Handclappers or Lawmakers? A Dive into the Business of the Cameroon Parliament

In 2016, a controversial bill aimed at granting appointed ministers immunity was introduced in the Cameroon lower house of parliament. Following a routine debate, the bill passed. Interestingly, this bill was reportedly sent to the lower house without President Paul Biya’s knowledge. However, when the bill reached the Senate, it was promptly rejected.

Had this bill been enacted, it would have protected ministers from prosecution for any crimes committed after leaving office. Since its rejection, several ministers, including former Minister of Defense Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo’o, former Minister of Water and Energy Basile Atangana Kouna, and Finance Minister Pierre Essimi Menyi, have faced prosecution for embezzlement.

If the lower house truly represented the people’s interests, such a bill would never have progressed. Now, a new bill proposing to extend the mandate of MPs and municipal and regional council authorities is under consideration, and it is expected to pass smoothly.

Nourane Foster of the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation (PCRN), led by Cabral Libii, has stated her intention to vote against the bill. Despite her vote being potentially insignificant, her stand will be noted by history.

Cameroon’s Parliament consists of 180 seats, with a majority of 90 votes required to pass a bill. Currently, the CPDM of Paul Biya holds 152 seats, while the remaining seats are distributed among UNDP (7), SDF (5), PCRN (5), UDC (4), FSNC (3), MDR (2), and UMS (2). Thus, the CPDM alone has sufficient numbers to ensure the bill’s passage without opposition support.

Parliament Never Turns Down Any Bill

For decades, under Biya’s regime, the Cameroonian parliament has rarely rejected a bill. Most bills presented, even those detrimental to Cameroonians, are government-backed. For instance, in 2008, Parliament passed a bill removing the two-term limit for the presidency, allowing Paul Biya to run indefinitely, disregarding public opinion.

Conversely, bills addressing public concerns, such as one proposed years ago by the late Hon. Awudo Mbaya, a former SDF MP for Nkambe Constituency, aimed at preserving Cameroon’s wetlands, were dismissed. As a result, wetlands are vanishing, and species like raffia trees are becoming extinct. These raffia bushes, crucial for basket-making and providing palm wine and fruits, are disappearing due to population growth and encroachment.

MPs Connect with the Electorate Only During Elections

MPs are typically seen in their constituencies during national celebrations like the 11th of February and 20th of May. Some MPs don’t even reside in their constituencies, returning only when their mandates are about to expire, pretending to care about local issues.

For years, MPs received microfinance grants totaling over $6 million to fund developmental projects locally. Despite this, persistent problems such as inadequate water supply, electricity, school benches, and poor roads remained. In 2023, these funds were withdrawn because MPs were diverting the money for personal use.

Many constituents are unfamiliar with their MPs and have limited access to them in times of need. Additionally, many voting-age Cameroonians today have only known Cavaye Yeguié Djibril as House Speaker, a position he has held since 1992.

Mimi Mefo Info