While political tension and armed conflict continue to unsettle various parts of Cameroon, the West Region is drawing praise for its steadfast calm and security.
That was the central message of a high-level security meeting the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, chaired on Wednesday, April 9.
Held at the West Governor’s Office in Bafoussam and attended by senior administrative and security officials, the meeting aimed to assess the pre-electoral security climate and reaffirm government commitment to peace and order.
Minister Atanga Nji praised the efforts of local authorities and communities for their collaboration in keeping the region generally secure.
Thanks to this partnership, security forces recently seized over 30 tonnes of Indian hemp and more than 20 tonnes of cocaine, cracking down on illicit networks that threaten public safety.
But beyond the numbers, the security situation feels different depending on where you are in the West.
Some Citizens Agree
In downtown Bafoussam, residents expressed a sense of calm and confidence in the authorities.
“We feel safe here,” said Jean-Claude, a shopkeeper near Marché A. “The police are visible, and there’s a general atmosphere of order. I can open my shop early and close late without worrying too much.”
Nguefack, a university student in Dschang, added, “We hear about problems in other regions, but here we live in relative peace. We hope it stays that way, especially with the elections coming.”
However, not all communities feel the same sense of security.
In the border towns of Foumban, Galim, and Kouoptamo, where the West meets the crisis-hit North West Region, and Alou and Wabane in the South West region, the atmosphere is tenser.
“Sometimes we hear gunshots at night,” shared Ndzie, a farmer in the Noun Division. “It rarely happens, but when it does, we remember that the conflict is just next door.”
Paul, a motorbike rider in Menoua Division, remembers the separatist attack in Galim that led to the killing of soldiers. Paul expressed his fear of future attacks.
“Some people from our village were attacked while transporting foodstuff. That’s why we avoid transporting people to certain areas.”
Greater Security Surveillance
The MINAT boss asserted that the situation remains under control and promised to implement stronger surveillance and response mechanisms, particularly in the most vulnerable areas, during the upcoming presidential election.
He also urged Governor Awa Fonka Augustine to continue engaging with communities to counter hate speech, fake news, drug abuse, and political manipulation, factors that could easily destabilise even the calmest regions.
“We cannot allow peace to be threatened by misinformation or political opportunism,” the minister stressed. “Let us work together for a peaceful, transparent election year.”
For now, the the local population say they don’t only want to be safe, but they also want to feel safe.
