Research Library: Cameroon
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Country Information | Statistics | Web Resources |
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Last Updated Nov 10, 2009
Country Information
Government
- Cameroon is an electoral republic with the President as head of state, and a multi-party presidential regime. The President is elected by popular vote for a term of seven years with no term limits. The Prime Minister, who is head of government, is appointed by the President. The legislative branch consists of a unicameral National Assembly which has180 members. Members are elected by direct vote to serve terms of five years unless the president shortens or lengthens their terms. According to the 1972 Constitution, the legislative branch also has a upper house known as the Senate. It has yet to be established.
- Current President Paul Biya has been in office since 1982 and was reelected in 1997, and 2004. The next election will be in 2011. In the last legislative election in 2007 President Biya's party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) maintained their majority. Although Biya won the last presidential election in 2004, it was said fraudulent activities were involved. Prime Minister Philemon Yang was appointed in 2009.
Political Stability
- The state of Cameroon was created in 1961 after the independence and unification of a British colony and a French Colony. Independence was followed by 20 years under a repressive regime led by President Ahmadou Ahidjo. Since then, Cameroon has struggled to move from a one-party rule to a multi-party rule. In 2008 parliament passed a controversial amendment allowing President Biya to run for a third term in 2011.
- Cameroon has no active opposition, although pro-democracy protests are fairly common. The government has been criticized for human rights violations in its responses to these protests, which include arrests and armed attacks. The government has also limited the freedom of expression by seizing several newspapers and arresting journalists. The Southern Cameroon National Council (SCNC) established a secessionist movement in the 1990's. The government banned the group .
Current Government Policies
- Economic growth and government reform remain primary concerns for Cameroon. Despite growing export income from oil reserves, Cameroon continues to face wide disparities in wealth along ethnic lines. The government is also top-heavy, with many highly-paid officials. Cameroon has one of the highest levels of corruption in the world. This has made progress difficult.
International Reputation
- Cameroon has been accused of a number of human rights violations, including excessive use of force against political opposition as well as denial of rights to some ethnic groups. Despite having oil and cocoa resources, foreign investment is limited. This is due, in large part, to concerns about political and ethnic stability in Cameroon, but also over the lack of transparency and accountability in the government. In 2006 Cameroon and Nigeria settled a long-term conflict over the control of the Bakassi peninsula in which Cameroon assumed control. Approximately 30,000 refugees from Chad and the Central African Republic have entered Cameroon since 2004. It is a member of the UN, IMF, UN and WTO.
Economics
- Due to Cameroon's oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, it has one of the best commodity economies in sub-Sahara Africa. Reliance on oil and cocoa as export commodities has provided Cameroon with some economic stability due to the diversification of exports. Recent increases in oil prices and a predicted resurgence in cocoa prices, Cameroon should see economic growth continue.
- International lenders such as the IMF have required structural adjustment policies over the last decade, and are continuing to request more changes. In particular, these efforts are focused on increasing the transparency of government, privatization, and poverty reduction programs. In 2006, the Paris Club of lending nations agreed to forgive Cameroon's $3.5 billion debt. France and China are the biggest importers of Cameroon's exports.
Foreign Aid
Statistics
Click on statistic name for source information.
Web Resources
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