– SDF, CNRP, CDU, USM form parliamentary group called Union for Change
– Say they’ll work to defend the interests of the Cameroonian people at the National Assembly amongst many other objectives
By Norbert Wasso Binde
In yet another attempt to forge a united front which has been eluding them for long, opposition parties represented in the National Assembly have put out a public declaration stating that they have decided to form a Parliamentary Group called Union for Change – a name that evokes memories of 1992 when a group of opposition parties under the banner of Union for Change almost succeeded in electing then SDF presidential candidate, Ni John Fru Ndi as president of the republic.
The constitution of the Union for Change Parliamentary Group, according to the signatories of the joint public declaration is ‘in respect to Law No 2014/016 of the 9th of September 2014 laying down the standing orders of the National Assembly.
Political Action Program
The signatories of the document engaged themselves with the following political action program.
– Defend the interests of the people of Cameroon in the National Assembly
– Work for social justice and equal opportunities
– Defend and promote economic patriotism
– Fight against injustice and be on the side of the vulnerable and underprivileged
– Ensure the positive influence of Cameroon in the world
– Legislate and control government action in the supreme interest of the Cameroonian people
They conclude by saying they are placing the well-being of the population in the centre of their preoccupation.
Dated Friday, March 11, 2022 the principal signatories of the document are Hons. Joshua Osih of the SDF, Cabral Libii of the Cameroonian National Reconciliation Party, CNRP, Koupit Adamou of the Cameroon Democratic Union, CDU, and Pierre Kwemo of the Union of Socialists Movements, USM. All members of the National assembly of the four parties signed the public declaration.
The creation of the Union for Change Parliamentary Group comes to fill a void because apart from the CPDM with a parliamentary group, no other party has a group having failed to have 15 members as required by law. The four opposition parties put together have 16 members at the National Assembly.
It is not sure whether the ruling the CPDM with its crushing majority will allow the opposition go ahead with its plan knowing that an important factor in the current session in the election of a new bureau in the National Assembly.
Larger grouping
It should be noted that the opposition has another larger grouping that includes parties not represented in the Parliament and whose major goal is the reform of electoral laws in the country.