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.