As Cameroon prepares to mark its 53rd National Day on May 20, the police have intensified security operations and final rehearsals in key cities, notably Bamenda and Yaounde, to ensure a peaceful and memorable celebration.
In Bamenda, capital of the North West Region where armed separatists have been battling against soldiers, security forces are on heightened alert.
Law enforcement has reportedly launched targeted operations against suspected criminal elements who could be manipulated to disrupt festivities.
Drug hideouts are being raided, and patrol units have been ordered to double vigilance across strategic neighborhoods.
Festivities in Bamenda are scheduled to take place at the Commercial Avenue grandstand. While some officers are busy fine-tuning their parade formations, others remain deployed in volatile zones.
Authorities say the dual approach is necessary, given that Bamenda has been repeatedly rocked by violence linked to separatist unrest, which continues to challenge the country’s unity.
Previous National Days in the city have been marked by lockdowns, gunshots and targeted killing of people who participated in the celebrations.
Separatists who are fighting for a breakaway state called Ambazonia have traditionally disrupted national events from holding in parts of the North West and South West regions.
In Bamenda, a hotspot of the separatist violence, improvised explosives have been used to scare people from participating in such events in the past.
This year, authorities want to maintain optimal security and ensure a hitch-free celebration.
Meanwhile, in the capital Yaounde, preparations are in their final stages.
Superintendent of Police, Fai Ernest Suru, speaking during rehearsals in Yaounde on Wednesday, May 14, expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far.
“The results we have today, we could easily say 18 on 20. We are striving towards excellence, and that’s the reason why we still have some little work to do to make sure the lining is impeccable,” Superintendent Suru stated.
Three major police units will headline the parade in Yaounde: the Higher National School of Police, the Mutengene Police School, and the Special Operation Regiment.
Together, they will field over 447 officers, accompanied by a motorized display to showcase the force’s operational readiness.
According to police officials, the national security service will present three squadrons, each composed of 144 paraders and a five-member command team.
The focus this year, they say, is not only on precision and discipline but also on sending a strong message of unity and resilience through a well-coordinated performance.
As the countdown to National Day continues, authorities have reiterated calls for vigilance and collaboration from the population, while emphasizing that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure safety and order during the commemorations.
