Death in Paris
Clément Atangana, the president of Cameroon’s Constitutional Council, died this morning in Paris at the age of 85. He had been evacuated to France for advanced medical treatment but succumbed to his illness.
Background and career
A native of Ngomedzap in the Nyong and So’o division, Atangana was a magistrate of exceptional rank. His career and life ended amid controversy, largely due to his role as head of the Constitutional Council, where he was often seen as a partial arbiter in electoral matters.
Electoral disputes and ‘irrecevable’
During the 2018 presidential election disputes, the Constitutional Council under his leadership rejected all petitions with the term “irrecevable” (inadmissible), earning him the nickname “Irrecevable” among the public. Since then, the institution has been widely viewed as subservient to the ruling party, the CPDM.
Perceptions of bias
Atangana frequently faced accusations of partiality. After the 2018 election results were announced, a video circulated on social media showing him celebrating with his family, claiming credit for the victory of incumbent Paul Biya and referring to Biya as “your candidate” to his relatives. This further fueled suspicions of bias.
In 2025, he participated in a meeting of the Nyong and So’o Development Committee, which produced a motion supporting Paul Biya and calling for him to run in the next presidential election. Although Atangana claimed the meeting was apolitical and that he did not take part in the motion, the incident reinforced perceptions of his alignment with Biya among opponents.
Legacy
Atangana’s tenure was marked by contentious decisions and allegations of favoritism, leaving a contested legacy at the helm of Cameroon’s Constitutional Council.
