Cameroun Intellectuels: Urge Transition Constitutionnelle Amidst Governance Crisis

• Eleven Cameroonian intellectuals have called for a political transition, citing President Paul Biya's age and perceived governance vacuum.
• They demand that competent authorities formally declare a power vacancy, strictly adhering to constitutional procedures.
• The group highlights President Biya's 44-year tenure, his 93 years of age, and increasing absences as reasons for the country's institutional paralysis.
• They argue that past elections have lacked credibility, hindering legitimate presidential succession and contributing to an acute institutional crisis.

They emphasize that this declaration must strictly adhere to constitutional forms, ensuring that Cameroon can embark on a transition process grounded in legality and dignity.

Eleven prominent Cameroonian intellectuals, encompassing academics, jurists, artists, religious and community leaders, opinion shapers, and civic personalities, have publicly urged for a political transition in Cameroon. Their collective appeal, published as an opinion piece in the French newspaper Libération, asserts that such a transition has become an "inevitable" necessity following several decades under the leadership of President Paul Biya. The group contends that the nation is, in practical terms, no longer being governed effectively.

The intellectuals' statement directly addresses the competent institutions of the Republic, as well as both national and international public opinion. They are seeking the establishment of conditions necessary for managing presidential succession through the implementation of a "reliable transition period." This initiative, they clarify, stems not from personal animosity but from an undeniable observation of facts indicating a profound governance deficit within the country.

The core of the intellectuals' argument rests on the advanced age and prolonged tenure of President Paul Biya, who is 93 years old and has held office for 44 years. This longevity is described as nearly unprecedented in the contemporary world, especially given Cameroon's average population age of 19. They highlight the President's repeated and increasingly frequent absences from Yaoundé, the seat of governmental institutions, as well as his extended periods away from national territory.

These absences, the group argues, are compounded by a growing detachment between the President and his own government. They characterize the exercise of executive power, when it occurs, as remote management or even outright absence. The intellectuals assert that a president who is no longer seen by his own executive, and who no longer sees them, ceases to be their effective leader. This situation, coupled with a system of reinforced presidentialism that has historically granted excessive dominance to the executive over legislative and judicial branches, leads to the paralysis of the entire state apparatus. Critical state decisions, including arbitrations, appointments, and structural policies, appear to have shifted away from the constitutionally invested leader to an entourage whose legitimacy is neither elective nor institutional. As an illustration, they point to the lack of response from the presidential palace or government regarding recent international court judgments awarding staggering sums against the Cameroonian state.

In light of these observations, the intellectuals issue a solemn demand to the competent authorities to formally declare a "vacance du pouvoir" (power vacuum or vacancy). They emphasize that this declaration must strictly adhere to constitutional forms, ensuring that Cameroon can embark on a transition process grounded in legality and dignity. The current state of affairs, they argue, has precipitated an acute and persistent institutional crisis, severely impairing the Cameroonian state's ability to manage, arbitrate, and chart the nation's future course.

The group also reflects on the presidential election held on October 12, 2025, which saw Paul Biya re-elected for an eighth term, noting that it could potentially offer an opportunity for peaceful and undisputed alternation. However, they lament that past electoral processes have been marred by widely contested credibility and results, thereby obstructing the Cameroonian populace from legitimately exercising their right to determine their own governance. This historical pattern suggests that the conditions for a truly peaceful and legitimate transition through elections have not been met, reinforcing the urgency of their call for a managed transition, rooted in `droit constitutionnel Cameroun`.

The appeal by these eleven intellectuals for a `Cameroun intellectuels transition constitutionnelle` carries significant weight, signaling deep concerns about the country's stability and future trajectory. Their assertion of a de facto `Cameroun vacance du pouvoir` and a pervasive `Cameroun crise institutionnelle` underscores a critical juncture for the nation. The call for a "reliable transition period" to manage `Paul Biya succession Cameroun` highlights a desire for a structured and legitimate path forward, rather than an abrupt or chaotic change.

This public declaration, published in an international newspaper, also serves to draw global attention to the internal governance challenges facing Cameroon. For international observers, particularly those with business or legal interests in the country, this `Cameroun transition politique` discourse indicates potential shifts in the political landscape. The emphasis on constitutional forms and legality suggests a desire to avoid extra-constitutional measures, yet the very public nature of the appeal points to a perceived failure of existing mechanisms to address the succession question. The outcome of this `Mbembe Biloa appel` and the response from Cameroonian authorities will be crucial in determining the country's path in the coming years.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising clients with interests in Cameroon should closely monitor this call for constitutional transition, as it signals potential political instability and future changes to the legal and governance framework. This could impact business certainty, contractual obligations, and regulatory compliance in the country.

Source: Reporting based on a tribune in Libération.