president biya’s appointments spark debate over judicial council’s prolonged inactivity

The president of the Republic signed a decree on June 2, 2026, appointing members to the Council of the Supreme Magistracy. President Paul Biya extended the mandates of ten out of fourteen members whose terms had expired a year ago, granting them new five-year terms. This council has not convened since August 2020—nearly six years of inactivity.

Human rights lawyer and advocate Me Felix Nkongo Agbor Balla has decried this institutional failure, warning of severe repercussions for the rule of law, judicial independence, and public trust in the justice system. The Council of the Supreme Magistracy is constitutionally mandated to oversee magistrates’ careers, discipline, integration, and ethical regulation.

“Its continued dormancy has crippled these essential functions and significantly weakened the judicial sector,” Agbor Balla wrote in a January 2026 op-ed that provided a comprehensive analysis of the crisis.

critical gaps in judicial appointments and operations

One of the most alarming consequences of the council’s inaction is that graduates 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 be sworn in or exercise judicial functions. This unprecedented situation has created a dangerous void in courts nationwide.

“Cameroon is currently facing a severe shortage of magistrates, leading to court backlogs, excessive case delays, prolonged pretrial detentions, and widespread delays in justice administration,” Agbor Balla observed. “The prolonged absence of the Council’s meetings also denies citizens timely access to justice, especially as many judicial positions remain vacant due to retirements, deaths, or resignations.“

“This void has even led to legally questionable appointments in certain administrative jurisdictions, where judges have been assigned without the Council’s prior approval—a violation of the constitutional process that designates the Council as the sole authority for magistrate appointments and assignments.“

disciplinary paralysis and corruption risks

Beyond integration issues, disciplinary procedures are stalled, promotions are frozen, and professional misconduct cannot be addressed. Honest magistrates are discouraged, while corruption thrives in the absence of oversight. The urgency of reconvening the Council of the Supreme Magistracy is undeniable. Strict adherence to the legal framework—mandating two annual meetings—is now imperative to restore judicial integrity and functionality.