Cameroon – Anglophone Crisis: MPs, Senators Begin Examining 150-Page Decentralisation Code aka Special Status Bill As Parliament Opens In Extraordinary Session Friday

Par Atia T. AZOHNWI | Cameroon-Info.Net
YAOUNDE - 13-Dec-2019 - 09h53   5668                      
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A bill on the Decentralisation Code that will accord Special Status for the Northwest and Southwest Regions is expected to be debated in Parliament as Members of the National Assembly and Senators meet in an extraordinary session convened at the behest of the Head of State, President Paul Biya.

The extraordinary sessions of the National Assembly and the Senate, take place this Friday, December 13, 2019. Such a bill relating to then Decentralisation Code is expected to carry the content and the embodiment of the Special Status for the Northwest and Southwest Regions as recommended by the participants of the Major National Dialogue.

The recommendation that was one of the main outcomes of the National Dialogue has been high-lighted as a way of arresting the crisis that has been ailing Anglophone Cameroon for more than three years. Thus, there is growing anxiety amongst Anglophones and other stakeholders who are impatiently waiting to see the content of the much talked about Special Status.  

They are expecting to see the kind of Special Status that will give them the sovereignty of civil polity and powers for them to manage their own affairs and resources as well as elect their own leaders.

It I expected that the decentralisation Budgetary Allocation for the North West and South West Regions will increase, the House of Chiefs Restored with deliberative autonomy, the suppression of the post of Government Delegate and the institution of an independent public commission of inquiry.

The extraordinary session of Parliament will also be devoted to the implementation of the recommendations of the Major National Dialogue.

Cameroon-info.net recalls that from September 30 to October 4, 2019, the Prime Minister, Head of Government Chaired the Major National Dialogue that was convened by President Biya to find solutions to the crisis in the country’s North West and South West regions.

The five days of deliberations by some six hundred delegates in eight commissions was sanctioned by recommendations that were presented to the public during the closing ceremony.

The key recommendations specifically highlighted by the General Rapporteur of the Major National Dialogue, Felix Mbayu include: “Granting a special status to the North West and South West Regions, in conformity with Section 62 Sub 2 of the Constitution;

“Taking specific measures to ensure equality of English and French in all aspects of national life; reinforce the autonomy of Decentralised Local Entities; improve upon the infrastructure of judicial services throughout the country;

“Strengthen the Humanitarian Assistance Program to better serve internally displaced persons; Institute a special plan to reconstruct the conflict affected areas; popularise the Head of State’s offer of amnesty to combatants who drop their weapons and enter the reintegration process; and, create a team responsible for mediation with radicalised members of our Diaspora.”

Auteur:
Atia T. AZOHNWI
 @T_B_D
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