Senate Elective Session Opens Without President Again

The March session of the Cameroon Parliament opens this Tuesday, March 11, but Senate President Marcel Niat Njifenji has not been seen publicly for over 11 months.

The last time he was seen in public was during the March 2024 session when he was re-elected as Senate President.

Before his re-election, parliamentary activities were paused for about two weeks as lawmakers awaited his return.

The 90-year-old legislator was reportedly hospitalized in Europe, which delayed his parliamentary duties.

The primary agenda of this March session is the election of a new bureau for the Senate.

Niat has headed the bureau since 2013 when the Senate became operational in Cameroon. However, like President Paul Biya, the frail legislator rarely makes public appearances.

Largely Absent from Key Events

When Niat was re-elected Senate President in March 2024, he was said to have just returned from Europe where he had been receiving medical treatment.

He has since been absent from key events, including the June and December parliamentary sessions.

In his absence, Senate Vice President and Lamido of Rey Bouba, Aboubakar Abdulayi, has been presiding over sessions.

Niat was also absent during the traditional ceremony where officials present New Year wishes to President Paul Biya in January.

Neither the Senate nor the government has provided any explanation for his prolonged absence.

Will Niat Njifenji Be Re-elected Again?

Whether Marcel Niat Njifenji will be re-elected Senate President remains uncertain. It will be seen at the end of the ongoing parliamentary session.

The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) holds an overwhelming majority in both houses of Parliament. The party also has a history of retaining officials in their positions for extended periods.

For instance, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, has held his position for over three decades.

Similarly, Niat, who is the constitutional successor to the Head of State in case of resignation, incapacitation, or death, has served as Senate President since the house was opened in 2013.

Niat was appointed to the Senate through a presidential decree. This is because the law permits the president to appoint 30 out of the 100 Senators.

Despite being an appointed senator, he has consistently been elected as Senate President.

As the Senate session progresses, his whereabouts remain publicly unknown, and it is uncertain whether he will attend the session or be re-elected.