Cameroon names new electoral chief

Cameroon has appointed Abdoulaye Babale as the new Chief Electoral Officer, succeeding Mohaman Sani Tanimou, according to a decree signed Tuesday by President Paul Biya.

Member of the Elections and Referendums Management body since 29 January 2009, the newly promoted chief electoral officer alternately served as Minister of Urbanization and Habitat (1983-1986), Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research (1986-1988), and Minister of Higher Education, Information technology and Scientific Research (1988-1990).

In office since December 2008, his predecessor is probably paying the price for his recurring dealings with the Chairman of the electoral board, Samuel Fonkam Azu’u, with whom he has been in a battle for legitimacy for nearly 3 years over certain decisions affecting the commission.