REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
Peace – Work – Fatherland
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER
9th Legislative Period
LEGISLATIVE YEAR 2015
1st Ordinary Session
(March 2015)
REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN
Paix – Travail – Patrie
OPENING SPEECH
BY
THE ELDEST MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Yaounde, 12 March 2015
- The Eldest Member of the Senate;
- Mr Prime Minister, Head of Government;
- Members of Government;
- The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court;
- The Attorney General of the Supreme Court;
- Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
- Honourable Members of Parliament and Dear Colleagues;
- Distinguished Members of the Civil Society;
- Ladies and Gentlemen,
Once more, in accordance with the relevant legal provisions, I have the singular honour to mount the rostrum of our august House in my capacity as the Eldest Member.
Hence, on behalf of the Provisional Bureau which I have the honour to chair and my humble self, I wish you a
very warm welcome to the National Assembly for this plenary sitting devoted to the opening of the first ordinary session of our Chamber for the 2015 legislative year.
But before we proceed, I would like to inform you that we have amongst us special invitees from several countries of the sub-region. They are attending a workshop on promoting sustainable investment in agriculture:
legal and policy options. I wish to particularly acknowledge the presence of MPs of the CEMAC Parliament and its President, Hon. Vincent Mavoungou. I pray them to rise for recognition. You are welcome. I wish you a pleasant stay in Yaounde.
- Your Excellencies,
- Honourable Colleagues,
- Distinguished Guests,
- Ladies and Gentlemen,
Without mincing words, our session is opening within the context of sorrow caused by the terrorist acts being perpetrated in the northern region of our country by heartless individuals who fear neither God nor man. I am referring here to the radical group known as the BOKO HARAM sect which has caused sorrow and bereavement to several Cameroonian families. To all those who have fallen: women, men, children, the
elderly and elements of the defence forces, may their souls rest in peace. In this regard, may you kindly rise for a minute of silence in honour of our dear departed ones.
[ Silence ]
- Ladies and Gentlemen,
I wish to seize this opportunity to once more commend His Excellency PAUL BIYA, President of the Republic, Head of State and Commander-in-chief of the
Armed Forces for his absolute resolve to overcome BOKO HARAM once and for all. I equally hail the same determination of the defence forces who are recording victories in spite of the difficulties on the battle field. I give them my total encouragement. I know, Dear Colleagues, that all of us in this House are resolutely behind the Head of State, Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, and behind our