Commemorating Southern Cameroon’s Independence:

SDO decrees curfew in Kumba to pre-empt SCNC agitation 

By Johnson Batuo in Kumba

SDO for Meme Division, Koulbout Aman David

Kumba the headquarters of Meme division is under siege following the order by the Meme administration on Thursday 29 September 2016 banning night movements by pedestrians, township taxis and commercial motorcycles etc.

                The SDO’s order implemented by the various sub-divisional officers, The Median gathered states that beginning Friday 30th September to 4th October no person should be found moving on the streets or travelling after 9pm.  The same order also bars townships taxis and commercial motorcycles (Okadas) from operating during this same period.

                The SDO’s order did not give any explanation for the night time curfew.  But The Median learned that the curfew is aimed to pre-empt the Southern Cameroons National Council SCNC activists from “fomenting trouble” or hoisting the Southern Cameroons flag.

                SCNC activists are known to always hoist the Southern Cameroons flag every 1 October, to commemorate the independence of the former British Southern Cameroons.  The SDO’s order The Median further learned came after due consultation with his security collaborators and is also aimed at foiling any attempt by terrorist groups invading Kumba under the guise of SCNC.

                Meantime ahead of 1 October, the government has dispatched thousands of extra troops to Kumba to ensure SCNC activists don’t gather anywhere or hoist the Southern Cameroons flag.  Kumba is the heartbeat of SCNC activities in the South West region. 

                The SCNC operates in small groups which makes it difficult for the government to identify them.  At times they hold their meetings standing in small groups to transmit their message.