Bamenda, Camroon: North West House of Chiefs called on the country to condemn the tragic killing of 10 people at Nacho junction on July 16, 2023. Accordingly, the chiefs urged for a peaceful protest in Bamenda. However, many traditional rulers of the state greeted the call for peaceful protest with a significant boycott.
Many of the chiefs did not take the opportunity to honor the call. According to the sources, only three heads answered the call. The list of these heads of states include:
- Fon Yakum Kevin of Bambalang. (He also serves as the President of the North West House of Chiefs)
- The Secretary of the Fon Yakum Kevin of Bambalang
- Fon Bambi,
- Fon Azehfor III of Nkwen
The Bamenda Commercial Avenue Grandstand served as the gathering point for the peaceful protest. Further, The reasons behind the Fons’ decision to turn down their President’s protest call remain unclear.
Further, the protest call gained widespread attention after the announcement document went viral. Many people in the country have also criticized the involvement of traditional rulers in the march. Some people also went on to state that they would lose respect for their Fons if they see these rulers seen marching on the streets.
Fon Yakum Kevin, the President of the North West House of Chiefs, explained that the march aimed to stand in solidarity with the grieving families who lost their loved ones in the tragic Nacho Junction Massacre. The massacre took place the previous week and led to the deaths of several people. The gruesome incident led to the deaths of several people. In the aftermath of the incident, several families were grieving and
However, most residents of Bamenda have expressed their discontent with the protest call. They are branding it as an unnecessary pursuit of political relevance in a volatile situation. A concerned resident commented, “I can not believe that our traditional rulers have become toys in the hands of politicians. Calling Fons to march on the street is sacrilegious.”
