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President of the Republic

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Preamble:

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people, Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law, Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations, Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom; Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge, Now, Therefore, The General Assembly proclaims This Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

As a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to propose respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

 

Part One

The State and Sovereignty

Article one

(1) The United Republic of Cameroon shall, with effect from the date of entry into force of this law, be known as Republic of Cameroon (Law No 84-1 of 4 February 1984).

(2) The Republic of Cameroon shall be a decentralized unitary State.

It shall be one and indivisible, secular, democratic and dedicated to social service.

It shall recognize and protect traditional values that conform to democratic principles, human rights and the law.

It shall ensure the equality of all citizens before the law.

(3) The official languages of the, Republic of Cameroon shall be English and French, both languages having the same status. The State shall guarantee the promotion of bilingualism throughout the country. It shall endeavour to protect and promote national languages.

(4) Its motto shall be “Peace-Work-Fatherland”.

(5) Its flag shall be three equal vertical stripes of green, red and yellow charged with one gold star in the centre of the red stripe.

(6) Its national anthem shall be “O Cameroon, Cradle of our Forefathers”.

(7) The seal of the Republic of Cameroon shall be a circular medallion in bas-relief, 46

millimetres in diameter, bearing on the obverse and in the centre the head of girl in profile turned to the dexter towards a coffee branch with two leaves and flanked on the sinister by five cocoa pods, with the French words “Republique du Cameroun” inscribed below the upper edge and the national motto “Paix-Travail-Patrie” inscribed above the lower edge; on the reverse and in the centre the coat of arms of the Republic of Cameroon, with the

English words “Republic of Cameroon” inscribed beneath the upper edge and the national motto “Peace-Work-Fatherland” inscribed above the lower edge.

The coat of arms of the Republic of Cameroon shall be an escutcheon surmounted chief by the legend “Republic of Cameroon” and supported by two crossed fasces with the motto “Peace-Work-Fatherland” base.

The escutcheon shall be composed of a star on a field vent and triangle gules, charged with the geographical outline of Cameroon azure, and surcharged with the sword and scales of justice sable.

(8) The Capital of the Republic of Cameroon shall be Yaounde.

Article 2

(1) National sovereignty shall be vested in the people of Cameroon w ho shall exercise same either through the President of the Republic and Members of Parliament or by way of referendum. No section of the people or any individual shall arrogate to itself or to himself the exercise thereof.

(2) The authorities responsible for the management of the State shall derive their powers from the people through election by direct or indirect universal suffrage, unless otherwise provided for in this Constitution.

(3) The vote shall be equal and secret, and every citizen aged twenty years and above shall be entitled to vote

Article 3

Political parties and groups shall help the electorate in the making of voting decisions. They shall be bound to respect the principles of democracy, national sovereignty and unity. They shall be formed and shall exercise their, activities in accordance with the law.

Article 4

State power shall be exercised by:

- The President of the Republic;

- Parliament.

PART II

Executive Power

CHAPTER I

The President of the Republic

 

Article 5

(1) The President of the Republic shall be the Head Of State.

(2) Elected by the whole Nation, he shall be the symbol of national unity.

He shall define the policy of the nation.

He shall ensure respect for the Constitution.

He shall, through his arbitration, ensure the proper functioning of public authorities.

He shall be the guarantor of the independence of the Nation and of its territorial integrity, of the permanency and continuity of the State and of the respect of international treaties and agreements.

Article 6

(1) The President of the Republic shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast through direct, equal and secret universal suffrage.

(2) The President of the Republic shall be elected for a term of office of 7 (seven) years. He shall be eligible for re-election once.

(3) The election shall be held not less than 20 (twenty) days and not more than 50, (fifty) days before the expiry of the term of the President of the Republic in office.

(4) Where the office of President of the Republic becomes vacant as a result of death, resignation or permanent incapacity duly ascertained by the Constitutional Council, the polls for the election of the new President of the Republic must be held not less than 20 (twenty) days and not, more than 40 (forty) days after the office becomes vacant.

(a) The President of the Senate shall as of fight act as interim President of the Republic until the new President of the Republic is elected. Where the President of the Senate is unable to exercise these powers shall be exercised by his vice, following the order of precedence.

(b) The interim President of the Republic - the President of the senate or his Vice – may neither amend the Constitution nor the composition of the Government. He may not organize a referendum or run for the office of President of the Republic.

(5) Candidates for the office of President of the Republic must be Cameroonian by birth, enjoy their civic and political rights and must have attained the age of 35 (thirty-five) by the date of the election.

(6) The conditions for electing the President of the Republic shall be laid down by law.

Article 7

(1) The president-elect shall assume office once he has been sworn in.

 

(2) He shall take the oath of office before the Cameroonian people, in the presence of the members of Parliament, the Constitutional Council and the Supreme Court meeting in solemn session.

He shall be sworn in by the President of the National Assembly.

(3) The wording of the oath and the procedure for implementing the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) above shall be laid down by law.

(4) The office of President of the Republic shall be incompatible with any other elective public office or professional activity.

Article 8

(1) The President of the Republic shall represent the State in all acts of public life.

(2) He shall be Head of the Armed Forces.

(3) He shall ensure the internal and external security of the Republic.

(4) He shall accredit ambassadors and envoys extraordinary to foreign powers. The ambassadors and envoys extraordinary of foreign powers shall be accredited to him.

(5) The President of the Republic shall enact laws as provided for in Article 31 below.

(6) The President of the Republic shall refer matters to the Constitutional Council under the conditions laid down by the Constitution.

(7) He shall exercise the right of clemency after consultation with the Higher Judicial Council.

(8) He shall exercise statutory authority.

(9) He shall set up and organize the administrative services of the State.

(10) He shall appoint to civil and military posts of the State.

(11) He shall confer the decorations and honorary distinctions of the Republic.

(12) The President of the Republic may, if necessary and after consultation with the

Government, the Bureaux of the National Assembly and the Senate, dissolve the National Assembly. The election of a new Assembly shall take place in accordance with the provisions of Article 15 (4)

Article 9

(1) 'The President of the Republic may, where circumstances so warrant, declare by decree a state of emergency which shall confer upon him such special powers as may be provided for by law.

(2) In the event of a serious threat to the nation's territorial integrity or to its existence, its independence or institutions, the President of the Republic may declare a state of siege by decree and take any measures as he may deem necessary. He shall inform the Nation of his decision by message.

Article 10

(1) The President of the Republic shall appoint the Prime Minister and, on the proposal of the latter, the other members of Government.

He shall define their duties.

He shall terminate their appointment.

He shall preside over the Council of Ministers.

(2) The President of the Republic may delegate some of his powers to the Prime Minister, other members of Government and any other senior administrative officials of the State, within the framework of their respective duties.

(3) Where the President of the Republic is temporarily unable to, perform his duties, he shall delegate the Prime Minister and, should the latter also be unavailable, any other member of Government to discharge his duties within the framework of an express delegation of some of his powers.