The National Assembly of Cameroon convened on November 10, 2026, at the Paul Biya Glass House for the solemn opening of the third and final ordinary session of the 2026 legislative year.
Presided over by the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Very Honorable Théodore Datouo, the plenary sitting brought together members of parliament, cabinet members led by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, members of the diplomatic corps, and special guests.
The primary business of this final parliamentary session revolves around the rigorous examination and adoption of the draft State Finance Bill for the 2027 financial year. This critical budgetary exercise unfolds against a distinct political backdrop, as lawmakers prepare for upcoming elections following the official convening of the electorate by the President of the Republic. Consequently, members of parliament face the dual task of fulfilling their legislative obligations while preparing for constituency engagements.
In his opening address, Speaker Théodore Datouo paid a glowing tribute to the late Clément Atangana, the first President of the Constitutional Council, before laying out the key stakes facing the nation. He emphasized that the proposed 2027 budget must directly translate into tangible improvements in the daily living conditions of Cameroonians. He urged public authorities to prioritize urgent national challenges, including electric power supply shortages, potable water access, road infrastructure, decentralization, youth employment, and women’s economic empowerment.
A central theme of the Speaker’s address was the urgent need to combat gender-based violence and femicide across the country. Firmly condemning these acts, the Very Honorable Théodore Datouo called for a nationwide mobilization to strengthen preventive measures, ensure robust victim protection, and enforce strict legal sanctions against perpetrators. He welcomed ongoing government efforts to bolster the legislative framework on these issues and reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to supporting protective legislation.
The opening ceremony also celebrated national resilience and achievement through the presence of special guests, most notably Cameroon’s women’s national football team, the Indomitable Lionesses, alongside representatives from various women’s associations.
The Speaker extended warm congratulations to the Lionesses for their athletic performances and trajectory, noting that the presence of these women’s groups added a resonant message of empowerment, recognition, and protection for women throughout the proceedings.
Reactions from lawmakers underscored the direct tone set by parliamentary leadership regarding executive accountability. Honorable Kumase Simon, a member of the Defense and Security Commission, noted that the Speaker delivered a firm message to the executive branch to approach budgetary sessions with utmost seriousness, eliminate uncertainty, and deliver visible results for the population, all while fostering national unity inspired by the country’s sports ambassadors.
Echoing these sentiments, Honorable Agho Oliver, Member of Parliament for Bamenju, observed that the Speaker accurately reflected core public expectations regarding energy, water, and infrastructure development. He further highlighted the Speaker’s reminder to deputies concerning their constitutional duty to represent the entire nation faithfully until the conclusion of their mandate, even as they navigate internal selection processes and electoral preparation in their respective constituencies.
As a member of the executive branch, the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Grégoire Owona, acknowledged that the demands voiced by parliamentarians represent legitimate reflections of the electorate’s essential needs. He assured the assembly that the government will deploy all available resources and make every provision necessary to address these priorities.
Over the coming weeks, parliamentary work will center heavily on committee hearings, line-by-line budget scrutiny, and key policy debates before the final enactment of the 2027 Finance Law. Parliamentarians are expected to convince Cameroonians especially as they are at the end of their mandate.
