Cameroonians across the nation have commemorated the 51st Edition of National Day under the theme: “Defense forces and Cameroonian people in harmony to safeguard peace and national unity, bedrock of a strong and prosperous Cameroon.”
In Yaounde, the march past which concludes activities organized by the government and partners to promote national unity and synergy between the army and the population was presided by H.E President Paul Biya, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Upon arrival at the May 20th Boulevard, the Head of State reviewed the troops which was headed by Brigadier General Bouba Dobekreo, Commander of the Fifth Military Region based in the Northwest Region.
The military march past was opened with a display from a detachment of the Egyptian Military, guest at this year’s National Day celebration at the May 20th Boulevard. The march past of Cameroonian troops began with the infantry that saw the detachment of various corps of the defense and security forces march past in front of Head of State in their simultaneous steps. This was toed by the mounted and motorized troops, an avenue for military to display it’s hardware.
The end of the military parade at the May 20th Boulevard in Yaounde, gave way to civilization march that opened with a special square representing the four cultural zones of Cameroon. An innovation in this year’s civilian march past is the presence of members of the diaspora that were regrouped into a single square.
It should be noted that two schools were selected each from the seven sub-divisions of the Center region at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels respectively. The pupils and students chanted patriotic songs reminding all and sundry of the need to coexist in peace and harmony. The civilian march past was concluded by political parties that have representatives in Parliament.
