Who is targeting Mayors in the North West: Separatists or political opponents?

By Kate Bih

A wave of violence has rocked the North West Region of Cameroon, with three mayors tragically losing their lives between November 2023 and May 2024.

The most recent victim, the Mayor of Belo, Ngong Innocent, was ambushed and killed on May 20 as he walked to the Belo grandstand to celebrate the 52nd National Day.

The murder of Ngong Innocent, alongside Aghi Aaron Ngong, the Inspector for Basic Education for Belo, took place just a few meters away from a heavily militarized area.

This bold and fatal ambush raises serious concerns about the safety of public officials in the region and the capabilities of separatist groups or better still political positioning ahead of 2025 elections.

Prior to this incident, in November 2023, the Deputy Mayor of Balikumbat Council, Passi Christopher, was kidnapped from a funeral and later killed.

Known for his peace efforts and advocacy for education in Balikumbat, Passi’s death shocked the community, especially given that the school boycott had eased and children were returning to classrooms.

On March 25, 2024, the Second Deputy Mayor of Babessi Council, Nkwatoh Solomon, was shot dead in his compound by alleged separatists.

This assassination followed reports of corruption within the Babessi Council, with close aides to the Mayor reportedly raising alarms about these issues in the media.

The motives behind these killings appear to be multifaceted. While the exact identities and intentions of the perpetrators remain uncertain, the pattern suggests a targeted campaign against local officials who are perceived to be working towards community stability and progress.

Although separatist fighters have been targeting local authorities in the Anglophone Regions, the recent attacks against Mayors is unprecedented.

The Mayor of Belo, Ngong Innocent, had recently relocated the Council from Bamenda to Belo, an act that might have provoked those opposed to government presence in the area.

A day after his tragic death, armed men attempted to assassinate the Mayor of Zoah, Njah Titus Ndongkeh, who fortunately escaped the attack.

The killings and targeted attacks, coming barely one year to Municipal elections, raise crucial questions: Who is behind these attacks, and what do they hope to achieve?

The deaths of these Mayors, who were committed to their communities, signal a troubling escalation in the region’s ongoing conflict.

As authorities investigate these tragic events, the need for heightened security measures and deeper understanding of the local dynamics becomes ever more pressing.

©Mimi Mefo Info