Cameroon: ELECAM defanged by Paul Biya

Presidential elections are slated for September 2011 in Cameroon. The
ruling regime in that country headed by Paul Biya has been watching
what has happened in Cote d'Ivoire closely.

Presidential elections were proclaimed by that country's electoral
commission, and the results were overturned by the constitutional
council of Cote d'Ivoire. That led to fighting that lasted from
December that ended today, April 11 2011 with the arrest of the out
going president Laurent Gbagbo.

Paul Biya in Cameroon recognizes this danger, and has moved to take
away the powers of the electoral commission (ELECAM), so that the
authority to proclaim presidential election results in Cameroon will
come under the Constitutional Council, a role played by the Supreme
Court.

This is also a sign that Paul Biya has little trust in high level
government officials, and would rather have someone whom he can trust
- like the president of the Supreme Court of Cameroon - proclaim the
results of the elections.

Biya is taking measures to remain in power in Cameroon. It is not a
wise decision, Cameroon needs a younger and more dynamic leader. He
should learn from Laurent Gbagbo.