(Business in Cameroon) - The mandate of Cameroon’s town councillors has officially been extended. This is announced by a decree signed on July 15, 2019, by President Paul Biya.

According to this decree, precedently extended via decree number 2018/406 of July 11, 2018, the councillors’ end of mandate is once again extended till February 29, 2020. 

On June 19, 2019, the head of state submitted a consultation notice before the parliament for a new extension of members of parliament’s mandate.

The president based his demand on article 15(4) of the constitution. It stipulates that in case of serious crisis or when the circumstances require it, after consultation with the president of the constitutional council, various bureau of the parliament and the Senate, the head of state can ask the parliament to extend or shorten members of parliament’s term. Precisely, Cameroon is going through serious sociopolitical crisis in the North-west and South-west.  

Deputies’ mandate was extended to let them hold the November session, which is usually dedicated to the examination of the finance act, government indicates. As for the town councillors’ term, it was extended to allow the legislative and municipal elections to be held together as it has been the case in Cameroon since 2007.  

S.A