CAMEROON: VIEWS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L YAOUNDE 001441

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AS/C, LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA ACTION
OFFICERS, EUCOM FOR J5-A AND POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON PINR CM
SUBJECT: CAMEROON: VIEWS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL
ASSEMBLY


Classified By: Classified By: Poloff Linnisa Wahid for reasons (1.4.b &
d)


1. (C) Summary. In a November 27 courtesy call by the
Ambassador, President of the Cameroon National Assembly
Cavaye Yeguie Djibril offered little vision for parliament
and revealed suspicions regarding the benefits of free trade.
As the President of the National Assembly, Djibril is first
in line to succeed President Paul Biya (though temporarily)
and is a significant party player in parliament but lacks
much real power. End Summary.

NO REAL PLANS FOR THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
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2. (U) Djibril gave a general overview of the National
Assembly, stating that he had no particular plans for the
body because, as a &cradle of democracy,8 it was difficult
to forecast parliament's future. He lamented that a number
of recently elected Parliamentarians were ill prepared for
politics, and that parliamentarians in general are
handicapped by the lack of infrastructure (few desks for
example) or staff. While the 1996 Constitution created two
branches of Parliament, the National Assembly and the Senate,
Djibril acknowledged that without the financial support of
President Biya the Senate would continue to exist only on
paper. He nonetheless opined that parliament is becoming
more important, with MPs flexing their muscle and government
officials learning that they will have to answer questions in
the National Assembly.

ECONOMICS: FREE TRADE WILL HURT CAMEROON
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4. (U) Djibril declared that free trade with European
countries would hurt local industries because Cameroonian
products would not be competitive in Western markets. He
speculated that free trade with Europe was a conspiracy to
block Chinese goods from African markets. Djibril added that
African nations should stay out of the international market
place. When questioned about the African Growth and
Opportunity Act (AGOA),he responded that African firms
cannot compete, although he did not understand why Cameroon
had not used AGOA to its full potential.

COMMENT: PARTY POLITICS
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6. (C) As the conversation became more substantive, Djibril
deferred to the Secretary General of the National Assembly.
The Assembly President is number two in protocol in the Biya
government, and in case of a vacancy in the presidency, would
serve as Acting President for up to 40 days until an election
could be held. While Djibril acts as the ruling CPDM
party,s majority leader in the National Assembly, he has
little real power. He is where he is because of his strong
loyalty to President Biya and because of the executive's
desire to maintain control over the legislature. In the July
legislative election, Djibril was roundly criticized by
nearly everyone for offering cash bonuses to party cadres who
could deliver 100 percent of the vote in their precinct to
the CPDM. Djibril told Ambassador he was interested in
strengthening ties to the U.S. Congress, which might help
open his (and other parliamentarians,) eyes to the role a
legislature could play. Post plans to follow up on our 2005
Voluntary Visitor program for parliamentarians with other
outreach efforts in the months ahead.
GARVEY