This was one
of the resolutions arrived at in Buea, Monday, April 28, after a
troubleshooting meeting between the leadership of the South West Traditional
Rulers’ Conference (SWECC) and the Fako Chiefs Conference.
Jerry Nkemtaji, Fon of Bechati
village and President of the South West Chiefs Conferenceheaded the SWECC
delegation, while Samuel Epupa Ekum, President of the Fako Chiefs Conference
headed the delegation of Fako Chiefs.
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| Nkemtaji: Acting President of SWECC |
Epupa presented the grievances of
the Fako Chiefs that caused them to withdraw their membership to SWECC. The grievances
included, “the abandonment of the SWECC secretariat project in Buea, lack of solidarity
from SWECC during the University of Buea crisis last year, Fako chiefs sidelined
from greeting the Head of State during the reunification anniversary
celebrations in Buea, no account of the money offered bythe presidential couple and lack of transparency in the
management of food money during the event”, among others.
According to Epupa, the South West Chiefs did not assist them
in their time of need, especially when there were student uprisings in the
University of Buea last year. Epupa regretted that SWECC made no official
statement on the issue.
On February 20 during the fiftieth anniversary celebrations
of Cameroon’s reunification, Fako chiefs were denied the opportunity to shake
hands with the President Biya. They were allegedly referred to as porters and
carriers during the celebrations.
Dr. Atem Ebako, Chief of Talangaye village allayed fears
that the SWECC secretariat project has been abandoned, insisting that Buea is
the natural host of the secretariat. He said at no point had there been a
thought to move the secretariat out of Fako.
After the heated in-camera
meeting, the chiefs resolved that consultation and dialogue should prevail if
ever differences arise among the chiefs. For a more successful South West
Chiefs Conference, they called for the revision of the constitution to include
provision for the management of crisis among other lapses.
Executive members were also
called upon to exercise their functions without the influence of the council of
the wise, composed of chiefs like Senators V.E. Mukete and Tabetando, who had
become all powerful.
Nkemtaji expressed satisfaction
on the resolutions arrived at, promising that they will be handled soonest.
Given that the South West Chiefs
will be meeting on May 30 for their elective general assembly, it is speculated
that some provisions of the constitution will be revised.
Fontem Njifua’s funeral
SWECC President, Senator Lucas
Fontem Njifua, who died last April 2 in Yaoundé, we learnt has been reserved a
7-day funeral from May 8 to May 15.
The Acting SWECC President,
Nkemtaji confirmed that the chiefs are gearing up to give their deceased
president a befitting funeral.
With the general assembly of the
chiefs come May 30 and May 31, in Kumba , a new president will be elected to
run the activities of SWECC, given that the demise of Fontem Njifua came at the
end of his two-year mandate.
The mayor of Mbonge, Chief Ekong
William Sakwe is said to be on pole position ahead of the elections, given that
the next SWECC president must come from Meme.
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