At flag return ceremony: Minister Beti Assomo salutes brilliance of 11th MINUSCA contingent.

He made the positive assessment of the peacekeeping mission on Friday, January 30. This was during a ceremony at the Military Headquarters Brigade in Yaounde. 

After one year of peacekeeping operations in the Central African Republic, CAR, the defence boss said the 11th contingent “accomplished with honour, discipline and loyalty the noble and exhilarating mission entrusted” to them.

Friday’s ceremony, he said, was part of the country’s way of honouring the work of the contingent. Having returned to the country about three months back, the minister said the event was delayed due to the charged political atmosphere in the country at the close of 2025.

The minister commended the contingent for protecting vulnerable civilian populations during their time of service. Such dedicated service, he noted, contribute to strengthen Cameroon’s credibility on the world stage.

According to the minister, the contingent showed professionalism and sense of duty throughout the period of service. 

This, Beti Assomo noted, was despite the perilous nature of the call to service in a challenging environment.

Going by the minister, the exploit of the contingent earned it commendation from United Nations officials. 

He saluted the Commander of the contingent, Lieutenant Colonel Kenne Tchinda Valere Martial, for inspiring discipline and team spirit among troops while on mission.

The minister declared that by contributing troops to MINSUCA, President Paul Biya remains determined to ensure international peace is visible, efficient and effective.

He stated that such missions depict Cameroon as a responsible nation that always stand with friendly countries in difficulties. 

President Biya as a beggar of peace, the minister said, has ensured that since 2008, at least 12,000 officers from Cameroon served in the MINUSCA.

He urged the returning officers to share their experiences with colleagues as they resume service at home. Beti Assomo charged them to also be ambassadors of peace and cohesion wherever they find themselves.

Tribute was also paid to three officers who died in line of duty viz; Chief Warrant Officer Epee Jean-Marie, Corporal Usongo Rober, and Corporal David Vansou.

Both Chief Warrant Officer Epee and Corporal Usongo, the minister disclosed, died owing to illnesses contracted while on mission. 

Corporal Vansou, he detailed, perished in a road accident during an escort mission on January 10, 2025.

Families of the officers, he said, had on the instructions of the Head of State, received “compassion and constant support” and solidarity of the entire nation.

He added that in partnership with the UN, actions have been engaged to ensure successors of the officers who died on duty get “institutional redress” deceased Blue Berets.

On isolated incidents of indiscipline recorded during the mission, the minister said appropriate sanctions will be meted on those concerned.  The incidents, he said threatened to overshadow the brilliance of the team.

Owing to budgetary constraints at the level of the UN, he said there is a 15 percent drop in peacekeepers. In this light, he disclosed that some 330 officers had returned earlier within the context of such anticipation.

The concerned officers, the minister said, will be given priority in the 13^th contingent under conscription.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3691 of Monday February 02, 2026