Thousands of Cameroonians engaged in the three-hour march past in the national capital Yaounde as well as in Douala to commemorate the 43rd National Unity Day.

In Yaounde, the May 20 Boulevard was filled with members of the security service, civil service, students and political parties who marched past dignitaries and state officials led by President Paul Biya.

The ceremony started at exactly 10am after the arrival of the president who was neatly dressed in a suit and sea blue tie and sat next to his wife the first lady Chantal Biya who was in her signature hairdo and wearing a white dress with black designs and a white fascinator.

Senate President Marcel Niat Njifenji and Prime Minister Philemon Yang were also seated next to the president during the march past which started with the Chadian army, who are supporting Cameroon in the fight against Boko Haram.

The security services marched with music from the military band from the National Headquarters while the civilians and school children sang songs of unity.

The three-hour march past ended at 01:30pm before the departure of the dignitaries starting from the president Paul Biya.

The day will end with a gala night at the Seat of Government, the Unity Palace.

The theme for this year's Unity Day is: Defense forces and the Nations’ vital forces acting in synergy to meet up with security challenges and preserving peace, stability in Cameroon and Central Africa.