National Day: Defence ministry uses Open Days to deepen bond with civilians.

The annual event which seeks to better deepen the bond between the population and defence forces, held at the Yaounde 101 Military Airbase, from May 17 to 19. 

It was organised as part of the ministry’s activities to mark the celebration of the 53rd edition of the National Day. The three-day joint exhibition of the Armed Forces, Police force and Customs Department was officially closed on Monday May 19.

The closing ceremony was chaired by the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo. He was accompanied during the exercise by the Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze. 

Also present were the Delegate General for National Security, Martin Mbarga Nguele, the Director General of the Customs Department, Fongod Edwin Nuvaga, military officials from neighbouring Nigeria, Mali, a host of other dignitaries as well as a huge crowd of Yaounde residents.

Defence Open Days

Prior to the visit of the various exhibition stands, the Head of the Communication Division at the Ministry of Defence, Navy Captain Cyrille Atonfack, explained that the annual event is a traditional activity meant to consolidate the bond between army and nation. 

The major objective of the activity, he said, is to make the Cameroonian defence system much known by presenting the organisation, missions, capabilities and potential. 

He said the Open Days are also an excellent opportunity for Cameroonian youth to gain a better understanding of the military and security equipment, trades, career profiles, training courses and recruitment procedures. 

The event, he added, seeks to sensitise compatriots on popular defence and enforcement of law and order based on the ideals of peace, unity, stability and prosperity of the country. 

“For the Cameroonian Defence Armed Forces, Police and Customs Department, this means presenting and informing about the materials, equipment and methods they use to fulfil their republican missions,” Atonfack said.

He said in a context marked by constant threats of various kinds, defence and security mechanisms and systems need public support more than ever.

“The people also need to be better informed about both the threats they face as well as human and material resources deployed to ensure their security,” he said, adding that there is no better way to do so than celebrating events like the Open Days.

He urged the visitors to visit the various stands to learn about the names, nature and use of the equipment on display from the different defence and security forces like the National Gendarmerie, the Army, Air Force, Navy, National Fire Brigade, Ex-Servicemen and War Victims, National Police, and the Customs Department.

The presence of the National Police and the Customs Department, Navy Captain Atonfack said, reflects the excellent synergy between the security and economic actors, who are also engaged on all fronts to protect Cameroon’s territorial integrity and guarantee the free movement of people and goods. 

He said it also reflects the “importance of government interaction in consolidating the country’s resilience in a gloomy global economic context”. 

He noted that the military-security aspect is not the only things displayed on the stands. Atonfack said the defence and security forces have over the years, become full-fledged actors in the development of the nation.

“This is particularly the case of the Military Engineering Corps and the Department of Military Health, among others,” he said. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3451 of Wednesday May 21, 2025