Cameroon: 45tth edition of the national Day amid series of strike actions

Cameroon is celebrating this 20th of May 2017, the 45th edition of its national Day- despite the many strikes - in a context of socio-political contestation.

The rain that hit the whole territory did not prevent the traditional parade that takes place every year at that time in all the ten regions of the country.

"Army and nation, in perfect synergy for a Cameroon united in its diversity, committed to the ideals of peace, stability and prosperity". The theme chosen for this new edition is a call for the unity of this Central African country which has been facing several strikes for several weeks.

In Yaounde, the political capital, the President of the Republic Paul Biya and his wife Chantal and the members of government attended the great parade which brought together all the Cameroonian people - as in the chief towns of the other 9 regions.

School children, pupils, students, institutions, political parties, security forces, army, police, presidential guard ... Parade in front of the tribune located on the "Boulevard du 20 mai" for two hours and twenty minutes. 

Several political parties, in particular the SDF (Social Democratic Front), the main opposition party, was one of the actors absent from the 45th celebration (throughout the country); As well as the Cameroon People's Party (CPP) and the MRC (Cameroon Renaissance Movement), which are absent in some regions, in support of Anglophone protestors.The Autonomous Port of Douala was paralyzed twice in less than a week - May - by the strike of dockers who claim better working conditions. The latter claim the payment of a basic salary and a thirteenth month, taking care of their families and better social coverage.The doctors also expressed their anger by a three days strike to demand better working conditions: health insurance among others. A strike that took place in a particular context; Leaders of the Medical Union of Cameroon were assigned to the backcountry by the Minister of Health.