Carefully-supervised general rehearsals took place on May 18, 2016, in Douala.
Onlookers, passersby and authorities in Douala watched the last general rehearsals of the 44th National Day that will be celebrated on Friday, May 20, 2016, in ecstasy. On May 18, 2016, at the Besseke Ceremonial Ground, both military and civilian march past rehearsals went on without major hitches, despite the light rains.
The military march past supervised by General Saly Mohamadou saw the fantastic participation of the Army, Air Force and Marine forces (TAM), the Gendarmerie, Police, Customs, Penitentiary Administration, Rapid Intervention Battalion, Fire Fighters, and Ex-servicemen, among others. After observing the first, second and third rounds of rehearsal, General Saly Mohamadou gave firm instructions on what the D-day should look like. He called on those involved in motorised march past to reduce gaps between vehicles and on troops to form tight straight lines.
After the rehearsals, he expressed satisfaction and instructed participants to put on new uniforms, avoid exaggerated hair styles and use neat vehicles on May 20, 2016. Meanwhile, civilian march past drills by schools and political parties followed immediately after the military. Primary, secondary, universities and professional schools chanted patriotic songs; while political parties, especially the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, praised their Party President through songs.
