for a gradual progress of Cameroon towards independence within the French Union. France considered them as friends.
2) The “radical” nationalist: especially made up of all those who were strongly opposed to the French Union. They were against the “assimilation” process, claimed an immediate independence, and the reunification of the two Cameroons. Their leaders were Um Nyobé, Felix Moumié and Ernest Ouandjié. France considered them as enemies.
The French administration offered great help to anti UPC groups such as the Rassemblement du Peuple Camerounais (RPC). The banning and repression of UPC militants intensified especially with the arrival of Roland Pré in Cameroon. He was a newly appointed French administrator who will soon reveal his wrath against the UPC Between May 22 and 30, 1955, the country was shaken by a move of violence led to UPC's ban by the French Government. The movement was therefore unable to take part in the country political evolution.
Assemblée Législative du Cameroun (ALCAM) (Cameroon Legislative Assembly)
ATCAM became ALCAM on 23 December 1956 and members of the new Assembly formed parliamentary groups according to their regions of origin.
Results of the 1957 ALCAM Elections
1) “Union Camerounaise” (UC), representing the centre and Northern regions had 30 parliamentarians. Its leaders were Ahamadou Ahidjo, Arouna Njoya and Jules Ninine.
2) “Democrates Camerounais” (DC) representing the centre had 20 members of parliament. It was led by André Marie Mbida.
3) The “paysans indépendants” who represented the Bamileke region had 09 MPS. Its leaders were Mathieu Ndjoumessi and Michel Njine.
4) Finally, “Action Nationale” which represented the coastal and part of the southern region had 08 MPS. It was led by André Marie Mbida and Charles Assale.
UPC was the great absentee of the 1957 elections
During this era, the Cameroon’s People Union had already been banned by the French Administration. The party was therefore the great absentee in these elections and could not be represented in the new assembly
André Marie MBIDA became the first Prime Minister
It was decided that a government coalition comprising the first three political parties should be formed since none of the parties had an absolute majority. On 15 may 1957, Andre Marie MBIDA was chosen as Prime Minister whereas Ahmadou Ahidjo was his assistant in charge of internal affairs.
Ahmadou Ahidjo succed Andre Marie MBIDA
The difficulties encountered by Andre Marie MBIDA’s government forced him to resign. He was replaced by Ahmadou Ahidjo on June 18, 1958. This shall later be confirmed by vote on 19 th June 1958 during which 45 votes were castled for against 16 abstentions.
Political life in British Cameroon 1946-1961
The situation was not better in this part of the country. British Cameroon was divided into two parts: North and South, attached respectively to the Northern and Eastern administrative regions of Nigeria. The first inclinations to independence began with the Littleton constitution. The 1954 and 1957 elections as well as the plebiscite and reunification were the main events in the political life of British Cameroon, now referred to as English-speaking Cameroon.
KNC’s victory in the 1954 elections
Elections were held in 1954 and were won by Dr Endeley’s KNC party to the detriment of Mr Mbike’s KPP party. The constitutional process established separation and Southern Cameroon became a virtually Federal territory with its own assembly. Meanwhile, Endeley changed his mind on reunification with French Cameroon, which in the eyes of many nationalists, was an important and urgent issue. This resulted in a split within the party with the departure of John Ngu Foncha who created his own party, the Kamerun National Democratic Party (KNDP)
Reunification
After a series of negotiations between Ahidjo and Foncha, Southern Cameroon became independent on 1st. October 1961, date of its re-unification with “la République du Cameroun”. The Federal system of government was adopted until the advent of the unitary state in 1972.
Paul Biya succeeds Ahmadou Ahidjo
On November 6, 1982, Ahmadou Ahidjo who had been in power for a quarter of a century, resigned as Head of State and handed over to his constitutional successor, Prime Minister Paul Biya.
Return to pluralism
Since 1991, multipartism, the bridgehead of modern democracy, is master minding social life through a galaxy of parties out of which seven are represented in the National Assembly: CPDM, SDF, UNDP, MDR, CDU, MLJC, UPC.
POLITICAL PARTIES
There are over a hundred political parties. The most popular ones are represented in parliament.
CPDM
SDF
CDU
UNDP
MLJC
MDR
THE GOVERNMENT
Prime Minister (Head of Government)
Minister of State, Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence:
Minister of State in charge of External Relations:
Minister of State in charge of Culture:
Minister of State in charge of Industrial and Commercial Development:
Minister of State in charge of Economic and Finance:
Minister of Territorial Administration:
Minister in charge of National Education:
Minister of Scientific and Technical Research:
Minister of Agriculture:
Minister of Environment and Forestry:
Minister of High Education:
Minister of Social Affairs:
Minister of Communication:
Minister of Public Works:
Minister of Transports:
Minister of Justice:
Minister of Youth and Sports:
Minister of Town planing and Housing:
Minister of Women Affairs:
Minister of Public Health:
Minister of Public Service:
Minister of Urban Affairs:
Minister of Public Investments:
Minister of Tourism:
Minister of Employment Labour and Social Insurance:
Minister of Mines Water and Power:
Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries:
Minister of Post and Telecommunications:
Minister of
Minister Delegate at the Presidency of the Republic in charge of State Supreme Audit:
Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Economic and Finances in charge of the Budget:
Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Economic and Finances in charge of the Stabilisation Plan:
Minister Delegate to the Minister of the External Relation in charge of the Relations with the Commonwealth:
Minister Delegate to the Minister of the External Relations in charge of Relations with the Islamic World:
Ministers Responsible for Special Duties at the Presidency of the Republic:
Secretary of State:
Secretary of State at the Defence in charge of the gendarmerie:
Secretary of State for Territorial Administration in charge of Prison Administration:
Secretary of State for Industrial and Commercial Development:
Secretary of State for Education:
Secretary of State for Post and Telecommunication:
Secretary of State for Public Health
Secretary of State for Transports:
Secretary of State for Public Works:
Delegate General at the National Security
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