Cameroon’s parliamentary sessions under scrutiny: Guibai Gatama challenges legislative efficiency

In Cameroon, the length of parliamentary sessions has become a focal point of debate, with journalist Guibai Gatama questioning whether the National Assembly can fulfill its constitutional duties under the current schedule. His concerns center on the assembly’s ability to effectively oversee government actions, pass legislation, and represent citizens when operating under just three annual sessions of 30 days each.

Current session structure limits legislative effectiveness

Guibai Gatama highlights that despite the constitutionally mandated three sessions per year, practical realities reveal a far shorter working period. In reality, plenary sittings often span only about 15 days per session, totaling roughly one and a half months of active legislative work annually. This limited timeframe, he argues, falls short of addressing Cameroon’s pressing political, economic, and social challenges.

The journalist draws comparisons with other African nations to underscore his point. He notes that Chad, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire conduct parliamentary sessions for eight to nine months each year, while Nigeria’s legislature operates nearly year-round. These examples, he suggests, highlight a significant disparity in legislative productivity.

Call for reform to enhance parliamentary oversight

Guibai Gatama, founder of the newspaper L’Œil du Sahel, advocates for a comprehensive review of Cameroon’s parliamentary calendar. He believes such a reform would strengthen government oversight, improve legislative scrutiny, and foster closer ties between institutions and citizens. The current system, he contends, leaves the National Assembly appearing disconnected from national priorities.

His proposal emphasizes the need for extended sessions to enable deputies to fulfill their constitutional mandates more effectively. By aligning Cameroon’s parliamentary schedule with regional standards, he suggests the assembly could better address the nation’s evolving needs.