DATOUO, UNOCA CHIEF PLEDGE STRONGER PARTNERSHIP FOR REGIONAL PEACE

The Speaker of Cameroon’s National Assembly, the Right Honourable Theodore DATOUO, and the Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), H.E. Mohamed El-Amine Souef, have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation, with particular emphasis on regional peace, security, stability and sustainable development.

The commitment emerged during an audience granted by the Speaker to the UN official on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, at the Paul Biya Glass House in Yaoundé. The meeting provided an opportunity to consolidate relations between the United Nations and Cameroon’s legislative institution, while exchanging perspectives on regional challenges and Cameroon’s engagement with the UN system.

Discussions centred on the political situation in the Central African subregion, as well as the imperatives of peace, security and stability in a region where sustained dialogue and coordinated action remain essential to long-term development.

Speaking after the audience, H.E. Mohamed El-Amine Souef described the meeting as an opportunity to exchange views with the Speaker on developments across the subregion. The discussions underscored the importance of sustained institutional engagement in addressing shared challenges and advancing common regional objectives.

Parliamentary diplomacy emerged as a key instrument for deepening cooperation. Through dialogue with international and regional partners, national legislatures can contribute to conflict prevention, strengthen democratic institutions and support initiatives designed to promote peace and sustainable development. The engagement between UNOCA and the National Assembly reflects the value of bringing parliamentary institutions into broader efforts to address the political and security concerns of Central Africa.

For his part, the Right Honourable Theodore DATOUO reassured the UNOCA Chief of the support of Cameroon’s Parliament, signalling the National Assembly’s readiness to work closely with the United Nations regional office in pursuit of shared priorities.

The assurance reinforces the place of parliamentary engagement within Cameroon’s international cooperation framework and highlights the potential of legislative diplomacy to complement diplomatic and multilateral initiatives aimed at preserving regional stability.

H.E. Mohamed El-Amine Souef welcomed the Speaker’s assurance, expressing satisfaction with the support offered by Cameroon’s Parliament. He further emphasised the importance of closer collaboration between UNOCA and the National Assembly, particularly through parliamentary diplomacy as a channel for strengthening relations between the United Nations and national institutions.

Appointed on 27 May 2026 by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNOCA, Mr. Souef leads the United Nations’ regional engagement on political and security issues in Central Africa. His meeting with the Speaker forms part of broader efforts to consolidate cooperation between the United Nations and national institutions across the subregion.

The audience signals a shared determination to translate institutional goodwill into closer engagement. By reaffirming mutual support and recognising the strategic value of parliamentary diplomacy, the National Assembly of Cameroon and UNOCA are positioning their partnership to contribute to the wider pursuit of peace, stability and sustainable development in Central Africa.

As the subregion continues to confront complex political, security and development challenges, stronger cooperation between the United Nations and national parliaments remains an important avenue for advancing dialogue, reinforcing regional solidarity and supporting lasting stability.