Cameroon GCE O-Level Citizenship Education flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Jus sanguinis

The principle that nationality is acquired through descent from a parent who is a citizen, regardless of birthplace; it is the main basis of Cameroonian nationality under the 1968 Nationality Code.

National symbols

The flag, anthem, coat of arms, motto and national day that represent the state and its identity; in Cameroon the motto is 'Peace, Work, Fatherland' and the national day is 20 May.

Naturalisation

The legal process by which a foreigner acquires Cameroonian nationality after meeting conditions of residence, good character, means and loyalty set by the Nationality Code.

Bilingualism

The constitutional principle that French and English are the official languages of Cameroon, with equal status; it is promoted by a dedicated national commission created by the 2019 constitutional amendment.

Living together

The policy of 'vivre ensemble' that promotes tolerance and cooperation among Cameroon's ethnic, religious and linguistic communities as a basis for national unity and social cohesion.

National Assembly

The lower house of Cameroon's Parliament, with 180 members elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year term; it votes laws and can question the government.

Senate

The upper house of Cameroon's Parliament, created by the 1996 Constitution; it has 100 senators serving five years, 70 elected indirectly by regional councillors and 30 appointed by the President.

Constitutional Council

Cameroon's final arbiter on the constitutionality of laws and on presidential and parliamentary election results; created by the 1996 revision and installed in 2018.

ELECAM

Elections Cameroon, the independent body created in 2006 to organise, supervise and publish elections; it has a General Manager and a Council and is funded by the state.

Presidential term

Under the 1996 Constitution as amended in 2008, the President of Cameroon is elected for seven years by direct universal suffrage, with no limit on the number of terms.

Decentralisation

The transfer of powers and resources from the central state to regional and local collectivities; in Cameroon it is governed by the 1996 Constitution and the 2019 law on the general code of regional and local authorities.

Special status

The 2019 constitutional and legal arrangement granting the North-West and South-West Regions a Regional Assembly, a House of Chiefs and a Public Independent Conciliator within the decentralised state.

Rule of law

The principle that public power must be exercised according to law, that no one is above the law, and that citizens can challenge arbitrary acts before independent courts.

Presumption of innocence

The rule that a person accused of a crime is treated as innocent until proven guilty by a competent court, placing the burden of proof on the prosecution.

CONAC

The National Anti-Corruption Commission, a Cameroonian body created in 2006 to prevent and investigate corruption in the public and private sectors and to promote integrity.

Audit Bench

The Chambre des Comptes of the Supreme Court, which audits public accounts and the use of public funds and reports on the regularity of state expenditure.

Asset declaration

The legal obligation for certain public officials to declare their assets before and after taking office, under the 2003 regime, to detect illicit enrichment.

Voter registration

The process by which an eligible citizen is entered on the electoral roll and issued an electoral card, which is required to vote in Cameroonian elections.

Universal suffrage

The principle that all adult citizens have the right to vote regardless of wealth, sex or education; in Cameroon the voting age is 20 for national elections.

Referendum

A direct vote by the electorate on a specific constitutional or policy question; Cameroon used referendums in 1972 (on the unitary state) and 1992 (on the constitution).

Political party

An organised group of citizens that seeks to influence or win public power; in Cameroon parties are regulated by the 1990 law on freedom of association and the 2019 law on political parties.

Fundamental rights

The rights guaranteed in the preamble of Cameroon's 1996 Constitution, including life, liberty, equality, expression, association, religion and property; the preamble has constitutional force.

Civic duty

A responsibility owed by the citizen to the community, such as paying taxes, respecting the law, defending the country and protecting public property, as stated in the Constitution.

CRC

The 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Cameroon in 1993, which protects children from abuse, exploitation and child marriage.

African Charter

The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Banjul Charter, 1981), ratified by Cameroon, which protects individual rights and peoples' rights, including development and self-determination.

CNAM

The Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie, Cameroon's national health insurance scheme created in 2017 to extend health coverage to public and private sector workers and their families.

Environmental impact assessment

A study required before major projects by Cameroon's 1996 environmental framework law, to identify likely environmental effects and propose mitigation measures.

Dja Reserve

A UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Cameroon, part of the national protected-area network, known for its rainforest and wildlife and managed for conservation and sustainable use.

Sustainable development

Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations, pursued in Cameroon through the National Sustainable Development Strategy and the SDGs.

Boko Haram

An armed Islamist group active in the Lake Chad Basin since 2009, whose attacks in Cameroon's Far North since 2014 have displaced populations and prompted regional military cooperation.

Major National Dialogue

A 2019 consultative forum convened by the President to address the Anglophone crisis; it recommended decentralisation, special status and reconstruction of affected regions.

CEMAC

The Central African Economic and Monetary Community, grouping Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon; it shares the CFA franc and the BEAC central bank.