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Cameroon: Democratic Dictatorship?

Paul Biya has been the President of Cameroon since 1982, and is attempting to steadfastly retain his power via a Constitutional amendment that would remove term-limits, thus allowing him to be re-elected yet again in 2011. According to the Constitution of Cameroon, Article 6.2 “the president of the Republic shall be elected for a term of office of seven years [and] he shall be eligible for re-election once” [1]. The contested amendment would be the first after the 1996 amendment to the 1972 Constitution, which extended the presidential tenure from five to seven years [2]. It is clear that President Biya is again striving to make constitutional provisions for the continuation of his own presidency, without much consultation with other political actors and contrary to the tenets of a consolidated democracy. The Constitution provides that “the President of the Republic shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast through direct, equal and secret universal suffrage” according to the Constitution’s Article 6.1 [3]. However, unlimited terms pose a certain compromise to the equality of elections, as the candidature is not equally contested.

The proposition to amend the Constitution has been highly criticized by the international community, most vocally by the U.S. The American Ambassador to Cameroon, Janet Elisabeth Garvey, has stressed that such a decision cannot be made based on the interests of any single individual or group and without the consultation and participation of other political stakeholders and all segments of society – political parties, civil society groups, businesses, workers, journalists, and the academia [4]. While recognizing the right of every sovereign state to constitutional review and installment of amendments, Ambassador Gravey emphasizes that “limiting the number of terms and periodical change of leadership - at least every decade - are salutary for democracy” [5]. Indeed, the lack of term limits is a dangerous challenge to the consolidation of democracy, as frequent, free, and fair elections fail to be feasible if a strong political leader has a prolonged hold on governmental power and is able to steer electoral support and results for personal gain. A peaceful change of government is one of the fundamental requirements for the consolidation of democracy. The removal of term-limits, especially if it is decided unilaterally by President Biya and his supporters, will create a form of dictatorship in disguise of a democracy.

Ambassador Gravey urges for national dialogue not only concerning the amendment of the Constitutional Article 6.2, but also to debate “provisions for succession [and] a possible two-round ballot system” that the ruling CPDM party should consider in order to “foster a robust democracy” rather than instituting a life presidency that is detrimental to democratic development and consolidation [6]. Such a move would further strengthen the executive branch vis-à-vis other branches over which the President already holds much control. The Constitutional Court is non-existent, while the Supreme Court is not completely independent from the Executive Branch [7]. The Legislative Branch is neither strong nor entirely independent, as the President has the power to either lengthen or shorten the term of the weak unicameral legislature, and the constitutional provision to establish an upper-house Senate alongside the existing National Assembly has not been yet fulfilled [8].

The IIJD supports the concerns expressed by Ambassador Gravey, since a constitutional amendment that would provide for limitless presidency would hinder rather than benefit democracy-building, and would further incapacitate systemic reform towards a functional, independent judicial system and sustainable socio-economic development. Disregarding the voice of the people on the political matters further disconnects them from the state, and the lack of political voice and social mobility contributes to their entrapment within poverty. The lack of the independent judiciary that could effectively and fairly determine the constitutionality and legality of such an amendment compromises the country’s weak democratic institutions over which President Biya has acquired unprecedented power. Cameroon is plagued with chronic corruption, poor governance, difficult business environment, and questionable democracy [9]. President Paul Biya, who ascended to office in 1982 after the resignation of President Ahidjo to whom he served as Prime Minister since 1975, won multi-party rigged and contested elections in 1992, 1997, and 2004 [10]. The 1997 and 2004 elections have been declared fraudulent and lacked transparency and legitimacy according the opposition parties, many constituents, the press and other international observers [11]. The proposed amendment that aims to institute no term limits for presidential terms would only entrench and exacerbate these endemic problems, and open doors to political instability that could lead to violent unrest.

[1] Constitution of the Republic of Cameroon.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] “U.S. Opposes Constitutional Amendment in Cameroon.”  Panapress: The African Perspective.

[5] Ibid.

[6] “Constitutional Amendment – U.S. ambassador Calls for National Dialogue”  The Post (Buea).

[7] “Cameroon: Government.”  CIA World Factbook.

[8] Ibid.

[9] “Constitutional Amendment – U.S. Ambassador Calls for National Dialogue”  The Post (Buea).

[10] “Country Profile: Cameroon.”  BBC News.