The Vice-President of the Permanent Commission on African Affairs (CPAA) Mr. TIMBILE LUCKY MAGNINXA stayed in Cameroon from March 1 to 7, 2018, at the invitation of the Director General of ONACAM, moreover President of the said Commission within the framework of a restricted working and friendship meeting with the agreement of His Excellency Paul BIYA, President of the Republic of Cameroon and the support of Mr. Joseph BETI ASSOMO, Cameroonian Minister in charge of Defense. The workshop focused on the involvement of the African Veteran in the resolution of the security situation in Africa, the consideration by African governments of the welfare and health of these fighters who fought at the cost of bloodshed, to establish peace and democracy in Africa but who for some, are left to account despite the sacrifices made.

This workshop took place in the hushed setting of the BANO PALACE Hotel, an internationally renowned hotel structure in Douala. Colonel Alfred FULLER in his welcome address noted the need and importance of such initiatives that he placed within the framework of security reinforcement in Africa, while noting the place of the Veteran within the World Federation of Veterans (WVF).

In his speech, Mr. TIMBILE did not fail to salute the initiative of the National Office of Veterans, Former Military Personnel and Victims of War of Cameroon (ONACAM), as well as the efforts made by the Cameroonian Government in these times of general financial austerity for the upgrading of veterans. At the end of this first stage of work, the two officials of the CPAA went on an excursion to Kribi, a seaside city of Cameroon where, after visiting the Lobe waterfalls, they were received by Mr. Antoine BISSAGA, Prefect of the Ocean Department surrounded for the occasion, by local security officials in the framework of a working session in his Cabinet. This administrative authority was visibly satisfied with this visit which allowed him to realize the importance of the role that the Veteran can play in the resolution of security problems in Cameroon and in Africa.

On their return to Douala, the President of the Permanent Commission on African Affairs and his Vice-President continued their work, enriched by the contributions of the exchanges in Kribi. The different stages of work proved to be decisive for the revision of the nomenclature of the texts of the World Federation of Veterans in order to better align them with the African context of the time. The same applies to a better involvement of the African veteran in the quest for the resolution of the continent's security problems, the defense of its interests, its health and its well-being.

Colonel Alfred FULLER noted that the results of this work should promote the revival of the activities of the Commission and a better consideration of the African veteran.

Mr. TIMBILE Lucky MAGINGXA at the end of the works, greeted the Cameroonian hospitality, while presenting it as a model of future solidarity and brotherhood. These two leaders agreed on the organization of the meeting of the continental executive board and the 16th meeting of the CPAA in SOUTH AFRICA.

In appreciation of the action of the Head of State of Cameroon for the benefit of the African War Veterans, the two leaders of the CPAA addressed a motion of deference, recognition and support to His Excellency PAUL BIYA, for the multifaceted support and efforts provided in the accompaniment of the armed forces and war veterans, as well as the sustainable management of peace and national integrity. Words of thanks and support were also addressed by the President of the CPAA to H.E BETI ASSOMO Joseph, Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defense and H.E KOUMPA ISSA, Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of the Defense. E KOUMPA ISSA, Secretary of State for Defense in charge of Veterans and Victims of War of Cameroon; both for the renewed confidence of the Head of State, as well as the attention given to the offices of WVF and CPAA, and their involvement in the maintenance of peace and the promotion of living together.

(é) Colonel Alfred FULLER