2026 National Day: Fine-tuning Preparations

Within the framework of ensuring hitch-free celebrations of the 54th edition of the National Day, May 20, 2026, the Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, Mounouna Foutsou, yesterday April 22, chaired the second preparatory meeting ahead of the historic event. The objective of the meeting was to ascertain that the civilian participation in the celebrations goes as planned. To that effect, the implementation of recommendations of the first preparatory meeting held on March 17 were examined, general appraisal on the state of preparations analysed, and the Minister giving firm directives for all the deadlines of various activities to be respected. In his statement, Minister Mounouna Foutsou in his capacity as President of the Organising Committee of the Civilian March-past said the ambition and activities of the Ministry are in conformity with the National Harmonised Programme. He stated that commemorative activities will unfold within three main axes which will include traditional and institutional activities. Firstly, there will be the official launch of formal activities, the torchlight procession and the march-past of May 20. As per the innovation of this year’s edition, the Minister said there will be one week of activities on the National Harmonised Programme. Awarenessraising on the importance of social cohesion, the history of the country, State symbols and the sense of patriotism are some of the things which the Minister said will be inculcated into the youth. A Unity and National Integration Village will be set up at the National Museum and cultural displays organised at the grassroots levels to promote community dialogue. According to the Minister, the innovation seeks to make Nation...