Draft Bill to Scrap Presidential Term Limits In Cameroon: A Recipe for Disaster

The draft bill does not address the well-documented shortcomings in the current constitution [but] is tailored to suit the political whims and caprices of a single individual and his surrogates - a definite recipe for acrimony, chaos and disaster down the road...

In spite of widespread opposition that has developed in the last six months, the Biya regime has called the public's bluff and submitted a draft bill to Parliament amending the constitution of Cameroon. Although it had been expected in many quarters that the regime would propose an extensive overhaul of the constitution – even if only to placate those opposing the scrapping of presidential limits but nonetheless believe that the 1996 constitution was a poorly drafted document believed that the constitution – the regime did no such thing. The Biya regime has instead proposed a very limited overhaul which focuses almost exclusively on the clauses related to the Presidency. Most significantly, it effectively scraps presidential term limits and grants the president immunity for acts committed while exercising his duties as Head of State.

Ironically, the main issue which proponents of the constitutional amendment claimed they were trying to address (i.e., ensuring a smooth regime transition) is still unresolved. First, there is still no clear constitutional line of succession. The draft bill does not institute the position of Vice President neither does it allow the Prime Minister to complete the President's term in the event of the latter's incapacity, impeachment, resignation or death. Second, the transition period before new elections are held after the President's resignation or death has been extended to 40 to 120 days – a significant increase but one which, if past experiences are anything to go by, is definitely not enough time to organize credible and viable elections in Cameroon.

When all is said and done, therefore, a rough and uncertain transition awaits Cameroon once Biya exits the stage.

Thus, after all the hand-wringing, the violence, the lost lives, the draft bill proposed by the Biya regime and which the Speaker of the National Assembly Cavaye Djibril described as “acceptable” does not address the well-documented shortcomings in the current constitution. It is instead a bill tailored to suit the political whims and caprices of a single individual and his surrogates - a definite recipe for acrimony, chaos and disaster down the road...

Comments

[Martin Njie]

These so called CPDM parliamentarians have given deaf ears to the cry of Cameroonians for the sake of their selfish motives. Who says they are a true representation of the Cameroonian people when they stole their way to the parliament. What else can they do, if not serving as hand clappers even when they are abused.
In this life, nothing lasts forever. There is a brginning and an end and history will hold them responsible for their current acts.
Biya claims to be tracking down his team mates for embezzlement, isn' it said that "show me your friends and I will tell you who you are?" If these close collaborators of his are today thieves simply because they are no longer in power, I tell you the truth that Biya is covered now by his position and that's why he prefers to die in power and escape trail in court. Little does he know that he will appear before a superior judge after this life.
CPDM parliamentarians, shame to you, God's eyes are watching you, you will harvest from what you are planting now. Soon and very soon!

[paulo laurent]

THE POWER TO DO WHAT EVER PLESE THE PRESIDENT COMES FROM FRANCE, AFTER HE RECIVES THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR (GEORGE SERRE) HE SUBMIT THIS FOOLISH DOCUMENT TO HIS HAND PICKED PARLIAMENT.
REMEMBER NICOLAS SAKOZI, SUPPORTS BIYA, JUST LAST MONTHS EVENT HEARD HIM SAYING THAT.SOO SUPPORT FOR HIM TO STAY AS LONG AS POSSIBLE EVEN IF HIS COUNTRYMEN DONT NEED HIM IS COMING ONLY FROM FRANCE , THE NATION THAT PROFITS FROM THE
FREE OIL. GAZ, TIMBER, AGRICULTURE OFTHE CAMEROONS, WHILE THE CITIZENS GO HUNGRY.

[Akame mbulle]

Receiving the news of the adamant and stoned headed Mr Biya that he has finally tabled the much criticised and opposed constitutional bill to the parliament is not only disastrous but a beater pill to swallow for bona fide Cameroonians. Cameroonians all over the spectrum have spoken, cried, lamented, expressed their frustration against any constitutional changes and most specifically Section 6(2) but all have fallen on deaf eyes of the mighty Mr Biya and his yes men.The CPDM government has the money and any other resources to easily manipulates its stooges who are always ready to bow down on its knees even if human lives are to be sacrifice for its selfisf ambitions.Dr Nkwame Nkruma once said that " the civilian up rising is the strongest army to be defeated". Today Cameroonians are burried in the doom of frustration and rejection but the day that up rising will begin even the so called mighty Biya and his group will not be able to surpress it. Let his YES MEN in parliament proceed to adopt the bill, they may be secured within the parliament building and its surruondings because they are heavily guarded by military but is it the same military that is going to guard their homes and families after parliamentary session? Only time shall tell.We salute their courage, Cameroonians salute their courage,the world salute their courage.
God Bless my beloved country Cameroon.

[Judy]

What is wrong with our African leaders? Who can we turn to when the people we've entrusted our lives to have continuously vilified us? Does Biya not see the suffering and rejection surrounding him? What have Cameroonians done to deserve such blatant disregard for their wishes? What happened to patriotism and integrity in Africa? Y do our leaders degrade us to animals?

This situation is sad, hopeless and madenning because there is nobody to stand up for the victims but themselves. The victims in this quagmire are all those Cameroonians who've been marginalized for so long. Those poor, jobless and destitute Cameroonians who have been pushed over the edge and have no choice but to take to the streets in protest. This is painful to watch because we know that these same people will meet their death at the hands of Biya's illiterate military for a cause that has been lost.

The onus is on the Cameroonian parliamentarians to kill this bill. If they have a conscience and want to avert bloodshed they must be selfless and vote against this bill. They cant hide behind the excuse that they fear reprisal because (somebody correct me if I'm wrong) they vote by secret ballot which cannot be traced back to a particular individual.

I dread the day of reckoning because blood will flow ceaselessly. Bad things happen when hungry people are pushed to their limit.

[Umkhonto We Sizwe]

There's no place for anger now and words;the only thing is for Cameroonians from all shades of opinion to sink their differences and rise.What has happened is a big blow to democracy in Cameroon and in Africa.We are 100 years back today.Part of our hope lies on the premise that the progressives in the CPDM can turn the tide by upholding that fibre of patriotism that resides in the secret recesses of their hearts.Because,it will be difficult to change this system from outside.The first spectre of change can only come from within to reverse this constitutional coup d'état.

Biya will fight to hold unto power by all means by using the peace that hath hitherto reigned in Cameroon as leverage just as Mugabe of Zimbabwe uses the land issue to hypnotise the War Veterans.What we witness today in Cameroon and Africa is the struggle of a people to shake off the yoke of neocolonialism.And just as colonialism,it will suffer the same fate.