Cameroon elects new parliamentary leaders after 34 years
- Africa Politics
Otaria Benjamin- 0
- 2 minutes read
The new leaders of parliament and senate are positioned to succeed President Paul Biya. / Reuters
Cameroon’s parliament on Tuesday elected Theodore Datouo of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement as its new speaker, state broadcaster CRTV reported, ending the 34-year tenure of outgoing speaker Cavaye Yeguie Djibril.
Datouo, 65, takes over from the 86-year-old Djibril, while Aboubakary Abdoulaye, 64, an influential northern traditional leader, was chosen to lead the Senate, replacing 91-year-old Marcel Niat Njifenji.
Both positions are constitutionally next in line to the presidency, making the appointments a significant generational change within Cameroon’s top political institutions.
President Paul Biya, 93, is the world’s oldest serving head of state. He won an eighth term in a disputed election in October, extending his nearly 44-year tenure in power in the oil- and cocoa-producing Central African nation.
SOURCE: Reuters
