Nkambe Protesters Pledge Support for Biya

By Tata Mbunwe

Dozens of men and women, carrying peace plants and placards bearing messages of gratitude to President Paul Biya, marched along the streets of Nkambe, headquarters of the North West’s Donga Mantung Division this Friday, October 4.

The messages on the placards said everything about the march.

It was intended to communicate the gratitude of the area’s political elite to President Paul Biya for upgrading the Nkambe hospital; and to preach peace, education and development in the context of the ongoing Anglophone armed conflict.

“Nkambe says yes to unity in diversity,” a placard carried by one of the paraders read.

Other messages read: “Nkambe says yes to peaceful resolution of conflicts”; “Nkambe says yes to the education of our children”; and Nkambe says no to blackmail and sabotage”.

Bearing these messages and peace plants, the population marched to the office of the Senior Divisional Officer of Donga Mantung, Bassiliken Georges Magloire Emmanuel, where they tabled a memo of support to President Biya.

They cited some infrastructural projects the government has initiated to improve life in the area:

“The ongoing construction of the Ring road stretch from Kumbo – Ndu – Nkambe – Misaje, with nearly all the lots contracted to enterprises managed by sons of Donga Mantung Division. The ongoing construction of the Nkambe Regional Hospital Annex.

“The highly applauded presidential plan for reconstruction and development (PPRD) of the North West and South West Regions just to name but these,” part of the memo read.

They also offered gratitude to the area’s elite, particularly Hon Ngala Gerald, Minister Shey Jones Yembe, and the Mayor of Nkambe, Nfor Musa Shey, for the efforts they have made to promote peace in Nkambe.

Nkambe Central Subdivision has witnessed relative calm and effective school resumption amid turbulence across the English-speaking Regions caused by the ongoing Anglophone Crisis.

Classes resumed in the town on September 9, amid a two-week lockdown imposed by separatists in the Anglophone Regions, which paralysed most education facilities.

Despite the peace recorded over the past years, Nkambe faced a major security threat this year, after an explosion detonated during Youth Day celebrations on 11 February, killing a student and injuring dozens.

The Member of Parliament for Nkambe Central, Hon Ngala Gerald, has faced accusations of engineering the explosion for political gains – he strongly denied them.

Some messages displayed during today’s peace march in Nkambe suggested that acts of violence carried out in the town are being perpetrated by non-natives.

The memo sent to President Biya read: “We have stood tall and remain the example in terms of participation at the Major National festivities such as 11th February (Youth Day), The National Day (20th May), International Day of the Rights of the Woman (8th March), and the Head of State’s anniversary in power commemorated every 6 November.

“Our attachment and respect for state institutions is unmatched. Our unconditional rejection of violence especially the ongoing armed conflict in the North West and South West Regions is telling of our determination and commitment to continue to stand by the Head of State in the Construction of a greater Cameroon.

“Our massive adherence to policies and politics of national integration, reconciliation and living together is telling of who we are,” the memo read.