2023 National Day Celebration in Mbengwi Records Improvement in Turn Out

Singing of the National Anthem

Compared to previous years since the advent of the Anglophone Crisis, the 2023 edition of Cameroon's National Day celebration in Mbengwi subdivision, capital of Momo division in the North West Region recorded an improvement in turn out and activities. The ceremonial grand stand was full of mostly but not only civil servants, the administration, some traditional and religious authorities, some pupils and students and a few commoners. For the first time since 2016, two extra canopies were mounted to contain all that showed for for the celebration.

When the Senior Divisional Officer (S.D.O) of Momo division, Fouda Etaba Bernoit Nicaise arrived the ceremonial grand stand led by horses, he was received by the mayor of the Mbengwi Council, Ndangsa Kennedy Akam and the new Divisional Officer of Mbengwi, Ngidah Lawrence Che who was making his first official public appearance since being installed into office on Wednesday May 10 2023, a day he officially took over command from his predecessor, Sakwe Jarvis Esapa that had been transferred to Njimon subdivision, Noun division, West region in same capacity.

Fouda Etaba Bernoit Nicaise, Senior Divisional Officer, Momo

Military March Pass

Fouda will later review the troops after the singing of the national anthem before then occupying his seat in the tribune. Considering that there were no speeches, the main activity of the day, march pass was immediately engaged beginning with the military followed by civilians. Some pupils and students together with teachers and other service heads partook in the march pass that was closed by the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (C.P.D.M) the lone political party that answered present with some militants. 

Councillor Doreen Fonjong is the president of the women's wing of the C.P.D.M for Momo 1 Section, East Constituency. Speaking to Mbengwi Online at the end of the event, she said, "The party is still waxing strong in Mbengwi reason you saw see me in my fabric and we came out in our numbers as the only political party and marched." In addressing other militants still scared and sceptical about showcasing their militancy with the party, the women's wing president doubling as first deputy mayor of the Mbengwi Council said "From what's happened today, I'm convinced others will shun fear and follow suit and I'm sure that during such subsequent occasions, the C.P.D.M will make its presence felt in grand style" 

Councillor Doreen Fonjong, 1st Deputy Mayor, Mbengwi Council, President, W.C.P.D.M Momo 1 Section 

Population in the Grand Stand

The march pass was followed by a spectacular horse display led by the second deputy mayor of the Mbengwi Council, Amadu Kadiri. At the close of activities marking the 51st edition of the National Day in Cameroon that was held under the theme "Defence Forces and Cameroonian People, in Harmony to Safeguard Peace and National Unity, Bedrock of a Strong and Prosperous Cameroon", the Senior Divisional Officer of Momo Division who presided over the celebration in Mbengwi in  evaluating the success of the day told the press "the ceremony was marvelous with good attendance, good citizens that joint our forces of law and order to celebrate this day." He then proceeded to give a clarion call to the Momo people in general to join the train of peace, return of social cohesion and  development.

Later on within the day, a special reception was offered in the Mbengwi Council hall by the administration during which it was realised attendance here tripled that of those who were present on the grandstand for march pass. Interestingly, despite the number, everyone had a fill of their stomach as the day ended with merriment at various corners. 

Ndangsa Kennedy Akam, Mayor, Mbengwi Council

Mayor, Mbengwi Council Leading the Civilian March Pass

Unfortunately, despite the success story of the 2023 edition of the national day celebration in Mbengwi that took place on Saturday 20th May 2023, the streets of the municipality remained deserted and business activities grounded as inhabitants stayed home in respect of a ghost town operation purported to have been called for by "secessionists" as the government terms them, a strategy that's been implored since 2017 to counter such celebrations yet at the end of the day, they always go on  across all divisions and subdivisions in the two conflict hit English speaking regions of Cameroon usually amidst tight security. 

The day before, that is the 19th, at least 25 randomly selected shops in Mile 18 and Mile 19 were sealed for reasons we don't know. Eye witnesses told us the shops were sealed by the new D.O, accompanied by the mayor of the municipality, a move many have been castigating that it's counter productive to the living in harmony and peaceful coexistence being preached by these officials especially at a time when the municipality has been speedily regaining normal life but for such ghost town days that are always highly respected.

One of the Over 25 Shops in the Municipality Sealed by the Council 

Some Sealed Shops in Mile 19

The mayor of the municipality has however been trying to calm down rising tempers considering that the victims seem to be looking up more to him to redress the situation. In an unofficial statement he made on a WhatsApp chat group, Ndangsa Kennedy said "My dear people that I represent, let's be calm and join efforts to combat impromptu ghost towns. They are ruining our economy. Let's join efforts and make a try to stop it. Again if all of us in Mbengwi avoid watching the channels that brainwash us I think something good will happen....Please kindly be positive so that we redress the situation and forge ahead." 

He will later invite the affected traders to visit the D.Os office on Monday morning, 22nd May and when they did, the D.O wasn't on seat. They were recieved by his assistant who beckoned on them to wait till his boss comes but the traders retreated back home. At press time, the shops are still sealed and there are fears if the situation is not tactfully and quickly contained by unconditionally unsealing the shops, it may degenerate into an unhealthy outcome.