Cameroon is facing a delicate institutional situation, exacerbated by the deaths of several parliamentarians since the beginning of the current legislatures. The recent death of Cavayé Yéguié Djibril, former Speaker of the National Assembly, highlights this issue.
Cavayé Yéguié Djibril, who died at the age of 86, was a major figure in Cameroonian politics, notably as Speaker of the National Assembly for 34 years. His death, shortly after being replaced in that position, coincides with the death of another MP, Mbe Essae, underscoring the scale of the problem.
Since the beginning of the 10th legislature in 2020 for the National Assembly and the 2023 legislature for the Senate, 23 deputies and 18 senators have died during their terms. These deaths leave constituencies without direct representation in Parliament, raising questions about the legitimacy of the institutions.
Article 155 of the Cameroonian Electoral Code provides for the organization of by-elections within twelve months of the death or resignation of a parliamentarian. However, this provision is rarely applied, and no by-elections have been held to date to fill the vacant seats. Some argue that the government is reluctant to initiate such elections.
The term of office of the deputies of the 10th legislature has already been extended twice, postponing its initial term from March 2025 to 2027. This extension, combined with the failure to replace deceased parliamentarians, contributes to an imbalance of representation within Parliament. The absence of these representatives weakens the link between voters and national institutions, limiting their ability to influence decisions and defend local interests.
The failure to replace deceased parliamentarians deprives voters of a voice at the national level and could affect the passage of laws requiring a qualified majority. The current situation raises questions about democratic representation and the ability of Parliament to function effectively. Cameroon is preparing for the legislative elections in December 2027 in a context where the issue of fair representation remains a major challenge.
