Peace, A Precious Asset To Preserve

The whole world is paying close attention to Cameroon, which is preparing to celebrate, on May 20, 2018, its 46th national feast day. The importance of this event is well established, because it commemorates the anniversary of the unitary state established after the 1972 referendum that ended the federal state. 

This year, the festival will be even more scrutinized as it will take place in a context where, in the English-speaking regions of the North-West and South-West, disturbances have been recorded for over a year due to initially corporatist, but gradually degenerated into “politico-separatist armed violence”.

In addition, the security situation in the Far North region, which has been affected for several years by attacks by the Boko Haram terrorists, is a matter of concern to the authorities. Just like the Eastern region, bordering CAR, where insecurity persists because of the socio-political instability in this neighboring country.

In other regions of Cameroon, calm reigns. Overall, the security situation throughout the country is under control, with the exception of the Far North, North West and South West, where the defense and security forces are keeping watch to preserve the national territorial integrity.

A few weeks from May 20, it was therefore normal for a meeting to assess the security situation by the officials concerned to be held as it was last Friday in Yaoundé, in order to make appropriate arrangements that will be submitted to time to the appreciation of the Head of State, and commander in chief of the armed forces.

The goal is to ensure that the national day is not disturbed by troublemakers. Because the President of the Republic, who has instructed this strategic consultation, wants that, as usual, the national day is commemorated in a climate of peace and security in each of our ten regions.

Apostle of peace, the head of state, Paul Biya, is supported in this approach by the majority of Cameroonians whose attachment to the ideals of peace has never been denied. Their massive rejection of acts of violence and terrorism is a perfect example.

This is the place to remember that the fight against insecurity will be won with the collaboration of everyone. With this in mind, the defense and security forces as well as the administrative authorities need the support of the population, in terms of denunciations and provisional information to counter the attempts to destabilize Cameroon.

Emmanuel Ngota