How biya steered constitutional revision maneuvers

Admirers applauded him for being a master planner, while some exasperated detractors only saw an evil genius at work When President Paul Biya addressed the nation on 6 July, less than three weeks to the 22 July twin parliamentary and council elections and called for “clear majorities”, very few Cameroonians understood his underlying intentions.

Paul Biya repeated his call through the government run CRTV airwaves on 22 July shortly after casting his vote. On 15 August, after the Supreme Court had already declared results of the elections, Biya thanked Cameroonians for giving his ruling CPDM party the “clear majorities”. The president was a very triumphant man. His CPDM party finally grabbed 153 out of the 180 seats in Parliament, way above the two-third majority required for a constitutional amendment. But at the time, although many suspected that Biya had intentions to revise the constitution and make himself president for life, most of them hoped they were wrong. The mist surrounding the issue began to clear on 30 October 2007 when the French television channel, France 24, broadcast a recorded interview Biya granted them a few days earlier. In the interview, when asked about whether he would modify the constitution so as to be able to run for the 2011 presidential election, Biya said he had more important preoccupations than the 2011 elections, then added, “I leave those who want to open the debate to do so. Because there are also people who say that to ensure continuity, I should run again in 2011”. Seven days later, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Biya’s accession to power, the CPDM baron and general manager of the Cameroon Shipyard corporation, Zacheus Forjindam, led a team of CPDM officials in his native Santa – NorthWest Province to send a motion to President Biya advocating the revision of Article 6.2 of the constitution that provides for a seven-year term for the president renewable once. For other CPDM barons across the country, Fornjindam had demonstrated political ingenuity at its best. In panic, Prime Minister Ephraim Inoni got his Fako CPDM constituents to adopt a similar motion two days later. But even then, Lekie division had beaten him to it, as the CPDM there had already adopted a motion late on 6 November.The rush had begun. In the subsequent days and weeks, CPDM elites dashed to their constituencies across Cameroon to obtain motions pleading with Biya to reign for life. Although some CPDM officials, MPs and grassroots militants tried to resist, the constitutional revision machinery trod the nation like a pitiless colossus, crushing every dissenter.

When the CPDM Central Committee finally issued a communiqué thanking militants for their calls for a life presidency for Biya it was only a mater of time for Biya to make his penultimate move. On 31 December, during his end-of-year message, Biya finally announced that Article 6.2 of the 1996 constitution would effectively be revised to allow for unlimited presidential terms. During most of the CPDM hysteria over motions for a life presidency, many opposition parties and civil societies groups whispered threats of resistance. But as one observer said, they all sounded like the cowardly bark of a dog that already has its tail between its legs. Biya’s ultimate act would likely be to table a bill this 2008 at the National Assembly where his crushing CPDM majority would rubber stamp his proposal to become Cameroon’s president for life. As to what might happen, your guess is as good as mind. God safe Cameroon.

Yemti Harry Ndienla Esq

Senior Journalist,

P. 0 Box 494 Buea,

Southwest Province Republic of Cameroon,

West Africa.

Cell; 237 772 52 03

mcyemtih@yahoo.com