Security: Paul Biya gives new firm instructions
Security: Paul Biya gives new firm instructions
As announced in these columns last Monday, the Minister Delegate to the Presidency, in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, chaired a special security meeting devoted to the return to school on September 5th. Alongside the Minister of Territorial Administration (Minat), Paul Atanga Nji, the Mindef Joseph Beti Assomo transmitted “the high directives of the Head of State, Chief of the Armed Forces, Paul Biya, to the assistance made up of all the crowned heads of the defense forces and various other bodies. Among them, the Secretaries of State to Mindef, Galax Landry Etoga and Koumpa Issa, the heads of corps including the General Delegate for National Security (Dgsn), Martin Mbarga Nguele and the Director General for External Research (Dgr, Léopold Maxime Eko Eko, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General René Claude Meka.
But also general officers and territorial commanders. In addition to the message from the Chief of the Armies to these crowned heads, the various territorial commanders each presented on the situation prevailing in their sphere of command. The same exercise was carried out by the heads of the national gendarmerie, those of the Dgsn and the Dgre. An assessment sent to the President of the Republic to apply the best therapy likely to safely welcome the children of Cameroon who return to school on Monday, September 5th.
Of course, after the presentations, everyone took
stock of the challenges and threats. To which specific strategies and actions were brought behind closed doors.
Vigilance at all times
The President of the Republic has prescribed to all those to whom he has entrusted missions of defense of the territorial integrity of Cameroon, safety and security, vigilance at all times. This also means prompt action to deal with any eventuality, especially since they know where the threats lie. On Monday, September 05, 2022, all schools from North to South and from East to West, will have to open in peace. Special arrangements are therefore made, including in areas that are a priori considered safe. The variations of this particular system have been made strictly to those concerned. As these measures are underway, Paul Biya felt that it is imperative to share information with candor and firmness. All the more so since the enemy is not sleeping.
The case of Mother Francisca International Bilingual School of Kumba is always in our minds. On Saturday October 24, 2020, a group of armed men stormed the 6th grade class (form one in the English-speaking system) of Mother Francisca International Bilingual School, a private secondary school located in the city of Kumba, in the South -west, one of the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon, with the North-West, plunged into a security crisis for five years.
Seven students aged 9 to 12 will be killed, according to the report communicated by the government. One year later, on September 07, 2021, the perpetrators of this massacre will be sentenced to capital punishment.
Terrorist attacks
According to the verdict, they were to be shot within days of the sentence pronounced by the military court. They had 10 days to appeal.
Like Me Tamfu speaking on this death sentence by shooting of the murderers of seven students in Kumba, Cameroonians are paralyzed by this “strong decision”. This Monday’s meeting is being held to prevent this type of massacre. It also takes place 20 days after the closing of the first half-yearly conference of regional governors on August 9, 2022 in Yaoundé. After 48 hours of discussions, the bosses of the ten regions of Cameroon went around the major concerns of the Nation. Including the rise in the price of basic necessities, the proliferation and consumption of drugs in schools, the sale of illicit drugs and the security situation in regions in crisis. On occasion, they unrolled some figures at the Minat. Among which 86 terrorist attacks in the Far North. 119 civilians killed by secessionists in the South-West and North-West. 3583 cases of traffic accidents nationwide.
4.3% of the inflation rate.
Among the resolutions, the accentuation of vigilance on this eve of the start of the school year. But also, the strengthening of the collaboration between the defense and security forces and the civilian populations for more efficiency. The Conference of Governors also endorsed the involvement of parents’ associations in the fight against drug use in schools and the strengthening of staff in the regional delegations of National Security. Also registered in the actions, the promotion of products made in Cameroon. As well as the proliferation of promotional sales campaigns for foodstuffs. It is therefore also an opportunity to assess the application, from a security point of view, of all these measures.
