North West Region,Bangolan Crisis: Villagers Fleeing to Avoid Harassment

Calm is yet to return in Bangolan,Ngoketunjia Division following the on-going chieftancy crisis that started 4 months ago.Our reporter Brenda Kiven visited the community and says the revolt against Chafah XI is affected the peoples' activities and there is no sign of calm in the air.

According to some villagers the Chieftaincy crisis erupted when Fon Chafah XI became born-again Christian and defiled the customs and traditions of his people. The people of Bangolan revolted and got a new ruler, Salim Mapebe who until death on Tuesday 15, June, 2016, had not been recognized by the Cameroonian Administration. Following disagreements by the two factions, protests were staged in Bangolan that led to the deployment of troops to the village to maintain peace. Mr Diloung Adamou Idriss, a villager told Hot Cocoa: "This (Chafah XI ) was our Fon. He was made Fon in 1982. He began misbehaving and was called to order but he neglected our call. All the sacred places in the palace, he destroyed it. He was replaced on the 17th of February by his step-brother, Salim".

The outbreak of violence between the supporters of Fon Chafah XI and those of his step-brother Salim Mapebe led to the arrest and detention of many villagers for over 4 months. Salim Mapebe and his supporters mostly suffered the brunt of the crisis. One week after his release, Salim Mapebe collapsed and died in Foumban Tuesday 15, June, 2016 – a neighboring community.

The death of Salim Mapebe has increased tension in Bangolan with more forces of law and order deployed to prevent the crisis escalating. More than 11 houses have been burnt down and crops destroyed by supporters of both parties. Although some people have blamed the crisis on politics, Mendueh Frederick says he was the sub-section president of CPDM in Mbisang – a quarter in the villager - but was arrested and detained. "My motorcycle, other goods on it and phone, were taken away from me. I haven't seen them. I am done with the CPDM! After spending 4 months in detention without any reasonable cause and loosing property, I am done”

“Salim is our Fon. We will bring his remains here and bury him at the palace. He will be replaced by his son. Neither Fon Chafah or the administration can stop us", Mendueh concluded. Other villagers like Mendueh Frederick have vowed that they will ensure that the Salim Mapebe is given a royal burial and that his remains be kept where past Fons have been kept.

The ongoing crisis has sent many women and children seek refuge in neighboring villages in Ngoketunjia and Bui Divisions. Farms and businesses have been abandoned due to the presence of armed soldiers who have been accused of molesting and intimidating villagers. Radio Hot Cocoa spoke to a lady under anonymity on how the crisis has affected her. "It affects us a lot. I am a seamstress but it has been long since I haven’t opened my shop.

We are harassed everywhere. Also, this is the period we have to nurse rice seedlings but we have not been able to do so. Our rice farms have been abandoned. We don’t even sleep in our houses because we are afraid it can be burnt down at night .Our children are with relatives in neighboring villages. Our cry is for the government to look into the crisis and let things go back to how they were".
A majority of Kingmakers, Hot Cocoa was informed, are in Foumban where the body of Salim Mapebe is being held for autopsy. Villagers who support him say plans are underway for him to be buried after the feast of the Ram. Fon Chafah is currently in Yaounde.