Cameroon marks national day in shadow of pandemic

By Rodrigue Forku

YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AA) – Cameroon marked its national day on Thursday in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic.

A holiday in Cameroon, National Unity Day is celebrated on every May 20 in the Central African country.

In a national referendum on May 20, 1972, Cameroonians voted for a unitary state as opposed to the existing federal state.

Last week, President Paul Biya cancelled all official ceremonies marking the 2021 edition of the country's national day due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He urged Cameroonians to strictly observe the government-prescribed social distancing measures during the commemoration of May 20.

The country has so far registered 77,429 coronavirus cases, with 70,497 recoveries and 1,189 deaths, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

On Thursday morning, Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo presided over a flag-hoisting ceremony at the Military Headquarters Brigade in the capital Yaounde to mark the 49th National Unity Day.

Similar events are also held in military command posts across the country.

In a statement, the embassy of Cameroon in Turkey wished a “pleasant and happy National Unity Day celebration to all members of the Cameroonian community in Turkey.”