Building Blocks Of Nationhood

The 45th edition of the National Day is taking place within a context where a general evaluation of our being together is absolutely necessary.

Cameroonians across the country will tomorrow 20 May, 2017 organise various activities to mark their attachment to values of national unity. The event follows the advent of a Unitary State in Cameroon in 1972 through a Referendum that transformed the Federal State, East and West Cameroon into a Unitary State and over the years the national policy has been geared at creating a harmonious and peaceful co-existence amongst the sons and daughters of Cameroon, as well as neighbouring countries that have their fair share or hurdles which at times spill over into Cameroon with disastrous consequences.  
Yet, the diverse ethnic and cultural groupings in the country, as well as regional and linguistic differences are both a blessing and a challenge which have to be either appreciated or surmounted daily to forge the sense of nationhood. Often qualified as Africa in miniature, Cameroon epitomises some of the most atypical historical and geographical mix which require both art and tact to blend into an embolden whole.
For the past three years, the Boko Haram extremist group from Nigeria has spread fear and mayhem in three divisions of the Far North Region. Attempts by the sect to create a caliphate in that part of the country have been so repulsive to the extent that the army and the entire population had to mobilise against the threats.
The resolve has been such that the initial warfare embarked on by the militants dwindled into an asymmetric battle with sporadic suicide attacks at public gatherings. In spite of the losses incurred by the defence forces, the military might of Cameroon coupled with the sense of duty and professionalism demonstrated by the uniformed officers have been vital in frustrating the hoodlums.
By adopting a new tactic against the national defence forces, the Boko Haram terrorists hoped to make gains, but little did they imagine the supportive role of the population in defending their territory. Members of the local vigilante groups in the Far North Region have been lauded at the highest level of the State for providing remarkable support to the soldiers on the field making it impossible for any iota of the national territory to fall in the hands of the enemy.   Understandably therefore, the theme of the festivities this year is the “Army and Nation in full synergy for a Cameroon, united in its diversity and devoted to the ideals of peace, stability and prosperity.”  The Ministry of Defence also organized Open Door Days from 17 to 19 May, 2017 at the 4 Air Base, Mvan, Yaounde to “strengthen the bond between the army and the nation, popularize the military d...