Grégoire Owona, Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, who also moonlights as Deputy Secretary General of the Central Committee of the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM), has announced the holding of a national congress of the party this year.

CPDM Congress holds every five years with the most recent being that of September 2011.

The minister Owona declaration did not make public the exact date and the agenda of the Congress. However, some political commentators have opined that it will be to confirm the Cameroonian dictator as Chairman of the party and candidate for the early presidential elections which normally should be held between September and October 2018.

The congress will also provide an opportunity for the national chairman to reorganize the politburo and the central committee. President Biya is not expected to face any competition within the party.