Cavaye quits scene 50 days after losing Speaker job.

The man whose name had become synonymous to the National Assembly, died exactly 50 days after he lost his National Assembly Speaker job.

His demise marks the end of an era of over 34 years of leadership within the legislative chamber of the country and the nation’s political landscape.

The career parliamentarian was last seen in public a few weeks ago; when he returned to his native Mada village, where he was First-Class traditional ruler and Lamido. 

Before returning to his kith and kin, Cavaye had attended the March session of Parliament and was later seen in amateur videos during an audience with his successor, Hon Datouo Theordore, who paid him a visit in Yaounde.

Among other things, Cavaye was heard in the video asking for certain luxury cars to be left at his disposal while others be returned to the Assembly. 

He was raised to the rank of a First Class traditional ruler sometime in 2025. It is a move which some had started saying after his replacement on March 17, 2026 was a long term retirement package for the deceased regime bulwark.

Cavaye’s 34-year leadership at the legislative chamber made him one of the most known lawmakers across generations. 

End signs before the end

Cavaye had become the subject of several uncoordinated public speeches, both at the level of the National Assembly and political rallies in the last few years. 

When the Head of State, Paul Biya, visited Maroua, in the Far North Region in October last year while campaigning for his current mandate, Cavaye was one of the key speakers. His outing provoked mixed reactions. 

The late political baron mixed pages, missing the lines and sometimes ad-libbing to the disquiet of many at the campaign ground. Many had started linking such scenarios that were not known of his early years as House Speaker, to age and fatigue.

Yet, Cavaye returned to work at Biya’s oath taking ceremony on November 6, 2025, conducting the business of the day with less stress. 

He was more coordinated during those days, ending the session and humourously handing a pen to the Head of State to use in signing the decree forming a new government. 

Unfortunately, the Lamido and politician joined his ancestors without seeing the government he had long wished to. 

It was on the same occasion that he announced to Cameroonians on live television that he was a good friend of the First Lady, Chantal Biya. Early this year, reports had emerged that Cavaye was flown to South Africa for medical attention.

About the late Cavaye

Cavaye, who was also a member of the Political Bureau of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM, is understood to have been born in January 1940 in Mada. 

He died age 86, after spending 34 of those years from March 31, 1992 to March 17, 2026 as Speaker of the National Assembly. He was the Member of Parliament, MP, Mayo Sava.

He was a physical education teacher. Cavaye taught in several schools before being appointed a physical education inspector for the Far North in 1965. 

In the days of East Cameroon, Cavaye made his baby steps in politics with his election into the East Cameroon Legislative Assembly in April 1970. He became the monarch of his native Mada in 1971.

When the former President Ahmadou Ahidjo abolished the Federal system and instituted a Unitary State, following the May 20, 1972 referendum, Cavaye was voted as lawmaker the next year. 

By 1975, he had risen to the rank of Questor at the National Assembly and became member of the Central Committee of the Cameroon National Union, CNU.

Cavaye was re-elected to the National Assembly in 1983. Then, he was voted Second Vice President of the institution. 

With the coming to power of the Head of State, Paul Biya, in 1982, and the change of the CNU to the CPDM, Cavaye was named in the Central Committee of the ruling party.

Cavaye left parliamentary business for a while in 1988 to serve as the assistant SDO of Diamare Division. 

 Four years later, the Lamido of Mada returned to Parliament in 1992, ending up as House Speaker, succeeding the late Fonka Shang Lawrence. He won successive elections returning his seat and position at the National Assembly for 34 years.

Between 2010 and 2011, Cavaye was very active within the National Forum of Traditional Sovereigns of Cameroon. He was made Honourary Chairperson of the organisation. 

Beyond his rich political experience, Cavaye, as a monarch, is known to have leaved behind several wives and children to mourn him.

Similarly, yesterday the death was also reported of another MP, Hon Theodore Mbe Assae, a lawmaker from the Dja and Lobo Division of the South Region. 

Cavaye’s death comes after that of the former President of the Senate, Marcel Niat Njifenji and Senate Vice President, Nfor Tabetando, who are yet to be interred.

As we took to press last night, news reached us that the former National Assembly Speaker and traditional ruler was buried yesterday.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3782 of Thursday May 07, 2026