Legal expert Jean Paul Ntsengue recently shared his analysis on the holding of cabinet meetings in Cameroon, a matter that regularly sparks debate. According to Ntsengue, the regularity of cabinet meetings at the level of the Prime Minister's Office is constitutionally equivalent to the cabinet meetings that should be chaired by the President of the Republic.
In a column, Ntsengue asserts that there is neither deficiency nor illegality in the current practice, as the President of the Republic receives the Prime Minister, Head of Government, weekly for a report on the implementation of the Nation's policy, as defined by the President himself, in accordance with Article 11 (1) of the Constitution.
Ntsengue emphasizes that his analysis is based on an objective reading of the law, and not on political considerations. He aims to enlighten public opinion by clarifying the points of disagreement between the government and the opposition regarding the holding of ministerial councils provided for by the Constitution.
Criticism has been voiced, including from abroad, regarding the fact that President Paul Biya has not chaired a cabinet meeting since 2020, which is seen by some as a serious shortcoming in the conduct of the country's affairs or a blatant violation of the law. However, Ntsengue argues that the current method complies with the Constitution.
Article 10(1) of the Constitution stipulates that the President of the Republic chairs cabinet meetings, but paragraph (2) allows the President to delegate some of his powers to the Prime Minister, other members of the Government and certain senior officials of the State administration, within the framework of their respective duties. The monthly holding of "Cabinet Councils", which follow the same format as cabinet meetings with an extension to Secretaries of State, is considered an application of this substitution provided for by the Constitution.
Ntsengue adds that, under the same legal conditions of substitution provided for in Article 10(2), the President of the Republic could delegate the presidency of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy if he deems it useful, in order to resolve current issues related to the careers of magistrates.
In reality, Paul Biya held his first cabinet meeting since 2015 on March 15, 2018. President Biya gathered his government on Thursday, August 18 2020, for the first time in more than two years.
