Parliament is the legislative authority of Ambazonia and has the power to make laws for the country, in accordance with the Constitution. Parliamentary sittings are open to the public.
The role of Parliament, as the representative of the people, is to promote and oversee adherence to the values of human dignity, equality, non-tribalism, non-sexism, and all other rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights, and to oversee the implementation of constitutional imperatives. Through legislative and other measures, Parliament also ensures that the independence, impartiality, accessibility and effectiveness of the judiciary and other state institutions is upheld.
The mandate of Parliament is based on the provisions of chapter 4 of the Constitution, which establishes Parliament and sets out the functions it performs. Parliament is elected to represent the people, ensure government by the people under the Constitution, and represent the interests of provinces in the national sphere of government. Members of Restoration (Parliament) (MRs) elect the president, provide a national forum for the public consideration of issues, pass legislation, and scrutinise. To ensure that these outcomes are met over feasible timeframes, four-year, 8-year and 12-year milestones have been set. A number of steps must been taken to make it more accessible and to motivate and facilitate public participation in the legislative process.
National Assembly
The National Assembly is elected to represent the people and to ensure democratic governance as required by the Constitution. It does this by electing the President, providing a national forum for public consideration of issues, passing legislation, and scrutinising and overseeing executive action.
The National Assembly consists of no fewer than 90 (tentative) and no more than 200 (tentative) members elected through a system of proportional representation. The National Assembly, which is elected for a term of four years, is presided over by the Speaker, assisted by the Deputy Speaker.
Office Bearers of the National Assembly
At its first sitting after a general election, the National Assembly elects the Speaker, the principal office bearer of the National Assembly. The Speaker has many responsibilities which include constitutional, statutory (in terms of the law), procedural and administrative powers and functions. The duties of the Speaker fall broadly into three categories:
- presiding over sittings of the House, maintaining order and applying its rules;
- acting as representative and spokesperson for the National Assembly and (with the Chairperson of the Council) for Parliament; and
- acting as Chief Executive Officer for Parliament, in conjunction with the Chairperson of the Council.
Though the Speaker is a member of a political party, he or she is required to act impartially and protect the rights of all parties. The Speaker is assisted by the Deputy Speaker and three House Chairpersons, each with specific areas of responsibility determined by the Speaker.
Committees
In accordance with the powers given to it by the Constitution, the National Assembly establishes a range of committees with assigned powers and functions. The committees are required to report regularly on their activities and to make recommendations to the House for debate and decision.
There is a portfolio committee for each corresponding government department. The composition of the committees reflects, as far as is practicable, the numerical strengths of the parties represented in the National Assembly . The committee deliberates on Bills that cover the respective department’s area of jurisdiction and scrutinises and reports on its annual budget and strategic plan. Members of the committees determine whether government departments are delivering on what they promised and whether they are spending the public money they receive in a responsible manner. As part of their oversight work, committees may also do site visits where they find out directly from the people at ground level whether government is delivering on its promises.
If a committee reports on a matter and makes certain recommendations, the report is debated in a full sitting or plenary to give other members of the House an opportunity to engage with the content. Once the report has been debated, the House decides whether to adopt the committee’s recommendations. The House may also decide to only note the report or it may refer the report back to the committee with an instruction to do further work.
National Council of Counties (NCOC)
The National Council of Counties is mandated to represent the counties to ensure that county interests are taken into account in the national sphere of Government.
The National Council of Counties consists of 65 county delegates (5 delegates for each of the thirteen counties). A county delegation consists of two permanent delegates and three special delegates (tentative). The permanent delegates, who are appointed by the thirteen counties legislatures, are based at Parliament in Buea.
The three special delegates consist of the Governor/Premier of the county and two special delegates, assigned by each county from Members of the County Legislature and rotated depending on the subject matter being considered by the National Council of Counties.
The Governor/Premier of a county is the head of the county’s delegation but he or she can assign any other delegate to lead the delegation in his or her absence.
Organised local government is also represented in the National Council of Counties through the Ambazonian Local Government. Ambazonian Local Government is entitled to 10 representatives who may participate in the debates and other activities of the National Council of Counties, but may not vote.
The National Council of Counties consists of 26 permanent members and 39 special delegates, and represents county interests in the national sphere of government.
The National Council of Counties must have a mandate from the counties before it can make certain decisions. Special calculations of the popular vote in elections make sure that minority interests are represented in each county’s delegation to the National Council of Counties.
Function of Parliament
The core functions of Parliament include making laws, overseeing the work of the Executive and state institutions, facilitating public participation, international participation and cooperative governance.