In his Monday editorial, broadcast on Radio Tiémeni Siantou (90.5 FM in Yaoundé and Bafang), journalist Eric Boniface Tchouakeu stresses the urgent need to convene the Superior Council of the Judiciary following the recent presidential appointments.
What the editorial reveals
The President of the Republic signed a decree on June 2, 2026, appointing members to the Superior Council of the Judiciary. President Paul Biya renewed the mandates of ten out of fourteen members whose terms had expired a year ago for another five-year term. This council has not met since August 2020—nearly six years ago.
According to human rights lawyer Me Félix Nkongo Agbor Balla, this prolonged inaction represents a severe institutional failure with profound consequences for the rule of law, judicial independence, and public trust in the justice system.
The Superior Council of the Judiciary is constitutionally responsible for managing judicial careers, disciplinary matters, integration, and ethical oversight of magistrates. “Its continued dormancy has crippled these essential functions and significantly weakened the judiciary,” the lawyer wrote in a January 2026 op-ed, providing a comprehensive diagnosis of the situation.
“One of the most alarming consequences of the council’s inaction is that magistrates graduating from the National School of Administration and Magistracy (ENAM) over the past six years have not been formally integrated into the judicial corps. As a result, they cannot take the oath or exercise their judicial functions. This unprecedented situation has created a dangerous void in courts nationwide,” lamented Me Agbor Balla.
“Cameroon is currently facing a critical shortage of magistrates, leading to court overload, case backlogs, prolonged detentions, and widespread delays in justice delivery,” he noted with concern.
“The prolonged absence of the Superior Council of the Judiciary also deprives citizens of timely access to justice, especially as many positions remain vacant due to retirements, deaths, or resignations.”
“This void has led to legally questionable appointments, including in some administrative jurisdictions where judges have been appointed without the council’s prior advice—the only body competent in magistrate nominations and assignments.”
“Beyond integration issues, disciplinary procedures are stalled, promotions are suspended, and professional misconduct cannot be reviewed. Dishonest magistrates go unpunished, while dedicated judges lose motivation,” Agbor Balla concluded.
Given this stark and alarming assessment, the urgency of convening the Superior Council of the Judiciary is undeniable. The council must meet at least twice a year as stipulated by law.
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