Rising anti-North West sentiments:
PM Dion Ngute chairs crisis meeting but ignores Chief Moja Moja’s excesses

In a security meeting in Buea, Wednesday, December 16, 2020, the Prime Minister, Head of Government called on traditional rulers in the South West and those of Buea Sub-Division, in particular, to desist from attributing actions of insecurity to a particular group of people in Cameroon.

While chairing the meeting, Joseph Dion Ngute challenged traditional rulers to work in collaboration with security and defense forces to stamp out cases of insecurity, not only to prevent the killing of chiefs but all persons living in the region.

In another option for peace, the head of government recommends the reinforcement of vigilante groups in villages and quarters to maximize peace by denouncing those who commit evil acts. The PM adds that the government is ready to support such efforts.

To HRH Mafany Njie Martin, president of the South West Chiefs Conference, the selective killing of traditional rulers in the South West Region is unbearable.

The urgent meeting with custodians of tradition in the South West comes days after the chief of Mile 14 HRH Ikome Emmanuel was killed by armed men suspected to be separatist fighters and the abduction and subsequent release of the chiefs of Miles 15 and 16.

Following the act, HRH Ewome Eko John of Bwassa village launched a call for all people from the North West Region of Cameroon living in Buea Sub-Division to return to their region. To the traditional ruler who doubles as a military man, North Westerners are terrorists and have been killing Bakweri chiefs and elites.

Visiting the South West region purposely to inspect football infrastructure ahead of the start of the African Football Championship (CHAN) 2021, PM Dion Ngute stressed that security remains a ‘can’t do without factor’ for a successful CHAN.

Many have however expressed dismay with the PM for failing to address controversial Chief Moja Moja who has been calling for the killing of residents of North West origin.

Despite the chief’s latest antics, the PM made no mention of his utterances, not officially condemning him for the remarks.

Other traditional rulers of the South West region have also maintained silence, same as Peter Mafany Musonge of the Bilingualism and Multiculturalism Commission, who is himself a native of Buea.

Mbato Nathan