Marked by honor and the continuity of republican institutions, the administrative capital of the Dja and Lobo Division of the South Region was the scene of action on Thursday, October 1, 2026, with a dual military ceremony.
The “Millennium Celebration Square” in Sangmelima served as the venue for the change-of-command ceremony for the 11th Military Engineering Regiment presided over by Brigadier General Donatien MELINGUI NOUMA, Commander of the First Joint Military Region.
In the presence of administrative, municipal and traditional authorities, a large crowd of citizens answered present to demonstrate their unwavering bond with the Army characterized by exemplary discipline. This military parade marked the passing of the torch between two seasoned senior officers, Colonel Fidèle Roger BANLOCK, the outgoing commander, promoted to lead the 51st Military Engineering Regiment in Bamenda, pass on the baton of command to incumbent Colonel Félix TETCHA.
In his address, the Commander of the First Joint Military Region, commended Colonel Félix TETCHA’s distinguished career, commitment, and professionalism and more especially a demanding roadmap centered on three key pillars that is, operational excellence, with a specific focus on countering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), technical and logistical proficiency, through the maintenance and preservation of equipment capabilities and above all, strengthening the Army-Nation bond and contributing to national development efforts.
The command take-over no doubt, coincided with the award of epaulets to some meritorious personnel of the South garrison promoted to higher ranks for the 4th quarter of the 2026 budgetary year of the Ministry of Defence. Amidst an atmosphere filled with pride and emotion, numerous non-commissioned officers saw their merit recognized, while non-commissioned officer trainees from the Training Centre of Non-Commissioned Officer of the 2024 batch were formally elevated to the prestigious rank of Sergeant.
Alongside the dual ceremony, Brigadier General Donatien MELINGUI NOUMA seizes the circumstance to preside a security assessment meeting at the command post of the 104th Company of the Fire fighter’s corps which saw the participation of administrative and military officials.
