COVID-19 : The New Battle Ground for Defence Forces

The changing nature of modern conflicts, natural hazards and crisis situations makes dialogue and interaction between civilian and the military ever more relevant epitomized by various forms of civil-military coordination for better results.  Certain humanitarian emergencies such as the ravaging COVID-19 as well as other human disaster situations incidentally require capabilities that are only available with the military community. Such services include: communication support, transport operations management, road construction and repairs, and health delivery services in all their dimensions. Civil-military coordination may also be needed in situations where the humanitarian and civil protection community does not have enough assets or expertise to assist such as strategic airlift, sea transportation and engineers.  Having said all these, it is however important to note that interaction with the military always depends on the context.
COVID-19 has come to reveal another humanitarian face of the Cameroon Defence Forces. It looks like a veritable litmus test for them but from every indication, they are embracing the challenge accordingly as required by the canons of their profession. In a rather well coordinated manner and in military disciplinary style, the Defence Forces have been at the front tackling the fight against the virus from all the necessary angles. Key actions centre on assistance in the transportation and distribution of kits to the population, ensuring the respect of government response measures and production of protective kits, notably facemasks. As one can understand, one of the biggest challenges of the pandemic virus is the discipline of the population. As to whether they are fully aware of the danger hanging over their heads is another issue, but from every indication, people are finding it difficult to part ways with old habits. Despite the increasing number of deaths as a result of the virus, they adamantly refuse to reshape their behavioral pattern.  The consequences have been so telling.
The National Gendarmerie has been in action on our highways stop...