Cameroon military needs more discipline!.

But like all other human organisations, they have had their own rotten eggs, which is why when the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, while receiving New Year wishes last Friday, enjoined the troops to be more disciplined.

He didn't mince words when he demanded for "more discipline" within all compartments of the armed forces across the country, in order to be able to meet the numerous challenges in 2024; validly and effectively contain them.

Discipline, Minister Beti Assomo reiterated, is not a “cliché or a slogan but the main strength of armed forces...”.

“That is why, while I congratulate the High Command on its firmness in monitoring the discipline of the men under its authority in 2023, I ask it to be even more demanding and uncompromising in this area in 2024,” he stated. 

The minister added that: “Any form of gratuitous harassment, abuse of power or authority, must be dealt with in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Defence Forces General Disciplinary Regulations”. 

He used the opportunity to draw the attention of the defence and security forces of all the sanctions awaiting indisciplined personnel. 

Such indiscipline, he said, if tolerated, “will flout the hierarchical rules of career management, be a breeding ground for favouritism, complacency, indiscipline and frustration for disciplined and deserving personnel”.

Minister Beti Assomo said acts of indiscipline, will be monitored more closely in 2024, and those found wanting duly punished.

Sanctions, he insisted, “will apply to those who, in defiance of military regulations, perform acts or make remarks that smack of identitarian withdrawal or allegiance to personalities other than those provided for in military regulations, all acts of deviance or defiance that could cast doubt on their loyalty to the institutions of the Republic and those who embody them”.

He urged all the defence and security forces to, in all circumstances and in all places, strive to earn the trust of citizens, especially those who have not violated any law.

Of course, one of the preponderant roles of all security operatives is to protect the rights and properties of citizens. Cameroon’s security forces have often been praised for their "professionalism". 

In his end-of-year speech to the nation last December 31, President Paul Biya, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, saluted their "courage and professionalism", especially with regards to the conflict in the North West and South West Regions.

But as the Head of State and Minister Assomo conceded in their various speeches, "normalcy" is still not in force in the two Anglophone Regions. 

We hope, as the minister assured, that this year defence and security forces will pursue the total eradication of the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists, the consolidation of the security situation in the North West and South West Regions; in order to further consolidate the return to normal socioeconomic life, intensify fight against maritime piracy, hostage-taking, the supervision of refugees on the territory, fight against organised crime, road insecurity and the maintenance of public order throughout the national territory.

It is a daunting and perilous task for the defence and security forces, who truly need more discipline than in previous years, to succeed.

Military discipline, as George Washington said, is "the soul of the military". There have been some lapses in the Cameroonian defence and security forces, which have persistently been pointed out by local and several international human rights groups. 

Some have been unfounded and a few have been confirmed and culprits made to face the excruciating sword of justice.

There continues to be allegations of extortions from travelers and motorists at numerous checkpoints on highways. Other allegations of young men being arrested in nocturnal raids and released only after "settlements" are persistent, just like there have been cases where fire arms have been used at checkpoints leading to the death of innocent compatriots.

Other complaints against defence and security forces include deaths at detention centres and extra-judicial killings. However, these accusations are often refuted by the Military Spokesman. It is doubtful if there could be a smoke without fire.

Such accusations, true or fabricated, bordering on indiscipline should not be associated with a military that needs the collaboration and cooperation of the citizenry to achieve its paramount assignment of keeping peace, defending state institutions and promoting human rights.

The Guardian Post congratulates Minister Assomo for prescribing "more discipline". We equally trust those who use their uniforms to violate the rights of innocent citizens shall be made to face justice in other to deter others in uniforms with Satanic mindsets.