At New Year wishes presentation ceremony: Defence minister salutes commitment, bravery of soldiers.

The Defence chief gave the accolades Monday in Yaounde while receiving New Year wishes from staff of his ministry.

The ceremony was taking place for the first time in two years after it was suspended due to COVID-19.

During the event, military and civilian personnel of the Ministry of Defence in active service and ex-servicemen and war victims took turns to extend best wishes to minister Beti Assomo.

It was the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Meka Rene Claude, who first took to the rostrum to extend best wishes to the Minister on behalf of the entire Defence staff of the ministry.

In his address, the Chief of Defence Staff wished the Minister happy and prosperous New Year 2023.

He had also wished same to the Secretaries of State to the Minister of Defence in charge of the National Gendarmerie and Ex-servicemen and War Victims.

The Army General equally did not fail to reiterate that during the past two years, the health challenge did not deter soldiers from carrying out their permanent missions as the country has been experiencing attacks on its territorial integrity.

He however insisted that efforts must be doubled while carrying out their tasks in order to ensure that President Paul Biya’s fixed objectives are attained.

In response, the Minister of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, first thanked the Defence Chief of Staff for the warm and cordial wishes.

He recalled that the event was taking place after two years of interruption due to COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the Ministry of Defence like all other institutions, is resuming after the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces did so on Thursday, January 5, 2023.

“This is naturally an important moment of conviviality and come together between actors of each institution who together take a pause to embrace the New Year which is starting with its challenges and constraints,” the Minister said.

He said: “While expressing our legitimate joy of meeting again, we can’t fail to express special thanks to all the military and civilian personnel of our ministry”.

The Minister noted that “some of them have died of diseases or accidents and others still tragically in the various operations under way in parts of the country. They have laid down their lives to preserve the territorial integrity of the country and to protect their compatriots and all the people living in our country and their property”.

“I also salute the bravery and commitment of the soldiers injured in the various operations taking place nationwide.  Some of them have recovered, others are still undergoing treatment or at the stage of convalescence. All of them have the support of the high command…the army never abandons its service members who are sick, injured or simply in difficulty,” the Minister concluded.

In the meantime, Monday’s event, it should be said, was attended amongst others by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence, Generals, Diplomatic representatives, Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, soldiers of the rank and file and guests.

The event was graced by the participation of an array of military artists who thrilled attendees through dancing, singing and humorous performances.