Paul Biya s'adresse a la Jeunesse, Yaounde, 10 Fev. 2020 P.R.C.
The President of the Republic, Paul Biya has taken to social media to announce that he will deliver a message to the nation at 8 p.m. this Tuesday, May 19, 2020 ahead of tomorrow’s National Day.
“Follow my Message to the Nation at 8 pm on radio, television and the social media,” said Biya in a post on Facebook and Twitter.
This will be the first time the President is addressing the nation on the eve of National Day. He is known to address the nation on February 10 and December 31 each year.
The unexpected address follows a decision to cancel public celebrations to mark the İnternational Labor Day on May 1 as well as the country's National Day on May 20.
Paul Biya to address the nation May 19, 2020 (c) Screenshot from Facebook
The Minister of State, Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh announced the presidential decision in a statement Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
“The Minister of State, Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic, informs the public that due to the Coronavirus pandemic and the measures prescribed by the Government of the Republic, the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul Biya, has decided to cancel the public celebrations of the 2020 editions of Labor Day and National Day, ”read the statement.
On March 17, 2020 Cameroon's government took measures to curb the spread of the virus, including shutting schools, closing borders, banning mass gatherings, and encouraging people to strictly follow hygiene rules. The compulsory wearing of masks among other measures came to tighten anti-coronavirus restrictions.
Cameroon-Info.Net recalls that Labor Day and National Celebrations in Cameroon are always marked by thickly attended match pasts at ceremonial grounds across the country, with the President of the Republic presiding over the May 20 National Day military and civilian parade at the Yaoundé ceremonial ground.
Cameroon's 48th National Day will however unfold under the theme: “United against the COVID-19 Pandemic, to resolutely steer Cameroon on the path of resilience, peace, stability and Economic Development.” The theme was made public April 20 by Joseph Beti Assomo, Minister Delegate at the Presidency of the Republic in charge of Defense.
The solemn reflections on May 20 will focus not only on the COVID-19 pandemic, but on other biting national challenges including the on-going armed conflict in the North West and South West Regions as well as the fight against the jihadist fighters belonging to the Boko Haram group.
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