The Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung in the North West region of Cameroon has banned all undeclared public meetings and manifestations in his area of command till further notice ahead of October 1, celebrated as Independence Day of former British Southern Cameroons.
According to a prefectural order signed Tuesday September 28, 2021 by Nkwenti Simon Ndoh, Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung, one of the most hard-hit Divisions by the Anglophone crisis in the North West region, all undeclared public gatherings in that part of the country have been banned from holding till further notice.
The local administrator advances the need to maintain peace and order in his area of command as the reason behind the ban.
In the prefectural order, he says violators of this decision shall be prosecuted in accordance with the legal instruments in force. He has nevertheless charged Divisional Officers and forces of law and order with the implementation of the order in their respective spheres of competences.
This order comes few days ahead of October 1, celebrated as Independence Day of former British Southern Cameroons, which is usually marked by violence in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon since the advent of the Anglophone crisis.
Over in the South West region, precisely in Manyu Division, The Senior Divisional Officer panicked by what may happen has outlined a number of measures to be respected by all to ensure peace and order are maintained in his area of command.
In an announcement sent to the Station Manager of a Mamfe-based radio channel, the SDO says following threats of disturbances of public order by separatist fighters, partisans of the October 1, 2021;
- the circulation of moto cycles, private vehicles and interurban transport vehicles shall be limited from 6pm to 6am;
- The closure of drinking spots and off-licenses from Thursday September 30th to Saturday October 2nd from 6pm to 6am and;
- The prohibition of non-authorized public gatherings by competent Administrative Authorities on Friday October 1, 2021.
The above-mentioned measures according to the Manyu SDO might be lifted by Monday October 4.
Ambazonia fighters who want separation usually exchange gunshots with Government forces on October 1, forcing the population to remain indoors.
The former say they had independence on this day 60 years ago, a widely held view contradicted by renowned University don and historian, Prof Julius Victor Ngoh. According to him, British Southern Cameroons was never an independent State before it joined La Republique du Cameroun. He says Southern Cameroons had independence only upon joining the Republic of Cameroon.
Ariane Foguem
