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Cameroon: Parliament Extends President Paul Biya's Rule for Life
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Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)
11 April 2008
Posted to the web 11 April 2008
Yaounde
In yet another setback for democracy in Africa, Cameroon's parliament adopted a constitutional bill removing a two-term limit to allow President Paul Biya to extend his 25-year rule on Thursday, despite opposition to the extension which caused of riots that killed dozens of people in February.
The bill, submitted just a week ago, was approved on Tuesday by the assembly's constitutional law committee which dismissed more than 20 opposition amendments. Opposition lawmakers, who criticised the bill stormed out of the chamber before the vote, Reuters reported.
Biya's Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) enjoys a huge majority, controlling 153 of 180 parliamentary seats. The CPDM oversaw the introduction of a new constitution in 1996 which limited presidents to two seven-year terms. Biya's second term under that constitution expires in 2011, but he made it clear in a New Year speech that he would like to stay on.
Parliament members from the Social Democratic Front (SDF), the main opposition with 15 seats, walked out of the assembly in protest, saying parliament should not amend a constitution that emerged from cross-party negotiations in the early 1990s.
There was little visible reaction in the capital Yaounde, whose streets were empty late on Thursday due to heavy rain. A Reuters reporter saw members of Cameroon's military rapid reaction force patrolling parts of the city on Wednesday night.
"It is common knowledge that incumbent presidents in Africa use the government machinery and all the powers at their disposal to manoeuvre the electoral process," SDF parliamentary chief whip Joseph Barnadzem told reporters outside the chamber.
"To try now to amend this article only through the National Assembly, for us is tantamount to a hold-up," he said. CPDM chief whip Jean Bernard Ndongo Essomba said the bill, which also reduces presidential terms to five years, "will enhance democracy, maintain political stability, national unity and territorial integrity" of Cameroon.
"It is in tune with international accepted standards as practised in old democracies such as France and the United Kingdom. It therefore warrants the enthusiastic support of all Cameroonians of good faith," he said.
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A number of African presidents have abolished two-term limits introduced in the 1990s in a wave of multi-party rule after the end of the Cold War. But efforts to do so in Nigeria, Zambia and Malawi have been blocked in recent years.
!visit www.ko.org.za he has signed the worst he will account! we will scrab that and see cameroonians free in in their fatherland! Kamerun obosso! thanks for this!
The constitutional amendments which recently took place in Cameroon should be shouldered by the parliament which is made of a bunch of academic invalids. They are simply interested in how much money the embezzle. Many young and skilled cameroonians have left the country coz of the poor administration. We are getting used to this "shit" and are ready to live with it. Mr, Paul Biya should know that some of us already see him in jail. In a two-meter squared room. It will be smart enough to give up now coz u will never go free unless u 'DIE". And... [Read Full Text]
You are right. The parlaiment of cameroon is full of goons and illiterates. How can you explain the fact that most parliamentarians vote for bills, that their electorates reject, simply because those bills come from their parties? They are stupid and full of shit. They do not still know the difference between government and party. I will certainly not give them a lecture on this because they don't even read books. But some people who have a say and might read this, I have a recipe: Either, Parlaimentarians in Cameroon should be sent to school to study, Political science, sociology... [Read Full Text]
This is definitely a recipe for trouble. I hope African Union is watching this carefully. Apparently, our African leaders never learn. I remember that I was in Elementary school when Biya started out. I am currently beyond post-graduate schools and have worked for a decade in-between schools and Biya is still there and still wants to continue being there. Is the Camerounian Government House his father's compound? Does he think there is no other capable Camerounian who can effectively govern that country?
Our leaders can be so selfish that they never learn from history. Liberia was in a bloody... [Read Full Text]
This is actually a shame and mockery to democracy.I am speechless and breathless as i write.People in my generation have watched this old generation rein our life. We have patiently waited for a natural democratic process to mathematically eliminate this evil regime by 2011. But yet the spin on the constitution now means this generation and our off springs will continue leaving in misery with no future. Worst of all a president being above the law means we do not only leave in misery but in constant fear. It is time for all Cameroons in the face of the earth... [Read Full Text]
sir the extendtion of mr biya's rule is never a problem to the camerounains but rather a blesssing to the people may god bless him and the republic of cameroun.
African GREED once again comes to light. Whats wrong with my continent. SHAME!!!
It's with sadness that while people grow to be responsible citizens, you are growing to be naughty. In the same category, people wear their shoes facing forward while you wear yours facing backward. Where on earth is it that a man who has refused to be responsible is instead added more responsibilities. SHAME ON YOU BIYA'S HAND CLAPPERS.
Well, destiny can not be changed no matter how far you delay. it. Satan is anxiously waiting to have you as his chief of blood disputes. Long live paul biya mvondo.
Note: Do not push a man to the... [Read Full Text]
RUBBER STAMP PALIAMENT OF CAMEROON BRIBED INTO RUBBER STAMPING BIYA'S PRESIDENT-FOR-LIFE DREAM. ___________________________________________________
MEMBERS OF PAILAMENT IN CAMEROON HAVE ONCE AGAIN SOLD CAMEROON TO A WELL KNOWN CRIMINAL "PAUL BIYA" HE IS GUILTY OF HIJACKING CAMEROONIANS AND THEIR RESOURCES FOR HIS PERSONAL AND FAMILY GAINS WHILE MOST CAMEROONIANS CONTINUE TO LEAVE LIKE BEGGERS IN HELL. DR BIYA AS BEEN PRESIDENT OF CAMERRON FOR 26 YEARS AND FEARING TO GIVE UP POWER BECAUSE HE MIGHT BY TRIED AND JAILED. OTHER CRIMINALS CALLED MISNISTERS AND OTHERS ARE STRONGLY AGAINST HIM LEAVING OFFICE BECAUSE OF THE PROTECTION THEY ENJOY FROM HIS MAFIA GOVERNMENT... [Read Full Text]
its time to look for the weapons we need to shed some blood. its time to indicate that we are determined to take our country back. If this system we criticise so much is not disrupted it will never stop. anyone interested is free to contact higher for further instructions.
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