The bicameral nature of Cameroon’s Parliament that entered a decisive phase yesterday, June 20, 2013 with the National Assembly and the Senate holding separate plenary opening sittings of the June 2013 ordinary session of Parliament, marked the advent of a new era in making Cameroon more prosperous and democratic.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril during the opening plenary sitting of the House called on the National Assembly and the Senate to keep up the same dynamic spirit, stating that future synergy between the two Houses will certainly open a new era for a more democratic country. These words went directly to the President of the Senate, Niat Njifenji Marcel who led a delegation of some members of the Bureau of the Upper House of Parliament to the opening plenary sitting of the National Assembly. Prime Minister, Head of Government, Philemon Yang also led members of government to the plenary that was equally attended by some members of the diplomatic corps. Hon. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril assured the President of the Senate of the full collaboration of the Lower House of Parliament that will enable the two Houses form a great Parliament expected by both the national and international communities and for Parliament to successfully carryout the mission the country has entrusted on it.

The June 2013 ordinary session of the National Assembly is certainly the last session in the eighth legislative period of the National Assembly considering that the term of office of the Members of Parliament elected in the July 2007 twin legislative and council elections will expire on July 23, 2013. The House Speaker therefore, used the opportunity to present a succinct balance sheet of their stewardship for the past six years. The session is holding after three extension of the term of office of MPs. He said the legislative period has been globally positive during which 111 bills were examined and adopted both during ordinary sessions and four extraordinary sessions. Concerning the oversight of government action, MPs questioned cabinet ministers in 60 question time plenary sittings.

In all, Hon. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril said, the outgoing MPs have left a legacy of patriotism, stability, cohesion, effectiveness, performance, honesty, dialogue, consensus and abundant legislative production.