Speakers and MPs at 18th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) Africa Region in Cameroon

This week, Commonwealth Speakers and MPs have met for the 18th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) Africa Region, hosted by the Parliament of Cameroon on the theme of ‘African Parliaments and the Agenda 2063’.

The conference was opened by the Prime Minister of Cameroon, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, representing the President of Cameroon, H.E. Paul Biya, who said to delegates:

“Your presence here today reflects the cordial ties and perfect cooperation that exist between our countries, which share a fundamental cultural value. Given the determination of the Heads of State and Governments of the African Union and the relevance of Agenda 2063, it is up to us to remain confident and to believe in our potential more than in the past. In your capacity as representatives of the people, whose aspirations and hopes you represent, and in your dual role as legislators and monitors of public action, your role is decisive for the implementation of Agenda 2063.”

The welcome address was given by Hon. Mary Muyali Epse Meboka, MP (Cameroon), Chairperson of the Organising Committee of CSPOC Africa 2023, on behalf of the CSPOC Africa Chairperson and Speaker of the National Assembly of Cameroon, Hon. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, MP, in which she said:

"The Parliament of Cameroon is delighted and honoured to welcome Speakers from the National and Sub-National Parliaments of Africa for the 18th CSPOC Africa Conference. Gatherings such as this conference are an invaluable opportunity to come together, as Speakers, Presiding Officers and Members of Parliament, so that together we can discuss issues concerning our Parliaments and the development of Africa. Together, we can seek ways and means of contributing to the realisation of the vision set for Africa by 2063; the transformation of Africa into the centre of economic influence for the future.”

The CPA President, Rt Hon. Alban Bagbin, Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana attended the 18th CSPOC Africa to update delegates ahead of the hosting of the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Accra, Ghana from 30 September to 6 October 2023.

Other attendees included the Chairperson of the CPA Africa Region, Hon. Catherine Gotani Hara, MP, Speaker of the National Assembly of Malawi; Rt Hon. Phandu T. C. Skelemani, Speaker of the Parliament of Botswana; Hon. Dr Tulia Ackson Mwansasu, MP, Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania; Hon. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa and Hon. Amos Masondo, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces of South Africa; Hon Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the Nigeria House of Representatives; and Rt Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, MP, Speaker of the National Assembly of The Gambia.

The conference ran from 17 to 21 July 2023 and brought together 18 national Branches of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region including Botswana, Cameroon, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia as well as several Nigerian State Branches and the Speakers of the South African Provincial Legislatures as observers.

The CSPOC conference brings together the Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Parliaments and Legislatures of the Commonwealth. The CSPOC Africa Conference is a separate independent organisation, although many of its participants are also members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

The 19th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) Africa Region will be hosted by the Parliament of Botswana in 2025 with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Botswana, Hon. Phandu T. C. Skelemani elected as the new CSPOC Africa Chairperson. Botswana previously hosted the CSPOC Africa Region in Kasane in 2007.

The 18th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) Africa Region was held at the Yaoundé Conference Centre in Cameroon. Visit the conference website for further information.

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The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. The CPA is an international community of around 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.

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