Ngoketunjia Fons’ Union Backs Fon Chafah After Bangolan People ‘Dethrone’ Him

By Njodzeka Kernyuy

Fons of the Ngoketunjia Division in Cameroon’s North West have thrown their unflinching support behind Fon Chafah Isaac, the king of Bangolan who was recently dethroned by the traditional society.

In a letter signed on Monday by the Fon of Nsei in Bamessing, Fon Ricard Muntong III, President of the Ngoketunjia Fons’ Union, they reaffirm their fraternity with HRM Senator Fon Chafah Isaac during these difficult moments and commit to working closely alongside the secret society of Bangolan to facilitate a swift return to tranquillity in Bangolan.

Recently, some kingmakers in Bangolan dethroned Fon Chafah, accusing him of destroying their tradition and, secondly, alienating himself from the kingdom for over nine years.

The Fon has been living in the national capital Yaounde for years.

The crisis in Bangolan is said to have started in 2016 when Fon Chafah attended a prayer session of a controversial man of God in Bamenda, and his traditional stool was replaced with another.

Aside from that, villagers say the Fon brought in church people who desecrated the secret shrine in the kingdom. This tension persisted until recently, when some kingmakers announced his dethronement.

SDO Reacts

The action of those in the village met a stone wall from the Senior Divisional Officer of Ngoketunjia, who accused them of inciting chaos.

The SDO stated that a Fon remains a Fon for life and promised to purge those who announced the controversial dethroning of Fon Chafah Issac XI.

Fon Chafah to Return Home

As pressure piles up, Fon Chafah, who has lived outside the village for years, says he is going back home. Cameroon News Agency reported that the Fon plans to visit the kingdom, guarded by armed military men. However, the date for his return is yet to be announced.

Meanwhile, the SDO of Ngoketunjia, in another communique, suspended the Ngumba house, which is the group in charge of making decisions for the Fondom.

Ngoketunjia Fons Call for Restraint

In their unwavering call to action and safeguarding of their sacred customs and traditions, the Fons said they are not merely members of a union but the steadfast guardians of the rich and vibrant heritage of the Ngoketunjia Division.

“For generations, our traditions, customs, and identity have intertwined with the very essence of this land, nurtured by the wisdom of our ancestors and the enduring spirit of our community,” they said.

“As the Fons’ Union, we stand as the solemn custodians of this invaluable legacy, entrusted with a sacred duty to preserve what makes us unique.”

To them, this commitment is not taken lightly; it is a profound responsibility that resides deeply within their hearts.

The time for passive observation, they say, has yielded to the necessity for decisive action. “We find ourselves at a critical juncture, where the forces of change threaten to undermine the foundations of our heritage. With determination and unity, we must rise to this challenge and fortify our traditions for generations to come,” they added.

They say the role of the Fons is far more than ceremonial; “we are the custodians of spirituality and vigilant guardians of our ancestral traditions. We wish to remind everyone that internal mechanisms and customary practices are the only legitimate means to resolve disputes related to our traditional institutions.”

As tension continues to mount, it remains to be seen whether the decision to dethrone Fon Chafah Issac will stand.

However, they have urgently called upon all peace-loving citizens of Ngoketunjia, such as the elite, the notables, the custodians of customary authority, and the governing authorities, to unite their efforts in protecting and safeguarding their culture from oblivion and dispersion.