Group picture of graduating officers with State Officials
By Richard Nde Lajong
Graduates of the 40th batch of the Combined Services Military Academy, EMIA, have been told to be ready to defend their fatherland in season and out of season. This call was made among several recommendations by Joseph Beti Assomo, Minister Delegate at the Presidency of the Republic in Charge of Defence and personal representative of the Head of State, and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Paul Biya at the triumph ceremony. The ceremony took place at the Military Head Quarters Brigade in Yaounde on March 13, 2026.
Christened Peace, Integration and Development’’ batch, the over 350 graduates amongst them 52 female personnel were going out at a time when the socio-political and security situation in the country is marked by the prevalence of multiple threats.
Joseph Beti Assomo: Defence boss and personal representative of H.E. Paul Biya, Commander-in-Chief
The Defence boss said though calm is gradually returning after years of violence in the Far-North Region caused by the obscurantist Boko Haram sect, the deadly expansion of jihadism in the Lake Chad Basin and a resurgence of secessionist tendencies in the North-West and South-West Regions, which are now characterized by criminal hostility, they should be very dedicated in the discharge of the duties assigned to them.
He said there are other rampant threats, such as cross-border insecurity, poaching and illegal gold mining, urban and peri-urban crime, maritime piracy and above all, the emergence of the cyber threat with the use of cyberspace as a new field of conflict, which they should not relent their efforts.
President Biya through his special envoy at the ceremony reminded the Officers of the resurgence of violence, particularly targeting state personnel, the Defence Forces are increasing pressure on terrorist groups in order to eradicate pockets of insurgent resistance, which have suffered significant losses in recent weeks and to deal more vigorously with what most now be termed terrorist banditry.
He said defence and security missions, as well as the intensification of Civil-Military Actions, are part of the strategy to strengthen the bond between the Army and the Nation, a guarantee of a definitive end to the crisis.
Minister Beti Assomo award best all-round officer
Minister Beti Assomo assured the huge crowd gathered that the academic curriculum during the three-year training makes this cohort of young officers particularly well-suited to the task.
He said they have acquired skills that involves updating military and civilian teaching, taking into account everything that is new on the battlefield and drawing on lessons learned from various contemporary conflicts. And finally, it involves projecting the academic training of cadet officers towards the LMD system.
According to the Commander of the Combined Services Military Academy, EMIA, Colonel Roger NANG ZENGUE, the Young officers christened “Peace, Integration, and Development” batch, have acquired the essential technical, intellectual, moral and physical qualities for their future careers.
“You are beginning your military career in a globalized world, constantly evolving and marked by the emergence of new forms of threats (fundamentalism, terrorism), multiple conflicts and major technical and technological changes. From this moment forward, you must combine your acquired skills and potential with the nation’s efforts to consolidate peace and security in our country and throughout the world.” Colonell Nang reiterated to the young officers.
He appealed to them to emulate the virtues of those who have been there before them, while saluting their courage and profound sense of patriotism, which is prerequisite in preserving our territorial integrity.
Award of epaulet to young officers
Col Nang finally enjoined the young officers to share and forged the spirit of solidarity and camaraderie within their graduating batch, and instill same to their subordinates in order to unite all those of goodwill around them.
The President of the graduation batch, Pofoura Nasser on behalf of his mates of the “Peace, Integration, and Development” batch solemnly pledged to remain faithful to their country and their motto, working to preserve peace, strengthen national integration, and actively contribute to the development of Cameroon. Recognizing that discipline is the cornerstone of the Defence Forces, they committed to serving with dedication, proudly representing the Nation and honouring, at all times and in all places, the oath they swore to the Fatherland.
The “Peace, Integration and Development” batch that has joined the ranks of the Defence Forces, comprised of cadet officers from diverse backgrounds: young recruits in initial training, internally promoted military personnel, specialized personnel and officers from partner and allied nations. This diverse mix of people and cultures, reinforced by the policy of increasing the number of women in the Defence Forces, has fostered a spirit of complementarity, openness, and solidarity, values essential to modern leadership.
March past by graduates at end of epaulet award
During their training at EMIA, the cadet officers underwent rigorous training combining academic instruction, military instruction, hardening courses and operational exercises designed to develop physical endurance, moral resilience and the ability to command in all circumstances. These various phases aimed to forge officers capable of responding effectively to contemporary threats while remaining committed to republican principles.
The performances achieved during military activities, field exercises, and major national ceremonies testify to the determination, discipline and esprit de corps that characterised this graduating batch. These results are the fruit of the professionalism and unwavering dedication of the instructors, to whom the batch expresses its profound gratitude for transmitting the fundamental values of an officer: honour, loyalty, a sense of sacrifice and leadership.
Of the total number that graduated, there were 52 female officers, and officers from some friendly countries like Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Conakry, Niger, Central Africa Republic, and Gabon.
The most outstanding officer of the graduating batch received their epaulettes from the Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces, while the second-best overall officer received theirs from the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence. And the next in line received theirs from the two Secretaries of State and the Chief of Defence Staff.
Generals then took over for a second phase of epauletteaward. Duly appointed sponsors also presented the insignia to the cadets during the final phase of the epaulette award.
