Visiting French gendarmerie chief hails security ties with Cameroon.

The audience was the final lap of the French gendarmerie boss’ 48-hour working visit to Cameroon. 

The visit began Monday June 9. Bonneau arrived Cameroon Sunday, June 8. 

During his two-day stay in Cameroon, he made stops at the International School for Security Forces, located in Awae, Mefou and Afamba Division of the Centre Region.

He also visited the Multipurpose Intervention Regiment of the National Gendarmerie, the Higher Training Centre for Criminal Investigation and the Central Services of the National Gendarmerie.

The French military official was also received in audience by the Secretary of State to the Minister of Defence in charge of the National Gendarmerie, Galax Yves Etoga. 

The activity, which took place at the Central Services of the National Gendarmerie, was also punctuated by a working session between the French Gendarmerie chief, his Cameroonian counterpart, Galax Etoga, and senior officials of the Cameroonian National Gendarmerie.

Proud of security ties with Cameroon

Addressing pressmen after his audience with Minister Beti Assomo yesterday, the French gendarmerie boss said the French and the Cameroonian gendarmeries have a rich common history and long-lasting fruitful relationship.

He said the fact that Cameroon is the first African country that he is visiting since he was named as head of the French Gendarmerie speaks volumes of the beautiful relationship that both countries have built over the years, especially in the areas of security. 

“I am very satisfied. I am totally in line with my comrades from the Cameroonian gendarmerie on the actions we have taken in the past and on the strength of this Cameroonian gendarmerie, which is very close to the French Gendarmerie. Our links are historical in terms of cooperation,” the French Gendarmerie boss stated.

Despite expressing full satisfaction about the collaboration that currently exists between Cameroon and France, Bonneau highlighted that there are still needs for more efforts to be made, geared towards further improving the existing partnerships. 

He said visits like the one he just concluded in Cameroon are designed to further strengthen the foundation of the collaboration and leave the two nations with a stronger relationship that is designed to guarantee long-term successes for both parties.

“The Cameroonian gendarmerie is a sister gendarmerie of the French National Gendarmerie. Our relations are old... It is for us to affirm this partnership, to affirm our mutual trust today and to ensure that this partnership is not only strengthened but also sustainable in the future,” Bonneau stated. 

Hectic 48-hour 

Bonneau had a hectic time during his 48-hour stay in Cameroon as he visited several institutions where France is directly collaborating with Cameroon in terms of training or logistical supports.

At the International School for Security Forces, located in Awae, he was taken through a guided tour by authorities of the institution, led by its director, Patrice Bitote. 

He went through the same ritual at the Multipurpose Intervention Regiment of the National Gendarmerie, where he was briefed on the structure’s equipment and its role in tackling terrorism and organised crime.

The French official also visited the Higher Training Centre for Criminal Investigation. 

There, he was updated on the history of the institution, as well as its role in executing criminal investigations under the coordinator of the commander of the structure, Colonel Engozo’o Sylvain.

Strengthening already flourishing relationship

The Cameroon National Gendarmerie was created following a fusion of the then Cameroonian Guard, an auxiliary of the French Gendarmerie, as part of a relationship between the two structures, which dates back as January 1920.

Cooperation between the Cameroonian and the French gendarmerie covers several areas within the sectors of defence, according to the National Gendarmerie. 

The partnership is mostly felt in the areas of training, per the Cameroonian National Gendarmerie, which says French gendarmerie training institutions welcome Cameroonian students in its institutions. 

Among such French gendarmerie schools is the historic French National Gendarmerie Academy. 

The French Gendarmerie also provides logistical and training supports to the Cameroonian Gendarmerie, particularly through the Multipurpose Intervention Regiment of the National Gendarmerie, which is among others, specialised in fighting against terrorism and organised crime.

Similar ties between Cameroon and France, per information from the Cameroonian National Gendarmerie, have led to the creation and smooth functioning of the Multipurpose Intervention Regiment of the National Gendarmerie in Awae. 

The institution was established following a partnership between Canada and France, in a bid to promote law and order and peace on the African continent. 

The collaboration between Cameroon and France has also led to the putting in place of structures to the smooth functioning of policing bodies, notably via the creation of a centre for the training of judicial police officers. 

The training institution also supports the training of gendarmerie officers and also organises capacity-building exercises for gendarmerie officers with focus on criminal investigations. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3470 of Wednesday June 11, 2025