Journalist Guibai Gatama raises concerns about the National Assembly’s ability to fulfill its constitutional mandate with only three ordinary sessions of 30 days per year in Cameroon.

Guibai Gatama, a prominent journalist, is scrutinizing the operational framework of Cameroon’s National Assembly. He contends that the present parliamentary schedule, which restricts legislative activity to three ordinary sessions of 30 days annually, severely impedes deputies from effectively carrying out their essential duties. These responsibilities include government oversight, legislative voting, and robust representation of the populace.

Gatama emphasizes that, in practice, full plenary sessions frequently span only about fifteen days per session. This translates to a mere month and a half of actual legislative work throughout the entire year. He argues that this limited timeframe is woefully inadequate to address the myriad political, economic, and social challenges confronting Cameroon.

To underscore his point, Guibai Gatama draws comparisons with several other African nations. He highlights countries such as Chad, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire, where parliamentary sessions extend for eight to nine months annually. Furthermore, he points to Nigeria, whose parliament operates for nearly the entire year, showcasing a stark contrast to Cameroon’s model.

“Open a genuine debate on the length of parliamentary sessions in Cameroon,” pleads the journalist

Asserting that the National Assembly appears to be “living on the fringes of the Nation,” the founder of the newspaper L’Œil du Sahel is advocating for a comprehensive discussion regarding the duration of parliamentary sessions. In his view, a significant reform of the legislative calendar would be instrumental in strengthening accountability for public actions, enhancing the thorough review of legal texts, and fostering a closer connection between government institutions and the everyday concerns of Cameroonian citizens.