Prime Minister of Cameroon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of the Republic of Cameroon
Coat of arms of Cameroon
Incumbent Joseph Ngute since 4 January 2019
Appointer	Paul Biya, as President of Cameroon
Inaugural holder	Ahmadou Ahidjo
Formation	1 January 1960
Website	Official Website: https://spm.gov.cm/site/?q=en/content/prime-minister-and-his-collaborators

The Prime Minister of Cameroon is a key role in the country's government. Even though the prime minister is officially the head of government, the President holds most of the power. The President can also choose to remove the prime minister from office at any time.

The current Prime Minister is Joseph Ngute. President Paul Biya appointed him to this position. He started his work on January 4, 2019.

Understanding the Prime Minister's Role

In Cameroon, the Prime Minister helps run the government. They work closely with the President. However, the President has the final say on many decisions. This setup is part of Cameroon's constitution.

Who Appoints the Prime Minister?

The President of Cameroon chooses the Prime Minister. This means the President decides who will fill this important role. The Prime Minister then helps carry out the President's plans.

A Look at the History of the Prime Minister's Office

The position of Prime Minister has changed over time in Cameroon. It began when the eastern part of Cameroon became independent. This happened in 1960, after gaining freedom from France.

Early Years: Two Prime Ministers

In 1961, the western part of Cameroon also gained independence. This area had been under British rule. When the two parts joined, they formed the Federal Republic of Cameroon. This new country had two separate regions. These were East Cameroon and West Cameroon. Each region kept its own Prime Minister. This showed their independence within the new federation.

Becoming a United Country

In 1972, Cameroon became a single, united country. This meant the two separate Prime Minister roles were no longer needed. For a short time, there was no Prime Minister at all.

The Role Returns

In 1975, Paul Biya was appointed as the Prime Minister for all of Cameroon. He later became President. After he became President, the Prime Minister's job was again empty. This lasted from 1984 until 1991. The role was then brought back.

Philemon Yang served as Prime Minister of Cameroon from 2009 to 2019.

List of Prime Ministers

You can find a full list of all the people who have served as Prime Minister of Cameroon. This list includes their names and the years they held the position.

See also

In Spanish: Primer ministro de Camerún para niños

• Politics of Cameroon