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Cameroon
Quick Overview:
President Paul Biya came to power in November 1982 and is chief of state. Prime Minister Peter Mafany Musonge is the head of the government. He was elected in September 1996. The prime minister is appointed by the president who holds office for seven years at a time. Human rights abuses as well as corruption within government and state-related organisations shape the political climate. There is a degree of political tension in the country. There are two factors that contribute towards this The first problem originates from 1972 when the nature of the country’s political structure was changed from that of a decentralized federal structure to a unitary state. There are two groups that have appealed for the restoration of the federal state. One in its original form while the other group has asked for the secession of two English-speaking provinces. The government will not accept either of these options. . The other contributing factor is the vast amount of political parties that exist in the country. This is as a result of legislation enacted in 1991, legalising the formation of political parties. As a result there are at least 150 political parties. Many of them are dissatisfied with the government’s management policies as well as the rate at which democracy is progressing in the country. While their fears may indeed be grounded, there are many parties that do not have significant supporter bases. Parties tend to support the same ideals of multi-party democracy and also share the ideals of restricted government intervention and the pursuit of private entrepreneurship. The result is often confusing for voters and could prevent their participation in a meaningful democracy as they are not always able to vote for clear democratic principles.
Geography:
In 1884, the Germans established a protectorate over the Doula area. By 1916, the Anglo-French forces invaded the German colony. In 1919 Cameroon was divided by the London Declaration into French and British administrative zones. The League of Nations conferred mandates on France and Britain for the administration of the two zones in 1922. The French-administered region was granted self-government as the Republic of Cameroon in December 1958, and Ahmadou Ahidjo became the country's first president. Full independence and UN membership was achieved in 1960. The following year the former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged to form the present-day Cameroon. Cameroon was a de facto one-party state from 1966 and was dominated by the Cameroon National Union (UNC), a merger of six political parties; it was renamed the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement in 1985. Ahidjo ruled until 1982, when he unexpectedly resigned. The former Prime Minister Paul Biya then succeeded him. Biya after winning his election for his first full term as president in January 1984 amended the constitution to abolish the office of Prime Minister and changed the Country's name to the Republic of Cameroon. He won the April 1988 presidential election and also the nation's first multiparty presidential election by 40% plurality in October 1992. Biya was reelected in 1997.
Related Links:
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News Cameroon Tribune Cameroon Television |
Offical Sites Cameroon Government Cameroon News |
Country Guides Guide on Cameroon Visitors Information |
Education Cameroon Education Corporation |