The officers, from 12 African nations, were awarded testimonials in Awae, near Yaounde on Friday, February 1.

Sixteen security operations command officers from 12 African countries have been told to use the theoretical, tactical and technical skills acquired after a three-week training in Awae, Nyong and Mfoumou Division of the Centre Region, to help resolve problems of maintenance of public order in their respective countries.

The call was made by the representative of the Secretary of State to the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of the Gendarmerie, Major General Angouan’d Claude Laurent while presiding at the award of attestations to the security officers on Friday, February 1, 2013 at the Law and Order Training Centre, CPTMO in Awae.

The training course that lasted from January 14 to February 1, 2013 had the objective of upgrading the officers’ aptitudes to lead units to preserve public order within national or multinational forces during peace-keeping operations. They acquired skills necessary to help the authorities ensure stability of young democracies, thus guaranteeing the continuity of State actions and in respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms of populations.

For General Angouan’d, recent statistics justified the urgency of the training. “In June 2012 around the world, 97,000 soldiers and policemen and 2,290 observers as well as 18,200 civilians were deployed within the framework of 16 peace-keeping missions in conflict areas as compared to 48,500 for 13 peace-keeping operations in 2004,” said General Angouan’d.

Speaking earlier on behalf of the trainees, Captain Moussa Sanou from the Republic of Niger, acknowledged the quality of the three-week training on new concepts of public order management facilitated by instructors from the International School of Security Forces (EIFORCES). He invited his co-trainees to use the knowledge acquired to remain operation command chiefs worthy of trust who do not panic when faced with critical situations.