The Cameroon Exness Tour, originally set to take place in Bamenda on Saturday, March 30, in collaboration with Bell Forex, has been abruptly cancelled. Ronny Rostand, representing Bell Forex, attributed the cancellation to a barrage of threats from individuals claiming allegiance to separatist factions in North West and South West Cameroon. This decision comes as a disappointment to the populace of Bamenda, many of whom had eagerly registered for the seminar with hopes of gaining insights into international forex trading.
In the lead-up to the event, ominous warnings surfaced on social media platforms, notably from an account named Stateless Ambazonian Radiogram. This account issued a stark ultimatum to the organisers, cautioning, “Dare bring this nonsense to Bamenda on the 30th, as you said, and the Nigerian movie star incident will just be an introduction to what you will see.” The allusion to a previous incident involving the Nigerian actor Shina Rambo, who faced violence during his visit to Bamenda, underscored the seriousness of the threat.
Quoting the threats further, the Ambazonian account cautioned potential attendees, stating, “All men wey want to attend this nonsense; write them and ask them to keep a house or sell their properties because, on the 30th of March, Ekema Patrick (late former Mayor of Buea) will receive another soul.” Additionally, another account identified as Martine Amba Ikome, purporting ties to separatist elements, warned Bell Forex, advising them to avoid displaying the Cameroonian flag if they dared venture into Bamenda amid the conflict.
In response to these ominous warnings, Bell Forex formally announced the cancellation of the seminar, citing security concerns. The statement conveyed the organizers’ regret for any inconvenience caused and emphasised the paramount importance of safety for all involved. Ronny Rostand expressed disappointment, noting that extensive logistical preparations had been made to ensure a successful event, including arrangements for international speakers.
The cancellation of the Cameroon Exness Tour marks a significant escalation in the targeting of event organisers in Bamenda by separatist factions. Past incidents have demonstrated that defying such threats often leads to outbreaks of violence aimed at disrupting economic activities in the city. The recent episode has drawn criticism and condemnation from many quarters, denouncing the efforts of these self-proclaimed separatist fighters to impede economic progress in the region.
