By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The Speaker of Cameroon’s National Assembly, Hon. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, on Monday commended presidential candidates who “accepted defeat with dignity” following the October 2025 election.
Hon. Cavaye made the remarks Nov. 3 while opening the third ordinary session of Parliament for the 2025 Legislative Year at the Paul Biya Glass House in Yaounde.
The session, which Hon. Cavaye presided over, has two critical items on its agenda: the swearing-in of President-elect Paul Biya and the review and adoption of the state budget for the 2026 financial year.
Hon. Cavaye specifically hailed the defeated candidates who “congratulate[d] the winner” but condemned the actions of one candidate who allegedly incited “civil disobedience” and called on citizens, particularly youths, to “contest the election results, foment disorder and destroy private and public property.”
The speaker noted that the unrest “inadvertently resulted in loss of lives,” including that of a fellow lawmaker, Honorable ABE Michael NDRA, who he said was “brutally murdered.”
Hon. Cavaye extended condolences to the bereaved families and praised the security forces for their “professionalism” in maintaining peace and stability.
While congratulating President Biya on his Oct. 12 election victory, Hon. Cavaye stated that the vote was “conducted in a calm and peaceful atmosphere throughout the national territory,” save for “a few cases of vandalism.” He also recognized the stakeholders whose efforts contributed to the election’s success.
Hon. Cavaye credited President Biya for promulgating the 1990 laws that introduced public liberties, including the freedom of expression and the creation of political parties.
“The advent of multi-party politics in Cameroon is also credited to the same liberty laws,” Hon. Cavaye said, emphasizing that the multi-party platform enabled multiple candidates to run for office. He cited the Oct. 12 presidential election as a “classic example of political pluralism and democracy in Cameroon.”
Addressing the 2026 State Budget, the speaker said it would be the first of the president’s new seven-year term under the “Great Hope” policy.
He expressed his wish that the budget be realistic, conform to the head of state’s policy guidelines, and fully meet the aspirations of the people who renewed their confidence in Biya.
