Yaounde, Malabo review, explore fresh avenues to strengthen military ties.

The audience came barely a day after a detachment of the Equatoguinean army marched past at the 20th May Boulevard in Yaounde.

They were President Paul Biya’s guest of honour at the 52nd National Day celebration in Cameroon.

The Equatoguinean Vice Defence Minister was accompanied to yesterday’s audience, by the country's Ambassador to Cameroon and the Army Chief of Staff of the neighbouring country, Colonel Juan Moises Anda Elo. Some top brass of the Cameroon military attended the meeting. 

Both officials used the closed to one hour in camera discussions to appreciate efforts made by the defence and security forces of both nations, to combat all kinds of security threats along their common border. 

Minister Beti Assomo, in his welcome remarks at the audience, transmitted the message of gratitude and goodwill of the Head of State, President Paul Biya, to his Equatoguinean counterpart, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. 

The member of government said President Biya appreciates fruitful military cooperation ties between both nations and sees in the colourful parade of the Equatoguinean army during the National Day celebration, a renewed act of fraternity between the two friendly and brotherly nations.

Minister Beti Assomo used the audience to announce efforts made so far towards the imminent holding of a Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea Mixed Commission, as well as the meeting of Defence Ministers of both countries. 

The forthcoming meetings, whose dates are still to be fixed, Minister Beti Assomo noted, will permit both nations to fully review their military cooperation.

Minister Beti Assomo also used the opportunity to hail the serenity that reigns along the common borders of both nations, despite hitches noticed few years back.

He said defence and security forces of both nations have been working hand in glove to nip in the bud all security threats along their common border.

Enter Equatoguinean Deputy Defence Minister 

Speaking shortly after the audience, Equatoguinean Vice Minister of Defence, Major General Candido Nkogo Engono Nchama, hailed the discipline and rigour with which the military and civilian march past marking the National Day celebration was organised. 

He said the smooth unfolding of the parade spoke volume of the discipline and professionalism within the Cameroon defence and security forces. 

Major General Candido Nkogo Engono Nchama said Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon have signed many accords and will continue to work together as friendly and brother countries in addressing security threats along their common borders. 

Revisiting Equatoguinean military parade 

The detachment of Equatorial Guinea army, it should be said, had an impressive parade at the 20th May Boulevard. 

They were the special guests of honour of the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Paul Biya.

The visiting delegation comprised a mixed company of one hundred and eight officers. They included nine from the Gendarmerie, 54 from the Army, 18 from Air Force, 15 from the Naval Force, three from the National Police and nine from the Customs. 

They arrived Cameroon on May 16, 2024, and rehearsed at the May 20 Boulevard, alongside the other Cameroonian troops.

The Equatoguinean delegation was headed by the Vice Minister of Defence, Major General Candido Nkogo Engono Nchama. They were accompanied by the country’s Defence Chief of Staff, Colonel Juan Moises Anda Elo. 

The Equatoguinean detachment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Obama Mituy of Customs.

The special invitation of the Equatoguinean detachment, it should be noted, is a sign that the bilateral relations between both nations is at its apex. 

It is also a sign that both countries have mutually and jointly accepted to combat their common threats such as poaching, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and armed groups attacking and looting civilians in the border localities of both countries.