His Royal Highness, Fon Shomitang II, the traditional ruler of Mbaw Yakum fondom who doubles as the President of the North West House of Chiefs has been kidnapped.
A source close to the palace told Mimi Mefo Info (MMI) that the traditional ruler was picked up by separatist fighters on Tuesday December 7th, from his Palace in Mbambalang, Ngohketunjia Division.
Separatists who are clamouring for an independent state called, Ambazonia in Cameroon’s English speaking regions, have been targeting government officials, elites and village chiefs. The move they say, is to pressure the government, grant their independent quest.
Who is Fon Shomitang II?
The kidnapped ruler it should be recalled heads the North West House of Fons. It is a body instituted as part of post national Dialogue resolutions, owing to the special Status for the Anglophone regions. It was created by the Yaounde government after the 2019 Major National Dialogue, (MND).
To government, the House of Chiefs is meant to give a voice to traditional rulers said to have been long ignored in key decision making processes in their regions of origin.
Like many other state actions in the light of the armed conflict however, the decision failed to find favour in separatists’ eyes.
It remains uncertain their demands for the release of the traditional ruler at the moment.
Similar traditional rulers have in the past, had a similar fate including the Fon of Nso.
This is a developing story!
(C) Mimi Mefo Info