Separatists have reopened the Bamenda-Mbengwi road after more than a year of disruption, providing much-needed relief to the local population.
The road, which had been free of physical barricades, was effectively closed due to a strict warning from separatist fighters.
They had accused drivers using the road of collaborating with security forces to target them.
The blockade, however, primarily punished the civilian population, as the military had continued to use the road without interference.
“Their ban only punished the population they claim to liberate, as the military has been using the road undisturbed,” said one driver.
With the road reopened, drivers and travelers are experiencing a significant reduction in transportation costs.
“We have been relieved a little; at least the transport has reduced from 3,000 francs to 1,000 francs like we used to pay before when travelling to Mbengwi through Bali,” a traveler commented.
For local business owners, the reopening represents a potential economic revival.
“It was real hell transporting goods to Mbengwi. For us shop owners, the ban represented very slow business turnover,” said a businessman.
The local population celebrated the lifting of the ban.
“We paid 1,000 francs this morning to reach Bamenda, and before I left Mbengwi, about three vehicles were already full,” one passenger told MMI.
The economic implications of the road reopening are significant. Easier movement between Mbengwi, Bamenda, and neighboring Subdivisions is expected to stimulate economic activity in the area.
Despite the relief, some residents remain perplexed by the separatists’ actions over the past 18 months.
“It’s shocking that the fighters just decided to punish us. What have they really achieved? Well, thank God they have come to their senses,” said a concerned citizen.
As life begins to return to normal, the local community hopes that the newfound peace and accessibility will lead to stability and growth.
The Bamenda-Mbengwi road is among several roads in the North West which have suffered occasional blockades from separatist fighters.
Other major roads such as the Bamenda-Mamfe and the Bamenda-Ndop-Kumbo road have also been blocked time and again before being reopened.
The reasons usually differ. Sometimes, national events and the killing of prominent separatist fighters are used to justify the road blocks.
