The 15th meeting of the Regional Standing Committee for Africa of the World Veterans Federation opened yesterday in Yaounde.

Ex-servicemen and war veterans from Africa and the rest of the world began meeting in Yaounde yesterday December 14, 2016, within the framework of the 15th meeting of the Regional Standing Committee for Africa, organised by the World Veterans Federation. The Secretary of State in the Ministry of Defence in charge of Ex-servicemen and War Victims, Koumpa Issa opened the three-day get-together on behalf of the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo.

Various speakers harped on the role of veterans in promoting and maintaining peace in their homeland. Koumpa Issa stated that the government of Cameroon stands for peace and development, which are components of a harmonious world for the wellbeing of ex-servicemen. He outlined government’s efforts in ensuring the wellbeing of veterans in Cameroon, starting with the setting up of the National Office for Ex-servicemen and War Victims and the creation by the Head of State of the Secretariat of Ex-servicemen in the Ministry of Defence, to cater for ex-servicemen, war veterans and victims, and ensure their social integration. He thus challenged participants to examine problems faced by the veterans and propose concrete solutions to foster peace and development.

The President of World Veterans Federation, Dan Vigo Bergtun, while challenging governments to ensure that veterans are given due recognition and properly catered for, said the federation will continue to promote the rights of ex-servicemen as it finds ways to better the wellbeing of African veterans.