By Linda Njoh
The Cameroonian government has carried out a fresh wave of administrative transfers affecting several Divisional Officers (DOs) and Senior Divisional Officers across the country.
One notable move was the transfer of the DO for Idabato, Ewane Roland, in the Bakassi Peninsula, to Ngoumou, located in the Centre Region.
The transfer comes shortly after the administrator survived five months of torture in the hands of armed pirates who kidnapped him in October last year.
His transfer sparked discussions among Cameroonians, with many suggesting he should have been promoted for his resilience.
Cabral Libii, Member of Parliament and leader of the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation (PCRN), expressed this sentiment in a social media post that sparked discussion about the government’s treatment of civil servants.
“He was transferred from Idabato to Ngoumou after the ordeal of his captivity. I personally think he could also have been promoted,”
he said, implying that a promotion would have been a more appropriate recognition of the officer’s courage and resilience under pressure.
The reshuffle, signed by presidential decree, affected multiple regions and is seen by analysts as part of ongoing efforts to revitalize local governance and improve security coordination ahead of the October 2025 presidential election.
In such politically sensitive times, the transfers have been viewed as part of the government’s drive to ensure stricter control at the local level during the October election.
Observers say the reassignment of the Idabato officer to Ngoumou, a relatively calm locality, might be intended as a form of protection or recovery period after his ordeal.
Still, critics argue that acts of bravery in volatile regions should be rewarded more visibly.
