Interview: Martin Chungong, Inter-Parliamentary Union Gen. Sec.

Several decades ago, two Cameroonians served as Secretaries General of the Organisation of African Unity, OAU, as it then was. This was the highest level which any Cameroonian ever attained in the international civil service as it were.

A rather long interregnum followed William Eteki Mboumoua and Nzo Ekah-ngaki’s stewardship at the African diplomatic stage.

When it came time to be broken, it was broken audaciously, by Martin Chungong, from the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Mr. Chungong did not only shatter a 125-year tradition of Europeans heading the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU.

He was also the first African to be elected to the exalted office of this world body. Mr. Chungong is particularly noted for his works pertaining to the development of programmes to help Parliaments become more transparent, accountable, representative and effecting democratic institutions.

He was a special guest at the 60th Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA, held in Yaounde. During this maiden visit to his home country since his election to this exalted office, he talked to The Post, in an exclusive interview.

His ideas, his charge, including how he will be handling the burden of his high office are very lucidly expressed in the interview.

Sir, You were recently elected the Secretary General of Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU; what is the organization all about?

The IPU is the organization that brings together Parliaments of the world. In fact, it is to Parliaments what the United Nations is to the executive arms of the Governments. So many people refer to the IPU as the United Nations, UN, of Parliaments.

This organization was created in June 1889.We are celebrating the 125th anniversary this year. It’s the oldest multilateral political organization in the world that predates the League of Nations and of course the U.N. The IPU serves as a forum for global Parliamentary contribution to international affairs.

When were you elected the IPU Secretary General?

I was elected on March, 20, 2014 in Geneva during the 130th Assembly of the IPU. It was a hotly contested election. There were originally 53 persons vying for the post and the Governing Bodies whittled the list down to three people and I won in the first round of voting.

What are the main functions of the IPU Secretary General?

The IPU Secretary General is the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of the organization. I am entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the day to day management of the organization.

I am responsible for transforming the policies of the institution into programmes and activities to achieve the goals of the organization. For this purpose, I have responsibility over the budget adopted by the member Parliaments. I am also responsible for representing the organization with authorities of member Parliaments and leaders of other international organizations like the U.N.

What will Cameroon gain from the fact that the IPU scribe is its citizen? My victory obviously bears testimony to the diplomatic clout of Cameroon and its leader.

I received unflinching support from the highest authorities of the country, starting from the President of the Republic; the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament, the Prime Minister and the Minister of External Relations. I want to use this opportunity to thank these personalities for the support they gave me.

While I am a Cameroonian, I am the Secretary General of a global organization. I am supposed to act in the overall interest of the organization, not specifically in the interest of my country. But, I will certainly be sensitive to the needs of my country and will do my best to respond to them.

I have already been discussing with the authorities in Parliament, including Rt. Hon. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, in order to identify areas where IPU can offer assistance to the Cameroonian Parliament.

In your opinion what does the Cameroonian Parliament need to be more performing in its role of scrutinizing and ensuring checks and balances?

I must say that having looked at the legislative framework that governs the functioning of the Cameroonian Parliament and its relations with other arms of government, I will say that it (frame work) is very adequate for the performance by MPs of the mandate entrusted to them by the people.

MPs should be aware that they have powers enshrined in the constitution and the standing orders of the two Houses of Parliament. M.Ps should be able and willing to exercise the power they have whether they are from the ruling party or the opposition.

Having before, worked in the Cameroonian Parliament, I have noticed that there is considerable improvement in the debates in Parliament. There is more substantive scrutiny of bills and the national budget. There is more robust participation of the opposition in Parliament. All these are the very hallmarks of a strong and effective Parliament.

Of course, all is not perfect and much more has to be done to ensure greater inclusiveness in decision making in Parliament by creating better space for the opposition, women and youth.

There is also need for greater collaboration between the Executive and Legislative arms of the state. For instance, there should be more timely availability of information from Government to Parliament on matters tabled on the floor of the House.

I also think that it is important for MPs to be more conversant with the issues of the day and factor this knowledge into what they are called upon to do in Parliament. I am sure that the Parliament is working to improve the capacity of the staff working within the institution. In fact, Parliamentary administration is the backbone of any Parliament.

The Parliamentary administration plays a crucial role in supporting MPs in a neutral and impartial fashion so that MPs can perform their duties.

Throughout my experience, I have noticed that relations between Parliament and Government in many jurisdictions are fraught with tensions. This is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it can be very healthy for democratic debate in ensuring that public policies and decisions are informed by the views and opinions of the cross section of society. The IPU will consider providing any such assistance as may be required by the Cameroonian Parliament to strengthen its capacity.

You have just recommended that more places in Parliament be allocated to the opposition, women, and youth, but we know that one gets into the institution through elections, which are usually the survival of the fittest in Cameroon.

Are you, in other words, saying some people should be appointed to represent marginalized segments of the society in Parliament?

I am saying that the electoral laws have to be crafted and implemented in such a way that they offer equal opportunities to all. Because women and youth are particularly disadvantaged, special measures need to be taken in their favour. For instance, in many countries, there are reserved seats for youth and women and marginalized communities such as the disabled, as well as indigenous peoples.

However, we have to go beyond numbers and ensure that once all these people are elected into Parliament, they should be offered the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the work of Parliament.

We have listened to people express misgivings about “Party Discipline” in Parliament; in your opinion, is it a weakness or strength in terms of Parliamentary independence?

Party discipline can be strength in that it can provide some stability in the functioning of the Parliament. It ensures that there is some measure of predictability in Parliamentary outcomes. However, when it is implemented indiscriminately and rigidly, it may be an impediment to MPs in their representation of the interests of their constituents and the people.

There is a balance that has to be struck between strict party discipline and the ability of MPs to speak and act according to their consciences in the overall interest of their constituents and the nation as a whole. This applies to Cameroon and to the Parliaments in the so-called advanced or developed democracies.

Will the CPA Conference address any such issues, especially the independence of the legislative power which is in short supply in the Cameroonian Parliament?

The CPA Conference is not to address the specific problems of the Cameroonian Parliament. We have MPs from across the Commonwealth to see how they can provide a robust contribution to the discussion of global issues. I understand that they will be looking at how they can ensure unity in diversity; how Parliaments should position themselves in international efforts to craft a new generation of development goals post 2015.

I also understand that they will be looking at how to improve governance at the national and international level. I am certain that the outcome of these discussions will be relevant to the Parliament of Cameroon, given that these are issues that it is already grappling with.

I have been told that Cameroon has commissioned studies and analyses on these issues. And that presentations and discussions are going to be in the context of give and take. The challenge is going to be the ability and willingness of the participants of the conference to take back with them the lessons learned and the positive experiences gained and to integrate these into their work back home.

As a Cameroonian and IPU Scribe, what kind of support are you expecting from the Cameroon Government in order to succeed in your assignment?

I really think that the greatest support the authorities of my country can give me is to continue to be shining examples of democracy. I want to continue to be proud of my country for its performance in this area.

I stand, willing, as IPU Secretary General, to forge constructive partnerships with Cameroon in this regard. I want to stress that democracy is never a finished product and that is one of its strengths. It has been recognized as the best system of Government, especially because it is capable of self correction and self improvement. It is an evolving phenomenon.

There are serious challenges to democracy today. For instance, terrorism and injustice. Democracy is under attack all the time. It has to be defended and nurtured. I encourage all and sundry, to join me in this venture.