Ladies and Gentlemen,
What a sad and painful day, 22 January
2017! Four brave officers of our armed forces returning from an assignment
perished in a helicopter crash. This is a brutal and irreparable loss.
Please,
let us observe a minute of silence in their memory.
(...) Thank you.
Major
General KODJI Jacob, who was then Commander of the Fourth Combined Services
Military Region, was leading Operation Emergence 4 against the Boko Haram
terrorist group.
He
knew how to respond appropriately to
the acts perpetrated by this barbaric organization. Through the system put in
place, he helped secure the border with Nigeria, maintain synergy between the
forces waging war against Boko Haram and significantly reduce attacks and
hostage-taking.
This
outstanding General Officer had a promising future. His untimely death has
created a huge vacuum in the upper echelons of our armed forces. However, his
example will inspire future generations of service men and women in our
country.
Brigadier
General NKAMENI Alphonse, then Commander of the Fourth Gendarmerie Military
Region, was specifically responsible for homeland security issues.
He
was entrusted with the delicate task of liaising with the population,
especially the vigilante groups. He played a key role in stirring the patriotic
fervour demonstrated by the inhabitants of the areas under threat. He deserves
well of the Nation.
Captain
CHINDA MÛ TANKAM Aurélien Brice, Pilot Officer, and Captain SOULOUKNA GRASSOU
Basile, Engineer Officer, unfortunately lost their lives at the dawn of a
promising career.
General Officers,
Distinguished
Officers, Petty Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Privates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As
we bid farewell to these four officers who died for the fatherland, I would
like to assure their families that I will remain close to them. I share their
pain and they can trust me to ensure the implementation of the legal provisions
relating to war orphans.
THIS
BEREAVEMENT CONCERNS THE NATION AS A WHOLE.
I
express the solidarity and gratitude of the nation to the families and the
armed forces.
The
tribute we are paying to the four deceased soldiers today also goes to all
those who have fallen while defending the fatherland. We will forever remember
their sacrifice.
The
military profession is the only one where the supreme sacrifice is accepted as
an eventuality. The Glory and Submission of military service account for its
unparalleled nobility.
However,
our unfathomable sorrow of today should not lead to despair or resignation.
Rather, it should strengthen our resolve to soldier on against a ruthless and
unscrupulous enemy, and we must remember that this fight will only end with the
final defeat of that enemy.
A
single word: FATHERLAND… vibrates and echoes in the souls of these four freedom
fighters who are proudly draped in the national colours.
The blood of these valiant soldiers, who
fell in battle, in the line of duty, speaks to us …
It
calls and appeals to us all, from East to West, and from North to South:
-
To rekindle our civic and patriotic spirit,
-
To rally further around these three colours that we chose in all solidarity and
sovereignty,
-
To blend into this unitary star, at the centre of our national flag, which is a
glowing symbol of faith and unity.
Let
us be one, let us remain united!
These
fallen heroes, champions of peace, just like those who have preceded them, will
forever remain in the memory of our people…
Long
live Cameroon’s Defence and Security
Forces!
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