Ahead of National Day celebration: Defence, security officials commit to beef up security nationwide.

This was yesterday at the conference hall of the Ministry of Defence in Yaounde, during a special evaluation meeting on the security situation of the country. 

The meeting, presided over by the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, was on the high instructions of the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Paul Biya.

The meeting had in attendance the Secretary of State in charge of the National Gendarmerie and the Secretary of State in charge of Ex-Servicemen and Victims of War. 

Under the leadership of Lieutenant General/Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, were Chiefs of Central Staff, Territorial Commanders of the Armed Forces, the National Gendarmerie, Commanders of Military Operations, such as the Commander of the Multinational Joint Force and several Special Units.

It should also be noted that the Minister of Territorial Administration and Delegate for National Security were present at the opening ceremony. 

The meeting primarily focused on the evaluation of the security situation of the country in its entirety, and particularly on the eve of the celebration of the 51^st anniversary of the unitary state. 

It was an opportunity for the Minister of Defence, as usual, to prescribe the necessary adjustments, and if necessary, the strengthening of security and vigilance measures throughout the national territory, for a successful National Day celebration.

Speaking during the opening of the meeting, Minister Joseph Beti Assomo, said it was “an opportunity for us to make an in-depth review of the general situation of the country at this time with special emphasis on the security situation across the country four weeks” to the National Day celebration.

“This brainstorming gives us the opportunity to gather and fine-tune information and intelligence on the life of the country and thereafter, provide the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces with a great picture, enabling him to take appropriate decisions in his mission of conducting the affairs of the country,” Beti Assomo said.

He added that “commemoration of the National Day on May 20, 2023, as I said is taking place in a particular context characterised by numerous multifaceted security challenges both at the international level and on the national territory”.

Minister Beti Assomo also saluted the presence of the Minister of Territorial Administration, “as you are a flagship partner in our actions on the field through your central services and heads of administrative units, who are primarily responsible for maintaining public order…”.

He also extended warm regards to the Delegate General for National Security “who, despite the constraints and demands of his high office, responded favourably to our invitation. Thanks to your special impetus, collaboration between the defence forces and the police has reached a remarkable level of closeness”.

The member of government also saluted the Deputy Director for External Research “who ensures the continuity of the missions of this specialised service whose importance in our country’s security system is eye-catching”.

“I wish to thank you for your availability and your active collaboration with the defence and security forces, particularly in various operations underway in certain regions of the country. Your collaboration is invariable to us,” he stated.