By David Atangana
Some elites of Bamessing, a village in Ngoketunjia Division, North West Region, have firmly backed their traditional ruler after he threatened to banish separatist fighters who fail to surrender before December 31, 2024.
They announced their support after holding a zoom meeting on December 18, 2024. Kungwe J, a Bamessing elite, chaired the meeting, with Mbufong Louis as rapporteur.
They “underscored our collective commitments on behalf of all Nsei people to put end amba terrorism in our village.”
Their commitment follows that of Fon Richard Muntong III of Bamessing.
On December 11, 2024, the Fon addressed a letter to Bamessing indigenes, describing separatists’ activities in his village as purposeless.
He said the fighters have been causing harm to the local population.
“You have until December 31, 2024, to drop your arms and seek refuge in the DDR centres. Failure to comply will lead to decisive actions from myself and the Nsei people will either expel you or hand you over to the authorities,” the traditional ruler warned.
This decision met a swift reply from Chris Anu, a US-based separatist leader, who disagreed with the Fon.
Anu said: “The arms they (separatists) bear are not for terror but to resist decades of subjugation, annexation, and the erasure of our identity by French Cameroon.”
Following the footsteps of their king, Bamessing elites seemed to disagree with Chris Anu.
“We stand resolutely behind the Fon of Bamessing’s call for the so-called ‘Amba boys’ to disarm and engage with the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) centres by the deadline of December 31, 2024,” the elites’ statement reads.
Extending gratitude to the Fon for the ‘decisive’ action, they promised to reinforce peace measures.
They advised separatists from other villages, who are living in Bamessing “to leave Bamessing back to their villages before the deadline given by our Fon, our Father because we wouldn’t want foreigners to die in our land.”
Bamessing Elites Warn Chris Anu
The statement from Bamessing elites warned Chris Anu for interfering in their village matters.
“Let it be known that we issue a stern warning to Mr. Chris Anu regarding his inappropriate interference in matters that concern our Fon and father,” the statement said.
“The Nsei people both at home and abroad are united in vigilance as we await the timeline established by our Fon.”
Separatist Atrocities in Bamessing
Bamessing has been one of the hotspots of separatist activities in Ngoketunja Division of the North West Region.
Armed separatists, locals say, have largely had a negative toll on the lives of villagers.
“The toll on our community has been unbearable; our people have been killed by the so called ‘Amba boys’ properties seized unlawfully, and our children subjected to unimaginable horrors,” they said.
They pointed out atrocities reportedly perpetrated by a separatist commander named Ngeh Cyprain, known locally as ‘The Only Bro’.
“Some of our homes burnt by them, our youth have been forced to drop out of schools, women have faced egregious acts of violence including rape, forceful pregnancies, our market has come to a standstill, and vital infrastructural projects like construction of bridges halted with materials pilfered,” the Bamessing elites decried.
Separatists Respond
While Bamessing elites concluded a meeting backing their Fon, a document also surfaced on social media reportedly coming from separatists.
The document, signed on the same day, bore the signature of diaspora-based self-proclaimed leaders of Ngoketunjia.
“The people of Ngoketunjia County are not subjects to be intimidated into submission. We are a proud community that values freedom, justice, and dignity, and we will not be silenced by ultimatums or punitive measures,” read the separatists’ release.
The statement called on the Fon “to join us in advocating for meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders”.
“Peace cannot be imposed; it must be built on mutual respect and an honest acknowledgment of the historical injustices faced by our people,” the press release reads further.
As the deadline draws near, it is uncertain whether the Fon will honor his promise to banish unrepentant separatist fighters.