Cameroon Defence Force. A Veritable Tool for Development
The role played by the Defence apparatus in providing support to Elections Cameroon cannot be undermined.
Cynthia EFOPA
The Cameroon Defence Forces have been very instrumental in playing some key roles that has enabled the success of the electoral process this far. According to Section 43, paragraph 7 of the Electoral code, the administration brings its collaboration and support to Elections Cameroon within the framework of executing the missions assigned to it. Acting in respect to this section of the electoral code, the Cameroon Defence Forces in collaboration with administrative authorities is doing its possible best to guarantee more than ever the safety of persons and their goods and especially the activities of candidates in all the ten region of the country.
Prior to the start of campaigns, the President of the Republic and Commander-in-chief of the Defence Forces, Paul Biya instructed the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence Beti Assomo Joseph, to hold a high level meeting with other security stakeholders during which the security strategy to be put in place before, during and after elections was drawn. Special measures were taken for the restive North West and South West Regions.
The country is almost at the end of the electoral process and as Cameroonians patiently awaits the proclamation of the final results by the Constitutional Council, the Defence Forces can boast of having done its job. Amidst the threats of violence propagated by terrorists in the English speaking regions, voters could go cast their votes in polling stations without any major incident recorded. In the other regions, the security mechanism was equally a success reasons why the Minister of Territorial Administration, national and international observers could disseminate the news of a calm, serene and transparent elections on the voting day.
The Defence Forces equally played a vital role in making available voting materials in the different localities of the country. With its vectors such as trucks and aircrafts they were able to transport by land and air voting materials to diverse communal and divisional quarters. Their work did not end there. As citizens who equally enjoy their civic rights, the soldiers took time to go cast their votes in the different polling stations were they had their names on the electoral list.
All these different missions were a necessary support of the military exercised with a lot of professionalism and love for fatherland.
