CI-NEWS

13 new MPs receive attributes.

2020-04-20

No: 491

13 new MPs receive attributes.

The 13 new Members of Parliament elected during the March 22 legislative by –election in some constituencies in the North West and South Regions received their attributes on Thursday, April 16, 2020 making them full-fledged lawmakers in Cameroon’s 10^th legislature. This was during the statutory ordinary session as of right of parliament devoted to the verification and validation of the mandate of the newly-elected MPs.

Prior to this meeting, the first Deputy Secretary General of the National Assembly Abdoulaye Daouda summoned the newly-elected MPS at Hotel des Deputés on Saturday 11 April 2020 where they were requested to submit a file required for the verification of incompatibilities. Among the 13 CPDM candidates declared successful the election, three are woman who will be making their appearance at the Glass House for the first time.

The same obtain for seven of the 10 male MPS. Three remaining MPs are simply making their comeback to the National Assembly.

The March 22 legislative by-election which was held in 10 constituencies in the North West Region and one in the South West Region followed an irrevocable decision by the Constitutional Council on February 25, 2020, granting SDF’s appeals for the polls to be cancelled in the areas. The 13 newly elected now complete the number of MPs in Cameroon’s National Assembly which is in its 10^th legislature as follows: CPDM 152 seats; NUDP 7 seats; SDF 5 seats; PRCN 5 Seats; UDC4 seats; FSNC 3 seats; MDR2

Seats and UMS 2 seats; Remarkable during Cameroon’s 10^th legislature is the meteoric increase of the number of women. The National Assembly now counts 61 female MPs accounting for slightly over one-third of the House’s membership, ranking the country to international standards. The figures are telling of strides made in Cameroon’s democracy: 1997-2002 legislature: 8 female MPs; 2002-2007 legislature 18 female MPs; 2007-2013legislature:25 female MPs; 2013-2020legislature: 57 female MPs and 2020-2025 legislature: 61 female MPs. This increase can be attributed to some innovations in the Electoral Code which introduces the consideration of the gender factor in the preparation of lists of candidates for the various elections.

SDF’s Dwindling fortunes

Another aspect that makes the 10^th legislature different from the previous ones is the fall in the fortunes of Cameroon’s frontline opposition party, the Social Democratic Front.

For the first time since it started participating in legislative elections in 1997, the SDF has no Parliamentary Group. The party has just 5 seats during this 10th legislature down from 18 during the 9^th legislature. They include two in Boyo Constituency of the North West Region and three in the Littoral Region. Also intriguing to note in this 10^thlegislature is the presence of newcomers, notably the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation (PCRN), Cameroon National Salvation Front (FSNC) and the Union of Social Movements (UMS). For the first time too in Cameroon’s National Assembly the provisional bureau is made up of entirely female MPs.

As it now stands, the eldest Member of the National Assembly for the 10^th legislative period is a women; Hon. Koa Mfegue Laurentine epse Mbede. The youngest members are also made up of women; Nafiassatou Alim and Dague Aisha Blanche Jacqueline.

These female MPs automatically constitute the provisional bureau of the National Assembly.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, the Speaker of the National Assembly appointed Gaston Komba, Secretary General of the House. He replaces Desire Geoffrey Mbock.

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13 new MPs receive attributes.