As it stands now, if there happened to be a vacancy caused by death or incapacitation in Cameroon’s high office, Senate President Marcel Niat Njifenji is the first constitutional successor, but he has constantly been ill, leaving many to wonder if he can assume such responsibility if the opportunity were to present itself.
In 2013, Paul Biya, a 91-year-old Cameroonian president, decreed the establishment of the upper house of the national assembly, the Senate. For the first time in the country’s history, 30 senators were President Biya’s appointments.
Among those who were appointed was Marcel Niat Njifenji, an elite of the West region with a long-term political career and also having served as Director of the then-electricity distribution company, Sonel.
In that year, the CPDM-dominated senate elected Niat as the House President, and he became both the president of the senate and as well the successor to the president as enshrined in the constitution.
However, that is only a case where the sitting president is unable to execute his functions because of death or permanent incapacitation. Niat, 89, is still in charge of the Cameroon Senate’s second legislature, though Lamido of Rey Bouba, Abdoubakary Abdoulaye, the Senate’s first vice president, handles the majority of his duties.
What the Constitution says about succession
According to Article 6(4) of the Constitution, “In case of a vacancy in the Presidency of the Republic as a result of death, resignation, or permanent incapacity as declared by the Constitutional Council, the functions of the President of the Republic shall be provisionally exercised by the President of the Senate.”
Meanwhile, Article 6(11) of the Constitution states that “The interim president may not organise a constitutional revision or call a referendum, nor dissolve the National Assembly, nor exercise certain other constitutional prerogative reserved for an elected president.”
Now, the first person in line for that position is Niat Njifenji, who is rarely seen on public occasions.
He mostly performs senate sessions and, most especially, the March session that deals with the election of the bureau members. Just like Biya, who has been absent from public view for more than a month, Niat has not been seen since the last session of the Senate.
Constitution Bars Interim From Running For Office
If Marcel Niat were to assume the highest office, his tenure would be strictly bound by constitutional limitations. Article 6(6) of the Constitution requires that fresh presidential elections be organised within a maximum of 120 days after the vacancy occurs. This limited period ensures that the transition remains orderly, with Niat’s primary responsibility being to maintain the functioning of the government while the nation prepares for new elections.
During this period, Niat would not have the authority to make major constitutional changes or dissolve key political institutions like the National Assembly. This careful limitation of powers ensures that the interim president’s role remains neutral and stabilising.
Implicated in Corruption at Sonel
One of the most notable controversies surrounding Marcel Niat occurred during his time as Director-General of the National Electricity Company (SONEL) in the 1980s and 1990s. During this period, there were allegations of mismanagement and corruption linked to SONEL, particularly regarding inefficiency, financial mismanagement, and irregularities in the allocation of contracts. Niat’s leadership of SONEL coincided with a time of frequent power outages and infrastructure decay, which raised public dissatisfaction.
Though no formal charges were brought against Niat, these allegations of mismanagement lingered, and the company’s struggles with poor service delivery during his tenure drew public criticism. Some media outlets and opposition figures raised questions about his accountability in the broader context of corruption within Cameroon’s public enterprises.
Wealth and Lifestyle Questions
Like many long-serving senior officials in Cameroon, Marcel Niat Njifenji has occasionally been criticized for his accumulated wealth and the gap between his lifestyle and the economic realities faced by many Cameroonians. Although not linked to any specific legal accusations, there have been public perceptions of undue enrichment over his lengthy career in both government and business.
As Senate President, his access to power and privileges in a country where many politicians are seen as beneficiaries of the system has led some critics to question the transparency of his financial dealings and political motivations. However, there has been no concrete evidence or investigations brought forward to directly implicate him in corruption scandals related to his wealth.
Age and political longevity.
Before his appointment to Sonel and eventually the Senate, Niat was unpopular in the political landscape of Cameroon. At 89 years old, Niat’s advanced age has prompted debates over gerontocracy and the grip of elderly political elites on Cameroon’s governance. Some critics argue that Niat, alongside President Paul Biya, symbolizes the inability of younger leaders to emerge within the political system, perpetuating stagnation and a lack of fresh ideas in leadership.
Close association with President Biya
Niat’s close relationship with President Biya has also raised eyebrows, particularly as Biya’s regime has been widely criticised for authoritarianism, corruption, and suppression of dissent. Niat’s alignment with Biya’s long rule and the perception of him as part of a political elite benefiting from the status quo have led to indirect criticisms.
Challenges Ahead
Marcel Niat from Bangante in the West region has leadership that raises concerns about his ability to handle Cameroon’s intricate political and security issues. The nation is dealing with more general concerns of political stability and governance, in addition to persistent separatist conflicts in the Anglophone regions.
Niat is perceived by the public as a distrusted person who, despite his senior age, has the experience and long-standing ties with Paul Biya’s administration to lead the nation through a transitional period if necessary.
Njong Shey edited this article!
