Before, after, during or between committee or plenary sessions, Senators can always take snacks.

The Senate’s hemicycle at the Yaounde Conference Centre is the venue for serious parliamentary business this second ordinary session. After the plenary on Thursday June 2, 2016 which saw the opening of the Second Ordinary session by Senate President Marcel Niat Njifenji, work resumed on Tuesday June 7, 2016 with the meeting of the Chairmen’s Conference to accept the Paris Climate Change Agreement Bill submitted by government.

Summoned for 2 pm, the meeting finally started a 3 pm. However, Senators didn’t really feel disturbed as they trooped around the Coffee Corner situated in the main lobby of the Conference Centre. Behind a counter draped in the Senate’s official fabric, half a dozen of Senate female administrative staff serve snacks such as tea, coffee, non-alcoholic bottled drinks and pastries.

Sitting on chairs in front the counter and looking rather relaxed, CPDM’s Senate Group Leader Peter Mafany Musonge was in lengthy chat with NUDP’s Senator Pierre Flambeau Ngayap before they were joined by SDF’s Paul Tchatchouang.  At the other end of the semi-circle, CPDM Senator Pierrette Hayatou was also chatting with FSNC’s Hamadou Abbo.

The Senate Officer in charge of Communication, Elissar Mbang Ekoutou told Cameroon Tribune that the female staff were mobilised from several services in the Senate each time there is a committee or plenary sitting. Amongst the female staff is a nurse who caters for any light health worry such as headaches. “This care is provided because often, sessions last for lengthy periods,” explained our source.