51st National Day : Holding Dear To National Unity

Cameroon will on May 20, 2023 celebrate its 51st National Day. The theme of this year’s celebrations as chosen by the President of the Republic, Paul Biya is “Defence forces and Cameroonian people in harmony to safeguard peace and national unity, bedrock of a strong and prosperous Cameroon.” The march-past concludes activities organised by government and partners to promote national unity and a better synergy between the forces of law and order and the population, as highlighted by this year’s theme. As preparations intensify, and the effervescence mounts, one thing remains, there are some stakes at the moment. 
Security remains a constant concern and government has spared no effort at consolidating peace and protecting people and their goods. Military intelligence and other mechanisms have been used to counter security threats perpetrated by Boko Haram in the Far North Region. Same goes for the North West and South West Regions where several measures have been implemented as a pathway to lasting peace. At the moment, there exist special programmes for the reconstruction of the crisis-affected regions. Reinforcing border security especially with the influx of refugees from neigbouring countries and curbing trans-border crime is another challenge the government constantly grapples with. Maritime security, going by an analytical situation presented by the Minister Delegate at Presidency in Charge of Defence during a security meeting on April 24, 2023 in prelude to May 20 celebrations, is under control, thanks to various combat measures adopted to fight piracy and banditry at sea.  Highway robbery in major cities is another rising threat, though members of government assure the public that actions are being taken to ensure safe travel on national roads. Authorities have always encouraged one major way out; effective collaboration of the populations with forces of law of order. Harmony between the people and the defence forces produces respect for the rule of law, hence peace. There are trained and equipped to protect the population and their goods. 
Besid...