School resumption, upcoming polls…: Defence, security chiefs assure adequate security.

This was to comprehensively evaluate challenges that could inevitably be brought about by the upcoming events and to fine-tune strategies for appropriate security coverage. 

Deliberations to this effect dominated a special security meeting held in Yaounde Wednesday. The Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, chaired the deliberations on the instructions of the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Paul Biya. 

It was attended by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, and the Delegate General of National Security, Martin Mbarga Nguele, as guests. 

Also present were the Secretaries of State to the Minister of Defence in charge of the National Gendarmerie and that of Ex-Servicemen and War Victims, the Director General for External Research, other top brass of the military, led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General, Rene Claude Meka, commanders of the joint military regions and other heads of central services.

Ensure favourable environment 

In his address, the Minister Beti Assomo said the overall security situation of the country is under control despite threats in certain parts of the country as well as various sources of social unrest that are being actively exploited by national and international political actors as the October 12 poll approaches.

He said with barely five days to school resumption and 39 days to the upcoming presidential poll, particular emphasis must be placed on preventive measures.

He harped on measures to prevent highway crimes, close monitoring of pockets of social discontent, control of the movement of people and goods, proactive management of social unrest and man-made and natural disasters, and the relentless fight against urban and rural violence, not to mention external interference of all kinds.

“With this in mind, the defence and security forces must do everything in their power to create a secure environment that will enable a smooth return to school and university and a calm and peaceful electoral process,” the minister stated. 

Beti Assomo said though defence and security forces have over the years methodically supported similar elections, a number of factors must be taken into account. 

This, he said, is because the candidates are not the same, their ideas and political programmes are not the same, their methods, media and rhetoric for political marketing or election campaigns are not the same, the behaviour of the actors varies according to their personality and their perception of politics among others. 

He urged defence and security forces to ensure the safety of all, particularly during election rallies and manifestations, monitor crowd gatherings with tact and firmness thwart attempts to cause violence.  

Another highpoint of the meeting, Beti Assomo said, will be to analyse the phenomenon of hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric aimed at manipulating vulnerable populations, with serious risks of disturbing public order. 

Presents snapshot of security situation nationwide

The minister said serious measures are being taken to put an end to the phenomenon of harassing civilians and kidnapping of children for ransom by Boko Haram terrorists in some border localities. 

In the conflict-hit North West and South West Regions, he said defence and security forces are consolidating efforts to restore normalcy though separatist-imposed ‘Ghost Towns’ are still respected several localities. 

Beti Assomo said the dwindling financial support for Amba fighters from the diaspora has led to an increase in kidnappings for financial gain, with the aim of acquiring the means to plan attacks. 

The minister said defence and security forces are working hard to stem the resurgence of these irredentist groups and other highway robbers. 

Beti Assomo cited restoration of traffic on certain strategic routes and the resumption of economic activity as signs of a gradual return to normal. 

In the Eastern border, he said talks with authorities of neighbouring Central African Republic, CAR, have been consolidated in intelligence and operational support, to prevent incursions and predatory attacks by rebel groups along the border.

The minister said it is in this light that the CAR Minister of National Defence and Reconstruction of the Army is arriving Cameroon for further talks relating to cooperation between both nations.  

In the Adamawa and North Regions, he said regretted that hostage-taking for ransom appears to be on the rise again. Betti Assomo said robust measures have also been put in place to check issues of maritime piracy and banditry at sea.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3554 of Thursday September 04, 2025