Cameroon's Biya signals intent to scrap term limit

By Tansa Musa

YAOUNDE, Jan 1 (Reuters) - President Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon for 25 years, signalled his intention to amend the constitution to remove a constitutional limit which would force him to step aside in 2011. Biya said in his New Year's message late on Monday that his government would "re-examine" the constitution to respond to what he said were popular calls for him to run again when his term expires.

Biya had revised the charter in 1996 to extend the presidential term of office from five to seven years, renewable only once. He won the first seven-year term in 1997 and was re-elected in 2004.

"There have been appeals from deep inside the country for me to modify the constitution, notably paragraph 2 of article 6, which stipulates the president of the republic is elected for a seven-year term, renewable once," Biya said on state radio.

"I have not been insensitive to these appeals which are backed by very good reasons, because article 6 limits the will of the people and is contrary to our democratic options."

Biya came to power in 1982 as the hand-picked successor of Cameroon's independence President Ahmadou Ahidjo. Many Cameroonians criticise his leadership for undermining one of Africa's most robust economies.

Economic growth plunged from 7 percent in 1982 to minus 5 percent to 1990, although it recovered to 3.5 percent in 2006. Critics say that remains below potential given Cameroon's rich agriculture and its deposits of oil and minerals.

The central African country of 18 million inhabitants was twice ranked as the most corrupt country in the world by Transparency International, in 1998 and 1999.

Sections of the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) have been calling for the removal of term limits since its swept municipal and legislative elections in August.