Biya leads nation to fete 54th National Day.

The day was observed under the theme: “National unity; Backbone of our defence system, bedrock of Cameroon’s development”. 

Alongside the President of the Republic were the heads of the Senate, the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Dr Chief Joseph Dion Ngute, Members of government, heads of diplomatic missions and international bodies accredited to Yaounde.

Several national dignitaries were also at the grandstand to witness the occasion. The Head of State arrived the grandstand at 12: 20 p.m; shortly after his wife, Chantal Biya. He later participated in the singing of the national anthem and honoured the flag before reviewing troops. He greeted a few of his collaborators at the Presidential Tribune before taking his seat at 12:32 p.m. 

Yesterday’s ceremony was the first National Day Biya chaired with His Majesty Senator Aboubakary Aboulaye as Senate President and Hon Theodore Datouo as Speaker of the National Assembly.

A song of national unity by the National Gendarmerie, the Carrousel 2026 titled: “One Cameroon,” opened the show.   The Gendarmerie used the display to pass across a message of the greatness of Cameroon, its huge potential and great destiny that require collective efforts going into the future.

The country of honour was Chad.  The contingent of the neighbouring country to the event yesterday comprised 110 officers; with a music band comprising 27 officers. The other members of the team were from the National and Nomadic Guard of Chad.

They swung into parade after a fleet of military helicopters set the tone for the match pass at 12:43 p.m. The military aircraft flew across the Boulevard, discharging colours of the national flag to the admiration of the Head of State and the First Lady.  The Chadian contingent queue in to mark the start of military parade.

The music band of the National Gendarmerie followed suit. This was followed by detachments from the Presidential Guard, Combined Services Military Academy, EMIA, National Gendarmerie, land force, school of sub officers in Koutaba, Parachutist commandos, Military Headquarters Brigade, Rapid Intervention Battalion, BIR; air force, navy, firefighters, veterans, police force, penitentiary and customs.

The event later progressed to the showcasing of the country’s military might. The different services of the country’s military paraded hardware and other war equipment; which officers said showed how buoyant the country’s defense system is. 

Military parade ended at 1:39 p.m; with the commander of troops, Brigadier General Chembou Zambou Guy Merlin, Commander of Sector I of the Multinational Joint Task Force of the Lake Chad basin, presenting himself to the Head of State.

 Enter civilian parade

This phase of the National Day saw public and private schools across Primary, Secondary and Tertiary levels of education parading in front of the Head of State. 

 Youth groups, associations and political parties represented at the Senate and National Assembly also took part in the parade. The Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM, of the Head of State, made an impressive and strong showing.

Unity banquet

After the military and civilian match pass at the May 20 Boulevard, the Head of State, offered a banquet at the Unity Palace. In attendance were people from across the length and breadth of the country and different walks of life. Void of any speeches, the Head of State and wife, Chantal Biya, used the banquet to commune with invitees from within and without the country.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3794 of Thursday May 21, 2026