Cameroon - Constitution

The country has undergone constitutional reform several times since independence. Under the 1996 constitution, it is a unitary republic with an executive president who appoints the prime minister and council of ministers. The president also appoints the provincial governors, the judges and government delegates in main towns. In April 2008, Cameroon’s parliament approved a constitutional amendment allowing the president to serve for more than two terms. Presidential elections must then be conducted not less than 20 days or more than 120 days following the vacancy.

The National Assembly has 180 members, directly elected every five years by universal adult suffrage, and has three sessions a year, in March, June and November. There was also provision in the constitution for an upper house, the Senate, with 30% of its members nominated by the president and 70% directly elected every five years, as well as a constitutional council and elected regional assemblies. Regional councils and the Senate, provided for under the constitution, were in 2008 yet to be established.