Boko Haram: More US defense assistance

Vehicles and other logistic equipment were handed over by the US Ambassador to the Defense Minister yesterday at the Military Headquarters Brigade in Yaounde.

The Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defense, Joseph Beti Assomo, yesterday December 9, 2015, reassured the government of the United States of America (USA) through its ambassador to Cameroon, H.E. Michael Stephen Hoza, that the donation of vehicles and logistic equipment will be used in a rational and responsible manner by Cameroon’s Defence Forces.

While receiving 18 Toyota Pickups, one trailer truck, a front-end loader, luggage carriers, seven 1,500 to 3,000-litre capacity mobile water tanks and six 30 KVA generators from the US government, Joseph Beti Assomo said the US assistance will augment the mobility and operational capacity of Defence Forces as well as improve their well-being in combat zones with the deployment of the power generators.

“This donation falls within the framework of support to the fight against terrorist sects, notably the jihad terrorist sect, Boko Haram,” he underscored, adding that the assistance adds to a multitude of measures by the US government. These include the recent arrival in the country of 300 US soldiers, information-sharing between the US and Cameroon, as well as the donation of armoured vehicles.

He then beckoned to all the Defence Ministry staff present at the Military Headquarters Brigade ceremonial ground yesterday as well as their American guests for a minute of silence for Cameroon’s fallen soldiers and civilian victims in the war against Boko Haram and also for US citizens who lost their lives during the December 4, 2015 terrorist shoot-out in San Bernardino, California. Beti Assomo conveyed the condolences of the government and people of Cameroon.

Speaking earlier, the US Ambassador noted that the donation was a symbol of the partnership between both countries against Boko Haram. “We know violent extremism.

This is violence on a terrible scale. We want to see a bright future for Cameroon. We are happy to partner with you. We will be here till the end of the fight,” Michael Hoza assured. The donation is the second by the US after six armoured cars were donated in October 2015.