The people of Buea, joined by some other indigenes of the South West, yesterday July 31, 2018 took the streets to denounce the abduction and killings of some Bakweri traditional rulers and civilians by unknown gunmen. They expressed with bitterness the murder of Chief Mbanda Njie Williams of Lysoka Village who died in captivity on July 27, 2018.
Marching from the Bongo Square to the South West Governor’s Office, the peaceful activists chanted songs of love in their native language with peace plants in hands while carrying placards with messages addressed to those causing havoc. “The kidnapping and killing of Chief Mbanda is sacrilege to our culture”, “Abducting civilians and asking for ransom is banditry and abuse of human rights”, “No to secession”, “We want peace, Not war” among other soul touching messages.
The peaceful march organised by Ekema Patrick Esunge, Mayor of Buea Council, came on the heels of the release of the seven Bakweri Chiefs that have been held in captivity by unknown armed men since Thursday July 12, 2018. Their release follows a 24 hour ultimatum issued to the abductors during an enlarged Bakweri Conference of Sunday July 29, 2018.
Bernard Okalia Bilai, South West Governor, expressed the State’s condolences to the family of Chief Mbanda and all those who have died in the ongoing crisis. He called on the population to continue dialogue at their various levels so that all those kidnapped anywhere in the South West Region should be released. “If we are not in peace, we cannot negotiate and dialogue. I am inviting all of you to join hands and stop all the disturbances. Avoid provocation and violence. This is because violence against violence creates chaos. Let us beg our brothers who are still in the bushes carrying arms to come back home for peace to reign,” he appealed.
Ekema Patrick Esunge used the forum to inform all economic operators whose shops were sealed by the Buea Council on July 23 and 30, that they should immediately open them and operate. He however cautioned that any business premises that will be found closed on Mondays will receive serious municipal sanctions.
Elsie Ngowo Effange-Mbella, speaking on behalf of the indigenes of Buea and Fako said that the unknown gunmen have created anarchy in the region. She expressed gratitude to all those who prayed for the release of the custodians of tradition. She noted that peaceful coexistence requires the respect of their land, culture and their people. “We wish to underscore the fact that the South West population is seriously alarm and negatively impacted by the continuous threats of the inhabitants by armed group. We call on the State to protect the rights of the populace in the face of continuous threats and harassment.” she said while handing a message to South West Governor meant for the Head of State.
Kunyui NGONMENYUI