By Yerima Kini Nsom
The parliamentary group of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) at the National Assembly has been severely depleted by a series of deaths since 2020. The passing of the assembly’s eldest member, Hon. Laurentine Koa Mfegue, the CPDM MP for Mefou and Afamba in the Centre Region, brings the total number of ruling party MPs who have died during the current 10th legislature to 19.
Consequently, the CPDM’s parliamentary group, which secured 139 seats in the 2020 elections, now holds only 120. The losses began with Hon. Harouna Bougue (Mayo-Louti) on July 22, 2020, followed by Hon. Saraou Bernadette (Mayo-Kani, Far North) on August 9, 2020. Death continued its grim tally, claiming the lives of Hon. Yacouba Yaya (Mayo-Tsanaga North, Far North), Hon. Prince Angel Gilbert Mikody (Boumba and Ngoko, East), Hon. Djibril Kaou (Mayo-Tsanaga South, Far North), Hon. Emilia Monjowa Lifaka (Buea, Southwest), and Hon. Ngo Yetna Marinette Mbeleg (Sanaga-Maritime, Littoral).
Further losses include: Hon. Ngahane Isaac (Wouri East, Littoral); Hon. Ngobo Zogo (Lekie, Centre); Hon. Fadimatou Sambo (Mayo-Rey, North); Hon. Welcome Tak (Lom and Djerem, East); Hon. Mamouda Ali (Benoue West, North); Hon. Ndongo Essomba (Lekie, Centre); Hon. Isabelle Silikam (Mayo-Danay, Far North); Hon. Antoinette Nganbaye (Lom and Djerem, East); Hon. Magueritte Abomo Fama (Upper Sanaga, Centre); and Hon. Abe Michael Ndra (Donga Mantung, Northwest). Numerous MPs from other political parties have also died during this period.
Despite legal provisions requiring the organization of by-elections, the government has never held such polls to fill these vacancies. The President of the Republic, who holds the authority to convene the electorate, has consequently been accused of refusing to call by-elections to replace deceased MPs.
Many political leaders who spoke to The Post over the weekend were nearly unanimous in stating that the President is violating the electoral code by shirking this responsibility. They argue that numerous constituencies have been left without parliamentary representation, unable to lobby for their interests. Over 50 MPs have died in active service since 1992. Critics condemn the failure to organize by-elections to fill the vacancies as unacceptable, adding that it is regrettable for the President, who should exemplify respect for the law, to persistently ignore the electoral code.
Before his own passing, the former Social Democratic Front (SDF) Parliamentary Leader, Hon. Joseph Banadzem, used a plenary session to condemn the ongoing failure to hold by-elections. He argued that this refusal demonstrated the CPDM regime’s bad faith, noting its indifference even after over 10 MPs died during the 8th legislature ending in 2013. The MP for Bui in the Northwest later told The Post that three more had died in the 9th legislature. Banadzem recalled that his group had raised the issue after losing Hon. Palmy Nkelle and Hon. James Bunjung, only to be met with silence from the regime.
“There is a committee set up to manage the micro-project funds of late MPs at the National Assembly, but that is not enough,” Banadzem remarked. He stressed that such a committee could not replace an MP’s full role, which extends far beyond managing grants to include lobbying for constituency development. He urged the Biya regime to obey the law and organize the required by-elections.
The electoral code explicitly mandates by-elections when an MP dies. Section 155 states: “When one or more seats become vacant in a constituency either because of death, resignation… by-elections shall be held within a period of twelve months following the occurrence of the vacancy.” It further specifies the procedures under Sections 153 and 154, adding that only parties that contested the original general election in that constituency may participate. No by-election is required if the vacancy occurs less than a year before the end of the legislative term.
Calls for by-elections also peaked in 2014 following the deaths of three senators: Francis Isidore Nkwain Wainchom (Boyo, Northwest); Fon Lucas Njifua Fontem (Lebialem, Southwest); and Dr. Stephen Jikong (Donga Mantung, Northwest).
Section 219 of the electoral code states: “In case of the death of an elected senator… by-elections shall be held in the region concerned.” For appointed senators, the code stipulates that a new senator shall be appointed to complete the term. As the late senators Francis Nkwain and Fon Fontem Njifua were both appointees, constituents waited in vain for President Paul Biya to name their replacements.