"We beat marquizars, conquered Bakassi, we will conquer Boko Haram"

In spite of increasing public opinion that the multiplication of Boko Haram attacks on Cameroon was provoked by President Biya’s declaration of war against the sect during a May 7 Paris heads of state summit, the President once again publicly uttered provocative words down-playing the strength of the Islamic terror group vis a vis the Cameroon army.

Biya told the media on Saturday August 2, at the Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport, shortly before boarding a presidential flight to Washington D.C (to attend the US-Africa summit) when he stated boastfully that Cameroon has faced the ‘marquizar’ revolutionaries and a bloody conflict in Bakassi in the past, and that it is not Boko Haram that will overpower Cameroonian soldiers.

He said that after the deadly attack in Bagarem, Kolofata, there has been a remarkable reinforcement of Cameroon troops deployed to the northern regions to fight the Nigerian Boko Haram terror group.

“A few weeks ago, our military force demonstrated its superiority over Boko Haram. It’s a long battle we have to fight against this group of individuals who strike at night and slaughter people” he said. Biya also stated that “I have sent the Defence Chief of Staff, (Major General Rene Ze Meka) to the Far North with more reinforcement in human and material resources and I call on Cameroonians to maintain confidence in the army.”

The Head of State also said that an effective riposte will be reported in the days ahead, as the potential of Cameroon defence forces along the borders with Nigeria has been strengthened.

Biya said he was invited to the US-Africa summit by US President, Barrack Obama and hoped that there will be room for both of them, plus Goodluck Johnathan to discuss issues concerning Boko Haram. He equally said that he was going to reaffirm the position of Cameroon with regards to security at the international level.

Commenting on the casualties recorded in the Kolofata incident, he extended condolences to the families of citizens and soldiers who lost their lives in the attack. He said administrative authorities have already been sent to the field to console families of the deceased. He assured inhabitants of the Far North that they have the compassion and solidarity of Cameroonians.

Meanwhile, reports say Biya had earlier ordered that the air force join the fight against Boko Haram a few days after the insurgents hit Kolofata, killing scores of soldiers and citizens and kidnapping the Mayor of the municipality and the wife of the Vice Prime Minister, Amadou Ali.

Following instructions from Biya, Chief of Armed Forces, Operation Alpha (aviation combat force) has taken over from Opération Emergence to lead the fight against the Nigerian Islamic sect in the northern regions of Cameroon. Within this frame work, the military search and combat air craft; jet planes and helicopters will assist ground soldiers and the motorised battalion to counteract any Boko Haram attack.

Observers and sources within the military hold that the insurgents often succeed in their attacks which usually last for hours, not because the army is inefficient or ill-prepared, but rather because when timely information is sent to Yaounde, soldiers have to wait for orders from hierarchy; orders which usually take too long to reach them.

With the engagement of the air force in the combat, it is expected that the army will be able to retaliate promptly whenever the ‘devil comes knocking’. The aircrafts are currently stationed in the Garoua military airbase.

President Obama has invited all African heads of state in good standing with the United States and the African Union to attend the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit. Invitations were sent to as many as 50 African leaders to take part in the summit that runs from Aug 4-6.

At the Summit, US-Cameroon ties are expected to be solidified. While the Summit may have political and diplomatic connotations, the economic aspect, according to the official program, will dominate talks. The U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit will advance U.S. Administration’s focus on trade and investment in Africa and highlight America’s commitment to Africa’s security, its democratic development, and its people.

So far, Cameroon's exports to the United States include petroleum, cocoa, rubber, timber, and coffee while imports from the United States include machinery, chemicals, aircraft, vehicles, and plastics. The U.S. is a leading investor in Cameroon, largely through the Chad-Cameroon petroleum pipeline project.

Considering the current U.S.-Cameroon economic relations, economists are unanimous that the U.S. Summit will forge deeper transatlantic ties as well as explore comprehensive and collaborative solutions to unlock the type of economic growth and opportunity that showcases a new kind of partnership rooted in shared interests.