EMIA Graduation Ceremony

Biya reconciles with defence forces 

President Biya personally decorated graduating officers

President Paul Biya has paid glowing tribute to the soldiers fighting against Boko Haram insurgents in the Far North region. He also congratulated the Cameroonian people for their exemplary patriotism and solidarity.
    In his speech at the graduation ceremony of the 33rd and 34th batches of cadet officers of the Combined Military Academy, EMIA, on Friday 24 April, in Yaounde, Paul Biya hailed the defence forces for being truly “Republican”, and the people of Cameroon for rallying behind the army.
    The colourful ceremony at the military headquarters in Yaounde was also an occasion for the Head of State to extend the grief of the whole Nation to families who lost their loved ones in the war and to the victims of the inhuman activities of Boko Haram.
    President Paul BIYA challenged the graduates to live up to the names by which their batches were christened: to the Lieutenant Youssouf Mahamat Bahar batch, a call to sacrifice and devotion to defend the country; the 50th Anniversary of Reunification batch, a call to defend the national unity of Cameroon at all times.
    The Head of State spelt out his job description for the graduates: defend the unity of Cameroon and maintain the territorial integrity of the country with “Honour and Fidelity”.

    The Military Headquarters Brigade in Yaoundé was jammed to capacity as family, friends and well-wishers of the laureates thronged at the quartier General to witness the colourful ceremony.
     Among the high personalities who joined the head of state at the occasion was the President of the Senate, Marcel NIAT NJIFENJI, the Prime Minister, Philemon YANG, the Minister Delegate at the Presidency of the Republic, Edgard Alain MEBE NGO’O, members of Government, the Diplomatic Corps and senior military officers.
    Highlights of the event included the placing of epaulettes on the soldiers of the laureates, a military parade, a sumptuous reception and family photographs.
    President Paul BIYA personally decorated KAKAM SHINDA Hervé Patrice of the “Lieutenant Youssouf Mahamat Bahar” batch and ADAMOU BELLE of the “50th Anniversary of the Reunification” batch. The Minister of Defence, the two Secretaries of State at the Ministry of Defence, Jean-Baptiste BOKAM and KOUMPA ISSA, the Chief of Defence Staff Lt. General René Claude MEKA, a host of other Generals and senior officers of the Army proceeded to decorate the rest of the laureates.
    President Biya’s communion with the army was said to be very comforting to the men in uniform who needed the encouragements of their commander-in-chief as they faced the Boko Haram insurgents.
    Biya’s presence at the quartier Generale has also forged some unity among the forces, who are now said to be in camps.