A new prefectoral order, by the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Mezam has banned all undeclared public meetings and gatherings in Mezam, located in the North West region of Cameroon, as tensions rise ahead of October 1.
Such administrative bans have become an annual occurrence in the conflict-stricken Anglophone regions as a prelude to October 1, a date celebrated by separatist militants as the independence day of the self-declared state of Ambazonia.
The ban, signed by Simon Emile Mooh, SDO for Mezam, is effective immediately.
“That with effect from the date of signature of this present order, undeclared meetings and public manifestations in Mezam Division are hereby prohibited till further notice,” the order states.
The SDO issued a stern warning to potential violators, emphasizing that anyone caught disregarding the order would face severe penalties. “Any person or group of persons who violates the provisions of the present order shall be punished in accordance with the rules and regulations in force,” the order reads.
Mooh also directed the enforcement of the ban, instructing all Divisional Officers in Mezam, the Group Commander of the Gendarmerie in Mezam, and the Commissioner of the Central Police Station in Bamenda to ensure the order is carried out. “This order shall be registered and communicated wherever necessary,” he added.
It is worth noting that previous bans and curfews issued by the same administrative officer have remained in effect indefinitely, with no official lifting of these restrictions.
