CAMEROON: EXTRAORDINARY LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 001840 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/C LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA ACTION OFFICERS EUCOM FOR J5-A AFRICA DIVISION E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV CM SUBJECT: CAMEROON: EXTRAORDINARY LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON ELECTIONS REF: YAOUNDE 1831 ¶1. (U) As expected (reftel),the President of the National Assembly issued an order December 13 convoking an extraordinary session of the National Assembly to begin December 14, immediately upon the conclusion of the regular session. According to the order, the National Assembly will consider four draft laws, three of which relate to elections. In addition to the draft law on the independent electoral commission (ELECAM),the National Assembly will consider modifications to the laws governing elections for members of parliament and for municipal authorities. (Comment: We infer from this that GRC plans to extend the mandates of the MPs and mayors to permit the newly formed independent electoral commission to play a more substantial role in the planning and execution of the forthcoming legislative and municipal elections. End Comment) ¶2. (U) The National Assembly will also consider a draft law establishing general rules governing partnership agreements. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: Extraordinary legislative sessions in Cameroon are rare; the last one was at least 10-12 years ago. The fact that this one has been called is a good sign, indicating the GRC is serious about enacting election reform. The real test, of course, will come in the implementation phase. As for the draft itself, we share the Commonwealth's view that the draft is satisfactory and meets most expectations. There are several sections where greater precision in the wording would obviate confusion and possible conflict regarding jursidiction and reporting relationships, especially between ELECAM and the Interior Ministry. By vesting funding authority in the Minister of Finance the draft law makes ELECAM vulnerable; its implementation could be frozen or delayed if the Minister witholds funding (deliberately or otherwise) as has happened with the Human Rights Commission. Nevertheless, even if adopted without revision, the law would be quite adequate. End Comment. MARQUARDT