At 84 years old, with 54 years as a member of parliament, the native of the Far North region of the country, and a member of the highly strategic “political bureau” of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), has begun his 33rd year in the prestigious position of President of the Lower House of Parliament this March. His longevity at least attests to the confidence placed in him by President Paul Biya, of whom he is one of the most prominent supporters.
The tone is triumphant on March 22, 2024. From the speaker’s chair, Cavaye Yéguié Djibril mocks his detractors who, for the past few months, had predicted his certain downfall. In the arguments of the opponents of the President of the National Assembly, who inaugurates his thirty-third consecutive year in this position today, there are at least two indicators.
In early February, it was President Paul Biya himself who instructed the cancellation of the “High-Level Forum” supposed to be held in Maroua in the Far North region on the 14th of the month. Conceived and proposed by Mr. Cavaye, on the theme “Actions to Combat Famine in the Northern Regions,” the meeting was supposed to bring together elites from this part of the country.
Behind the scenes, political figures of the highest rank expressed their surprise and concern to the President about this politically risky initiative amid a pre-election year. In the eyes of some analysts, the presidential decision is a serious setback for someone who has always dreamed of being the “political boss” of the CPDM in the entire northern part of Cameroon. And that’s one.