African corps exploit air-force, explore Southwest

Some 120 Military men, drawn from 29 African countries have, in a 4th Symposium, resolved to taut, diagnose and revitalise African Air force as means of ship-shaping migration.

Their presence also targeted supports to other forces linked to the maintenance of peace and security in Africa, particularly the Gulf of Guinea.

The strategic retreat held on September 9 -11, in Douala, capital of the Littoral Region, also had impacts on the Southwest Region as its rich touristic potentials were explored.

While in the Southwest Region, on September 10, they were received by Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai who appreciated their presence in Cameroon and especially for selecting the Region for their exploration.

The Governor also saw the effort as being very timely considering the fact that Africa as of now is on a hot seat struggling in the fight against Boko Haram, an Islamic terrorist group and the killer disease, Ebola.

Left under the supervision of the Southwest Regional Delegate for Tourism and Leisure, Peter Pel Elangwe, the military tourists had a brief halt at the Reunification monument where they were drilled on the significance of the site and other attractions they visited.

Still at the monument, some Traditional authorities headed by Chief Etina Monono of the Great Soppo Chiefdom, offered gifts to every one of them as a symbol of hospitality of the Buea people and as a souvenir.

These gifts included fabrics and key holders which were crafted from the Ebony wood, having a symbolic design of the Cameroon and/or the African map.

The Director of Plan, Program and Analyses, United State Air forces Africa, Brigadier General Mark D. Camerer, thanked the chiefs while stating that they will keep it judiciously.

They proceeded to Bismarck fountain, the Prime Minister’s lodge, the historic Mountain Hotel, Tole tea, then landed in Limbe at the Botanic Garden, and finalised their trip at the Rapid Intervention Battalion, BIR, Unit in Man o’ war Bay.

At the Unit, they were schooled on the role of this Battalion in rescue operations, anti-terrorist attacks and more. They equally watched a seven minutes live demonstration of a rescue operation and the evacuation of victims and ended up with dinner featuring mostly African dishes at the Battalion restaurant; before leaving for Douala to continue with the symposium at 4:30pm.

The symposium was sponsored by the USA Air force, reason why the USA delegation was accompanied by the Under-Secretary in Charge of US Air Force.

It should be noted that these corps were mostly colonels and left from African countries like Madagascar, Mauritania, Gabon, Congo, Uganda, Tunisia, Ghana, Togo, Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, Mali, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso.