By Hope Nda
Officials in Cameroon’s Southwest Region have hailed the massive turnout at the February 11 Youth Day celebrations in Buea as evidence that normalcy has returned to the area where nine years of separatist armed conflict have repeatedly disrupted public events.
Thousands of students and youth groups flocked to the Buea Independence Square to participate in a march past that stretched over three hours.
Presiding over the event, Southwest Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai, stated that such participation was only possible because peace now prevails in Buea and its environs. He viewed it as the most-attended Youth Day celebration in Buea since armed conflict started in the English-speaking regions of the country in 2017.
Nationwide, the celebration took place under the theme: “Youth at the Heart of Great Hopes for a United, Stable and Prosperous Cameroon.”
‘Definite Return to What We Were Used To’
Governor Okalia Bilai commended the youth for their resilience, noting that this year’s turnout matched the scale of celebrations witnessed in 2016, before the Anglophone Crisis intensified.
“What is important to notice is that the youth of the Southwest and those of Buea have demonstrated their resilience and commitment that under the sun or under the rain they remain mobilized,” the Governor said. “And we want to congratulate them.
“Here in Buea, in the Southwest, they deserve to be thanked because today we have come back definitely to what we were used to 10 years ago. More than three hours of march past means that there was huge mobilization. And despite the rain, the march past went on. I want to express my full gratitude and satisfaction to the youth of Buea, the youth of the Southwest.”
Little or no security incidents were reported in the Southwest Region before, during and after the Youth Day, although security and defense forces conducted patrols in neighborhoods on the eve of the event.
Mr. Abwa Takang, President of the Cameroon National Youth Council for the Southwest, expressed pride in the determination displayed by the young students.
“It has taken so many people by surprise. The patriotism of young people in the Southwest region here in Buea, with the heavy downpour of rain, people are so patriotic, so determined to go through the march past exercise,” Takang said.
“It surprises so many people but it does not surprise me because I know the passion, I know the love, I know the spirit of patriotism that the youths of the Southwest carry. I see it in me; I see it in the youths of the Southwest. So it is not a surprise to me. I feel that it’s just an exposure of what youths of the Southwest are or what they believe in as far as Cameroon is concerned.”
Rain Soaked Students but Did Not Dampen Spirits
Despite the patriotic fervour, participants had to contend with a heavy downpour that soaked students in their marching colors and left many stranded after the event.
Taxi drivers, unwilling to carry passengers soaked in rainwater, drove past students, forcing hundreds of young people to trek long distances home in wet clothes.
Despite this experience, many students shared their pride in participating in the yearly event. Julia, a student of Bilingual Grammar School Molyko, Buea, who took part in the march past, said she was excited, despite the weather.
“I was very excited. Though rain was falling, the rain was disturbing, it did not stop us from marching, and I’m so happy to be here today,” she said.
“Last year, I was here, and it was wonderful. It was amazing… I feel like this year was better. It’s nice… It was just better. It was the 60th anniversary, the diamond jubilee. Yeah, so it was better.”
Ashu James, a Lower Sixth student from Bishop Rogan College Buea, shared similar sentiments.
“It was a really good experience and this is my second time here. I lastly came here in Form Four and I have to say it was very nice, though the rain spoiled the day,” he said.
Ghost Town Orders Fade As Students Defy Threats
Unlike previous years when separatist-imposed ghost town calls and threats kept students indoors and streets deserted, this year’s celebration proceeded with little disruption.
The sight of thousands of young people marching under the rain sent a clear message that fear is gradually giving way to a renewed sense of civic duty.
Harry Ekwete, a senior staff member at the Office of the Southwest Public Independent Conciliator, urged the youth to build on this momentum and take advantage of state programmes. He strongly advised young people to remain united in the pursuit of peace, after years of a destructive armed conflict.
“As we can see despite the rain, the momentum given by the youth to showcase their abilities to the nation, as their civic right and obligation. They had to go through the march past, even under the rain,” Mr Ekwete said.
“I think for us youth we should give our best in everything we do. With all the programs put in place by the state, we can apply and make use of these openings and maybe out of it we can be self-employed and employ others. But politically, I think the youth should come together as one voice to make sure that there is peace in Cameroon… making sure that the people who are coming behind us should meet a peaceful and serene environment.”
To officials and observers, this year’s Youth Day celebration in Buea was more than a ceremonial parade as it mirrored the state of security in the region.
But whether this celebration marks a lasting return to normalcy, however, remains to be seen.