One month to the celebration of the National Day, the corps began march-past rehearsals on April 20, 2016, in Yaounde.

The avenue stretching from the Reunification Monument through the National Assembly complex in Yaounde is where the National Gendarmerie is rehearsing marching steps as officers and men prepare for a spectacular display come May 20, (National Day) in Yaounde. Five detachments and the music band are perfecting skills under the general supervision of the Director of Central Administration and Logistics at the National Gendarmerie Headquarters, Major General Laurent Claude Angouand.

When Cameroon Tribune visited the site yesterday April 21, 2016, the different detachments including riot gendarmes formed a square comprising 13 lines as they marched-past up and down the boulevard under the watchful eyes of senior officers acting as coaches. After every passage, corrections were made by the supervisors in a bid to better their performance. One of them told Cameroon Tribune they were working on reflex and since practice makes perfect, they had to start one month earlier so as to enable them perfect skills.

The most attractive part of the rehearsal is the carousel display by the music band of the National Gendarmerie which has been selected this year for the show. Their choreographic display depicts national unity, with some 10 officers wearing mufflers representing the 10 regions of the country. The songs retained, “Cameroon victory” and “Cameroon united for peace”, were chanted alongside band music to the awe of passersby who could not hold back their emotions of joy.

Major General Angouand reminded them that they will perform before the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, on 20th May, 2016. Thus, he called on the officers and men to take the exercise serious. He said it was an opportunity for the National Gendarmerie entrusted with the responsibility to perform the ‘carrousel’ this year, to show its savvy with a spectacular show come May 20, 2016 in Yaounde.