Securing the Homeland: Defence Minister on a fact-finding mission in the Far North Region

The Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defense, Joseph Beti Assomo has ended a three-day maiden and fact-fiding mission in the Far North Region and he is en route to Bertoua. The contact tour of Maroua in the Far North Region which is hard hit by the Boko Haram insurgency started on the 26th October 2015 The Minister met with heads of all security units in the area who had the opportunity to update him on the situation on the field, the difficulties faced and needs of the Cameroonian troops.

The Minister congratulated the troops for their sense of commitment and show of bravery that has considerably weakened Boko Haram. He however emphasised on the need for the troops to remain united and disciplined. He also exhorted the men in uniform to maintain very good relatios with the civilian population that is expected to contribute in intelligence gathering.

The minister also held talks with representatives of civilian groups in Maroua, Kousseri and Mora. Special tribute was paid to the vigilance committees that have been so active in saving lives. The Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence also visited some projects realised by the military to improve on the living standards of the people in the Far North. These projects included the renovation of bridges along the Mora-Kousseri highway and the improvement of the drainage system in Maroua. The Defence boss left the Far North Region for Bertoua in the East Region. He is presently assessing the security challenges caused by the political crisis in the Central African Republic.