At Last !

After the 14 April 2013 senatorial poll, proclamation of the results on the 29th, and yesterday's opening session, Cameroon's first senate of 100 representatives is at last in place.

The 70 elected by the college of municipal councilors, and the 30 appointed by the Cameroon Head of State, Paul Biya have at last been officially given the mandate to represent their compatriots in the upper House.

As the senators took their seats yesterday in the Assembly, the configuration of the new senate could be seen and felt. The senators' backgrounds, ages and professions as diverse as their country, Cameroon, Africa in miniature could also be noticed. The oldest is 95 and the youngest, 40. What a unit of diversities for a common goal!

Some are former members of government, two of them having served as Prime minister and Head of government. Others are public or private sector workers, retired civil servants, business men and farmers. Yet, they are compatriots whose socio-political virtues have won the confidence of fellow Cameroonians to entrust them with the task of continuing their stewardship within the bicameral nature of our legislature.

This is a laudable step in our democratization process in respect of the January 1996 constitution. What matters however, in this process is not only the setting in place of this democratic institution, but also the application of the roles that make it credible. Senators must work in respect of their craving to serve the electorate while bearing in mind the driving force behind their call to legislative stewardship.

This explains why the Romans in consideration of the size of their Empire and the kind of people they had to serve, conceived a senate of between 300 to 600 senators of various ages and backgrounds. But in respect of the appellation, senate which comes from the Latin word, senatus (senex - old man) most of those who were elected, or appointed to serve in this chamber, were people with experience and wisdom believed to come with age. They had to use their experiences, wisdom, and know-how to be effective.

Today, in countries like Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Italy, Ireland, France, South Africa, and the United States of America where the bicameral nature of a democratic legislature prevails, the idea of getting a cross - section of professionals of various ages and backgrounds is considered very important. For, it makes possible, and even encourages a critical review of what is resolved at the level of the Lower House.

In this light, senators, whether they have been directly elected, or appointed, are expected to demonstrate the maturity that supported their election or appointment. They have to use their reasoning powers and cooperation to prove that they deserve a seat in the Upper House.

In Cameroon, where our geopolitical history and ethnic diversities leave us with many challenges, our senators, as well as other representatives, and patriotic Cameroonians have to work together to make our new senate a legislative structure worthy of its name.

Fon Victor Mokete, the oldest member of the senate in his opening address yesterday, harped on this principle when he called on our MPs as well as all Cameroonians to work together so as to render effective the country's senate.