In a significant legislative initiative, the Constitutional Laws Committee of Cameroon’s Parliament has begun scrutinizing a transformative bill poised to revolutionize the nation’s civil registration system. Zondol Hersssesse, the Committee’s Chairman, recently presided over discussions with Gorge Elanga Obam, Minister of Decentralization and Local Development, to evaluate “Bill N° 2063/PJL/ANTO.”
This proposed legislation aims to rectify deep-seated issues in Cameroon’s civil status framework, initially established by Ordinance No. 81/002 of June 29, 1981. Among the most pressing challenges is the staggering figure of nearly seven million Cameroonians who lack birth certificates—a predicament that restricts access to basic services and undermines the authenticity of civil status records.
The new bill introduces several groundbreaking reforms designed to modernize the registration process, reduce bureaucracy, and make civil documentation accessible to all. Among its highlights are:
- Bilingual Civil Status Certificates:
Reflecting Cameroon’s linguistic diversity, the law will ensure civil status certificates are issued in both English and French. - Extended Registration Deadlines:
Families will now have up to 90 days to register births, offering more flexibility to accommodate various circumstances. - Provisions for Internally Displaced Persons:
Recognizing the challenges faced by displaced individuals, the bill includes mechanisms to help them obtain or restore their civil status certificates. - Unique Personal Identification Number (UPIN):
A lifelong identification number assigned at birth will simplify the identification process and significantly curb identity fraud. - Digital Civil Status Certificates:
Transitioning from paper to digital certificates, the system aims to enhance accessibility, curb forgery, and meet the demands of a modernized administration. - A Sustainable Funding Framework:
The legislation provides for a structured funding mechanism to ensure the effective rollout and sustainability of the reforms.
Elanga Obam emphasized the bill’s pivotal role in addressing long-standing inefficiencies and aligning Cameroon’s civil registration system with international standards. He remarked, “Every Cameroonian deserves a recognized civil status. This reform is a critical step toward ensuring civic rights and social inclusion for all.”
Beyond enhancing the civil registration framework, the bill promises to address societal challenges, particularly for vulnerable groups like internally displaced persons.
If adopted, Bill N° 2063/PJL/ANTO could usher in a new era for civil documentation in Cameroon, transforming how identities are managed and secured across the nation.
