The Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Ngoketunjia, Quetong Kongeh Handerson, has criticized the elite of the Division for continuously boycotting locally organized activities meant to facilitate a return to peace in the area.
In a stern public letter addressing the sons and daughters of Ngoketunjia Division, the SDO emphasized that these initiatives were crucial in ameliorating the security situation within the division and fostering a return to peace.
He lamented the absence of key stakeholders from meetings and activities designed to contribute to the delicate mission of pacifying and normalizing daily life in Ngoketunjia.
Ngoketunjia is one of the 13 Divisions constituting the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon, which have been battling with a crisis since 2016.
“While the administrative authorities, Unit Heads of the defense and security services of Ngoketunjia Division, spend sleepless nights to carry out activities in order to pacify and normalize daily life in our division, the same torchbearers and various stakeholders of Ngoketunjia origin, who are expected to accompany these authorities in order to accomplish this very delicate and difficult mission, always absent themselves from meetings and other activities programmed for this purpose,” the SDO stated.
He underscored the importance of a peaceful atmosphere for any developmental initiatives within the division and criticized stakeholders who, after boycotting local events, organized meetings, cultural manifestations, and fundraising activities outside the Division.
He issued a directive that events held beyond the jurisdiction of Ngoketunjia would require approval from local authorities, regardless of the initiators’ prerogatives and objectives.
This measure, he explained, was intended to enforce administrative sanctions against those failing to comply.
The Senior Divisional Officer’s reprimand follows previous announcements, including one in October 2020, where government workers, especially teachers, were mandated to attend daily sessions at the Ndop courtyard.
A regrouping center with special security arrangements was established for those fearing for their safety, with a warning that those defying the sessions would face consequences.
Given continuous insecurity and threats from separatist fighters, many people in the Anglophone Regions usually opt to stay away from politically-motivated events.
These include national celebrations, and events organized by government authorities.
Ngoketunjia Division has been grappling with the presence of dangerous separatist groups, notably the Marine Warriors of Bambalang, once led by the notorious “FM No Pity”.
Despite his absence from public view in recent months, the Division continues to bear the brunt of the protracted armed conflict that began in 2016.
The SDO’s strong stance aligns with broader efforts by government officials in Anglophone Regions to normalize activities amidst the ongoing armed conflict.
Authorities in various towns have been pushing back against the Monday Ghost towns imposed by Ambazonia separatist fighters, reflecting a larger struggle to restore peace.
However, the population has usually been victimized in the struggle between the government and separatists.
