Biya knights outgoing French Defence Attachés.

The medals of Knight of the Cameroon Order of Merit were awarded the three French military personnel through a presidential decree signed March 3, 2026. 

The recipients are Lieutenant-Colonel Cotte Stéphane, Lieutenant-Colonel Lepouriel Stephan and Chief Warrant Officer Roussel Fabrice. 

They were decorated with the medals on behalf of the Head of State by the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo. This was during a ceremony at the Ministry of Defence, Friday, June 12. 

The event, in strict respect of military rituals, unfolded in the presence of the French Ambassador to Cameroon, H.E Sylvain Riquier. 

The Secretary of State to the Minister of Defence in charge of the National Gendarmerie, Yves Galax Etoga and top brass of the military, officials of the French Embassy as well as relatives of the decorated officers also lived the event. 

In his address during the ceremony, French Ambassador to Cameroon, H.E Sylvain Riquier, expressed gratitude to the government of Cameroon for the recognition.

He also seized the occasion to congratulate the decorated French military personnel for their show of professionalism throughout their mission in Cameroon. 

Ambassador Riquier described the recognition as a testament to the depth of bilateral military cooperation between both nations. 

Speaking during the ceremony, Minister Joseph Beti Assomo praised the expertise, dedication, and spirit of camaraderie that the three decorated French military personnel demonstrated throughout their stay in the country. 

He saluted their individual human and professional qualities, which he said, contributed enormously to boosting the military cooperation between both countries.

Minister Beti Assomo said their expertise also helped to boost the operational capabilities and honed the professional skills of Cameroonian personnel.

He said they greatly contributed to upgrading the power of the Cameroonian military engineering corps, modernisation and the diversification of the National Fire Fighters Corps, success of the training mission at the Yaounde International War College and promotion of professionalism within the ranks. 

“Through the commitment dedicated to the execution of their individual responsibilities and their joint efforts for society, they have successfully contributed to the strengthening of our defense and security partnership,” the minister stated. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3818 of Monday June 15, 2026