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Marcel Niat Njifenji, the former president of the Cameroonian Senate, passed away on Saturday at the age of 91. His death was confirmed by local Cameroonian media, with reports stating that he died at the University Hospital Centre (CHU) of Yaoundé.
Born on October 26, 1934, in Bangangté, a town in the Western Region of Cameroon, Niat Njifenji was an engineer by training. He served as the president of the Senate from 2013 until March 2026, when he was replaced by Aboubakary Abdoulaye following a reshuffling of the leadership in both houses of Parliament.
During his tenure, Niat Njifenji held the second-highest position in the country’s hierarchy, with the responsibility of assuming the interim presidency in the event of a vacancy.
A key figure in Cameroon’s political landscape, Niat Njifenji was seen as a staunch supporter of President Paul Biya’s regime, helping to shape the Senate’s policies for over a decade. His leadership role positioned him as a central figure in the political structure, where his actions often influenced the country’s legislative proceedings.
Despite rumours of his declining health in recent years, which his family regularly denied, Niat Njifenji made his final public appearance on June 11, 2025, at the Senate’s regular session.
During his speech, he remarked, “I wanted to give this speech to say that I am here,” underscoring his determination to remain active despite his health issues.
