20th May 2019 in Mbengwi: Civil Servants Forced to March Amidst Gunshots to Secure their Salaries

20th May 2019 in Mbengwi: Civil Servants Forced to March Amidst Gunshots to Secure their Salaries

Activities marking the 47th edition of Cameroon’s National Day took place in Mbengwi, Momo Division on Monday 20th May 2019 under the patronage of the Senior Divisional Officer for Momo Division, Monono Absalom Woloa amidst distant sporadic gunshots from separatist fighters in an unsuccessful attempt to mar the day by scaring attendees. The ceremonial grand stand was partially filled by divisional and sub divisional delegates and service heads who had hitherto received serious threats from the divisional administration to chose between compulsorily attending the ceremony and taking part in the march pass or having their salaries suspended while those who had nothing to do with the public service boycotted the event for fear of repercussions, reason why they were empty seats in the tribune.

Civilian March Pass

At exactly 11am, the Senior Divisional Officer for Momo Division made his official entry into the ceremonial grand stand. He was received by the Mayor of the Mbengwi Council, Tebe Beatrice, the Divisional Officer of Mbengwi, Fouda Etaba Nicaise and the Company Commander, Captain Timba Jean Pierre. After the singing of the national anthem, Monono inspected the Guard of Honour and then assumed his seat in the tribune of the ceremonial grand stand. Barely a minute after warming his seat, brief sporadic gunshots that lasted not up to 30 seconds were heard from about ½ a kilometer away from the ceremonial grand stand, this while the troops were being commanded.

Uniform Officers Going to Re-enforce Security at the Surroundings After Gunshots Were Heard Nearby

Upon hearing the shots, the commander paused and looked at hierarchy wondering if he should continue or not. It was from up the hills of Njembeng, a neighborhood located not far away from the ceremonial grand stand that alleged separatist fighters came and fired in the air because they had banned any form of celebration to mark National Day 2019 across the two English speaking regions of Cameroon while government also insisted come rain, come shine, celebrations must take place across all administrative units in the country to prove that all is still in tact.

Ceremonial Grand Stand

Hearing the anticipated distant gunshots since threats had been made for a total boycott of the day, heads turned left and right wondering what will happen next. Immediately, combat ready security elements armed to the teeth hastily left the grand stand and took cover metres away in preparation to face any intruder. Instructions were given for the activities to continue with award of medals. Here, the lone recipient, Mr. Tchengang Theophile, a gendarme officer popularly known in Mbengwi as “Eto” was decorated Knight of the Cameroon National Order of Merit by Monono Absalom Woloa, Momo’s S.D.O in the name of the President of the Republic and by virtue of the powers conferred on him.

Police Officer, Tchengang Theophile Being Decorated with a Medal as Knight of the Cameroon National Order of Merit

According to the documented program, there was to be animation by dance groups, arrival of leaders of legalized political parties, Ardors, Religious Leaders and Business Operators, Arrival of Members of Parliament and the Judiciary Corps and Award of Medals to FENASSCO Laureates. Unfortunately, all of these were fully absent, an indication of the heightened level of the socio-economic and political crisis rocking the two English speaking regions of Cameroon. March pass was done only by the forces of law and order and some eight supposed militants putting on party T-shits and holding umbrellas of the ruling party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) though they couldn’t be identified as known militants of the said party in Mbengwi

L: Monono Absalom Woloa (Momo's S.D.O
R: Fouda Etaba Bernoit Nicaise, Mbengwi's D.O

Part two of the program of the day was later engaged in the Mbengwi Council Hall where a cocktail was offered by the S.D.O and D.O of Mbengwi. Here, despite the much food and drinks on the tables, everything was consumed and the appetite was still high especially as after a very long time, few bottles (small model) of brasseries brands like 33 Export and Castle Beer were seen and gulped once more. A special prayer was offered in which the “Prayer Warrior” told God in her prayer “We will not rest until we see your will be done and that your agenda for this nation shall stand in the name of Jesus” and the crowd shouted Amen. Addressing the various divisional delegates and heads of services together with the various corps of the forces of law and order, the S.D.O of Momo Division who had hitherto been baptized “The Emperor” by one of the delegates paid particular tribute to the forces that have kept the peace and security of Mbengwi. “We want to thank them for the wonderful job they’ve been doing and it is because of that wonderful job that we’ve been able to celebrate today in peace and security” Monono said. Addressing the issue of threatening sporadic gunshots that were heard not far away from the ceremonial grand stand, the S.D.O told his collaborators “You realized the persons who had told you there’ll be no march pass in Mbengwi stood very far up the hills to frighten themselves and not us. That is the courage, determination and knowledge you should have to know that our security forces have secured the town and all those who want to disturb can never come close.”

Winners of the Football Match

It should be recalled that prior to 20th May 2019, a unity football encounter took place on the Mbengwi Municipal stadium involving the Warders and Police versus B.I.Rs and Gendarmes with the former carrying the day and backing home the coveted trophy. This was precisely on Saturday May 17th meanwhile on Sunday May the 19th, a special gala night took place in the C.P.D.M Secretariat, Mbengwi, involving the forces of law and order together with other state functionaries and few members from the public. Both events where witnessed by the administration. In an interview granted this reporter after the match, a Police Inspector by name Kalackbupse said, “Though a very tensed match, I’m very satisfied because we played a fair game’. 20th May 2019 was celebrated nationwide under the theme “Unity in Diversity, a Major Asset to the Cameroon People in their Determined Move towards Emergence.” In Mbengwi, it was fully void of students as had been the case before the advent of the current crisis. Many wish dialogue is immediately engaged to put a final end to the crisis so that the euphoria that characterized the day in the yesteryears could return.