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The National Gendarmerie of Cameroon has announced the immediate suspension of military training and missions in Europe and the United States for members of the Littoral Gendarmerie Legion. This decision, made by the commander of the Legion, follows a surge in desertions within the armed forces, weakening the personnel and operational effectiveness.
Context and reasons for the suspension
According to internal sources, the repeated desertions of military personnel during training or missions abroad prompted this drastic measure. The defections, often linked to attempts to settle clandestinely in Western countries, have reached a critical level, compromising the credibility of international cooperation programs. The commander of the Littoral Legion has therefore ordered the temporary halt of all official trips to Europe and the United States, including specialized training and strategic exchanges.
Impact on training and international relations
These military training programs, essential for modernizing the skills of Cameroonian forces, were often seen as opportunities for advancement. Their suspension risks widening technical gaps and harming military partnerships with countries like France or the United States. Furthermore, this decision raises questions about human resource management within the army, already facing structural and logistical challenges.
An entrenched phenomenon of desertion
Desertions in the Cameroonian army are not new. Between the search for better living conditions, fears related to internal security missions (notably in crisis-hit Anglophone areas), and the lure of emigration, many military personnel choose not to return after assignments abroad. In 2022, an internal report already mentioned nearly 200 unresolved cases of disappearances over five years. The suspension of training aims to stem this hemorrhage, but it could also further isolate Cameroon on the diplomatic stage.
Reactions and perspectives
While the measure is welcomed internally for its preventive nature, it raises concerns among officers aspiring to an international career. “Blocking the training is cutting the Cameroonian army off from essential expertise,” laments a senior officer under anonymity. The Ministry of Defense has not yet officially communicated, but negotiations are reportedly underway to establish reinforced control measures for future missions.
In the meantime, the Littoral Legion will have to refocus on local training, with the support of national experts. This situation highlights the tensions between international openness and the preservation of military personnel, a complex balance for Cameroonian authorities.
