An incident at the National Assembly of Cameroon highlights the challenges of power transition, specifically regarding the restitution of state property. The former President of the National Assembly, Cavaye Yeguie, is refusing to return official vehicles, including two recent Mercedes, to his successor, Théodore Datouo. This disagreement reveals a lack of clarity in the rules of succession and a culture of appropriation of public property.
During a meeting between the Secretary-General of the National Assembly, Noël Essiane, and Cavaye Yeguie, it was clearly stated that the official vehicles now fall under the authority of Théodore Datouo. However, Cavaye Yeguie distinguished the recent vehicles, acquired during his term, from the rest of the car pool, arguing that he considered the older ones his personal property. This situation highlights a practice where seniority in office would justify the possession of public assets.
The absence of written and binding rules for power transitions at the top of the Cameroonian state is a structural problem. Succession to the head of a major institution such as the National Assembly faces oral traditions and informal agreements that prevail over administrative law. Cavaye Yeguie's defense rests on an alleged right to retain vehicles over ten years old, a custom tolerated by decades of patrimonial management of public resources.
In fact, the absence of a centralized register of state property allows a predecessor to dictate the terms of the transition. Secretary-General Noël Essiane attempted to restore the hierarchy, but his formula "it will depend on him" admits that the showdown is inevitable. This situation undermines the serenity needed for Théodore Datouo's new term.
The management of this transition will serve as a test to measure the successor's ability to impose his leadership in the face of established interests. If the custom of "acquired cars" persists, it validates a model where public property becomes an extension of the personal wealth of outgoing leaders, discouraging any in-depth reform of state resource management. The way Théodore Datouo resolves this logistical equation will determine whether the Cameroonian parliamentary institution can break free from internal feudalism to enter an era of regular and transparent management of public funds.
In March 2026, Théodore Datouo was elected President of the National Assembly, succeeding Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, who held the position for 34 years. Datouo, 66, won the election with more than 90% of the vote. This transition marks a major turning point in Cameroon's parliamentary history.
