The National Assembly and the Senate will today Monday, March 13 renew the members of their respective bureau. The electoral process in both the Upper and Lower Houses remains a traditional ritual performed on the occasion of the first ordinary session of every legislative year which opens in Yaounde, the nation’s capital.

In the National Assembly, the 77 year old Speaker, Cavaye Yeguié Djibril from the Far North region who will also be celebrating his 47^th year as a member of parliament is expected to be re-elected to the post he has held for 25 years. President Biya reportedly lobbied the MPs to maintain the leaders of both houses.

The 83 year old Marcel Niat Njifenji who is also the first president of the House of Senate will also be re-elected to his post. It should be noted that this year’s first ordinary session is being held in the context of a serious socio-political crisis that has rocked the Anglophone regions of the country.

The Anglophone crisis will undoubtedly invite itself to parliament, and could force the President of the Republic to redistribute ministerial portfolios to gain some kind of  regional balance in a country that counts at least 220 ethnic groups.

By Sonne Peter