Traditional rulers of Menchum Division of the North West Region of Cameroon have written a strong-worded letter rebuking the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO of Menchum, for interfering in the royal succession matters of Esu village, in what has now been described as the Esu throne saga.
In the letter dated June 14, 2023, the natural rulers condemned the civil administrator, terming his action a violation of local norms.
“We, the chiefs of Menchum, after careful review of the press release by the SDO of Menchum, strongly condemn the content of such a document. It violates our sovereignty, our traditions, and our customs by dictating the sacred affairs of our traditions,” the letter read.
Abdoulai Aliou, Senior Divisional Officer of Menchum, issued a communique calling on the royal family of Esu “to put their heads together as it has been more than a year since their beloved chief disappeared, and after due mourning for this period, it is time to move ahead for the development of Esu.”
Aliou also calls on the kingmakers and notables of Esu village to facilitate the process of putting a new chief hitch-free.
In his own words, he informed “prospective candidates to the throne of Esu to file their candidature in his office for the arrangement of consultative talks at the palace of Esu, which he shall personally preside over.”
The statement infuriated the traditional rulers of Menchum, who issued an immediate response, calling the civil administrator to order.
“In Menchum, royal succession is determined by descent, sex, legitimacy, and bloodline, governed solely by traditions and customs,” the traditional rulers said in the letter.
Drawing inspiration from the common law applicable in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions, the chiefs said an administrator is a mere observer in the coronation process.
“Under Common Law, the administration plays an honorary role during the enthronement process. The administration does not or should not have any influence in the affairs of royal succession,” the rulers wrote.
According to them, “Esu is a peaceful tribe currently being managed by their traditional council and other traditional institutions, and her sovereignty should be maintained.”
