Law No.2017/009 of 12 July 2017 to lay down the powers, organization and functioning of the Economic and Social Council of Cameroon

REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
2017/ 0 0 9
PEACE - WORK - FATHERLAND
12 JUIL 2017
TO LAY DOWN THE POWERS, ORGANIZATION AND
FUNCTIONING OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL OF
.CAMEROON
? R2S C E., C2 LJ é l A RE? Ue ::OU( .
S [C~ëT .... !lIAI C·E.N Ei?Al
Sf;~vK:E :'U ;",-"' lIlfC'~ ~ ,; <= ET "'=:;' ~ t' '''E:r.~ T " tpf
The Parliament deliberated and adopted,
the President .of ihe Républic hereby
enacts the.law set out below: .

~ ,; <= ET "'=:;' ~ t' '''E:r.~ T " tpf
The Parliament deliberated and adopted,
the President .of ihe Républic hereby
enacts the.law set out below: .

Chapter 1
General Provisions
PRE SID EN CE DE LA REPUB LI QU E
l EC ~ C1 ~ R IA I C-E NER AL
l ERViC EouI I~ rll l R LfGiSL' ,:F ET REGl c"'ENT ~JlIf
COP!l CERTI FIEECONFORME . Section 1: This law lays down the powers, organization and functioning of the
Economie and Social Council , abbreviated "ESC", hereinafter referred to as "the
Council", in pursuance of the provisions of Section 54 of the Constitution. . Section 2: The Economie and Social Council shall be a consultative assembly
composed of representatives of various professional categories in the economie ,
social, cultural and environmental areas. Chapter Il
Duties and Powers
Section 3: The dutY of the Economie and Social Council shall be to advise the
Executive power on economic,social, cultural and environmental issues. Section 4: (1) The Council shall give its opinion on bills, draft ordinances or draft
decrees submitted to it by the President of the Republic. (2) The President of the Republic may also consult the Economie and
Social Council for studies or opinions ' on issues falling wlthln its sphere of
competence . (3) The Council may, at the behest of the Head of Government, conduct .

for studies or opinions ' on issues falling wlthln its sphere of
competence . (3) The Council may, at the behest of the Head of Government, conduct .

studies on the ' implementation of economic , social, cultural and environmental
development plans, and on prevailing economic trends, and propose measures Iikely
to boost produclionand consumption. (4) It may be involved to evaluate the government's economic, social,
cultural and environrnental policies . :
(5) ln the cases provided for in Section 4 (2) and (3) above ,it shall give its
opinion when due. . ' .

cial,
cultural and environrnental policies . :
(5) ln the cases provided for in Section 4 (2) and (3) above ,it shall give its
opinion when due. . ' .

(2) At the end of each year, the Council shall submit an annual report to
the President of the Republic. . Chapter III
Organization
I"Composition
Section 8: The Economie and Social Council shall be composed of 1 (one) President
and 150 (one hundred and fifty) members. Section 9: The Council President shall be a personality appointed by decree of the
President of the Republic. His/Her duties shall be terminated by decree. Section 10: (1) The Council members shall be appointed by decree of the President
of the Republic, from among personalities who, on account of their skiIls or activities,
contribute to the economic, social , cultural and environmental development of
Cameraon . (2) They shall be chosen from thefollowing categories:
(a) economy, socialdevelopment, employment, education, health, culture,
. sports, scientific and technical research , press , environment and sustainable
development, new information and communication technologies;
(b) industry , trade and handicraft;
(c) agriculture , Iivestock, flsheries and forestry;
(d) banking and credit;
(e) trade unions;
(f) associations,
(g)women and youth moverrients;
(h) Liberal professions. . .

tock, flsheries and forestry;
(d) banking and credit;
(e) trade unions;
(f) associations,
(g)women and youth moverrients;
(h) Liberal professions. . .

(3) A ·decree ot the .President of . the Republic .shalldetermine the
breakdown of members bycateqoryas weil as the terms and conditions of their
designation. . . . ... . . Section 11: The term of office of the Council members shall be 5 (five) years
renewable once . Section 12: (1) Where a Councllmernber loses the capacity on account ofwhich hel
she was appointed; he/.sheshall ceas ·e to be a member of the Council and the loss of . membership shall be automatically establlshed by the Council Bureau . 3

ppointed; he/.sheshall ceas ·e to be a member of the Council and the loss of . membership shall be automatically establlshed by the Council Bureau . 3

PRE SIDENCE DELA REPUB L: OU[ . ~ E C ~ ël '~IA T C· E N E~ A l . . .5l~VICE !)U f lt" rilE.R l f G i ~ !.)o . i;::' ET ~EG l i:: "" EN t IJIU
COP!l CERTI FIEE CO NFORME
. (2) He shall be replaced under the sarne conditions as for his/her
designation . The designated member shall complete the term of office of the member
whose 1055 of rnembership has been ascertained. Section 13: (1) ln case of permanent impediment or death of a member, he/she shall
automatically be replaced under the same conditions as for his/her appointment. The
designated member shall complete the term of office of the deceased member. (2) The permanent impediment of the member referred to in (1) above
shall be duly established by the Council Bureau. Section 14: The term of office of a member may be terminated in one of the following
cases :
- . physical or mental incapacity, duly established by the Council Bureau;
- gross misconduct, duly established by the Council Bureau;
- final sentencing involving afflictive penalty or 1055 of civic rights .

Council Bureau;
- gross misconduct, duly established by the Council Bureau;
- final sentencing involving afflictive penalty or 1055 of civic rights .

Section 15: (1) The functions of President, Vice-President and member of the
Economie and Social Council shall be incompatible with the functions or capa city of:
Meniber of Government and personalities ranking as such;
- Member of the Constitutional Council; . - Magistrate in active service; . Secretary-General of a Ministry and persans ranking as such; . Director-General of a public establishment or enterprise of the public and
semi-public sector;
. Central administration Director and persons ranking as such;
Diplomatie official;
Person holding a national, regional or local elective office;
- Governor, Secretary-General and lnspector-General in Governor's Office;
Divlsional Offlcer, Subdlvlslonal Officer and thelr assistants;
. Governmen't Deleqate to à clty councü; '. . . Law enforcernent official or personnel in actlveservice,
(2) The Economie and Social Council shall ensure theimplenientation
of the . provisions .of 'Section 15 ' (1) .above, under the conditions laid down in the .. Internai Regulations. . . 4

shall ensure theimplenientation
of the . provisions .of 'Section 15 ' (1) .above, under the conditions laid down in the .. Internai Regulations. . . 4

II-Council Organs
Section 16: (1) To discharge its dut ies . the Economic and Social Council shall have
the following organs:
- Plenary Ass embly;
- Council Bureau;
- Specialized Committees. (2) The Council may set up internai ad hoc committees or working groups to
examine specific issues falling within its sphere of competence. Paragraph 1
Plenary Assembly
Section 17: (1) The Plenary Assembly shall be composed of the members referred to
in Section10 above. . . (2) lt shall be responsible for :
- adopting the Council's annual activity action plan;
- approving draft opinions and recommendations made by the Council and
authorizing the studies and research provided for in Chapter 2 of this law. - adoptinq the Internai Regu lations of the Council, prior to its submission to the
President of the Republic;
voting the draft budget;
- adopting the draft report of the Council provided for in Section 7 above . . . Paragraph Il
Council Bureau
Sectio·n 18: (1) The Council Bureau of the Economic and Social. Counci l shall
.comprise.thefol16wing :
1 •
- one (1 ) President; . !WC) (2) Vice-Presidents; . .two (2) Questors;
- three (3) Secretaries;
chairpersons of specialized comrnlttees: .. . .

:
1 •
- one (1 ) President; . !WC) (2) Vice-Presidents; . .two (2) Questors;
- three (3) Secretaries;
chairpersons of specialized comrnlttees: .. . .

- Secr étary-General. 5
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(2) Apart from the President and the Secretary-General, the other
members of the Council Bureau referred to in (1) above shaH be elected yearly . (3) The conditions for such election shall be laid down by the Internai
Regulations. Paragraph III
S ecialized Committee
Section 19: The Council Bureau shall prepare the agenda of the Plenary Assembly
and adopt action programmes of the committees and working groups set up within the
Couneil. It shall ensure the implementation of Plenary sembly geeisiol IS . OUE
?RO, IC E"C2 ùELA REP UB lI
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COP !l C ER 11f1EE CONFOR "-,E
Section 20: (1) The Specialized Committees shall be composed of representatives of
eaeh of the categories referred to in Section 10 above . (2) Every Council member must belong to one 'of the Specialized
Committees set up. Section 21 : (1) Eachspecialized committee shall be responsible, according to the
powers devolved on it by the Internai Regulations , for preparing draft opinions and
eondûeting studies and researeh requested by the President of the Republic or Head
of Government.

ernai Regulations , for preparing draft opinions and
eondûeting studies and researeh requested by the President of the Republic or Head
of Government.

(2) However, 2 (two) or more Specialized Committees may, at the
request of the Council Bureau, prepare one draft opinion , or conduct one study or a
. research work. In such case, they shall workconcertedly and coordinate their actions. Chapter IV
Functioning
Section · 22: (1) The Council President shall chair Plenary Assernbly and Council
Bureau meetings. He shall coordinatethe activities of eommittees and working groups
set up within theCouncil. vunderthe terms and conditions laid down in the Internai
Regulations. . (2) He shall .represent the Council in ail 'publlcevents, before thelaw
courts and governmentauthorities and services as weil as In foreign and international
orqanizations and institutions.. "
(3) The ' President ' of the Economie and .Social Council may deleçate
sorne of his/her powers to rnernbers of the Council Bureau.'
Section 23: (1) The Plenary Assernbly of the Economie and Social Council shall hold
. 3 (three) sessions per year ,aridas and when necessary, whenconvened by its . .6

The Plenary Assernbly of the Economie and Social Council shall hold
. 3 (three) sessions per year ,aridas and when necessary, whenconvened by its . .6

President and, in the absence of the latter, by its Vice-President. The duration of each
session may not exceed 15 (fifteen) days. (2) Where circumstances so warrant, it may also meet in extraordinary
session at the request of 2 /3 (two-thirds) ofi ts members or at the request of the
President of the Republic. (3) The Plenary .Assembly may validly deliberate only when 2/3 (two-
thirds) of its members are present. Where the quorum is not reached at the first
convening, the quorum for the second convening shall be reduced to half of its
members present. (4) Any member who is unable to attend may be represented by
another member. However, no member may represent more than one other member
during the same session. . Section 24: Council decisions shall be taken by consensus or, failing that, by a simple
majority of members present or represented. In the event of a tie, the President shall
have the casting vote. Section 25: Council sessions shall not be public. Members of Goliernment, assisted if
need be by their close aides, may attend sessions and take the f100r if they so
request. . Section 26: The Council may invite experts in one of its spheres of competence , .

aides, may attend sessions and take the f100r if they so
request. . Section 26: The Council may invite experts in one of its spheres of competence , .

under the terms and conditions laid down in the Internai Regulations . Section 27: To discharge its duties, the Council shall have a Secretariat General. Section 28: (1) The ·Secretariat General of the Council shall comprise ail the
administrative and techn lcal services required for its functioning. (2) The Secretariat General shall be managed by aSecretary-
General assisted if need be bya Deputy, both appointed by decree of the President of
the Republic. (3) He/she shall discharge his/her duties under the authority of the
Council President.... . . . Section 29: (1) The Secretary-General shall be ·responsib lefor coordlnat lnqaü the . administrative and technical services of the Council. . . ln that capaCity,he/she shall. (a) take rneasures necessary for the preparation and organization of the work
of the Council ; _._ ,
(b) act as secretary for Plenary Assembly sessions ;
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easures necessary for the preparation and organization of the work
of the Council ; _._ ,
(b) act as secretary for Plenary Assembly sessions ;
. . 7
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(c) ensure administrative coordination and implementation of the Council's
activities;
(d) prepare the Council 's annual financial statements , action programmes and
activity report. (e) prepare files to be considered by the Plenary Assembly ;
. (f) act as secretary for Council Bureau meetings ;
(g) follow up the implementationof Council resolutions and recommendations,
under the authority of the Council Bureau Présiden!, upon validation by the
President of the Republic;
(h) ensure Secretariat General staff training and capacity building;
(i) centralize and keep Council records and documents;
U) coordinate studies regarding the Council's spheres of competence ;
(k) prepare the draft budget to be submitted for validation by the Council;
(1) prepare the draft work programme to be submitted to the Council for
approval ; . (m) manage Council staff;
(n) perform ail the duties assiqned to him/her by the Counc il President. (2)The Council President shall delegate administrative and financial
signature to the Secretary-General. Section 30: The organization and functioning of Council administrative and technical
services shall be laid down by decree of the President of the Republic.

n 30: The organization and functioning of Council administrative and technical
services shall be laid down by decree of the President of the Republic.

Section 31 : . (1) ln the event of temporary impediment of the SecretarY-General
for a period not exceeding .3 (three) months , the Deputy Secretary-General shall
deputize. In the event of irnpedirnent 'of the DeputySecretary-General, the Couricil
President shall designatea senior official of the administrative services to deputize. (2) ln case of vacancy of the office of Secretary-General. due to
dèath, resignation or permanent lrnpedlment duly established by the Council Bureau,
andpending fhe appointment of anew Secretary-General by the competent authority,
.the President of the Council ' shall take ail necessary rneasures for the .smooth runninq
of the Secretariat General. .' . . . . Section 32: T.he rules of procedure.and conditions for the .functioninq of the Econ~mic
and Social Council shall be lalddown by Ihelnternal Regulations. . . 8

32: T.he rules of procedure.and conditions for the .functioninq of the Econ~mic
and Social Council shall be lalddown by Ihelnternal Regulations. . . 8

Chapter V
Financial Provisions
Section 33: (1) Appropriations required for the functioning of the Council shall be
charged to the State budget. (2) The President shall be the principal authorizing officer of the Council. He/she may, as appropriate, designate delegated authorizing officers. Section 34: Council budget resources shaHbe public funds .Such resources shall be
subject to public accounting rules and managed in accordance with the laws and
regulations in force . Section 35: (1) An accounting officer shall be appointed to the Council by the Minister
in charge of finance . (2) The accounting officer shall exercise his/her duties in accordance
with the regulations in force . Chapter VI
Provisions Relating to Human resources
Section 36: (1) The Council's staff shall comprise civil servants on secondment or
State employees placed at its disposai or assigned by the Adm inistration . (2) However, where necessary, the Economie and Social Council may
recruit its own staff, in accordance with the laws and regulations in force. Section 37: The status of Council staff -and the nature of their benefits shall be laid '
down by the Internai Regulations.

and regulations in force. Section 37: The status of Council staff -and the nature of their benefits shall be laid '
down by the Internai Regulations.

Chapter VII
Miscellaneous and Final Provisio s
PRES IDENC EDE LA REPU8 l10UE
SE(. Qël 4.P\Ar C E"' ERAL
SU ytCf ou II\-" I(li' lFG ~~ di= fT iEG ltAJEN TAJJ? f . COO lt CERTIFI EE CONFORME
Section 38:'(1) The members of the Economie and Social Council shall be bound by
reserve and professional secrecy . . (2) ln addition, they must refrain from any .conductIlkelyto undermine
the dignily of their office . . . Sectio~39: (1) The President and theSecretary-General of the Economie and Social '. Council shall receive a monthly salary and benefits in kind. . (2) The monthly salary and' beneflts in kind referred to in Section 39(1)
. abovèshall be laid down by deèree of the President of the Republlc ,
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