SW Chiefs Conference:

Nfon Mukete

Crown of thorns for Nfon V.E. Mukete
By Balemba Maquens in Kumba
The paramount chief of the Bafaws, Senator Nfon Victor Esseminsongo Mukete has succeeded the departed Fon Fontem Njifua as the president of the South West Chiefs Conference, SWECC. The 96-year-old patriarch inherited the stool at the last General Assembly of the South West Chiefs Conference in Kumba on 30 May.
    Nfon Mukete inherits a divided house: He would have the task of convincing Fako chiefs who felt slighted when Fon Fontem Njifua hijacked the centre stage at the recent reunification celebrations in Buea, giving the “host chiefs?” little room to dialogue with President Biya, who doubles as “Nalyombo-nfon-mbwog” of the South West region. Other grievances of the Fako chiefs included what they considered as the opacity that characterized the sharing of the ‘envelope’ from the Head of state to the South West Chiefs, as well as the envelope from the first lady Chantal Biya to the wives of the chiefs. The Fako chiefs expressed their discontent by breaking off from the SWECC.

Other issues to be tackled by the new SWECC president include the non-completion of the headquarters of the South West Chiefs Conference, whose foundation stone was laid since five years ago. Many South West chiefs have wondered aloud why the edifice was abandoned despite enormous support from donors.
    Nfon Mukete got the unanimous nod from Meme chiefs whose turn it was to provide a president for the two-year rotatory mandate of the South West chiefs’ conference.
    Besides being a traditional ruler and senator, Nfon V. E. Mukete is the chairperson of the Board of Directors of CAMTEL and the CEO of the Mukete Plantations.