Regional, Decentralization and Traditional Power in Cameroon

Abstract

This article shows the process of transition from the unitary state to decentralisation, which is the transfer of administrative competences from the central state to the communities (municipalities). This law is derived from the Constitution of 18 January 1996, which was re-enacted by Law No. 2019/024 of 24 December 2019 on the General Code of Decentralised Territorial Authorities, with the creation of regions and elected regional councillors and traditional chiefs appointed as regional councillors by the central government. The particularity of decentralisation in Cameroon is the maintenance of governors, prefects and sub-prefects as representatives of the central state in the missions of the centralised power. Another peculiarity is the weak donation of the sovereignty of the delegations of the various ministers placed under the management of decentralised communities (Mairie). This donation remains weak in all areas. In the new model defined by the law n°2019/024 of 24 December 2019, regionalisation should be presented as a spring of economic and social development.