The over 300 participants who concluded the course on June 29, 2016 were trained by a joint team of American and Cameroonian instructors.
As part of its contribution to international efforts to restore peace and security in neighbouring Central African Republic, CAR, some 302 Cameroonian gendarmes on July 29, 2016, concluded an eight-week training at the “Centre de perfectionnement des techniques aux maintien de l’ordre,” CPTMO, at Awae, on the outskirts of Yaounde.
Presiding the event, the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Defence in charge of the National Gendarmerie, Jean Baptiste Bokam, said it follows the recent upward review of allowances of Cameroonian peacekeepers in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic, MINUSCA. He added that last week’s signing of individual commitment forms by would-be peacekeepers was proof of government’s resolve to ensure that their mission is carried out in good conditions.
Jean Baptiste Bokam expressed gratitude to the American Embassy for offering the training, explaining that cooperation between the two countries continues to grow by the day. He warned against indiscipline and unwarranted demands by the troops, reminding them of the commitment engagements they signed last week.
Erik Patterson, the Assistant Regional Security Officer in the United States Embassy in Cameroon, said American instructors were largely satisfied with the performance of the course participants. He added that the batch was the best so far in the Central African sub-region since they began offering such training. The two-month course was facilitated by 9 American and 10 Cameroonian instructors.
The American team from the International Police Peacekeeping Operations Support, IPPOS, was led by Don McKeen. The Commander of CPTMO, Major Nchuroupouo Issiaka, explained that the course included topics on arms handling, UN procedures, human rights, protection of personalities and security duties in a conflict situation. Meanwhile, sources at CPTMO said the contingent could be deployed next September in the Central African Republic capital, Bangui and the western town of Bouar.
