Skip to main content
Support
Blog post

Cameroun: bataille pour la présidence du Sénat, siège du successeur constitutionnel de Paul Biya

May 9, 2013

French Article Translation of the Week

"Cameroun: bataille pour la présidence du Sénat, siège du successeur constitutionnel de Paul Biya"

"Le 8 mai, le chef de l'État camerounais Paul Biya a nommé 30 sénateurs pour compléter la liste des 70 qui ont été élus lors du scrutin du 14 avril dernier. Place désormais aux tractations en vue de la désignation du président du Sénat, successeur constitutionnel du président de la République en cas de vacance du pouvoir."

"On 8 May, the Head of State of Cameroon, Paul Biya, appointed 30 senators to complete the list of 70 who were elected in the election on April 14. Up next, the negotiations for the appointment of the President of the Senate, the constitutional successor to the President of the Republic in the event of a vacancy."

This article has been translated from French. Click here to read the original version on Jeune Afrique.

"During his thirty years in power, Paul Biya was a chieftain, a faction leader in Cameroon." It is with these unkind words that John Robert Wafo, Minister of Information for the Shadow Cabinet of the Social Democratic Front (SDF opposition), welcomed the appointment of the 30 senators by presidential decree on May 8.

In fact, Paul Biya has ignored all proposals made to it, including a list signed by the hands of the leader of the SDF, John Fru Ndi, who had been consulted. His choice fell on old hands of the policy as well as traditional leaders. The main issue during the session which opens on May 14 will be the choice of the President of the Senate.

Former Prime Minister and Grand Chancellor of National Orders, Peter Mafany Musongue has favourable predictions. This Anglophone from the Southwest faces another heavyweight, Simon Achidi Achu, also a former Prime Minister, but from the North-West; the stronghold of the SDF.

A Long List of Suitors

"Mafany Musongue is poised to be President of the Senate. Paul Biya can not make the head of the two parliamentary chambers Francophones. And there is a northerner as President of the National Assembly. Given that the current Prime Minister Philemon Yang, is from the Northwest, Achidi Achu has no chance," barked the political scientist, Manasse Endong.

According to him, the list of potential presidents is long. "To vary the personnel and add Westerners, the President may also consider Ibrahim Njoya Bombo [Minister of Territorial Administration and Sultan of Bamoun, a powerful tribe of West Ed]," Edong said. The Sultan fought a tough political battle with Adamou Ndam Njoya, the president of the Cameroon Democratic Union (UDC). But the former Prime Minister, Niat Njifenji, is also in the race. Failing to win the presidency, he could just assist the lucky.

Finally, the Lamido of Rey-Bouba (North), Abdoulaye Aboubakary, deemed close to Paul Biya, could also be brought to the head of the Senate. Despite being sentenced to 25 years in prison and incarcerated at the Central Prison in Yaoundé, Marafa Hamidou Yaya, the former Minister of Territorial Administration is very popular in the North and is now fierce opponent of the regime of Biya, he throws incessant calls bring Paul Biya down.

Related Program

Africa Program

The Africa Program works to address the most critical issues facing Africa and US-Africa relations, build mutually beneficial US-Africa relations, and enhance knowledge and understanding about Africa in the United States. The Program achieves its mission through in-depth research and analyses, public discussion, working groups, and briefings that bring together policymakers, practitioners, and subject matter experts to analyze and offer practical options for tackling key challenges in Africa and in US-Africa relations.    Read more