In spite of everything, continue to invest in the search for peace. Continue to invest in the search for peace, against all odds. The vital commitment that Cameroon made as soon as it gained international sovereignty was put into practice for the first time during the 1967-1970 secessionist conflict, which at the time was causing bloodshed in neighbouring Nigeria. Despite numerous urgent appeals, our country resolutely refused to serve as a rear base for the irredentist faction.
Always true to its nature as a ward of the United Nations, Cameroon took a further step towards realising the main ideal of this organisation by sending our soldiers to a peacekeeping mission in Cambodia in 1993. Other similar missions have followed in various parts of the world, and the current departure of the 11th contingent of our soldiers for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic is the latest in an already long list.
This umpteenth deployment is in line with our country’s deep conviction of the cardinal importance of peace for the development of humanity and is a testimony to the esteem and confidence that our country enjoys on the international scene. This is because, given their ideological and functional dynamics, peacekeeping missions can only be carried out successfully by actors whose political stance, operational capabilities and the morality of their personnel are approved by the mandating powers, and these same attitudes and capabilities must be legitimised on the ground by the acceptance of the beneficiaries, both the warring parties and the civilian population.
To those who rightly question the value of such an investment, which is costly in terms of both human lives and material resources, we can mention, among other dangers, the possibility of insecurity factors from the Sahel or even the shores of the Red Sea spilling over onto our soil.
For the service members of our armed forces and gendarmerie commissioned today, the success of the mission is an overriding objective that can only be achieved with constant concern for the protection of the civilian population. It would therefore be inappropriate, counterproductive and even dangerous for them to behave like conquerors, either by committing atrocities or even by engaging in dubious activities. Like their comrades from previous contingents, they have a duty to perpetuate this prestigious epic for our country by strictly observing the teachings and precepts received during the pre-deployment training.
They are all the more obliged to do so because, by a beautiful twist of fate, the twelve-month mission of BATCAM 11 in MINUSCA coincides, with a few days difference, with the mandate of a compatriot as President of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. In fact, two opportunities in one for our military and civilian standard-bearers to make the voice of our Fatherland, Cameroon, an ambassador of peace, louder throughout the world. /-
