By Soulemanu Buba
The Mayor of Bafut, located in one of the seven Subdivisions that make up Mezam Division of the Northwest Region, has blamed foreigners and people from neighboring areas for the raging insecurity in the Municipality.
Mayor Ngwakongoh Lawrence made the remark during celebrations of the 38th anniversary of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement party, CPDM, in Bamenda on Friday, March 23.
“Bafut sons who were fighting against the government of Cameroon have laid down their weapons and those causing trouble in the name of separatists are boys from neighboring villages,” said the Mayor.
He also called on “traditional rulers keeping separatist fighters in their communities” to send them out so that peace could return to the Municipality.
Though located just few kilometres from Bamenda, Northwest Regional capital, Bafut has remained embattled throughout the six years of armed conflict in the English-speaking Regions.
Separatist groups have continued launching attacks on soldiers and government structures in the Municipality.
Consequently, the Bafut Mayor and other Council staff have been forced to relocate Bamenda, from where they have been running the Municipality for years now.
In Bamenda, the Bafut Council is lodged in the same building as Bamenda I Council, situated at Up Station.
But Bafut is not the only Municipal Council in the Northwest and Southwest Regions that has relocated it services due to armed conflict.
Many other Municipal Councils, including those of Bali, Batibo, Belo and Menji are operating from elsewhere due to insecurity.
All these Municipal Councils are manned by Mayors and Councillors belonging to the CPDM political party, which is considered by separatists as an enemy.
The party’s Chairman Paul Biya has ruled Cameroon for 40 years now and many have blamed the ranging armed conflict on his Government’s policies.
Mimi Mefo Info
This article was published first by MimiMefoInfos.Com
The mayor of the Bafut municipality in Cameroon, Venant Cheng Awash, recently spoke out about the Anglophone crisis and the insecurity in the region. At a press conference, he attributed the current security issues to “foreigners” who he claims are “engaging in criminal activities” in the region.
The mayor of Bafut revealed that, over the past year, the northwest and southwest regions of the country have experienced a dramatic rise in criminal activities — from robberies to kidnappings. He was quick to point the finger at outsiders, who he believes are largely responsible for the insecurity.
Due to the increase in crime, the mayor of Bafut stated that the municipality has put in place measures to help keep residents safe. He elaborated on this, saying that police officers are now carrying out regular security patrols; surveillance cameras have been installed in several areas of the municipality; and the general public has been warned to remain vigilant.
The mayor went on to urge local citizens to come forward with any information they may have regarding suspected criminal activity. He also urged the federal government to take firm action against criminal activity in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon.
The Anglophone regions of Cameroon have been experiencing a great deal of upheaval in recent months due to a variety of grievances, including alleged abuses of power by authorities in the northwest and southwest regions. Though it remains to be seen what impact the mayor of Bafut’s claims will have, it is clear that tensions are high in the region, and security must be a top priority.
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