At the May 20th Boulevard, President Paul Biya in communion with the military and civilians reaffirmed that Cameroon’s unity is magnified by the diversity of its people.
The day was bright and fair. Oh! What a happy day it was. When the motorcade accompanying the Head of State slowed down in front of the presidential tribune that fateful day, even the air seemed to have been frozen. The arrival of President Paul Biya at the emblematic boulevard indicated the start of the day’s business. After the national anthem was performed, the Head of State, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces reviewed the troops under applause and shouts of joy from the thousands of Cameroonians who had converged on the ceremonial ground.
Exceptionally, this year, detachment of the Egyptian Army’s military band on the invitation of President Paul Biya performed a magisterial carousel. The fantastic fanfare drew raucous applause from the crowd as it interpreted popular Cameroonian songs like “Waka Waka” and “Soul Makossa” of Zangalewa and Manu Dibango respectively. The performance of the National Gendarmerie band magnified the strong bond that exists between the Cameroonian people and the Army.
To express their honour and loyalty – to safeguard republican institutions and the territorial integrity of the country, detachments of all the units that make up the defence and security forces in Cameroon marched to the tunes of the band in the first of the three part parade.
The civilian march pass was opened by pupils of the primary, who brandished varied paraphernalia as they swung their hands and sang this year’s unity song. The thousands of pupils, students of the secondary and higher institutes of learning also bore messages some of which read “dialogue a major asset in the resolution of conflicts”; “spread peace, stop violence”; “ the pride of the nation lies in the individual respect of its emblem and symbols”. The youths by their exuberance urged all to a moral, civic and entrepreneurial rearmament, for an exemplary Cameroon.
The parade was closed by political parties represented at the National Assembly, with the CPDM stealing the show by their very numbers as they chanted songs of praise to their “Champion” Paul Biya. Over 10,000 guests later honoured President Paul Biya and First Lady Chantal Biya’s invitation to the sumptuous dinner at the Unity Palace.
Claudette CHIN
