Many have taken to X to laugh at a ceremony that was organised by the Cameroonian military to receive a zodiac MilPro, (canoe), which is a gift from France.
The ceremony took place at the Cameroon Naval Office recently.
According to the Cameroon Tribune, the boat was received by Rear Admiral Jean Mendoua, Chief of Staff of the French Navy, on behalf of the Minister Delegate to the Presidency in Charge of Defense.
The state tabloid added that the “fast boat” was a gift from France.
The ceremony has instead been met with criticism.
Kay Walla, leader of the CCP political party, asked the Cameroon Tribune for a little journalistic analysis on the cost of the canoe, the cost of this ceremony, and the cost of all Prados parked on site.
MMI searched online, and it shows that the said boat cost over FCFA 3.4 million for a lower one and about FCFA 13 million for a lavish zodiac MilPro (canoe).
“France’s big pranks with certain African governments. A whole staff will receive a second-hand inflatable canoe as a gift from France to Cameroon.” Robert Nkolo Awono, a social critic, said, “The French are surely wondering how far they will have to go to provoke a dignified reaction.”
Another X user questioned why Cameroon finances millions in the purchase of vehicles (4×4, pickup, etc.) but cannot finance the purchase of a Zodiac, which costs significantly less than a single vehicle.
“Down to earth, what did we do to you down below? In 2024, you are still receiving things like this with fanfare,” another X user commented. Meanwhile, for some, “It’s Nasty and Shameful.”
“Lord, have mercy. The declared cost of this ceremony would purchase at least two canoes (yes, there is one) with characteristics superior to that one.” someone commented.
Others even questioned While this same France sends war cats and billions of euros to Ukraine to fight Russia,
“Here, they send us a motorised canoe.
Even @CamerounTribune, who made this publication, does not take us seriously. Who are we kidding?”
Cameroon keeps fostering military ties with France at a time when countries in the Sahel—Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—are driving the French away.
Aside from military cooperation, France continues to exert strong influence over the economies of many African nations, particularly in the CEMAC region where they have tight control over the currency.
