Cameroon: Government
Key Figures
Chief of State: President Paul Biya
Head of Government: Prime Minister Philemon Yang
Overview
Government Name: Republic of Cameroon
Constitution: Adopted: 1972; The basis of the constitution is to have a strong central government that is dominated by the executive branch. The constitution includes the rights of citizens, structure and function of government, symbols and institutions of the country and how the constitution should be amended.
Government Type: Republic
Government Control of Economy
Scale ranks countries on a basis of 1-100, with 100 representing the greatest amount of economic autonomy from government intervention.
Source: Heritage Foundation, http://www.heritage.org/index/heatmap
(2015)
| Main Powers | Election Process | Election Cycle Source: ElectionGuide, http://www.electionguide.org/ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive | The president has the most power of the three branches and is in charge of naming cabinet members, judges, and governors. The president also approves or vetoes regulations, among other things. |
The president is elected by plurality vote. The prime minister is appointed by the president. |
7 years |
| Judicial | The judiciary is subordinate to the executive branch's ministry of justice. The supreme court may review the constitutionality of a law only at the president's request. |
The supreme court judges are appointed by the president with the advice of the higher judicial council of Cameroon. |
No term limit |
| Legislative | The legislative branch is responsible for creating and passing laws. |
The senate comprises 100 members, with 70 members being indirectly elected by regional governing councils and 30 members being appointed by the president. The national assembly has 180 members, 34 of whom are elected by plurality vote in single-member constituencies, and the other 146 are elected by plurality vote in multi-member constituencies. |
5 years |
International Relations
Foreign Policy Trends: Cameroon has a low profil non confrontational foreign relations approach that keeps them in good standing with their African neighbors and the UN. The nation has very close ties with France, relying on them for defense and economic aid.
Regional Trade Blocs: UDEAC, CEMAC
Treaties: Peace and Security Council
International Organization Participation Source: CIA World Factbook
| ACP | AfDB | AU | BDEAC | C | CEMAC |
| EITI | FAO | FZ | G-77 | IAEA | IBRD |
| ICAO | ICC | ICRM | IDA | IDB | IFAD |
| IFC | IFRCS | IHO | ILO | IMF | IMO |
| IMSO | Interpol | IOC | IOM | IPU | ISO |
| ITSO | ITU | ITUC | MIGA | MONUSCO | NAM |
| OIC | OIF | OPCW | PCA | UN | UNAMID |
| UNCTAD | UNESCO | UNHCR | UNIDO | UNWTO | UPU |
| WCO | WFTU | WHO | WIPO | WMO | WTO |
Note: Click table to see details
Environmental Agreements Source: CIA World Factbook
| Biodiversity | Climate Change | Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol | Desertification | Endangered Species | Hazardous Wastes |
| Law of the Sea | Ozone Layer Protection | Tropical Timber 06 | Wetlands | Whaling |
Note: Click table to see details
Tax Information
Source: EY, http://www.ey.com/GL/en/Services/Tax/
Tax Authority: Information not available
Tax Name: Information not available
Sources:
CIA World Factbook and U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets except where stated otherwise.