Imminent review of Constitution: Litmus test for MPs.

There is also the "clan war" of succession, as well as mounting debts, insecurity and a flawed Electoral Code. Some of the challenges are a reflection of an insidious system that needs a constitutional review. It has been in the public debate for months.

President Biya's promised "reforms" in his swearing-in speech for an eighth mandate was interpreted to anchor on a constitutional amendment.

As parliament opens next month, several sources have been reporting on the issue.  For instance, L'Oeil du Sahel, last week announced that an "amendment to the Constitution is expected during the next parliamentary session in March 2026".

Even before the last presidential election, there were headlines like: "Inside Cameroon’s secret push for constitutional reform", "Confidetiel: Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, l’homme qui prépare la réforme constitutionnelle de Biya" translated into English as “Ngoh Ngoh, the man who prepares Biya's constitutional reforms" etc

The Africa Report that first published the scoop, noted that at an era "leading up to presidential election" there is heightened preparation for a review of the constitution even though "no official announcement yet".

According to various reports, the president’s powerful Secretary General, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, leads the "secretive group, supported by advisers, Jean-Claude Awala Wodougué and Luc Sindjoun, along with constitutional law experts".

Their goal is said to be a comprehensive overhaul of Cameroon’s political, administrative and electoral architecture. Key sensitive issues for the review which have, however, been proposed in several public discourse, are increasing representation in key institutions – the National Assembly, Senate, Regional Councils and local councils to reflect the population of each entity.

Others include chieftaincy classification and dual nationality. There is also the need to redraw administrative boundaries, creating new municipalities, Subdivisions, Divisions and even Regions.

There are reports trending in the social media proposing creation of 10 more Regions to take the total to 20, while the Minister of Territorial Administration is also known to have issued a circular, instructing governors to propose the creation of new Subdivisions in their jurisdictions. 

The post of a Vice President, which existed in the Federal Constitution, in a kind of rotation of power, is also on the drawing board and it is said to be one of the major reasons behind the proposed changes so as to appease the marginalised people of the North West and South West Regions.

If created the Vice President should replace the Head of State in case of a vacancy. Cameroon’s constitution has been reviewed on three occasions "aimed at consolidating national unity, decentralising power, and strengthening the presidency", to quote government sources. 

During the first tinkering in 1972, federation was abolished through a controversial referendum, which, Anglophone activists said, violated Article 47 of the federal constitution, which stipulated that "nothing shall be done to change the form of state”.

The second amendment in1996 under the Chairmanship of Prof. Joseph Owona established a centralised form of government, a bicameral legislature, limited decentralisation and a seven-year presidential mandate renewable once.

The Owona constitution was said to epitomise a break with the authoritarian features of the 1972 Constitution, and indeed, was described by the executive as a "Constitution ushering a new era with respect to the separation of powers and checks and balances". The executive, however, remained the main cock crewing to silent the others. 

The third review was in 2008, principally to remove the presidential term limit which would have ended President Biya's reign in 2011. Based on the historical experience and the law, any constitutional amendment must first be proposed by the president or parliament, then approved by a three-fifth majority in the National Assembly and the Senate.

Since no private member's bill has ever been presented by parliamentarians of the ruling party, it is expected that the proposed draft will be sent by the government.

There are speculations that it is after the constitutional review that the promised cabinet reshuffle will be implemented to meet with the exigencies of the new constitution.

While the nation waits anxiously, it is a known aberration that legislators of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM, have often voted "according to dictates from party hierarchy", not their consciences.

This time, given the lingering atmosphere of uncertainty, they have to be guided by their inner conscience, especially with legislative elections staring at them and knowing that they have to be accountable to their constituents and party bosses.

They are not elected by "hierarchy", but by the electorate to whom they owe a duty to represent in sincerity and speak conscientiously on their behalf.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3713 of Tuesday February 24, 2026