Upsurge of Killings in Manyu:

Manyu Chiefs Invoke ‘Juju’ against Amba

 -Say anyone involved in ‘amba’ activities or who supports armed rebels in anyway should repent or be ready to face the wrath of the gods

By Ekumtambe Eku in Mamfe

Eyumojock Chiefs Invoking “Juju” Spirits against separatists

Chiefs of Manyu Division, under the banner of the Manyu Traditional Rulers Association, MATRA, have performed dreaded traditional rites to shield their land and peoples against the obnoxious activities of armed rebels seeking to create a state they call Ambazonia.

                In separate mystical performances in Eyumojock, Tinto (Upper Bayang), Akwaya and Mamfe last week, the ‘chiefs’ swore that harm will follow anyone who engages in secessionist activities, or supports the non-state armed groups who are occasioning killings of the people of Manyu.

                The performance of the cleansing rites in all the four subdivisions that make up Manyu division was immediately informed by the brutal killing of the Mayor of Mamfe, Ashu Pristly Ojong, which was followed days later by the macabre slaughter of a prince of Bakebe village.

                Introducing the invocation ceremony at the Mamfe grandstand on Thursday, 4 June 2020, former mayor of Mamfe, Ayuk Takunchung John, said the rituals would allow for peace and tranquility to return to Manyu. He explained that since God has been slow in answering their call, the last resort was to go the way of their forefathers.

                He said anyone, be it at home or abroad, who engages in separatist activities or supports the separatist fighters in any form would meet death, a predicament that will run through their maternal lineage.

Official Funeral in Mamfe:

Over 5000 Attend Burial of Mayor Priestley Ojong

-Biya, CPDM hail bravery of the slain 35-year old Mayor

By Ekumtambe Eku in Mamfe

Casket of Mayor Ojong Priestley air-lifted to the funeral grounds by policemen

The Mayor of Mamfe, Ojong Priestley Ashu, who was brutally murdered on the 10 of May 2020, on the road to his native village Eshobi, near Mamfe, has been buried in his private residence in Mamfe town.

                Mayor Ashu Priestley was buried after an official funeral ceremony holding at the Mamfe grandstand and presided over by the SDO for Manyu, Joseph Oum II.

                In attendance at the funeral was the Minister of Special Duties at the Presidency, Engineer Victor Mengot Arrey Nkongho, who was bearer of a condolence message from the SG of the CPDM Central Committee, Jean Nkuete.

                Also in attendance was the Vice President of the Senate, Chief Tabetando Ndiep-Nso, all Manyu MPs, Mayors, Councilors, Traditional Chiefs, family members and a stampeding crowd of curious mourners and on-lookers numbering over 5000.

                Presiding at the funeral, the SDO read the condolence message of the head of state, Paul Biya and his wife Chantal Biya. President Biya in the message extolled the bravery of the departed Mayor, noting his exemplary commitment to the ideals of the republic of Cameroon.

                Representing the CPDM Central Committee, the Manyu CPDM leader, Minister Victor Mengot Arrey Nkongho, presented the message of condolence from the CPDM Scribe, Jean NKuete, in which he hailed the unquestionable militancy, commitment and patriotism of Mayor Ashu Priestley. The Minister would later on behalf of the Head of State, elevate Mayor Ashu Priestley Ojong posthumously to the dignity of Knight of the Cameroon Order of Merit. He also placed two wreaths on the casket bearing the deceased Mayor - one from the Head of State and his wife, and the other from the CPDM Scribe, Jean Nkuete.

COVID-19 Menace:

SDO Bans Entry of Corpses into Menchum

-Elites, Locals cry scandal

Menchum SDO, Abdoullahi Aliou

A recent decision by the Senior Divisional Officer for Menchum Division, North West region of Cameroon, banning the burial of any person declared dead out of his area of command in a bit to check the importation of COVID-19 has sent tongues wagging in and out of the Division.

In a release signed on May 29 by Abdoullahi Alliou, SDO for Menchum Division, North West region of Cameroon, it is clearly stated that anyone who died out of the Division, be it of the Coronavirus pandemic or not will not be buried in the Division.

                According to the Administrative official, this decision is to ensure that COVID-19 does not get into the Division through corpses.

Human Parts Trafficking:

Three Persons Arrested with Human Skeleton

Gendarmes display human parts seized from traffickers

Three human parts traffickers were arrested in Foumbot on the 20th of May 2020 during an operation carried out by the Foumbot Gendarmerie brigade. An entire human skeleton with some bits of dried up flesh and hairs were recovered from the traffickers who were just about to sell the human remains.

                The arrest was the result of an investigation into illegal wildlife trafficking in the region. The operation was carried out with the technical assistance of LAGA, a non-governmental organisation specialised in wildlife law enforcement. 

                The suspects were arrested at Njindam neighbourhood in possession of a sack containing the human bones. Most notably among the bones was a female head which still had “cornrow” hairstyle on it. According to sources close to the case, the lady died 6 months ago and her corpse was dug out in a locality located some 35 kilometres from Foumbot, where she was buried.

                The alleged traffickers left Kouoptamo to Foumbot with the human bones to sell and were arrested by gendarmes when they were about carrying out their illegal transaction. They were immediately taken to the gendarmerie brigade of Foumbot.

                The same sources report that the traffickers wanted to sell the human skeleton for 30 million FCFA. Further investigation by the gendarmerie brigade of Foumbot led to the arrest of a woman who was keeping the skeleton. She was arrested on the 23th of May 2020 at Baigom near Foumbot.

Coping with Covid-19:

B’da II Mayor Rallies Elite, Youths in Sports

By Philo Happi in Bamenda

B’da II Mayor rallies elite, youths

The Mayor of the Bamenda II council, Chenwi Peter has launched a three day outdoor sports competition with goal to unite the elite and youth of the municipality for a common development vision and the fight to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the municipality.

                The three day competition is under the theme "Youth and Elite Uniting for a common vision and a fight against COVID-19 within the Municipality under the patronage of the Mayor of Bamenda II".

                Chenwi told reporters shortly after the launch that there's no need carrying on with infrastructural development without uniting inhabitants of the municipality for a common goal.

                "Since we took over office, there has been certain challenges but there is calm now due to media collaboration. The vision of this competition is uniting the Youth and Elite. We cannot go and be constructing schools, building bridges when we cannot focus as one," Chenwi explained.

Buea, Fako Division:

Monde Village Gets New Chief

By Boris Esono in Buea

Chief Kwami Beckley Nangoh, traditional ruler of Monde Village

Chief Kwami Beckley Nangoh, has been coronated as the chief of Monde village in the Muea court area, Buea subdivision.  The coronation exercise which took place recently was carried out by chiefs of the Buea chiefs’ conference.

                “It is not only a great day for me but for the community in that for more than 45 years the community has been without a chief, at least a chief was consulted last year and installed this year. It is a moment of happiness, a moment we will together communion and share good moments together, “HRH Chief Kwami Beckley said.

                According to the Chief Kwami Beckley, together with the community he plans to make the village a great one in seven years to come. 

Hear him: “We all should work hand in hand, as together we can make this community a better one. The community should know that I am out to protect them and protecting them will always be my top priority.”

                “The way forward for the community is social amenities like water, good roads. We all are united because during the consultative talks the families brought me out as one. There is no family dispute so together we will make the community a better place,” He added.

Anglophone Conflict:

Tibor Nagy Urges Y’de to Look Beyond Ngarbuh

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaoundé

US envoy Tibor Peter Nagy and President Paul Biya

United States’ Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs has called on government and separatists fighters in the Northwest and Southwest regions to put an end to the ongoing violence and engage in dialogue as way of finding a lasting solution to the ongoing war.

                Tibor Peter Nagy made the appeal to the belligerent forces on 18 May 2020, on his Twitter account. He urged government to do a follow-up on the investigations on the killings in Ngarbuh and to probe into other situations of mass killings in the troubled regions.

                “Government killing of civilians in Cameroon is inexcusable. I urge follow-through on Ngarbuh investigations and many other incidents of this nature. I also condemn separatist attacks on local officials such as the murder of Mamfe’s Mayor. Stop violence, start talking,” Nagy twitted.

                To recall is the fact that the Ngarbuh incident which the US Diplomat is urging government to follow-through its investigations occurred on the night of February 13 breaking 14, 2020. At least 21 one persons were shot dead by soldiers who were on a reconnaissance mission in the area including women and children and houses set ablaze.