Former Cameroonian National Assembly President Kafaye Yegi Djibril dies at 86
Who is the former president of the Cameroonian National Assembly?
Written by: Mohamed Ragab
Kavay Yegi Djibril, the former president of the National Assembly, has died. CameroonHe passed away at the age of 86, after a long political career during which he played a prominent role in Cameroonian political life for more than three decades.
Jibril's death came just 50 days after he left his post as Speaker of Parliament, a position he held for a record 34 years, making him one of the longest-serving Speakers of Parliament in Africa.
Local media reported that Political The veteran died in his hometown of Mada, located in the Far North region of Cameroon, where he had retired last March after completing his official duties.
A pivotal figure in the Paul Biya regime
Jibril was first elected president of the National Assembly in 1992, later becoming one of the most prominent political figures close to Cameroonian President Paul Biya, who has been in power since 1982.
During his long years as Speaker of Parliament, Jibril's name became associated with supporting government policies and strengthening the influence of the executive branch, with observers considering him one of the main political pillars of the ruling regime in the country.
Jibril played a pivotal role in passing a number of political and constitutional reforms that strengthened President Paul Biya’s continued rule, most notably the 2008 constitutional amendment that removed term limits, allowing the president to run for an unlimited number of terms.
The amendment also granted the Cameroonian president broad immunity from prosecution for decisions and actions he takes while in office.
Criticism of Parliament's performance
Despite his considerable political influence, Jibril faced repeated criticism from the opposition and civil society organizations, who argued that during his presidency, parliament failed to effectively perform its oversight role and remained largely subject to the dominance of the executive branch.
His critics argue that throughout his years as president, the National Assembly was unable to become a true balancing institution within the political system, given the presidency's extensive control over the state's key institutions.
The end of a long political career
The passing of Kafaye Yegi Djibril marks the end of a decades-long political era in Cameroon, during which the legislative branch was closely intertwined with the ruling regime. His death is expected to elicit widespread reactions within political and public circles, given his stature and influential role in the country's modern political history.
