CAMEROON: VIEWS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L YAOUNDE 001447

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/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: 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," 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 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. End Comment.


GARVEY