Cameroon - July 2024

On 24 July, via legislation and a presidential decree, President Paul Biya extended the terms of legislators and municipal counsellors by more than a year, paving the way for the postponement of National Assembly and municipal elections from 2025 to 2026. The delay was justified by the government on the grounds that it was necessary to lighten the electoral calendar for 2025. Opposition parties and civil society, however, alleged that the move is an attempt by Biya to exclude opponents from the upcoming presidential election. Cameroon’s electoral code requires political parties fielding a presidential candidate to have representation in parliament or a regional or a municipal council, or secure endorsements from 300 dignitaries. Having boycotted the last elections, several opposition parties lack such representation and delaying the National Assembly and municipal elections until after the 2025 presidential poll deprives these parties of the opportunity to achieve it.

Sources: Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon (1), Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon (2), Jeune Afrique, The East African