Soldiers urged to draw courage from 26 fallen colleagues

The Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo’o, on August 28, called on all Cameroonian soldiers to stand up against the attacks of the Nigerian Islamic Sect, Boko Haram, and draw courage, determination and strength from the blood of their 26 colleagues who died fighting.

He made the call during a ceremony organised in honour of the soldiers who lost their lives on the field fighting against the Boko Haram terrorist group and the Anti- Balaka forces in the Central African Republic.

The Minister said the tragic death of the 26 soldiers has caused distress and sorrow to the Cameroonian Defence Family. He extended the condolence of the Head of State to the bereaved families and decorates them posthumously.

In his address, Lt. Colonel Jean Paul Kankeu of the 40th Military base, described the character of the deceased and lauded their patriotism. “Remember, dear fallen comrades, that you have taken a break from life, but not from the annals of military history and the minds of Cameroonians”, he added.

To him, the 26 soldiers sacrificed their lives for the country, a pure mark of patriotism. Informing the masses on the situation on the field, he said, of this group of soldiers who were killed, 21 came from the army and five were gendarmes who died in groups on July 24, 25 and 27 in Bargaram, Doumouna, Kolofata and Zigage. He pointed out that one, sent to support MISCA forces in the Central African Republic, was killed in Bangui.

Col. Kankeu extended words of condolence on behalf of the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence to the bereaved families. According to Abakar Adam Patcha, an army health specialist, it is a very sad situation for him to see his colleagues lying dead.

“I am filled with so much grief and sorrow because it’s not an easy job,” Patcha intimated. He revealed that the Gendarmes who died in Kolofata were all beheaded and their heads put on their backs.”

In a related story, the United States Ambassador to Cameroon, Michael Stephen Hoza, has pledged the commitment of his country in helping Cameroon fight Boko Haram. He made the pledge in Yaounde August 29, in the course of an hour long meeting with the Minister Delegate at the Presidency of the Republic in Charge of Defence, Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo’o.

In the course of the exchange between the officials, both pondered on best ways through which they could put an end to the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group in Cameroon and means through which they could step up the security measures put in place.

Speaking to reporters at the end of the meeting, the U.S Ambassador said his government is ready to help Cameroon in this fight. Hear him “we are in Cameroon every day and working hard to eliminate this problem.