President Paul Biya presides over the 50th anniversary of Cameroon's unity

President Paul Biya of Cameroon, who was rumoured to be in bad shape after 40 years of absolute power, attends a National Day parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of the federalism distinguishing the French and minority-English speaking parts of the country.

The celebration of the country's "unity" takes place as a bloody 5-year-old separatist conflict, between armed groups demanding independence for two regions especially populated by Cameroon's Anglophone minority and law enforcement forces, continues brewing in the western part of the country.

After gaining independence from France on January 1, 1960, the country was joined in October 1961 by South Cameroon, then under British administration, to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon, which became the United Republic of Cameroon in 1972 and finally the Republic of Cameroon in 1984.

The celebration which resumes after two years of recess due the COVID19 pandemic began at midday with the arrival of the President of the Republic at the ceremonial ground.

President Paul Biya was greeted upon arrival by the Minister of Defence and other state personalities before he proceeded to honour the National Anthem and the flag, followed by the review of the troops.

Cheers and thundering applause from the crowd accompanied the President of the Republic – Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces as he reviewed the troops.