(Business in Cameroon) – While the presidency of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) has transitioned smoothly from Angola’s Gilberto Veríssimo to Burundi’s Ezéchiel Nibigira, the competition for the five commissioner posts is proving to be a much tougher diplomatic battle. Cameroon is actively maneuvering for one of these crucial roles.
The first round of negotiations took place in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, from September 5-7, where a list of candidates, compiled by consulting firm Forvis Mazars, was approved. Three Cameroonians made the cut, but two are considered top contenders: Jacob Kotcho Bongkwaha, a candidate for the portfolio of Common Market, Economic, Monetary, and Financial Affairs, and Nelly Banaken Elel, who is vying for the role of Gender Promotion, Human, and Social Development. Under ECCAS rules, only one position can be held per member state.
Common Market Commissioner: The Coveted Portfolio
The post of Common Market Commissioner is highly sought after because nine of the fifteen objectives in the revised ECCAS treaty are directly related to economic, monetary, and financial integration. A diplomat involved in the process called the position the “cornerstone of the community’s architecture.” The person in this role would manage trade integration, macroeconomic convergence, financial cooperation, and a potential monetary union, while also serving as a key point of contact for international partners.
Cameroon, the third-largest economy in ECCAS behind Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, has long sought to be a regional leader. The country’s 2020-2030 National Development Strategy (SND30) identifies regional integration as a key driver of growth. Securing the Common Market commissioner role would give Cameroon regional influence over its national priorities and reinforce its image as a driver of Central African development.
Jacob Kotcho Bongkwaha: The Strong Contender
At 53, Jacob Kotcho Bongkwaha appears to be a strong candidate. He is an economist who currently serves as the Director of the Common Market at ECCAS, giving him an intimate knowledge of the institution’s inner workings. The Mazars evaluation highlighted his qualifications, giving him the highest score among all 52 candidates: 90.25 out of 100. This places him well ahead of other contenders for the same position, including former Sao Tome and Principe Prime Minister Maria do Carmo Silveira (85.1), Angola’s Oluimo Diai Tavira Da Silva (75), Gabon’s Nkegna Joel (66.25), and Christian Sambia from the Central African Republic (62).
A specialist in international trade, Bongkwaha has a background in both academia and the private sector. He has taught economic diplomacy at several Cameroonian universities and was involved in his country’s negotiations for the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). His experience makes him a credible candidate to both local and international partners.
Cameroon’s President Paul Biya is expected to make the final decision. Bongkwaha’s strong performance, his deep knowledge of ECCAS, and the strategic importance of the position may influence the outcome. The appointment would give Cameroon a significant diplomatic victory, boosting its influence within the organization. It would also place one of the region’s most qualified experts in a position to inject new momentum into a regional integration process that has progressed very slowly.
Baudouin Enama
