National Assembly: Transport, external relations ministers defend bills before Foreign Affairs Committee.

It focused on agreements between Cameroon and Qatar, and Cameroon and Algeria.

The Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Hon Banmi Emmanuel Dingha, presided the sitting. The members of government were accompanied by the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Relations with the Assembly, Bolvine Wakata, and the Second Deputy Secretary General of the National Assembly, Martin Sakwe Elangwe, who led the administrative team assisting the Committee.

The Minister of Transport, Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehe, was first to take the floor to present and defend Bill No. 2088/PJL/AN, authorising the President of the Republic to ratify the bilateral air services agreement between Cameroon and the State of Qatar, signed in Doha on January 16, 2025. He explained the importance of the agreement for Cameroon’s aviation sector.

Speaking to the press after his presentation, the Minister of Transport noted that the ratification will enable Cameroon to position itself as an air transport hub, allowing Camair-Co and other airlines to operate direct flights between Doha and Yaounde, as well as Doha and Douala. 

“It will also open up new commercial routes linking our national carrier to Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania,” the minister said.

Following the Minister of Transport’s presentation was that of the Minister of External Relations, Mbella Mbella. He presented Bill No. 2089/PJL/AN, authorising the President of the Republic to ratify the agreement between Cameroon and Algeria on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and service passports, signed in Algiers on December 21, 2024.

Committee members, including Hon Banmi Emmanuel Dingha, Hon Etombi Ikome Gladys, Hon Teku Tanyi Teku, and Hon Manju Nestus Fru, raised questions about the bill, which the Minister addressed.

Speaking on the scope of the agreement, the Minister of External Relations revealed that there are several other bills with the same objective.

“The distinctive aspect this time is that it allows us to expand the list of countries with which Cameroon can engage, facilitating smoother movement for diplomats and holders of diplomatic or service passports,” Mbella Mbella told reporters after his presentation.

He further noted that Cameroon and Algeria share strong ties in military training, higher education, agriculture, and business cooperation, adding that a bilateral mixed commission would soon meet to assess and strengthen cooperation between both nations.

According to reports, the two bills reflect Cameroon’s continued effort to reinforce its diplomatic and economic partnerships, strengthening its position on the international stage through enhanced air connectivity and improved mobility for diplomatic personnel.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3623 of Thursday November 13, 2025