THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
Having regard to the Constitution;
Having regard to Law No. 2019/007 of April 25, 2019, concerning the system of National Orders;
Having regard to Decree No. 2011/412 of December 9, 2011, concerning the reorganization of the Presidency of the Republic,
DECREES:
CHAPTER 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 1 - This decree concerns the reorganization of the Grand Chancellery of the National Orders.
ARTICLE 2 - The Grand Chancellery of the National Orders is placed under the authority of a Grand Chancellor of the National Orders, appointed by decree of the President of the Republic.
ARTICLE 3 - The Grand Chancellor:
- presides over the Councils of Orders and the Commissions;
- administers the Orders and Medals;
- proposes to the Councils of Orders and the Medal Commissions the disciplinary measures to be imposed on members of the various Orders and Medals;
- presents the insignia of Commanders and Grand Officers of the Order of Valor, as well as the insignia of Grand Cordon of the Cameroonian Order of Merit in the event of the Head of State's incapacity;
- presents the Grand Cordon of the Order of Valor to the Head of State;
- signs the Certificates of Officers and Knights of the Order of Valor, the Diplomas of Knight, Officer, and Commander of the Cameroonian Order of Merit, as well as those of other Orders and Medals, notably the Order of Agricultural Merit, the Order of Sporting Merit, the Medal of Valor, and the Medal of the Public Force;
- The lists of individuals recommended by the Councils and Commissions are submitted to the Head of State for approval.
ARTICLE 4 - In carrying out his duties, the Grand Chancellor of the National Orders has at his disposal:
- A Private Secretariat;
- A General Secretariat.
CHAPTER II: THE PRIVATE SECRETARIAT
ARTICLE 5 - Under the authority of a Head of Secretariat, the Private Secretariat is responsible for the Grand Chancellor's confidential matters.
CHAPTER III: THE GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF THE GRAND CHANCELLERY
ARTICLE 6 - The General Secretariat of the Grand Chancellery is headed by a Secretary General, appointed by decree of the President of the Republic. He deputizes for the Grand Chancellor in the latter's absence.
ARTICLE 7 - (1) The Secretary General of the Grand Chancellery coordinates, under the authority of the Grand Chancellor, whose principal collaborator he is, the activities of the internal structures.
In this capacity, he is responsible for :
- the secretariat of the Councils of all Orders and Commissions established by current regulations;
- the operation of the Grand Chancellery's administration;
- the preparation of the Grand Chancellery's action plan and activity report;
- the drafting of proposals for the allocation of annual quotas of decorations in accordance with the Grand Chancellor's instructions;
- the preparation of draft texts relating to National Orders and Medals of the Republic;
- the maintenance of the files of National Orders and Medals of the Republic;
- the preparation of draft settlements for disputes concerning National Orders, in accordance with the Grand Chancellor's instructions;
- the preparation of decisions relating to disciplinary measures to be taken against members of the various Orders, for presentation to the Council of each Order by the Grand Chancellor;
- the preparation of the Grand Chancellor's decisions on all matters within his purview;
- The custody and service of the seal of the Grand Chancellery.
(2) In addition, it performs all tasks assigned to it by either the Grand Chancellor or the Grand Master of the National Orders.
ARTICLE 8 - The General Secretariat comprises:
- the National Orders Unit;
- the Military Distinctions and Medals of the Republic Unit;
- the General Affairs Department;
- the Calligraphy Office;
- the Computer System Maintenance Office.
SECTION 1: UNITS
ARTICLE 9 - (1) Under the authority of a Unit Head, the National Orders Unit is responsible for preparing nomination and promotion files for ordinary appointments and promotions, to be submitted to the Councils of the National Orders.
(2) It studies and prepares:
Proposals for exceptional or posthumous decorations to be submitted to the Grand Master of the National Orders;
Draft texts authorizing the wearing of foreign decorations awarded to nationals.
(3) In addition to the Head of the Unit, it comprises two (2) Assistant Research Officers.
ARTICLE 10- (1) Under the authority of a Head of the Unit, the Military Distinctions and Medals of the Republic Unit is responsible for preparing files for promotions and nominations to Military Distinctions and Medals of the Republic.
(2) It examines all proposals for decorations, whether exceptional or posthumous, submitted by the commanding officers.
in favor of members of the defense or security forces.
(3) It comprises, in addition to the Head of the Unit, two (2) Assistant Research Officers.
SECTION 2: GENERAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
ARTICLE 11 - (1) Under the authority of a Head of Department, the General Affairs Department is responsible for:
- personnel management;
- financial management and maintaining the inventory records;
- managing correspondence addressed to the Grand Chancellery;
- managing the stock of decorations and insignia.
(2) It comprises:
- the Personnel Office;
- the Finance Office;
- the Mail Office;
- the Inventory Records Office.
CHAPTER IV: MISCELLANEOUS AND FINAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 12 - Operating and investment funds, particularly for the acquisition of decorations, are allocated annually to the Grand Chancellery within the framework of the State Budget.
ARTICLE 13 - The Secretary General, the Heads of Units, and the Assistant Research Officers hold the rank and prerogatives of Technical Advisor to the Presidency of the Republic, Deputy Director, and Head of Department, respectively.
ARTICLE 14 - Officials of the Grand Chancellery of National Orders are entitled to the benefits granted to officials of similar rank within the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic.
ARTICLE 15 - The Secretary General of the Grand Chancellery may, as needed, specify the logistical organization of work within the Units listed in Article 8 above by means of an internal memo.
ARTICLE 16 - All prior provisions contrary to this decree are hereby repealed, in particular those of Decree No. 80/10 of January 14, 1980, concerning the Internal Organization of the Grand Chancellery of National Orders.
ARTICLE 17 - This decree shall be registered, published according to the emergency procedure, and then inserted in the Official Gazette in French and English.
Yaoundé, December 26, 2019
THE RESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
PAUL BIYA