Chiefs of the South West Region have voted Chief Dr. Mokube John Ahmadou of Bafaka Balue village in Ndian Division as the new President of South West Chiefs Conference, (SWECC).
He succeeds Chief Obenofunde Moses from Manyu Division, who has exhausted his two-year mandate as President of the association.
The election took place in Limbe on Saturday, February 22, during a SWECC General Assembly attended by the Director of Cabinet at the Prime Ministry, Confiance Ebune, and the Senior Divisional Officer for Fako, Engelbert Viang Mekala.
The new SWECC president, a gynaecologist by profession, has the challenge of continuing projects realized by the outgoing executive committee.
Among such projects is the Southwest Cultural Festival, a groundbreaking occasion that, for the first time, celebrated the tradition and heritage of the Southwest Region in December 2024.
Chief Mokube John and his new team also have the challenge of overseeing the construction of the SWECC secretariat and multipurpose center in Buea, a protracted project launched several years back.
Successive SWECC Presidents, including outgoing Chief Obenofunde Moses, have failed to revamp the project during the brief two-year mandate.
Chiefs Call For Biya’s Candidacy
One of the highlights of the SWECC elective general assembly was the call for long-serving President Paul Biya, who has ruled for 42 years, to stand for this October Presidential elections.
In a statement read at the occasion, the Chiefs said Biya, who clocked 92 this February, is their choice in the elections.
The decision was a rehearsal of an earlier call that the association of traditional rulers in Cameroon made in January, asking President Biya to stand for the elections.
Critics argue that the government might be orchestrating the increasing involvement of traditional rulers in politics, despite their expected political neutrality.
Historically, Chiefs in Cameroon served as apolitical, objective, and unbiased leaders who preserved heritage and spoke for their people.
However, this has faded as Chiefs align themselves with the ruling party and the government in power.
Fears arise that this could pit them against their subjects, who oppose the ruling party and the government.
