The decision to name the main building of the newly-constructed National Assembly headquarters the “Paul Biya Glass House” has sparked sharp criticism from opposition political parties, deepening concerns about what critics have described as the independence of national institutions under President Biya’s long rule.
The building, inaugurated during a ceremony on April 25, 2025, and presided over by Prime Minister Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, was hailed by government officials as a tribute to President Biya’s 43 years of leadership. Speaker of the National Assembly, Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, described the gesture as“recognition of the architect of Cameroon’s modern renaissance.” However, opposition parties have condemned the move, warning that it symbolizes the erosion of democratic values and the increasing personalization of state institutions. The Popular Action Party, PAP, led the backlash, issuing a statement that denounced the naming as “a violation of democratic principles and an affront to the Cameroonian people’s collective identity.”
PAP National President Njang Denis Tabe argued that the National Assembly should remain a “People’s House,” representing all citizens rather than glorifying a single individual, particularly one who is still in office. “This decision undermines the separation of powers between the Legislative and Executive branches,” Njang said, criticizing the Assembly Bureau for making such a consequential decision without any public consultation.
The party proposed alternative names such as “National House” or “House of Assembly,” to better reflect the Assembly’s constitutional role. Prominent opposition leader and presidential hopeful Barrister Akere Muna of the Universe political party also joined the chorus of disapproval.
In a statement, Muna warned that naming the legislative building after a sitting president compromised the institution’s neutrality.
“It blurs the lines between the state and the individual, raising serious concerns about democratic governance and the separation of powers,” he said.
He further noted that, unlike historical figures such as Ahmadou Ahidjo or Solomon Tandeng Muna, President Biya had never served as a parliamentarian, making the decision even more controversial. In Parliament itself, Jean Michel Nintcheu, an outspoken Member of Parliament, blasted the move as a “heresy and provocation,” while Nourane Foster of the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation, PCRN, described it as “sad,” calling for stronger safeguards to maintain the separation of powers in Cameroon.
Political analysts suggest that the controversy exposes deeper frustrations over governance practices in Cameroon, especially amid speculation that President Biya, in power since 1982, may seek another term in the October 2025 elections. As calls for reconsideration grow louder, the naming of the Paul Biya Glass House is fast becoming a flashpoint in the national debate over democracy, transparency, and the future direction of Cameroonian political institutions.
China’s 55B CFA Gift: Behind the New Paul Biya Glass House
China’s deepening ties with Cameroon made headlines with the completion of the new National Assembly complex in Yaoundé, constructed with a Chinese grant estimated at 55 billion CFA francs, approximately $66 million USD. The new edifice, now officially christened the “Paul Biya Glass House” after the sitting president, was funded through a protocol agreement signed between Cameroon and China in 2017. Construction began in late 2019 and was carried out by Beijing Urban Construction Group Co., Ltd., a major Chinese state-owned construction firm.
Located in the Ngoa-Ekelle neighborhood of Yaoundé, the 13-story building is now the tallest parliamentary structure in Central Africa. It features a modern plenary hall with a capacity for 480 deputies, a 1,000-seat banquet hall, advanced office spaces, and specialized facilities including security and fire services. Despite the controversy, the new Paul Biya Glass House stands as a striking architectural achievement and a potent reminder of China’s growing influence in Africa through large-scale infrastructure diplomacy.
