I- CONTEXT AND JUSTIFICATION
I.1. Context
Cameroon is celebrating this year, like every year, its unwavering commitment to the unity of the Nation through the civil demonstrations of the National Day. This is a historical moment marked by a set of social, economic and political events, the most important of which remain the accession of Eastern Cameroon to independence on January 1, 1960, that of Western Cameroon on October 1, 1961 and unification by referendum on May 20, 1972. It is this dynamic and above all this unified desire which is celebrated each year as the National Day.
Thus, for its fifty-third edition, Cameroon celebrates its National Day on May 20, 2025. It is an important moment in national life, conducive to assessing the progress made in the process of consolidating Living Together between all Cameroonian populations in their cultural and linguistic diversity, which undoubtedly constitutes its wealth. This event is also an opportunity to affirm patriotism, to adhere to the same vision of a common future, and to affirm the united and indivisible character of the State of Cameroon.

Indeed, Cameroon is built on an ethnic, cultural and linguistic mosaic on which other factors of diversity (religion, politics, corporations, etc.) are superimposed. The constitution of a Nation-State based on this heterogeneity has often come up against certain centrifugal forces and attempts to withdraw into identity, or even secessionism. The progress made in consolidating unity and national integration, although important and with an increasingly visible impact, nevertheless calls for greater efforts and permanent vigilance, to achieve a Nation of peace, justice, social and democratic cohesion.
This edition of the National Day takes place in an electoral and social context marked by:

 continuing the fight against hate speech through awareness-raising in the media and online;
 continuing the fight against violence and social and ethnic discrimination;
 the intensification of the implementation of the National Civic Education Program through Moral, Civic and Entrepreneurial Rearmament (PRONEC-REAMORCE) through the refoundation of the civic, moral and patriotic values ​​of the populations (institutionalization of the colors raising ceremonies, the civic minute, etc.);
 the acceleration of funding and monitoring-evaluation of youth projects within the framework of the Special Youth Three-year Plan;
 intensifying the fight against corruption and misappropriation of public funds by preserving public resources;
 the implementation of the three-year integrated import substitution plan 2024-2026.

On the other hand, it is imperative to recall a major vector of the celebration of the unitary state in Cameroon, that of army-nation synergy.
I.2. Justification
This 2025 edition will revolve around activities of commemoration, exaltation and mobilization of populations with a view to consolidating unity, national integration, civic and republican values ​​as well as citizen commitment and communion.
To this end, the activities proposed in the Harmonized National Program for the 53rd edition of the National Day will place particular emphasis on the values ​​which convey our unity and our “Living Together” in particular knowledge of the history of our country, knowledge and respect for national symbols and emblems, the promotion of peace, patriotism, the general interest, respect for public affairs, loyalty, work, etc.

I.3. Legal framework
The National Day celebrated on May 20 each year is a legal holiday. Its organization is described by Decree No. 76-424 of September 16, 1976, establishing the rules of protocol to be observed in matters of public ceremonies, precedence, civil and military honors in its article 13 which provides that:
“The celebration of the national holiday begins the evening before with the organization in all the capitals of the administrative units of a torchlight procession and various demonstrations in the neighborhoods. On the morning of May 20, religious services are organized in cathedrals, churches, mosques followed by the official parade in the morning. In the afternoon, folk dances and sporting events are organized, official receptions are offered in the evening.
Decree No. 2012/565 of November 28, 2012 on the Organization of the Ministry of Youth and Civic Education provides in its first paragraph 2 that “The Ministry of Youth and Civic Education is responsible for the development and implementation of government policy in the areas of Youth, Civic Education and National Integration.

With regard to National Holidays, Article 43 of the above-mentioned Decree specifies that the Directorate of Civic Education and National Integration is responsible, among other things: “…for the preparation, coordination, organization and monitoring of national and/or international holidays of interest to young people, in liaison with the administrations concerned…”.
As part of the important celebration of the National Day, the MINJEC organizes and implements, in collaboration with all stakeholders, the preparation, coordination, organization and monitoring of civil events, within the framework of the “National Committee responsible for the preparation and organization of events relating to the celebration of the Youth Day and civil activities of the National Day”.