Civil-Military activities:
The 21st and 22nd Bafumar organise Open Days
By Ndumbe Bell Joseph Gaston in Douala
In Ekondo Titi, in Ndian Division, South-West region, the 21st Naval Infantry Battalion (Bafumar) opened up to the population. For the very first time since its deployment in the area, this National Navy military formation organized Open Days on Friday, May 15, 2026.
The event, held under the theme “Army and Nation”, allowing local residents to visit the various stands set up inside the camp that houses the command post. The people of Ekondo Titi were thus able to see first-hand the know-how and conduct of this battalion.
Through demonstrations of rope climbing and self-defense, local residents discovered and appreciated the skill of the soldiers in action. The Open Days also showcased the handling of binoculars and weapons. Visitors learned more about the professions of naval infantry and combat swimmers: their uniforms, training, and operational fields. The demonstration by the canine squad, a specialty of the 21st Support and Intervention Company (CAI), delighted the people of Ekondo Titi, who were amazed by these dogs trained in tracking, detection, and attack.
The Commander of the 21st Bafumar, Lt. Cdr. VRY Nome remarked;
"It was about reminding the population that the army in general, and the National Navy in particular, operating in this area, is not just about muscle and weapons. We wanted the population to come and discover the conduct and know-how of the sailors in this area. And it was a success, given the large turnout. Beyond that, we also had to raise awareness among school youth, since the 21st Naval Infantry Battalions, in their various missions, also ensure the security of schools and everything that goes with it. We also ensure the security of local officials. So the idea of these Open Days was to reach out to the population who may be interested in a military career, and also to reassure them that they can continue their education without any problem."
The health stand set up at the Open Days also received many people for free HIV and malaria screening. Of the 108 people registered at this stand, nearly half were civilians, noted physician Lt. j.g. Toufen Atchoukeu Rémi, head nurse of the 21st Bafumar infirmary / health workshop leader at the Open Days, Itoe Gilbert, resident of Quarter 6 in Ekondo Titi commented that the exercise was amazing.
Beyond this health stand, several civil-military actions are regularly carried out by the 21st Bafumar to strengthen the Army-Nation link. The primary and nursery schools housed within the command post regularly receive support in school supplies such as schoolbags, notebooks, and ballpoint pens. Special rewards are also given to the best students. One of the objectives of this initiative is to encourage the little ones to return to school the following year. To address the lack of electricity in the area, the 21st Bafumar has also electrified some neighboring villages using solar panels.
A few days before the May 20 celebration, a social cohesion football match between the Ekondo Titi team made up of civilians and the team of defense and security forces helped strengthen Army-Nation ties.
The 21st Naval Infantry Battalion belongs to a larger structure, the Naval Infantry and Combat Swimmers Force (Forfumapco). In addition to the 21st BAFUMAR, this force includes 7 other battalions spread across the national territory and one company, the Combat Swimmers Company (Copalco). Each BAFUMAR is made up of five companies: a command and support company (CCS), three combat companies, and a support and intervention company (CAI). Each of these companies, with various specialties, conducts operations in hostile zones both at sea and on land.
If there is one event that brings people together and gets Mundemba excited, it is football. The population never misses the opportunity to come together to share these moments of passion and excitement. The 22nd Naval Infantry Battalion (Bafumar), based in this commune of Ndian Division, South-West region, understands this well. Alongside its surveillance and defense mission, this component of the Naval Infantry and Combat Swimmers Force (Forfumapco) also actively contributes to the development of social and sporting life in Mundemba. Orphanages are rehabilitated and equipped. Football matches pitting soldiers against local residents are regularly organized.
Commander Nome said their role is to ensure the security of the Bakassi peninsula.
For the sake of our national sovereignty, they have to know all that is going out and all that is coming in.
Commander Nome who is include of 8 battalions, said the also opened doors for the youth to woo them into the profession or have closer collaboration.
Alongside the king of sports, Mundemba has an appetite for other sporting disciplines. The commander of the 22nd Bafumar and the coordinator of the Mundemba Veteran Volleyball Club are working together to build a volleyball court for the local population. The handover of the construction project, led by the military, is scheduled for June 2026.
The 22nd Bafumar, which daily strengthens the Army-Nation link in Mundemba through Civil-Military Actions (ACM), continues to remain vigilant and combat-ready in this sensitive area. In the lead-up to National Unity Day, foot and motorized patrols are increasing. Some of these reconnaissance patrols are carried out at night. Soldiers sometimes deploy over nearly 8 km and patrol the strategic points of the locality. Schools and major intersections is priority. On Thursday, May 14, 2026, the night foot patrol headed for the technical high school of Mundemba, the Mukangue junction, and other points in the town. Life goes on there. Mbatsogo Mbatsogo Moïse lead the patrol
Even though no major incursion or incident has been reported in the last quarter, the 22nd Bafumar of Mundemba remains faithful to training. Physical exercises such as morning cross-country runs, rope climbing, or simulations of hostage-release operations in real conditions keep the soldiers in good physical shape and ready to intervene. An obstacle course set up in the forest also allows soldiers to get used to the realities of their area of operation, which has rugged terrain.
Kouemou Tiako Gerardin, chief of staff of the 22nd Bafumar Mundemba explained the forest course and the benefits.
In Mundemba, the 22nd Naval Infantry Battalion remains focused on the two main missions assigned to this component of Forfumapco: operational and public service. As for operational missions, these mainly involve surveillance and defense of the country’s maritime spaces, protection of sensitive installations on the coast, surveillance of rivers and lakes, and support to other forces engaged in the area.
Commander Ngah Nzana Muriel of 22nd Bafumar Mundemba said one of their objectives is for surveillance. “We have the operation mission which is for surveillance and doing forest training for the young military. It is because Mundemba has a unique typographical feature and the training will help to facilitate the tasks ahead. For the public service mission, we are collaborating with the entire populations and especially the ministry of fisheries and livestock and also, the ministry of youth. We are also engaged in patrol training to dynamise our army”.
