Cameroon Celebrates 51st National Unity Day as Explosion Rocks Former Capital

By Synthia Lateu

BUEA, May 22, 2023 – Cameroon commemorated its 51st National Unity, on Saturday, May 20, 2023, with March pasts across the national territory as an explosive device rocked the celebration in Buea, the chief town of the South West Region.

The explosive device detonated at the ceremonial ground at the end of the march past, when the administrative authorities had left the scene. No major damage was recorded. The fear of the unknown continues to animate the lives in the region, plagued by the ongoing sociopolitical crisis as separatist fighters look to cave out an independent state.

Like any May 20 celebration since the crisis started, separatist fighters instituted a five-day ghost town across the North West and South West regions. In Buea, shops were closed and the streets were empty a day before and while the celebration unfolded at the independence square of the town under strict military security.

In the country's capital Yaoundé, the ceremony was presided at by the President of the Republic, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Paul BIYA. The Egyptian Army’s military band's performance opened the event in this part of the country. They were on the invitation of the head of state to foster cooperation ties between Egypt and Cameroon.

In the South West region of the country, just like in other Administrative Headquarters of the country, many turned out to witness the grand military and civilian march past to mark the celebration.

Unity Day in Cameroon marks President Ahmadou Ahidjo's abolishment of the federal system of government and the creation of a unitary state.

"I feel proud to be a Cameroonian. We all are celebrating the gains we have made as a nation over time... We have come to exhibit our common understanding of living together, of keeping the nation together and of course rallying behind the leader'' said South West Senator, Mbella Moki Charles at the close of the March pass in Buea.

"We should celebrate in the spirit of Cameroon, a one and indivisible nation. We should celebrate with a common understanding and keep the composition of peace and the dialogue that is ongoing in our country " He furthered.

The 51st Unity Day centred around the theme, "Defence Forces and Cameroonian people in harmony to safeguard peace and national unity, the bedrock of a strong and prosperous Cameroon."

To the state representative, Bernard Okalia Bilai, governor of the southwest who chaired the 51st celebration in the region, "The theme of this celebration seem to have been inspired by the good behaviour, the patriotic behaviour of the people of the South West region because what we have achieved so far, in this region is thanks to the right collaboration and commitment of the population for peace, calm and hard work.''

He said and expressed satisfaction about the youth's consciousness of the role of peace in their lives " The youth have understood that their future is in peace, in calm and unity because what we enjoy today is the unity and the love of our fatherland, that our predecessors, our father build together. We must sustain it'' Bernard Okalia Bilai stated.

Since 1972, May 20 is celebrated in Cameroon as Unity Day. The country has no single date of independence. French Cameroon, the United Nations trust territory had its independence on 1 January 1960 while British Southern Cameroons achieve independence by changing status from a Trusteeship under British administration to a federated state within Cameroon (Former French) on 1 October 1961. To celebrate this coming together, the government chose the date, May 20.

This unity has however been threatened over the past six years with separatist movements staged in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon. The ongoing conflict has reportedly resulted in tremendous casualties as former British Cameroon requests to be independent.