War against Boko Haram: Role of ex-servicemen defined

They were urged to contribute in intelligence gathering during a cohesion meal on May 24, 2016, as part of prolonged celebrations marking the 44th National Day.

Ex-servicemen in Cameroon have been exhorted to participate in the war against Boko Haram by way of giving intelligence information to their younger ones. The call was made in Yaounde on May 24, 2016, by the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Defence in charge of Ex-servicemen and War Veterans, Koumpa Issa, while presiding at a common meal as part of celebrations marking the 44th National Day.

“The country is at war and everyone concerned. The ex-servicemen are mostly concerned because they took part in wars and have the experience to participate in the war against Boko Haram in the way of giving intelligence information to younger ones who are in the field combating the enemy”, he told reporters.

The Director General of the National Office of War Veterans, Ex-servicemen and War victims (ONACAM), Retired Colonel Alfred Fuller, had earlier in his address, pledged their contribution in the complete eradication of the Boko Haram terrorist group.

While expressing satisfaction about the treatment given to ex-servicemen by government, Rtd Colonel Fuller saluted the policy of proximity adopted by the Head of State, between the Defence Forces and the dynamic forces of the nation in the fight against the Boko Haram sect.

The ex-service men also promised to support the Head of State, Paul Biya, in the next presidential election. The Secretary of State in charge of the National Gendarmerie, Jean Baptiste Bokam, the Army Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General René Claude Meka, amongst others, also shared in the meal with the ex-servicemen.