Hon. Datouo Théodore, held high-level talks with Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, during an audience in Yaounde on 24 March 2026.
The Speaker granted an audience to the IPU Secretary General at the Paul Biya Glass House, marking Mr. Chungong’s first official visit to Cameroon since the recent election of Right Honourable Datouo Théodore.
The audience, which lasted nearly an hour, unfolded in an atmosphere of mutual respect and institutional camaraderie. The Speaker was accompanied by key aides, including his Director of Cabinet, Professor Tamba Isaac, alongside senior administrative officials of the National Assembly.
At the heart of the discussions was a shared commitment to deepening cooperation between Cameroon’s Parliament and the IPU, a global body that promotes democratic governance, peace, and sustainable development through parliamentary dialogue.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Chungong praised the leadership of the Speaker and reaffirmed the IPU’s support for Cameroon’s National Assembly. He disclosed that both parties explored pressing international issues and the strategic role of parliaments in shaping responses to global challenges.
Particular attention was given to the need for stronger parliamentary involvement in translating international agreements into concrete national laws and policies that directly impact citizens’ lives. In this regard, the IPU chief highlighted the upcoming Parliamentary Conference of the World Trade Organization, set to open in Yaounde on 26 March 2026, as a key platform for advancing equitable global trade.
For his part, the Speaker reiterated Cameroon’s active engagement within the IPU, drawing on his longstanding personal involvement in the institution’s activities and his resolve to sustain that momentum.
The visit also carried a deeply personal dimension. Returning to the National Assembly where he once served as a civil servant, Mr. Chungong reflected on his professional journey and expressed gratitude for the steadfast support he has received from Cameroon’s Parliament throughout his rise to the helm of the IPU.
Claudette Chin
