Constitution of Cameroon, 1972 (PDF)
The supreme law of Cameroon, as published by Presidence de la Republique du Cameroun. Published in French and English.
This is the 2008 edition, the latest text we hold. It does not include later amendments or the 2026 revision; check the official source for the current text.
At a glance
- Adopted
- 1972
- Last amended
- 2008
- Languages
- French, English
- Chapters
- 13
- Articles
- 69
- Presidential term
- 7 years · Art. 6(2)
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Le Président de la République est élu pour un mandat de sept (7) ans. Il est rééligible.
- Presidential term limit
- No term limit (re-eligible without limit) · Art. 6(2)
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Il est rééligible.
- Minimum age to run for President
- 35 years · Art. 6(9) (2026 law)
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avoir trente cinq (35) ans révolus à la date de l'élection.
- Amendment procedure
- Absolute majority of Parliament in Congress; referendum optional · Art. 63
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Le texte est adopté à la majorité absolue des membres le composant.
- Head of state
- President of the Republic · Art. 5(1)
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Le Président de la République est le Chef de l’Etat.
- Prime minister
- Yes, appointed by the President · Art. 10(1)
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Le Président de la République nomme le Premier Ministre et sur proposition de celui-ci, les autres membres du Gouvernement.
National Assembly of Cameroon copy: 'Loi n°96/06 du 18 janvier 1996 portant révision de la Constitution du 02 juin 1972, modifiée et complétée par la loi n°2008/001 du 14 avril 2008'. The links file had no PDF and presidence.cm timed out. A further amending law (Loi n°2026/002 of 14 April 2026, amending Arts. 5, 6, 7, 10, 53 and 66; prc.cm PDF) exists and is quoted only for the age rule; it is an amending text, not a consolidated constitution.
Constitution of Cameroon: common questions
When was the constitution of Cameroon adopted?
The current constitution of Cameroon dates from 1972. It was last amended in 2008.
Where can I download the constitution of Cameroon?
Use the Download PDF button on this page. It is a copy of the text published by Assemblée Nationale du Cameroun (Loi n°96/06 du 18 janvier 1996, modifiée et complétée par la loi n°2008/001 du 14 avril 2008. Does not include Loi n°2026/002 of 14 April 2026.). We host it because of the following reuse basis: Bangui Agreement (OAPI), Annex VII, Article 6: official texts of a legislative nature are not protected by copyright. If anything differs from the official publication, the official text prevails.
How long is a presidential term in Cameroon?
7 years (Article 6(2)).
What is the minimum age to run for president in Cameroon?
35 years (Article 6(9) (2026 law)).
How is the constitution of Cameroon amended?
Absolute majority of Parliament in Congress; referendum optional (Article 63).
The PDF on this page reproduces the text published by Assemblée Nationale du Cameroun, retrieved 10 Oct 2026. Version: Loi n°96/06 du 18 janvier 1996, modifiée et complétée par la loi n°2008/001 du 14 avril 2008. Does not include Loi n°2026/002 of 14 April 2026.. Reuse basis: Bangui Agreement (OAPI), Annex VII, Article 6: official texts of a legislative nature are not protected by copyright. Only layout was changed. If anything differs from the official publication, the official text prevails.
Source: Presidence de la Republique du Cameroun, retrieved 10 Oct 2026. See our methods.