50 Years Of Unity : Relishing Achievements, Fashioning Fraternity

Fifty years have gone down the line since Cameroonians overwhelmingly opted for a unitary State and from every indication, challenges faced thus far have rather spurred citizens to forge ahead, striving to make the future even better. The colourful nature of the golden jubilee festivities whose culmination President Paul Biya chaired at the May 20 Avenue in downtown Yaounde last Friday speaks of a strong determination to keep the unity flame alive.
It was a perfect show of brotherhood; in fact a rare opportunity to celebrate national fraternity. From the massive turnout of national dignitaries, officials of diplomatic institutions accredited to Cameroon and the population at large who took up vantage positions to live every moment of the colourful military and civilian display, Cameroon’s revered unity in diversity gained points. That even the heavy downpour which spiced the celebrations never dampened the performance of the day’s actors was telling of a people ready to stand by one country under one leader no matter what. A perfect Army-Nation symbiosis that has kept the country going with peace-loving citizens striving to keep its territorial integrity inviolable against all odds. 
The arrival of the Head of State, Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and guarantor of the country’s constitution at midday, just after that of the First Lady Chantal Biya, marked the turning point of last Friday’s golden jubilee celebration of Cameroon’s unitary State. His welcome by the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, singing of the national anthem and motorized review of troops left no one indifferent as President Paul Biya went round. A show of attachment and what unity can do even in the face of adversity. This set the stage for a colourful military and civilian display.  
The country’s rich cultural diversity ran through all the activities of the day. This started with the display of Carousel (Drums of Unity) which illustrated all the ten regions of the country in song and display; showing how rich and diversified Cameroon is from North to South and East to West. The display of the revered green, red and yellow coloured flag showed oneness.
From the visiting Contingent of Congolese Soldiers with their almost walking but synchronised marching steps through the Squadron of the Presidential Guard Foot Troops; an elite force at the service of the nation, to other detachments of the military, gendarmerie, police, penitentiary and customs, the military parade kept the Head of State and his guests clapping as the march past evolved. Even the motorised military parade that began with the Calvary Squadron of the Presidential Guard held spectators spellbound. The parade tied with the theme of the Golden Jubilee celebration of Cameroon’s unitary State: “Defence and Security Forces at the service of ...