Cameroon gears up for the 51st francophonie parliamentary assembly

Cameroon is diligently preparing to host the 51st General Assembly of the Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF), a significant international event scheduled to take place in Yaoundé from July 7 to 12, 2026. This gathering marks the nation’s third major international meeting this year, following the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization and the visit of Pope Leo XIV.

In anticipation of this high-profile assembly, extensive diplomatic and logistical preparations are actively underway. André-Magnus Ekoumou, Cameroon’s Ambassador to France, recently held a crucial meeting with Théodore Datouo, the President of the Cameroonian National Assembly. Their discussions primarily focused on assessing the current state of the nation’s readiness for the upcoming event.

During their exchange, both dignitaries conveyed strong confidence in Cameroon’s capacity to successfully meet the challenges of hosting such a prestigious international assembly, aligning with the strategic directives issued by President Paul Biya.

Within the Cameroonian embassy in France, specific arrangements have been made to streamline the issuance of courtesy visas for all expected delegations, ensuring smooth entry and participation for international attendees.

President Datouo, during the audience, emphasized the critical importance of strengthening parliamentary democracy. He also commended the Ambassador for his commendable efforts in guiding Cameroonians residing in France, particularly regarding their involvement in Promote 2026, a major business summit held at the Palais des Congrès in Yaoundé.

Further discussions included ongoing deliberations for the establishment of a parliamentary museum within the National Assembly. The President of the lower house expressed a keen interest in leveraging French expertise, seeking to benefit from shared experiences and best practices, while also highlighting the vital role of digitalization in the future museum’s development.

A pivotal item on the agenda for this session will be the election of a new Secretary-General for the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). On the African continent, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda stand out as the leading contenders for this influential position.