Combatting terrorism, other security threats: Cameroon, Chad in one accord.

The Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, signed on behalf of the Cameroon while the Chadian Minister of the Armed Forces, Ex-Servicemen and War Victims, General Issakha Malloua Djamous, signed for his country. 

Both ministers signed the accord on the instructions of their Heads of State, President Paul Biya of Cameroon and Marshal Mahamat Idriss Deby of Chad. 

The accord was signed on the sidelines of the working visit of the Chadian defence minister and a large delegation of senior military officials. Also present was the Chadian Ambassador to Cameroon. 

On the Cameroonian, the signing was witnessed by the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Defence in charge of the National Gendarmerie, Galax Etoga; the Delegate General for National Security, Martin Mbarga Nguele; as well as top brass of the military high command. 

Minister Joseph Beti Assomo said the accord is an important legal instrument that will henceforth govern cooperation of both nations in the field of defence and further strengthen ties. 

He said it is proof of the quality of the long-standing and fruitful bonds of brotherhood, friendship and cooperation that unite both countries, which are closely linked by geography, history, culture, the sociological intertwining of their populations and a solid solidarity that has stood the test of time. 

Beti Assomo said the accord also illustrates the shared commitment and strong political will of the leaders of both countries to federate forces to address common security challenges between both nations bilaterally and multilaterally as prominent members of the Economic Community of Central African States and the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa. 

“Our Defense Forces are now formally bound by a legal instrument that will provide a framework for our partnership, which, thanks to the strong impetus provided by our two Heads of State, will undoubtedly continue to develop and strengthen in a more fruitful manner, in the best interests of our peoples and the development of our two countries,” Beti Assomo stated. 

He said both countries are faced with many common challenges including cross-border insecurity, terrorism, violent inter-state armed transhumance, various forms of illicit trafficking, which are further compounded by other external challenges which sometimes endanger the populations and considerably hamper development efforts. 

The litany of challenges, he added, requires both nations to “act wisely in close cooperation and to pool our efforts to achieve the development goals set by our two Heads of State” as has been the case in the past decade in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorist group and other dangerous jihadist groups that have emerged more recently.

Still within the context of fighting Boko Haram, Minister Beti Assomo cited the 2015 Logone Bilateral Agreement between both nations, describing it as a “fine example of cooperation and synergy of action”.

He said in terms of training, Cameroon welcomes Chadian trainee soldiers yearly, in its training schools, and will continue to improve these exchanges, which contribute to strengthening the capabilities of our Defense and Security Forces and to strengthening as well as ties. 

Enter Chadian defence minister

On his part, the Chadian Minister of the Armed Forces, Ex-Servicemen and War Victims, General Issakha Malloua Djamous, said the accord is a testament of efforts of both Heads of State towards prioritizing and ensuring peace and stability for the development of both nations. 

He echoed the message of his Cameroonian counterpart that security challenges along the common border is varied and synergy of action needed to better combat it. 

“For, let us not forget, there can be no development without security. This is a fact that cannot be ignored today. We face common security challenges that require joint action to overcome them. We are already doing this within the Multinational Joint Task Force,” General Issakha Malloua stated.

The Chadian defence minister said the lingering issues of Boko Haram terrorists continue to pose a threat in the Lake Chad Region added to banditry and hostage-taking which continue to disrupt the lives of people along the land border.

These, and others, he said, must be curbed and urgently so, for the populations of both neighbouring countries to live peacefully.

He also underscored the need for continues collaboration as has been the case in the fight against Boko Haram to combat the aforementioned security challenges. 

The signing of the defence accord, it should be recalled, comes five months after the inauguration of the bridge linking the city of Yagoua in Cameroon to that of Bongor in Chad. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3575 of Thursday September 25, 2025