By Njong Shey
The South West House of Chiefs has strongly rebuked the Senior Divisional Officer for Fako Division, Viang Mekala, for threatening Chiefs with sanctions if they fail to attend National Day celebrations on May 20.
In a statement released Monday, May 19, Chief Dr Atem Abako, President of the House of Chiefs, terms the SDO’s outing as insolent and disrespectful not only to Fako Chiefs, but to those of the entire South West Region.
Chief Ebako, who is the traditional ruler of Talangaye in Kupe Manenguba Division, describes the SDO’s statement as “very frustrating”, adding that it is “disparaging to the status, divine honor and dignity of the traditional rulers”.
He added: “But because of the unique and sacred importance of our National Unity Day, when every Cameroonian should show Love and Peace to one another, I would have asked you to apologize to the Traditional Rulers.”
On May 15, 2025, Mr Viang Mekala dispatched a hand message to all Divisional Officers in Fako, instructing them to ensure all traditional rulers are “effectively present” at the 53rd National Day celebrations on May 20 in their various jurisdictions.
The administrator warned that any traditional ruler who would not justify his absence will “immediately be subjected to a request for explanation and a disciplinary file be sent to hierarchy”.
The private message, which leaked out and went viral on social media, drew much criticisms for undermining traditinal rulers.
“Mr SDO, you unfortunately crossed the red line when you very rudely and callously stated that any absent traditional ruler shall be disciplined,” Chief Atem Ebako wrote.
The SDO’s message reechoed sentiments South West Chiefs have held towards the administration for disrespecting them.
In 2019, the Governor of the South West, Bernard Okalia Bilai, sparked a protest by Chiefs in the Region when he asked them to march alongside their subjects during National Day celebrations that year.
The Governor threatened that any Chief who would fail to obey the message would be dethroned.
The President of the South West Chiefs Conference at the time, Chief Mafany Njie, quickly responded, castigating the Governor for his “demeaning” utterance.
He later led South West Chiefs in a protest to the Governor’s office where they expressed their disapproval in an effort to secure an apology from the Governor, but it never came.
