Cameroon State Institutions and Constitutional Order
Questions here test the Constitution (Law No. 96/06 of 18 January 1996, amended by Law No. 2008/001 of 14 April 2008), the composition and powers of each institution, and who does what in a scenario.
Constitutional foundations
Article 1 describes the Republic of Cameroon as a decentralised unitary State, one and indivisible, secular, democratic and dedicated to social service. National sovereignty belongs to the people, exercised through universal suffrage or indirectly through representatives. Article 65 makes the Preamble part and parcel of the Constitution.
The Executive
Elected by direct universal suffrage for seven years, the President is Head of State and Head of the Executive and must be at least 35. He appoints the Prime Minister and ministers, accredits ambassadors, appoints governors, may dissolve the National Assembly, may resort to a referendum and may declare a state of emergency. The Government is headed by the Prime Minister and is responsible to the National Assembly, which can pass a motion of censure.
The Legislature
Parliament comprises the National Assembly and the Senate. The National Assembly has 180 members elected for five years by direct universal suffrage; it passes laws and votes the budget. The Senate has 100 members serving five years: 70 elected indirectly by regional councillors and 30 appointed by the President.
Judiciary and Constitutional Council
Judicial power is exercised by the Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal and Tribunals (Article 37) and is independent of the executive and legislature; the President guarantees that independence and chairs the Higher Judicial Council. The Constitutional Council (Articles 46 to 52) has 11 members serving a non-renewable nine-year term, with former Presidents of the Republic as ex officio members. It rules on the constitutionality of laws, treaties and standing orders and proclaims the results of presidential, parliamentary, senatorial and referendum votes.
Decentralised collectivities
Article 55 provides two levels: Regions and Councils, organised by Law No. 2019/024 of 24 December 2019 (General Code of Regional and Local Authorities). The Governor represents the State in the region and exercises supervisory authority (tutelle) over councils.
Worked example
Who proclaims the winner of a presidential election? ELECAM organises the poll and publishes provisional results; the Constitutional Council hears petitions and proclaims the final results. Answering ELECAM loses the mark.
Traps
Thinking the Prime Minister is elected. Giving the Senate as 180 members or as fully elected. Saying the National Assembly can remove the President by censure. Calling the Constitutional Council the highest court of appeal, which is the Supreme Court.