Nkongsamba, Douala: MINDEF boss communes with soldiers, decorates promoted officers.

This was the focus of a two-day working visit the member of government embarked on in the towns of Nkongsamba and Douala, in the Second Joint Military Region, RMIA2, on the instructions of the Head of State.

The visit to Nkongsamba was in line with the annual tradition established since 2015 by the Head of State, to dispatch the minister delegate to commune with soldiers in the battle field in a chosen locality in the country or beyond. 

It comes after that of Dschang, Kidji-Matari, Fotokol, Mamfe, Bossangoa and Bangui with the Cameroonian Battalion at MINUSCA in CAR, Kye-Ossi, Tibati, Garoua-Boulai, Jabane in the Bakassi Peninsula and Touboro in the North Region. 

Minister Beti Assomo's visit commenced in Nkongsamba on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, where he spent the cross over night with soldiers of the Field Artillery Regiment, RASS.

RASS, it should be said, is a large elite unit that specialises in providing fire support to the defense forces both nationally and internationally, with base in Nkongsamba, Moungo Division of the Littoral Region.

The first part of the minister's visit unfolded at the command post of RASS. He was accompanied by top brass of the military high command, administrative and municipal authorities of the Region led by Littoral Governor, Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua, traditional and religious authorities, guests and a cross section of the population.

Minister Beti Assomo and his entourage, alongside defence forces of the Nkongsamba garrison, first followed the Head of State's traditional end-of-year address to the nation.

President Biya, for the umpteenth time, during the speech, praised defence and security forces for their professionalism relentless fight against terrorists and other criminals who jeopardize the safety of citizens and property. 

The MINDEF boss then spent the last hours of 2025 and early hours of 2026 communing with soldiers. Aside dancing to the tune of the beautiful lyrics of music from the military brass band, the minister also shared a common meal with the defence forces.

At exactly midnight, the minister alongside his delegation, raised their glasses to toast to champagnes popped for a prosperous New Year with soldiers as a sign of encouragement for their discipline, dedication and commitment to protecting the territorial integrity of the nation despite challenges. 

Prior to the toast, prizes were awarded to winners of a sports competition organised by RASS which also saw the participation of other units of the defence and security forces.

Promoted soldiers awarded new epaulettes 

The second day of the minister's working visit kicked off with award of epaulettes to officers, non-commissioned and those of the rank and file, newly promoted to higher ranks.

Recipients were promoted for the first quarter of the 2026 fiscal year by separate presidential decrees and ministerial decisions of December 18 and 19, 2025, respectively.

At the Nkongsamba ceremonial ground, over 200 defence forces were awarded new epaulettes. The recipients expressed gratitude to hierarchy and pledged to continue serving the nation devotedly. 

From Nkongsamba, the minister and his entourage drove to Douala where he presided over a similar ceremony to award epaulettes to defence forces promoted to higher ranks. 

Close to 800 members of the defence forces received epaulettes corresponding to their new ranks. Recipients expressed gratitude to God Almighty and hierarchy. 

About the Field Artillery Regiment 

The choice of the Littoral Region in general and Nkongsamba in particular for the annual tradition was not for nothing.

With its expertise in indirect combat, sense of duty, and unwavering commitment, the RASS remains a major player in the defense of Cameroon and the sub-region.

The establishment of the RASS in Nkongsamba, officials said, is of triple interest when analysed from a historical, geographical, and security perspective. 

Officials said it is also part of a basic strategy of projection towards potentially unstable regions and rapid support for other defense and security forces.

The regiment is structured into six batteries including four Fire Batterie, a Command, Transmission, and Support Battery and a Training Battery. 

RASS supports first and second category forces in diverse ways as well as ground troops with direct and indirect fire support to neutralize ground threats and prepare for the use of contact weapons among others. 

With qualified and highly experienced human personnel, the regiment commanded by Colonel Medjo Ayong Aloys, who doubles as Commander of the Nkongsamba garrison, is engaged in various operations to counter the multifaceted threats facing Cameroon, both internally and externally. 

The Regiment is engaged in OPS Emergence 4 and Alpha in the North against the terrorist sect Boko Haram, the OPS Emergence 2 in Tombel as part of reinforced law enforcement while at the sub-regional/multinational levels, RASS is engaged in the Multinational Joint Task Force (FMM/CBLT). 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3664 of Monday January 05, 2025