Ahead of school resumption: Defense chiefs put national security under scanner.

The Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, chaired the discussions on the instructions of the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Paul Biya. 

In attendance as special guests were the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, and the Delegate General of National Security, Martin Mbarga Nguele. 

Also present was the Secretary of State to the Minister of Defence in charge of the National Gendarmerie, the representative of the Director General for External Research, other top brass of the military, led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Rene Claude Meka, commanders of the joint military regions and other heads of central services.

Opening the in camera deliberations, Minister Beti Assomo said the overall security situation of the country is under control despitepersisting threats from terrorists and armed groups in some parts of the country. 

Special road safety measures, sanctions on defaulters 

To achieve the objective of smooth school resumption, Minister Beti Assomo said special emphasis must be placed on road safety to curb the recurrence of tragic accidents given the mass movement of population within the school reopening period. 

“The services in charge of this matter must intensify checks on our road networks and unsparingly penalize failures to comply with safety rules and instructions,” he instructed. 

The minister said same vigilance must extend to the close monitoring of pockets of social discontent, the control of the movement of persons and goods.

He also prescribed proactive management of social unrest and human-made or natural disasters, as well as the relentless fight against urban and rural violence, without forgetting external interference.

This, he insisted, is the only way defence and security forces will be able to create a security environment conducive to peaceful school reopening, protect students, teachers, and establishments in particular against any form of threat.

Close watch on rising infanticide, femicide, hate speech…

Aside dispositions for safe school resumption, the minister said deliberation will also examine the increasingly tragic phenomena of infanticide and femicide, particularly in major towns. 

He regretted that rarely will a day pass by without reports of attacks on the lives of women and children.

Beti Assomo said the meeting will also examine the phenomenon of hate speech, which is becoming increasingly rampant in people's minds through the propaganda and insidious maneuvers of certain actors across social media, further compounded with the use of Artificial Intelligence to churn false information.

Zoom on current security situation 

The minister said the deliberations are in a context marked by persistence of numerous conflicts, tensions, and rivalries on the international, continental and regional scenes that disrupt trade with repercussions on the compatriots, added to consequences of climate change, epidemics and natural disasters. 

Zooming on national security situation, he assured that strong measures are underway to end the incursions of Boko Haram terrorists who continue to harass, kidnap locals for ransom, and destroy property. 

The minister said the security situation in the North West and South West Regions has greatly improved with waning diaspora funding for gunmen, and collaboration between security officials, locals and elite for return of peace.

He regretted that in the Adamawa and North Regions, the phenomenon of hostage-taking for ransom demands is persistent, marked by the immigration of populations fleeing violence in neighbouring countries. 

He said the situation in the Eastern border is under control with progressive talks with the Central African Republic on intelligence and operational support, making it possible to prevent predatory incursions and attacks by armed groups along the border. 

The minister said administrative authorities must also rigorously watch over uncontrolled exploitation of mineral resources that continue to pose risk to populations.

He said there is also relative calm in the Southern border thanks to synergy of action between administrative authorities and the defence and security forces of Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo. 

Beti Assomo said the security grid remains robust along the coastline with forces operating efficiently and effectively combating piracy and maritime criminality.

With analysis following presentations by joint military region commanders and other stakeholders, the minister said discussions will be followed by appropriate recommendations which will be tabled to the President of the Republic for instructions. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3891 of Thursday August 27, 2026