My "Amba" Experience

My "Amba" Experience

*For security reasons, some names in this report have been changed or withheld.

Some Meta sons and daughters abroad decided to mobilise financial resources and send home for goods of basic necessity to be bought and handed to Internally Displaced Persons (I.D.PS) in the community. Meta is the name of the indigenes of Mbengwi Sub Division in Momo Division, North West Region of Cameroon. Their language (mother tongue) is also known as Meta. So the sons and daughters abroad contacted a guy in Bamenda town on how the program can be materialised. The said guy, a son of the soil contacted me since I'm home based and better know realities on the ground. I proposed to him that I know of a community in the outskirts of Mbengwi where I.D.Ps are concentrated . They escaped from their locality after clashes with the Mbororos, resulting to infliction of wounds, burning of houses and property. So the Metas in the place escaped and sought for refuge in neighbouring villages. "Community X" is one of the communities hosting these I.D.Ps. I got to know of this through  someone there that's housing many of them.

So I said to myself, let me drag this support to the real I.D.Ps. At least those in Mbengwi town have benefitted a couple of times especially from government assistance programs and other humanitarian aid agencies though often with controversies such as some of the beneficiaries not being real I.D.Ps while some of the officials in charge of sharing play foul with the items. The guy from Bamenda town bought the idea, left and came to meet me in Mbengwi with the money which we used to buy the things from the Mbon market so that the money circulates in our economy. The host of the displaced persons in "Community X" had presented us with statistics such as number of males, females, age groups etc. So we bought the items; bags of rice, salt, packets of maggi, vegetable oil, soap, toilet tissues and sanitary pads. This was on Saturday December 22nd 2018.

The next day, Sunday December 23rd, we hired a car from Mbengwi town and engaged the journey with the items; myself, the guy from Bamenda and the driver. I never knew I was supposed to have notified the separatist fighters (Amba Boys) there that we are coming and state our mission. I never even knew the guys will be present there. I never foresaw any obstacles to the genuine mission. My thought was far from what awaited us.

Upon entry into "Community X", behold there before us stood three armed guys doing control. They stopped us, we descended and introduced ourselves and mission. They asked us to drive to the community square where they followed and met us and started with interrogations. The guy who came from town looked healthy like a civil servant and so they questioned him more, took his identity card and checked. As the interrogations were going on, their commander called his other boys  on phone and within no time we had over 15 guys before us, charging. " Commandang make we finish them" one of them said as if he was thirsty for our blood. We were sat in dust but for the driver whom they spared because he was elderly and was simply hired to render transportation service, our shoes and socks removed and our under legs beaten with a cutlass. They said "Na da gov't things them, that atanga nji e things dem una dong carryam for kam sheram" We kept explaining our innocence to no avail. Two big boys didn't only cry, they whaled.

By now, the population had gathered and was observing the scenario but no way to intervene especially as they knew me, that if I am involved, then it can't be a shady deal, it must be for the good of the population because I've been carrying out similar voluntary community service before to assist humanity. Some of the "Amba Boys" rode in from unknown areas to come and deal with their prey after being told of a big catch. They put our hands on a plank and threatened to cut but one of their leaders instructed that they shouldn't. That we are all tribesmen and they know me in particular and what I do in life. In journalism, people you can't even identify them identify you. By now they had seized my recorder, phone, camera, and other electronic gadgets of my colleague (palm top, digital camera) removed the batteries and nearly burnt them. Again they were stopped by one of their leaders who decided to carry out proper investigations into the matter. We went with these gadgets because we needed to report to the donors with picture and video evidences on how we executed the donation. There and then we were forced to call the guys in the U.S to confirm that they sent us on the mission. Luckily we were with receipts to show that we actually bought the items from Mbengwi. We also had the international cash withdrawal receipt. The name of the sender of the money on the receipt was a guy from a neighbouring community to "Community X" who flew out of the country a couple of years back in search of greener pastures.

Two of the "Amba Boys" took me on a bike to the guy's compound  for investigations after they found out that the money sender is identifiable. We met the guy's brother and sister. They were interrogated. "Una broda no get any links to government?" they asked and the reply was "No, e nova ever get anything for do with government." They took his phone number from the sister. By now, though still in captivity, tempers had calmed down. Upon return to the drama scene in "Community X", they compared the two numbers (the one we had  called and the one the sister gave) and saw that they were the same. They  communicated among themselves, presented their findings which showed that we were not traitors.  Upon return, I met my colleague drinking locally fabricated corn beer which had been offered to him to quench his thirst. He offered me a cup and I gulped the liquid down my dry throat. By now our heartbeats had dropped back to normal and we felt relieved. We were under thorough investigation which I very much preferred than the beatings and harshness.

Their worry was that we didn't notify them nor inhabitants of "Community X" before coming, thus undermining them. We actually never knew this was how things now function in the suburbs. For that reason, because ignorance is no excuse, they charged us a figure to pay for our freedom or we shall be carried to their camp for imprisonment. Hearing this, I ran out of breadth. Thousands of ideas ran through my mind within the split of a second. Again we pleaded and pleaded that we can't afford such a figure and finally came to a consensus. 

Having sorted out our differences, they then asked us to load back the items into the car and go finish our mission. Just at the time we were trying to move, another commander that had learnt of the incidence rode in fast and furious with one of his own boys. He announced his arrival by firing a shot in the air. I just told myself, finally I'm gone. I knew hell has broken loose on us. Before it was raining, now it's going to pour. These ones nearly took life out of us. They offloaded the items again, scattered them with strong kicks, made noise like a roaring lion as the population watched helplessly. "Una be di kam una no b no say we dey?" they asked. "Usai di things dem komort? Una must tell we the truth if not una go chop Christmas with we for camp" they said. Talking directly in my face, one told me "I know you fine. You be journalist. If you no know me, I be (name withheld)." This he said while hitting his chest as I felt his spittle drops on my face. The name he gave wasn't his real name but his fighter name. I discovered that almost  all the fighters have adopted nick names by which they are called and some of these names are really scary. Again we were sat in dust by the roadside. It was a Tad Market day, the last before Christmas, so the road was very busy. Many passersby passed and saw the humiliation we were undergoing but for their own safety, no one dared coughed.

If I could collapse I would've done so but as a man, I kept mustering courage and maintaining my statements. We were told one of the boys investigates in the spiritual realm not the ordinary. I told myself let them do whatever investigations they want, ordinarily, metaphysically, whichever way but the truth will remain that we came with good intentions. They vibrated and vibrated, spoke right in my face and I could scent how drugged they were. This new set didn't even want to listen to the set that had properly investigated us. One of the intruders filmed us with his android phone. Up till now I can't still understand why he filmed us and where the video has gone to.  Our early captors kept telling us to remain calm as they too observed the unfolding blog buster amazingly. We now looked up to them to safe us from this impending danger, expecting them to talk to their colleagues.

Finally tempers calmed down and they consulted. The two comers returned and again we were asked to gather the items and  carry to their intended destination but will wait till further instructions before offloading the car.  We went and sat there for hours, no progress. We even had a nap out of dizziness. We were offered bread and canned drinks by the host of the I.D.Ps but where was the appetite?

During this time, one of the boys, the one that stopped colleagues from neither burning our gadgets nor harming us came and sat with us. He ate and drank what was offered to him. We chatted amicably for long. He explained to us how he forwent his freedom for the struggle. That he's not into it for money because he never lacked before joining. That his blood brother with whom they were together in the camp was recently killed by the military in Mbengwi but that didn't deter him. That we should not feel so bad for what some of his colleagues have done to us because if he never even came in on time to intervene, they would've done worst things before regretting later. This guy made us to understand that he knows God. He said they've given up their lives for the struggle. That they know they are living corpses that's why they don't take chances with anything that jeopardises their safety because nobody freely accepts death.  This fighter told us he understands some guys have joined them who were former thieves, criminals and so saw the struggle as an opportunity to make use of. As he spoke I was dump founded. He said instead of cursing them for their wrongs, we should rather be praying for them for their rights. That the things they've been able to change in their communities are enormous. His concern is the truth. That once he investigates a matter and it's clear, he let's the person goes but if guilty, he punishes. That he himself is uncomfortable when young boys go around beating their elders, disrespecting them in the name of being "Amba Boys". To him, if he does good work and the population appreciates, he will live long but if he goes wayward and rather inflicts more pains on the  commoners and they cry and speak negatively about his actions, then it'll be obvious he'll quickly get killed at the war front.

We kept listening attentively as he narrated his story. I don't still know why he chose to tell us all of these. Was it out of regret? Was he trying to sell a positive image of the " Amba Boys" after we were received with human rights abuses? Was it, was it, was it...? He said they don't know anything like brother, sister, mother, father, tribes mate etc. That if you falter, they deal with you irrespective of who you are. As he spoke, I didn't ask him anything. I was just carried away. He had charms on him but looked neat and clean. The others had red eyes, bushy hair, cranky bodies and black lips. He told us they go to missions and fight elsewhere like in Mamfe, Batibo, Belo etc reason why one of their commanders at the time of the incidence was a fighter from Bafut that came visiting. I realised this during our interrogations because we were asked to address him in broken English not the vernacular as we did with the others because he doesn't understand Meta.

 At last the commander of the first group that interrogated us came and met us and said "Una offload the things them go una back. Different man no go kam for ma territory kam di make noise soteh shoot gun for air. Na me I be commander for here. No be so ma commander teach me work." From this I understood the setup is bigger than meets the eyes. They have their salutation formats. There are commanders under commanders. I got to discover that they've carved out communities and put under their control and that the chain elongates right to abroad. This because they questioned why the senders of the aid didn't pass through their leaders abroad who would've communicated them on Ground Zero as they call it about the mission.

At the end of the day, they bid us goodbye and sent one of them to come escort us out of "Community X" so that  nobody disturbs us again. We drove back safely to Mbengwi town. All our electronic gadgets had been handed back to us. We sustained no wound but for the pains of the beatings with cutlass of our under legs.

This is the testimony I shall leave to tell. On this Sunday Dec 23rd 2018, I met the good, the bad the ugly. I went, I saw and came back to tell the story. I came face to face with death but since I went to equity with clean hands, not a hair on my head was broken. I had the suffering people at heart. I went through all this unforseen risk because I wanted to offer them a helping hand. I saw a rough terrain. The guys mean business. The way they investigated us, if our mission was dirty, we would've been finished by now. They are really good guys among them who understand their purpose of becoming fighters as well as bad guys who are in for the fame and selfish interests.

As we drove back to Mbengwi, I felt like Ghanian undercover reporter, Anas Aremeyaw. I kept reflecting of all the bitter experiences I've had in the practice of journalism. I've been into the hands of legal minds, uniform officers and now separatist fighters. Through the experiences I've learnt lessons and gained more exposure to certain things I would never had known if I never went through thick and thin. I have never regretted any. A day before this bitter experience, I covered a meeting convened by the S.D.O of Momo Division with his collaborators to chart ways on how to disarm, demobilise and reintegrate these fighters into the society. I just told myself the picture on the field is bigger than what hierarchy thinks. How did we even get here? What went wrong? What we used to pay money to watch in video clubs for entertainment is now happening before our naked eyes. It is said pride goes before a fall. I'll suggest the Cameroon  government keeps aside pride and be humble enough to call for talks with those who call the shots in the current Anglophone struggle without which the country may be herding to the dungeons. The cry has been same at the national and international level, free all arrested, ceasefire, dialogue. 

Momo Administration to Begin Negotiations With "Amba" Boys

Momo Administration to Begin Negotiations With "Amba" Boys

"Our mission here today is to plan on how to welcome back home these prodigal children. Our mission is not only to wait for them to come back but to go to them and ask them to come back." These were the opening words of the Senior Divisional Officer of Momo Division, Absalom Monono Woloa as he chaired a special meeting in the conference hall of the Divisional Delegation of Labour and Social Security, Momo, last Friday December 21st 2018. Attended by Divisional Officers,  Mayors, and Service Heads within the division, the meeting was aimed at facilitating the decision of the Head of State through Decree N° 2018/719 of 30 November 2018 to establish the National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Committee.

Monono schooled his collaborators on the appropriate message they have to pass across to the population. He made allusions to the biblical parable of the prodigal son and contextualized it to the present sociopolitical unrests rocking the two English speaking regions of Cameroon where despite perpetuating killings, kidnappings, burnings, destruction of state/private property and crumbling of the economy as a means of venting their anger, the Head of State has still decided to pardon the separatist fighters commonly called "Amba Boys."

Momo D.O's 

 He also assured them, his collaborators that contrary to the past where victims of kidnap were scared to report to hierarchy or security forces for fear of repercussions and tagging as sponsor of the struggle after paying ransoms to secure their freedom, the situation now is different. To him, the state is rather in dire need of information about the fighters not to arrest and lock them up or kill them but to offer them an olive branch. "They are your children and you know them. If you are afraid, give us their contacts especially those of their leaders so that we can talk to them and assure them that what awaits them is better than what they have in the bush." were his words. He added that measures have been put in place to engage the returnees in training and or employment in any sector of their choice after checking their health situation.

A circular letter from the North West Regional Governor addressed to all S.D.Os and dated 23rd November 2018 with subject, implementation of the Head of State's program to disarm, demobilise and reintegrate repentant fighters was then read to the hearing of all. According to the letter, fighters who have manifested their intentions to repent or have already done so are in their numbers. It further compelled all administrators within the region to organise at their levels in relation to sectoral concerns, meeting sessions with concerned stakeholders on how to chart a way out of the crisis through the effective implementation of the president's decision.

Having gotten these clarifications, room was then given for the members to propose ideas on how to implement the program. Monono insisted that the proposals must be geared towards actions at the local level (Mbengwi, Momo Division) not those that will have to be channeled to hierarchy. The mayor of Mbengwi Council, Tebe Beatrice proposed that for any committee that shall be formed to be effective, it must involve local religious leaders, traditional authorities, civil society activists and middlemen within communities where the fighters reside. The mayor of Batibo council, Frederick Tanjoh on his part proposed that a hotline should be established and circulated for members of the public to use in giving their suggestions if possible on anonymous basis and for repentant fighters to also contact it so they can be reached and taken back into society. To mayor Tanjong, for the process to be successful, a lot of secrecy must be involved purposely for the security of the informants so that people are not termed "betrators" (as used by fighters and sympathisers of the struggle in his municipality) and eliminated especially as the recent trend is that of enemies npw hiding behind the crisis to settle old disputes over land, marital issues, political interest and personal grievances.

Absalom Monono Woloa, S.D.O Momo

Here the S.D.O intervened and said "The truth about it is that most of these youths want to come back but their only challenge is fear of their leaders, members and doubts if the state means her words." He said they call even him and appreciate his administration after which they'll then ask for support but the answer he always gives them is same, "My job is not good when you are in the bushes. Come and meet me let me give you a permanent source of income." With this, they will always laugh over the phone and ask him, "You want kill me?" To conquer fear, Monono told the D.Os, mayors, heads of services and military units that "The truth is we will all die and death is everywhere. It will be good that if you have to die, die while doing good." This however doesn't imply that you shouldn't take security measures to preserve your life, he added.

Other proposals came in from the Divisional Delegate of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, Jaidzeka Irene and that of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nkwawir Martha. The former proposed a mindset change and moral rearmament of the fighters through media campaigns that they won't be stigmatised upon throwing in the towel while the later regretted the cutting off of the few available earth roads by the fighters, a strategy that is rather impoverishing and inflicting further hardship on the locals. The last proposal from one of the attendees was for tracks bearing messages of disarmament to be printed and circulated in the concerned areas especially those without network, electricity and other social amenities.

Committees were then created that shall be liaising with those at the regional and sub divisional levels. In his closing statement, the meeting chair, Absalom Monono reminded all present to keep hammering the right message till it gets stuck in the ears of the concerned, that Rome was never built in one day, that not all solutions to all problems can be gotten and executed in one day. "Tell them that we should learn to accept what has been done while asking for more for it's not a taboo to do so", he said. "But when doing so, be gentlemanly to accept that the person who has to give is limited for even God has not finished giving to us", he added. "There's no reason to be killing ourselves and destroying the property that we have because we want a better Cameroon. We have all received the prodigal message of the Head of State and we can only implement it by trying." These were the last words of the S.D.O as he ended and dismissed the session.

Freed Detainees from Bamenda Central Prison Love in Public

Freed Detainees from Bamenda Central Prison Love in Public

In a press release signed on Thursday Dec. 13 2018 by Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic, following instructions from the Head of State, Paul Biya, proceedings pending before Military Tribunals within the nation against 289 detainees that were arrested for misdemeanors in connection with the crisis in the North West and South West regions of the country were to be immediately discontinued. The release further stated that, coming on the heels of the establishment of the National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Committee, the Head of State's decision is guided by his determination to relentlessly pursue efforts of ensuring a peaceful solution  to the crisis affecting these two regions of the country.

Released Inmate Captured in Love Scene with Missed Wife

According to Barrister Fru Joseph, defendant of some of the released detainees, they, lawyers had been calling for this discontinuance long ago. However they aren't complaining about when it came but rather glad because it's good news. He explained that "The motion to discontinue is a legal technical term that says prosecution in this case as represented by the legal department, representing both the Ministers of Defence and Justice decided that they were going to put a halt to the cases and they did." As to what he will be doing to reintegrate himself into society, one of the detainees said he will become a peace crusader with mission to educate the public about the role of authorities, government and youths in society. Out of the 49 that were to be released from the Bamenda Central Prison as per the presidential decision, Colonel Kengne, presiding magistrate at the Bamenda Military Tribunal disclosed that 10 concerned inmates were absent from the court session because some had previously been released on bail while others where hospitalised. However, all their case files have been officially closed.  

Bamenda Military Tribunal Implementing the Head of State's Decision

According to Wikipedia, a misdemeanor is any "lesser" criminal act in some common law legal systems. Misdemeanors are generally punished less severely than felonies, but theoretically more so than administrative infractions and regulatory offences. Many misdemeanors are punished with monetary fines. Yet many of the concerned inmates had been charged with secession, insurrection, terrorism, possession of arms, justification of crime among others. Many pundits have been asking if the government wasn't using an axe to kill a mosquito especially as some of the released narrated that they were just picked up for no crime committed yet their case files had build up accusations which were forced on them.

Former Detainees Waiting for Final Verdict

Fonjah Hanson Muki, publisher of The Cameroon Report, a news tabloid, was arrested on July 28 2017, incarcerated for over a month before later being released on bail after which his case was forwarded to the military tribunal for hearing. He was charged for public encouragement of terrorism acts and spreading of false information. He had been appearing in court for over a year now. With his case file now officially closed upon high instructions from the Head of State, he said "I'm very happy because first I'm free, secondly I I'm free to resume publication of my paper." He however testified that it's an experience that's taught him bitter lessons to henceforth properly investigate a story before publishing. As message to those still incarcerated  after being caught during the ongoing crisis, he said, "The whole of this drama will come to an end. I trust the military court because I've followed many cases in which charges against various detainees have been dropped." He added that the problem is for one's case to be heard. It gives hope as compared to one that's not bring heard. "I wish that they should just be patient till the day that their own sun will shine." he ended.

Akumbom Elvis McCarthy, Freed Journalist

Akumbom Elvis McCarthy is another famous Bamenda based journalist that was picked up and locked behind bars. When Mimi Mefo of the  English Desk of Equinoxe TV, Douala was incarcerated at New Bell prison on November 8 2018, journalist nationwide and internationally stood up in one voice and pressurised the government to unconditionally release her. This was done as all charges against her were dropped and case dismissed, again, upon high instructions from the Head of State. Some journalism associations like CAMASEJ North West chapter were already making plans to launch a similar campaign for the release of Akumbom Elvis, fortunately, he was among the 49 released. Talking to media colleagues after regaining his liberty, he said "I'm overwhelmed for this opportunity today to regain my freedom after nine months  of detention." He went ahead to thank all journalists, family and friends that played a vital role by "fighting" for his release. "I think that I deserve to be released because I did nothing wrong. I was doing my job." he added. He ended by pleading with the penitentiary authorities and judicial department to continue releasing many of the innocent inmates still behind bars, a move which he thinks can in one way or another help to restore peace in the two English speaking regions.

The Power of Love. Shella Comes to Receive Kennedy

Before being caught and locked up, some of the detainees had wives and children at home. A young girl whose only name we got as Shella had been deprived of her husband, Atako Kennedy Ndeh for months. Kennedy, a driver plying the Bamenda-Mbengwi highway was caught and locked up for complicity to crime. Separatist fighters seized his car and used for a mission. Thus security radar was on him till he was caught. When the husband stepped out of the military court, Up Station, Bamenda after being declared free, the waiting arms of his wife, Shella were wide open for a warm hug. They would've done bedroom things in public if not of that cameras were on them to capture their joy. Expressing her emotions, Shella told the press, "I feel so happy because my husband is out. When we get home, we'll see what to do."

Colonel Kengne, Examining Magistrate at Military Tribunal, Bamenda

When the already freed citizens stepped back into the prison van to go and collect their belonging from their cells, choruses went wild. "He's a miracle working God, the alpha and omega" was their unrecorded song. From prison, the former detainees will later be transported to the governor's office for a handshake and subsequent dispatch to go back home. North West governor, Adolph Lele Lafrique addressing the very attentive former detainees told them that they've benefitted from the Head of State's largesse as he promised during his inaugural speech after his last reelection to do all within reach to end the crisis rocking the region. "I'll like therefore to ask you all to go back to your various families and use all means at your level to convince your other mates to lay down their guns and come come back to normal civil life." the governor told them. He assured that upon laying down arms, the repented fighters will be well taken care of by the recently setup disarmament committee.

A. Lele Lafrique, N.W Regional Governor

From the governor's address, it was like he was speaking to released separatist fighters. This because he insisted that these released detainees will be taken to remote areas to convince the others that are still doubting the goodwill of the Head of State, father of the nation that the state is ready to welcome them full heartedly and to accompany them in normal civil life. He ended up offering them the sum of 200.000F to share as subsidy for their transportation back home. It should b recalled no longer have homes as they've been burnt down, their villages deserted and the whereabout of their family members unknown.

All Freed At Last

Momo's S.D.O Presents a Report Card of his Division

Momo's S.D.O Presents a Report Card of his Division

The Senior Divisional Officer of Momo Division in the North West Region of Cameroon, Absalom Monono Woloa has been assessing life in his area of jurisdiction after the last presidential elections. In an exclusive interview granted Mbengwi Online, Monono presented a balance sheet of the current atmosphere reigning in Mbengwi, the divisional headquarters in particular and Momo in general. Prior to the October 7 2018 presidential election, just like in many other parts of the two restive English speaking regions of Cameroon, Momo Division recorded lots of skirmishes that resulted to deaths, burnings, looting, kidnaps, tortures, arrests just to name these few.

Absalom Monono Woloa, Momo's Senior Divisional Officer

On the pre-election atmosphere, the seasoned civil administrator said his administration observed that before the election, tracks were circulated in various villages and on social media calling on the population to leave and not take part in the election. The call was heeded to by many of the inhabitants of the major towns in Momo Division. However, with the security measures that were taken to assist the elections governing body ELECAM in the electoral process, it was noted with satisfaction that the elections were held in a serene and secured atmosphere.

On the post election atmosphere, to the S.D.O, there wasn't any major incidence that was recorded and because of this, the population that had left saw the need to return. "If you go now to our measure commercial centres, you will realise that the business men and women are going about their normal activities" he said, citing the examples of the Guzang Market in Batibo, Tad market in Mbengwi, Wudikum market and others where business has fully resumed, a good indicator of the return to normalcy in his area of command.  He continued with his assessment by revealing that his administration has noted with satisfaction that civil servants are effectively working in their offices in rendering service to the public and in executing government programs geared at improving on the livelihood of citizens. Monono will later express hope that with this trend of events, thanks to the collaboration that the administration has had with the traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society leaders, forces of law and order, the population has come to understand that we all need to put in place measures that ensure serenity, security and normal life for all inhabitants of Momo Division. In his words, "From Widikum, Batibo, Mbengwi, Njikwa and Ngie, the information we are getting from the Divisional Officers indicates that the population is back and going about normal life."

Away from pre and post election atmosphere to security concerns, the Prefect said he noticed that some individuals had made his prefecture to look like unhabitable but this trend according to him is dying down thanks to all measures being taken by the government to ensure that some of the problems that were raised at the beginning of the crisis are resolved. "As the Head of State promised, we are hopeful and confident that most of the issues raised will be resolved peacefully without us continuing to have loss of human lives, property and that we live together as Cameroonians in a peaceful, serene and prosperous environment." said the administrative officer. Absalom Monono Woloa used the one on one session to thank the population of his division that has been  collaborating with the administration and forces of law and order to ensure that normalcy is reestablished. Having said this, he went ahead to call on others who are still very skeptical and frightened to return home and enjoy normal life as those on the ground have been doing.

Before ending his assessment, he talked about back to school. He opined that because of the crisis, many parents that have relatives out of Momo especially in the cities of Douala, Yaounde, Bafoussam, Ebolowa, Bertoua took their children to these towns for them to pursue their education. "With things coming back to normalcy, most of these children should be brought back so that they can easily go through with their education." he insisted. He passed across a clarion call to parents still having their children back at home to make sure that they send them to school especially as some of the schools within the sub division have opened their doors. Monono also reechoed the Head of State's message during his last swearing in ceremony for compatriots that picked up arms to express their grievances to down such arms. With the help of the administration and technical services, they will receive psychosocial support and reintegration into the society.

Monono signed his report card by throwing some light on the Humanitarian Assistance Program of the Head of State that was introduced to provide emergency relief aid to victims. He explained that "We have have also noted with regrets that many of our population became internally displaced, some even became refugees in other countries but we did receive from the Minister of Territorial Administration, assistance to some of our IDPs especially those in Widikum and Mbengwi Sub Division." These two occasions were used to sensitise those who are victims to identify themselves at the level of the Divisional Offices so that they could be registered and their needs taken into consideration, he ended

Ngwanyi Harry Lanyuy, S.G at N.W Governor's Office

And so it happened that on Tuesday December 4th 2018, the Secretary General at the North-West Governor's office, Mr  Ngwanyi Harry Lanyuy, personal representative of the Governor of the North-West led a an entourage accompanied by a team of media persons and security officers to the esplanade of the Momo S.D.O for the donation of items to IDPs, second phase.

Madam Mbeng Enama Desirée, Chief of Service for Civil Protection at the Ministry of Territorial Administration, Handing Over Items to a Beneficiary

According to Madam Mbeng Enama Desirée, Chief of Service for Civil Protection at the Ministry of Territorial Administration, the support (of a mattress, blanket, soap, sugar, buckets, rice, vegetable oil plus "an envelope") has only come to relief the concerned of their short term challenges. In due time, government shall be seeking long term solutions to long term challenges like resettlement.

Some Items that were Donated

Some 64 beneficiaries in Mbengwi went back home smiling from ear to ear with their booty on their head.

Mbengwi Breathes, Momo Division Regains Life

Mbengwi Breathes, Momo Division Regains Life

The Momo Divisional Headquaters, Mbengwi in the North West Region of Cameroon is reported to be speedily regaining its normal life. In the advent of the escalation of the current sociopolitical impasse in the two English speaking regions of the country, inhabitants who escaped to other areas for safety due to fear of the unknown and insecurity have been returning to regain their daily activities. At the Mbon Motor Park, Mile 18 Mbengwi, the economic hub of the sub division, its business as usual. Peddlers have been crisscrossing the streets with their goods, township taxis and commercial motor bikes are back on the bumpy roads.

A Bird's Eye View of Mbon Motor Park on a Normal Day

Tanah Felix has been earning a living out of bike ridding in Mbengwi for over five years now. To him, as compared to the recent past, things are getting better especially as he can now access bush roads that were hitherto blocked. "I can now make about 5.000F a day." he said. It should be recalled that prior to the last presidential election of October 7th 2018, all the major roads into and out of the 31 villages that make up the Meta Clan in Mbengwi were blocked with tree trunks by separatist fighters. The transport sector was completely grounded. Business came to a standstill.

Tanah Felix, Commercial Motor Bike Ridder

Mah Roseline is a trader in the Mbon Main Market, Mbengwi. She opined that business is still timid as many persons are still in the bushes. "We used to close at 6 O'Clock but because of the curfew, at times we start packing by 4pm" she said and wished that the regional governor could lift the dusk to dawn curfew he imposed so that business can boom again. "It's not even showing that we are in December" she ended. As if she was being heard in high offices, the N.W Regional Governor, Lele Lafrique on Saturday November 24th 2018 signed an order shifting the commencement time of the security restriction that was placed on the movement of persons and goods within the region from 6pm to 9pm. This was applauded in several quarters especially as they had been loud cries from citizens for the regional boss to readjust the curfew time.

Mah Roseline, Businesswoman

Tata Erasmus, another Mbengwi based businessman, castigated propagators of fake news on social media about insecurity in Mbengwi. To him, quite often fake news is spread online that Mbengwi is deserted meanwhile normal life is on going. He affirmed that life in Mbengwi is livable yet propagators of fake news keep blowing false alarms of how the town is unlivable. On November 22nd, one of the fake news that was spread on WhatsApp groups read thus:

ALERT MBENGWI

8 LRC mil. trucks stationed dere now ready 2 attack all camps. Pple along the tracks, go away NOW

But from investigations, according to administrative sources, some military trucks actually entered Mbengwi on the said day to carry away the household items of some uniform elements that had been redeployed out of Mbengwi and not for any attack per se. Tata Erasmus however admitted that life is still somehow difficult. He said, "There are days we get up and hear gunshots. We simply close our shops and return home. There are days life goes on normally."

Tata Erasmus, Businessman

The return to normalcy is not only centralised within Mbengwi town. Down in the suburbs, life is reported to also be regaining steam there. The historic Tad market in Nyen village, located about some 5km from the divisional headquarters is said to be bouncing back. The market stopped functioning about six months back after human and material losses were recorded when government troops engaged separatist fighters in serious gun battles. Tad market was the battle ground.

"Compared to other places I've been to like Fundong and Wum, I'll say life in Mbengwi is calm." This is the view of Evangelist Abanda Edwin,  a resident who added that the rumours on social media are not quite accurate because so far, people have been able to open their stores and carry on their normal daily activities unperturbed. He alluded this serenity to the good governance of the Senior Divisional Officer for Momo and his administration. He regretted that there are still many uninhabited compounds within the sub division whose initial occupants have abandoned not because of any real security threat but rather because of fright caused by blowers of false alarms on the internet. "We have been here since the crisis started and we are still alive and strong. Despite the relative peace and problems that we have here and there, compared to other places, we are thanking God the situation is calming down while hoping for the much needed peace that we've been crying for to come in few days or months." he added. Asked if he feels secured in Mbengwi, he responded in the affirmative. This he justified by saying he's able to walk around freely and go about his normal life with neither any uniform officer accompanying him nor anybody disturbing him. "I must say that the peace is relative in the sense that we still have problems but such come up only once in a while and they are often not huge to disturb the whole town but just a part." he ended.

Abanda Edwin, Evangelist

His views were shared by Mr. Nyudze David, a civil servant working at the Momo Divisional Delegation of Basic Education. To him, Mbengwi is regaining its strength as those who had escaped are returning. He corroborated the opinion of Abanda Edwin by adding that this is because of the collaboration between the administration and the military in Mbengwi as opposed to other places where the military is taking the law into its hands and causing havoc thereby frightening many people to escape. Nyudze David confirmed life is better in Mbengwi compared to other areas. He went on to say "The administration gives directives on how the military should operate and that's why there's relative calm and peace." He concluded by testifying that normally, not all who had been displaced will return because some have come across greener pastures in Douala, Yaounde and other towns.

Nyudze David, Civil Servant

Just like in Mbengwi, normal life is reported to also be returning to the other Sub Divisions in Momo Division like Njikwa, Widikum, Batibo, Ngie. Cho Clovis is a  preacher from Andek in Ngie. Painting a picture of how life is in his area, he said its not been easy because all roads are blocked thus making survival difficult. He added that the people are really suffering because they don't have a market as the ones they had before were all destroyed. In a moody tone, he articulated that, "As a pastor, I only hope that God will intervene in this situation and help us because some people are really suffering a lot, not just in Ngie but elsewhere also." On whether or not normalcy is returning to Ngie in the midst of the crisis, he confirmed it is but at a very slow rate because some of the roads that were blocked have been reopened and people are managing to go through even though moving with a lot of fear. "I really wish that normalcy should return. If I'm to give a message to anyone out there from Ngie especially from Andek, I'll advise them to come back home." he ended.

Cho Clovis, Andek-Ngie Inhabitant

As testified by all those  interviewed, the normalcy now reigning is very much cherished and they wished it remains as such forever. The Meta Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon recently joined the rest of her Christians nationwide to commemorate the 61st edition of the P.C.C's independence from the Basel Mission in Switzerland. Two weeks after, the Christian Women Fellowship of the Presbytery met on the school field of the Presbyterian Teacher's Training College Mbengwi for its 2018 annual rally. The massive turnout at these two religious eventd was clearly indicative of the fact that the population is once more feeling comfortable with life at home.

P.C.C Women Rally at Mile 19

Mbengwi Council Holds 2019 Budgetary Session

Mbengwi Council Holds 2019 Budgetary Session

Close to 10 councillors out of 25 were absent from the session, some without sending a proxy. It is assumed these are those with no intentions of renewing their mandate come 2019. Thus, they took insecurity as an excuse for absenting.  The 2019 Budgetary Account Session of the Mbengwi Council was held last Friday November 9 2018 in the council hall. The budgetary account is a working document that provides a provisional view of an expected revenue and expenditure management guide.

In her welcome address, Mayor Tebe Beatrice regretted that the current crisis has caused an untoward effect that challenges every aspect of life: social, economic and political not only in Mbengwi but the entire division, region and country. This has grossly affected local input and output. She however remained optimistic that as nothing lasts forever, government will soon ensure an enabling atmosphere.

L-R: Fouda Nicaise (D.O), Absalom Monono (S.D.O), Tebe Beatrice (Mayor)

The two days event started on Thursday November 8th with an All Committees Meeting whose deliberations and resolutions were then reported to the proper session that was held the next day. Designated spokespersons of the Health & Education, Natural Resources, Embellishment, Works & Transport, Finance committees each took turns to report on their observations since after the last session. Each report was followed by reactions and comments. The project to purchase a hearse for the council mortuary and open a council radio station came under strong scrutinisation. The S.D.O, Absalom Monono kicked against them on basis that Mbengwi is already having several business persons dealing in funeral services and that there's already a privately owned radio station within the municipality added to the multiple ones in Bamenda town and beyond whose waves are well received in Mbengwi.   He encouraged the council to involve its budget in fixed investments for income generation like opening up more markets, real estate business and not perishable investments like buying of cars that will rather demand more money to run and maintain. To Monono, when investing in a project, focus should first be on the social importance before the anticipated economic gains.

He frowned at civil servants taking advantage of the crisis not to work on false basis of insecurity, contrary to business persons who know that if they don't open their shops, they won't eat. He regretted why a whole divisional headquarters like Mbengwi, one of the oldest in the entire nation and the closest to Bamenda, the regional headquarters will not have a single Nigerian or Bamileke business magnet in the Mbon main market. He said it point blank that the Meta people don't have an open door policy. That they prefer to confiscate all the sheds in the Mbon main market and use them as parking stores rather than allow "foreigners" to come in and own the sheds. This, contrary to other areas like Ndop where the Bamilekes are the ones that have championed the economic and infrastructural development of the area.

Councillors & Service Heads in Session

On the issue of Tad market that stopped functioning with the escalation of the current crisis, the S.D.O, D.O, Mayor and Councillors were all unanimous in deciding to reawaken the Meta people's historical Tad market in Nyen village. Other mushroom markets were already sprouting up around Mile 19, Njindom, Mile 18 and other areas because of the collapse of Tad market. To match words with action, on the 12th of November 2018, the Divisional Officer for Mbengwi, Fouda Etaba Bernoit Nicaise signed a communiqué compelling all vendors and buyers to immediately stop the mushroom markets and return to the original Tad market site in Nyen village. It should be recalled that business persons abandoned the market more than six months back after government troops engaged separatist fighters there in fierce battles that resulted to killings and burnings.

The icing on the cake of the recently held Mbengwi Council budgetary account session was the presentation of a Nation Builder's Award to Mayor Tebe Beatrice by NewsWatch newspaper as Cameroon's Best Female Mayor for instilling transparency in council management and championing development in the Mbengwi municipality. Reacting to the distinctive recognition,  Mayor Tebe Beatrice née Mbamuku Nduku said "An award of this nature is something that goes to motivate. It is the collaboration that we have as councillors that has pushed Mbengwi Council into the limelight. I thank them so much." With every sign of joy and happiness in her heart, she added that "Hopefully as Mbengwi Council is being known from place to place, our needs will be met and we shall grab the fruits of our labour."

Mayor Tebe Beatrice Awarded Best Female Mayor in Cameroon

Before the S.D.O closed the session, councillors empowered the mayor to formerly recruit a Public Relations Officer, Library Attendant and Night Watch Man, transform biodegradable waste into manure, travel to seek for more partnership and funding whenever requested by the state.

While closing the session after successful deliberations, the S.D.O for Momo Division, Absalom Monono Woloa booed at councillors and workers that had taken residence out of Mbengwi even when the atmosphere is calm thus making them (administrators) feel abandoned and lonely. Hear him,  "We cannot continue to give the impression to the rest of the country and the world that Momo Division in general and Mbengwi in particular is the worst place to live in by continuing to be roving ambassadors of our municipality." He however attracted a thunderous round of applause from the councillors when he told the returnees "Welcome back and know that your presence is going to give us hope and equally to your population." Monono proceeded to congratulate the council executives and councillors for being the first within the division to hold a budgetary session for 2019 within the prescribed time as provided for by Law No. 2004/017 of 22nd July 2004.

L: Gwain Willibroad (Municipal Treasurer) & R: Ndokonyi Musa (Council S.G)

As supervisory authority of the council, Monono called on the council executives, councillors and council workers to engage and join the administration in the campaign of calling all inhabitants that had left the municipality to return home  and to encourage the effective functioning of businesses and resumption of schools. "We should rise above fear and put on the determination to serve our people whose only wish is to have a better life" he told the councillors.

The Mbengwi Council budget for the year 2019 is balanced in income and expenditure at the sum of 699, 274, 465 (Six hundred and ninety nine million, two hundred and seventy four thousand, four jundred and sixty five) FCFA.

P.S.S Nkwen Abductions; Fru Ndi Tasks N.W Governor & MINAT Boss to Expose the Hidden Truth Behind the Drama

P.S.S Nkwen Abductions; Fru Ndi Tasks N.W Governor & MINAT Boss to Expose the Hidden Truth Behind the Drama
(Dedicated to Mimi Mefo, Equinox TV Journalist Detained at New Bell Prison, Douala)

Ni John Fru Ndi, National Chairman of the Social Democratic Front, S.D.F, the main opposition party in Cameroon was speaking to the press last Wednesday November 7th 2018 during an event organised by the North West Regional Governor, Lele Lafrique Tchoffo Deben Adolphe to officially present the abducted students of Presbyterian Secondary School, Nkwen after they were rescued from the hands of their kidnappers by the military, according to government sources. At the end of the brief session that took place at the Regional Delegation of Secondary Education, Up Station Bamenda, Fru Ndi tasked the regional governor and the Minister of Territorial Administration, Atanga Nji Paul to speak the truth, at least for once. To him, there's a double game being played somewhere by someone unknown individuals. "Who is trying to deceive who? What are we hiding? Let the truth come out. Let the governor and his authorities here tell us what is happening. Let the Minister of Territorial Administration tell the North Westerners what is happening" Fru Ndi vomited.

Ni John Fru Ndi, S.D.F National Chairman

He went ahead to say "they" already killed a lecturer and am American missionary in Bambili. To him, Bamenda was becoming the centre of education and now "they" want to destroy it. "All the problems we are facing now started because the educational authorities said there was something wrong with the educational system and for the problems to be resolved 'they' are currently destroying everything that is of education in the North West" Fru Ndi added. Without any fear or favour, he continued by saying "The North West is being destroyed by the government not by Ambazonians"

78 of the 82 abducted students and staff members of the school were freed three days after the incidence took place. According to Mr. Affuh Stephen, National President of the Presbyterian Educational Authority Teacher's Trade Union, PEATTU, they were released by their captors and taken to Presbyterian Church  Nsem in Bafut where they were abandoned and later rescued by the military. "As a trade union leader, I am consoled that these innocent children have been released but my heart bleeds because my colleagues (teachers) are yet to be released. We don't know their fate as of now" he articulated.

Affuh Stephen, PEATTU National President

From their very dirty appearance, it was obvious the students went through hardship. Almost all were in night wears indicative that there were woken up from sleep and forcefully taken to the unknown area. "Honestly speaking, I am really devastated and feeling very sorry when I look at the appearance of these children given that they were taken away from school early Sunday morning breaking Monday under very appalling conditions" Affuh Stephen lamented. Circumstances surrounding their successful abduction from Nkwen to Bafut at night, a time expected to be under the full control of the military is still setting tongues wagging. Ni John Fru Ndi wondered how a whole bus will drive into a school and carry over 80 humans and the curfew does not get them meanwhile about three weeks ago, his driver was shot at by the police on his left ankle at about 6:15pm because he was found on the streets after 6pm. The PEATTU National President had a better insight into what really transpired. He recounted that from his findings, the abductors tried to take away the abductees in a vehicle that got broken. Finally the children were driven as a herd of cattle to where they were kept, he revealed.

After seeing her lost but found kid, one of the joyous parents recounted how upon getting the sad news, she went straight into reading Psalms 23 which assured her that although her daughter will walk through the valley of death, she shall fear no evil because the staff of God will comfort her. She understood life is full of hurdles and so cultivated hope and trust in God because He has never failed and will never.

Happy Parent Whose Daughter Was Released

The S.D.F National Chairman will later move into comparing the past and present. He recalled how Kamto declared himself winner of the just ended presidential election and ended up being arrested only to be released the next day but when he, Fru Ndi won the elections in 1992, he was held under house arrest for three months and mayhem rained on the Bamenda people. "I am an Anglophone and the Anglophone problem hurts me right in the heart because I am not being given my due rights in this country" he yelled.

N.W governor, Adolph Lele Lafrique addressing the media persons said of the 82 abducted, four persons are still missing (two students and two staff members) but all is being done to get them back. He also announced the release of the D.O of Noni that was abducted days back even before the Nkwen incidence. He went further to ask the population to rally behind the head of state so that together, normalcy can be brought back to the region provided all those wrongly involved in the fight against the state surrender. This to Fru Ndi was baseless because no guarantee was given for their safety. He wondered aloud why President Paul Biya is able to negotiate with Boko Harams who aren't even Cameroonians but can't appease his own hurt citizens. The governor ended by promising that, in his words, "While waiting for the situation to come back to long lasting normalcy, the curfew will soon be lifted provided we all join hands together with our security services, traditional rulers and administrative authorities to help the situation"

As to the way forward, Mr. Affuh Stephen thinks the educational system shouldn't be held hostage in this situation. "Schools, churches and hospitals are no go zones in times of crisis like this" he cautioned. He ended by making reference to a recently released communiqué from the moderator's office indicating that the P.C.C will be forced to suspend its schools because of insecurity. In the communiqué, the moderator called on both separatist fighters and the government to provide adequate security so that schools can go on without which the only option will be to shut them down.

At press time, P.S.S Nkwen has been temporarily shut down. After hard negotiations, parents have been permitted to take their kids back home and wait till further notice.

To Perform at Funerals, Dance Groups Now Managing "Matango" in the Absence of Beer

To Perform at Funerals, Dance Groups Now Managing "Matango" in the Absence of Beer

As the current anglophone crisis continue to escalate, more and more facets of the society are increasingly being negatively affected. Insecurity coupled with the dusk to dawn curfew imposed by the North West Regional Governor has drastically reduced the celebration part of funerals. Nowadays, there's often no time to carry out all the funeral rights that were performed in the past when normalcy reigned.

According to Mr. Ndakwa James, a custodian of the Meta culture, in the the past, deaths in Meta were celebrated for about three days or one week but today because of the crisis, celebrations no longer take up to a day. "Now we burry some of the people these days, we don't even celebrate because of fear and insecurity." he said.

Masquerades Dancing

Many of the funeral rites have now been either modified or abandoned. As a result of the crisis, many persons including family heads and successors have died and been buried in far off areas and foreign lands due to no means of transporting their mortal remains to where their navels were planted. Unfortunate ones have died in the bushes and their corpses fed on by birds and animals. Can a spell befall a family because its member wasn't given a befitting burial? A question I posed to Mr. Ndakwa James. "We cannot say there'll be any effects because we haven't seen and buried the corpse. Unless you bury some body before all those traditional rites can be performed." He responded. He added that it was believed in those days something terrible will happen because burials were done according to ancestral lineage. But today since the corpses killed by any means are not seen or brought back to the family compound, there'll be no effects because they've not been buried the normal way during which such rites would've been performed.

It is now common these days to see mourners at funerals dispersing immediately after burial especially those from afar. The interest in food and drinks has reduced. Priority is now given to safety. No one dares to bare the risk of not being home before 6pm. A lot has changed culturally. Traditional dance groups that used to demand crates of beer before performing at funerals are now adapting to changing times. In the absence of the crocodile, they have no choice than to manage the lizard. Le Brasseries du Cameroun drinks have been banned by separatist fighters in the two English speaking regions.

Children Who Should be Going to School Now Dancing at Funerals

Mr. Ngu Emmanuel Meneme is of the Sang Mukonge Dance Group. To him, since beers like Export, Mutzïg (without any publicity) etc are no longer in circulation, their new condition is that the bereaved reserves palm wine otherwise known as "Matango", " Mbuh", "Fuchuh" for their dance group as one of the conditions to perform.

Interestingly though pathetic, children who should be going to school are now forming their own dance groups to perform at funerals so as to entertain the crowd, make some money and learn their culture. Not only did the separatist fighters prohibit the selling and consumption of Brasseries drinks which they now classify as contraband goods, they also prohibited the functioning of schools.

Young "Juju" Dance

The decision of closing down schools for over two years now  has been highly condemned both nationally and internationally. The government of Cameroon has been fighting hard to see into it that schools effectively resume all over the two restive English speaking regions yet, little successes has since been recorded only in the urban towns. In the rural areas, school campuses are now hunting grounds. Teachers have diverted to other sources of livelihood while pupils and students are increasingly getting duller as days go by. Only few fortunate ones are able to relocate to areas where classes are effectively on going.

Anglophone War; Can Peace Return Via Football?

Anglophone War; Can Peace Return Via Football?

Gunshots, cries of the bereaved, panic, internal displacement and psychological trauma are what have characterised the atmosphere in Anglophone Cameroon for the past two years and still counting. Public gatherings are now dreaded because  where two or three are gathered, there is often fear of an imminent attack either by government forces or separatist fighters. Such are often unfounded because almost all gatherings end well as they started.

In the midst of these challenges, youths in Mbengwi Central Sub Division have decided to shun fear and go about their normal life unperturbed while respecting the law. One of the best ways to relief youths from the stress of  the fear of the unknown is to unite and engage them in what they like doing most. Because football is a unifying game, it was for this reason that Mile 17 F.C and Mbengwi Veterans  met on the G.S Chigwiri football field for a friendly encounter last Saturday October 3rd  2018. Though intended to be an amicable match, the game ended up producing lots of fireworks.

Seta Beats of Mbengwi Veteran 

Seta Withgodep Viertz artistically known as Seta Beats is a player for Mbengwi Veterans. To him, peace can be sought for through football. "Sports has no boundary. It's a medium to unite youths especially and bring peace, love and promote young talents among us" he said.

To Mundi Hope of Mile 17 F.C, it wasn't an easy encounter especially as it was more of beginners meeting old brooms in the game but they proved their worth. He said "Though they are older than us, experienced and professional in the way they played, we tried our best too because we are a young team. I tried to put my boys together so we can become stronger. It wasn't that easy but hopefully next time we will do better." Asked if there was any special message he was sending across through football with the current crisis, he said "Yes, for sure because it's a game of love, it's a game that brings people together which means that if football is given a place, then love can lead and obviously, they'll be peace."

Player for Mile 17 F.C in a Spectacular Hard Trick

At the blast of the final whistle by the central referee, the score line situation stood at 4 goals on  either sides giving a total of 8 goals scored during the encounter.