parties were legalized in 1990
major opposition parties:
National Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP)
major oppositon parties:
Social Democratic Front (SDF)
major opposition parties:
Cameroonian Democratic Union (UDC); Union of Cameroonian Populations (UPC)
Other political or pressure groups:
NA
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal
Elections:
National Assembly:
last held 1 March 1992 (next scheduled for March 1997); results - (180
seats) CPDM 88, UNDP 68, UPC 18, MDR 6
President:
last held 11 October 1992; results - President Paul BIYA reelected with
about 40% of the vote amid widespread allegations of fraud; SDF candidate
John FRU NDI got 36% of the vote; UNDP candidate Bello Bouba MAIGARI got 19%
of the vote
Executive branch:
president, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)

*Cameroon, Government

Head of Government:
Prime Minister Simon ACHIDI ACHU (since 9 April 1992)
Member of:
ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-19, G-77,
GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,
INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UNTAC, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Paul PONDI
chancery:
2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 265-8790 through 8794
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Harriet ISOM
embassy:
Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde
mailing address:
B. P. 817, Yaounde
telephone:
[237] 234-014
FAX:
[237] 230-753
consulate:
Douala
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow with a
yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular
pan-African colors of Ethiopia

*Cameroon, Economy

Overview:
Because of its offshore oil resources, Cameroon has one of the highest
incomes per capita in tropical Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious
problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as political
instability, a top-heavy civil service, and a generally unfavorable climate
for business enterprise. The development of the oil sector led rapid
economic growth between 1970 and 1985. Growth came to an abrupt halt in 1986