By Sally Oneke and Ata Nchomba
Cameroon celebrates 40 years of national unity under the theme: “Cameroon’s Armed Forces, working resolutely towards a strong and emerging nation, in a climate of peace and unity.”
Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai of South West Region Celebrate National Day in Buea
May 20th is a symbolic date in Cameroon history. It brings memory of the referendum that united the former West Cameroon and East Cameroun to a Republic of Cameroon.
In Buea, the South West Region of Cameroon, the celebration was characterized by meritorious award of medals to some state officials by the Governor of the region, Bernard Okalia Bilai. The day was graced with a match pass from the military, various institutions and political parties.
In Yaoundé, President Paul BIYA presided over the match pass as he watched civilians and the military, under Brigadier General Martin Chomu Tumenta file past in procession.
This year’s theme was centered on the armed forces’ service to the nation. The Cameroonian army has been serving its country for some time now, and it deserves some praise during National Day.
However, in 2001, the Cameroon government created a rapid intervention battalion (BIR) to protect its borders and to fight “coupeur de routes – gangs and highway armed robbers found at the borders of Chad, Central African Republic and Nigeria. BIR also protects oil-rich Bakassi region.
BIR too deserve to be included in this year National Day celebration. However, some Cameroonians see this arm of the military as an intimidating force towards its own people – especially BIR’s crackdown during 2008 protests in Douala and Yaounde, where many Cameroonians lost their lives. Members of BIR too are Cameroonians and they too have lost life just performing their duties.
The armed forces theme befits National Day celebration because the army was formed to protect is its people. It will continue to do so as the nation marches towards a perfect unity. However, citizens who lost their lives in the military, or those who lost their lives as a result of economic or political protests, their spirits remain as part of the emerging force that is resolutely propelling the country towards unity and peace.
Photography by Sally Oneke
