Parliament of Cameroon
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- Committee on Constitutional Laws, Human Rights and Freedoms, Justice, Legislation and Standing Orders, Administration
- Committee on Finance and Budget
- Foreign Affairs Committee
- Committee on National Defence and Security
- Committee on Economic Affairs, Planning and Regional Development
- Committee on Education, Vocational Training, and Youth
- Committee on Cultural, Social and Family Affairs
- Committee on Production and Trade
- Committee on Resolutions and petitions
- To streamline the institutional, legal and regulatory framework of the National Assembly with special focus on the restructuring and the organisation of parliament
- To strengthen the operational capacity of the National Assembly
- To develop human resources along result-based principles.
- Inter-Parliamentary Union
- Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
- ACP-EU Parliamentary Assembly
- Pan-African Parliament
- CEMAC Parliament
- Union of African Parliaments
- French-Speaking Parliamentary Association
- NEPAD
- Lake Chad Basin Commission
A citadel of democracy
The evolution of the parliamentary institution in Cameroon is a reflection of the country’s history. The first legislative elections took place on 22 December 1946 and on 12 January 1947 to elect 40 members into what was called at the time the Representative Assembly of Cameroon. The parliamentary institution has evolved since with the increase of its members and the passing of time.
The present Cameroon Parliament draws its legal existence from Article 14 of the 18 January 1996 Constitution. It is a bicameral house comprising the National Assembly and the Senate as provided for in the Constitution. For now, the National Assembly is playing the role of both houses, pending the setting up of the Senate.
The National Assembly ‘Glass Palace’ has 180 members elected by direct and secret universal suffrage for a five-year term of office. This present legislature which is the eighth has 25 women out of 180 members.
‘Cameroon has always been committed to peace, democracy and the prosperity of its people, values which are equally upheld by the Commonwealth. Under my stewardship, the country has witnessed great strides in democracy and the respect of human rights, moving from single party to multi-party politics since 1990. The recent creation of a national commission of human rights and an independent elections organ (Election Cameroon) are testimony of the progress we have made.’ — Paul Biya, President of the Republic of Cameroon
Mission
To represent the interests of the Cameroonian people, legislate and exercise its oversight role of the Executive. Cabinet Ministers cannot be MPs as it would impede effective exercise of the oversight role.
The business of the House is to lead by the Speaker who heads the Bureau of 23 members. Both the Speaker and the rest of the members are elected by their peers.
The National Assembly of Cameroon has nine general committees:
The business of the house is regulated by its Standing Orders.
The present legislature has six political parties sitting in parliament however, only two qualify to have parliamentary groups as they have more than 15 members as provided for in our Standing Orders.
Hon. Niat Njifenji Marcel, pioneer President of Cameroon’s Senate
Strategic Objectives
The National Assembly of Cameroon is implementing three broad-based strategic objectives in its 2010-2014 strategic plan, namely:
Rt Hon. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril presiding in plenary sitting
Promotion of Good Governance
Parliament regularly seeks to promote good governance by holding members of government accountable to the parliament via oral questions. Prior to scrutiny of the year’s budget, the Finance Committee of the National Assembly holds a working section with the Audit Bench of the Supreme Court. The National Assembly has an Executive Committee on good governance. MPs are members of the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms. They sit in the National Council for Decentralisation.
Parliament has given its total support of the President of the Republic who is resolute on fighting corruption and embezzlement of public funds.
Parliamentary Democracy
The National Assembly of Cameroon works to maintain and enhance co-operation between parliaments and inter-parliamentary organisations to increase its impact on various areas of activities. The National Assembly is a member of the following inter-parliamentary organisations:
