The March parliamentary session came to a close on Wednesday March 8, 2026, at the headquarters of the Economic and Social Council in Yaoundé. This legislative sequence, considered decisive for Cameroon, was marked by the adoption of several major bills.

Intensive work on structuring reforms

For over three weeks, Members of Parliament and Senators worked intensively. At the heart of their work was the examination and adoption of several texts proposed by the government. Among these, parliamentarians adopted the bill extending the term of office of deputies by nine months, until December 20, 2026.

They also approved the bill amending the Constitution of June 2, 1972, notably articles 5, 6, 7, 10, 53 and 66. This major reform introduces the post of Vice-President of the Republic, an institutional innovation designed to reinforce the stability and continuity of the executive.

An overhaul of the institutional and electoral framework

As part of this dynamic, parliamentarians also adopted the bill to reform the Constitutional Council. This bill specifies the procedures to be followed in the event of the resignation or permanent incapacity of the President of the Republic, in conjunction with the establishment of the Vice-President, to ensure better deputising at the top of the State.

At the same time, they examined and adopted the bill amending the Electoral Code. This provides a framework for the swearing-in of the Vice-President, as well as his referral to the Constitutional Council in the event of a power vacuum. The bill also introduces an important reform by lifting the 18-month limit on the extension of municipal councillors' terms of office, thus offering greater flexibility in the organization of elections.

Another key point of this first legislative session: the President of the Republic has extended, by decree, the mandate of municipal councillors in order to ensure the continuity of the operation of local institutions in a context of readjustment of the electoral calendar.
Finally, to close the proceedings, the President of the Senate, Aboubakary Abdoulaye, hailed a «historic» session, marked by major reforms. He called on parliamentarians to relay these reforms to the people, in order to consolidate peace, stability and national unity.

Anita MENOUNGA