By Peterkins Manyong
The Menchum administration has come under attack for its alleged poor handling of the farmer/grazier problem, which recently plunged the Division into chaos.
The Aghem Family and Development Association AFADA-USA, and Fons of Menchum argued that if tact had been used, the situation would not have degenerated to a point that troops had to intervene and wreck havoc in the Division.
The protest of AFADA-USA is contained in a four-page document dated July 26, titled "Security Forces Brutalise Villagers in Wum/Cameroon."
The document recounts the invasion of Wum by security forces, which it says took place at 3:00 am on Monday, July 25, "kidnapping several dozens and beating and injuring several more".
The document, on behalf of the sons and daughters of Aghem resident in the USA, requests all people of goodwill the world over to intervene in the plight of the Wum people, an unspecified number of whom are in police custody in Bamenda, "locked up, being beaten, injured, hospitalised or in hiding."
It recalls that the protests in 2003 culminated in the Governor of the Northwest Province setting up a commission, which came up with plans to separate farmland from grazing land. This plan designated ample land for cattle and recommended the removal of all cattle from farmland to the designated area.
Says the document, "The plan was acceptable to all parties and the recommendations were to be implemented by the administration in Wum. One and a half years later, it regrets, these recommendations have not been fully implemented. Some cattle have been moved to the designated area, some still remain in the farmland, still destroying crops."
Because villagers have not been able to plant corn, their staple food crop, famine is ravaging the village, as villagers have no money to buy food, states the document. It gives the impression that Menchum people want graziers to leave.
"There is ample land for both farmers and graziers to co-exist peacefully. All that our mothers have been asking for is that cattle be moved to the designated area and measures taken to prevent further destruction of their crops by cattle."
The document recalls that AFADA-USA wrote to the Governor thanking him for the commission's recommendation, and urging their full and quick implementation for the sake of the people's co-existence. AFADA-USA conveyed the same sentiments in phone conversations with Menchum SDO.
But instead of implementing the recommendations, troops have been sent to arrest and brutalise the Wum population, the document reads. It requests all those who wish to help the Menchum people to contact the Governor of the Northwest Province, find out why villagers are being brutalised and request the implementation of the recommendations separating grazing land from farmland.
Fons Petition Governor
The complaint of AFADA-USA was preceded by a five-page protest letter to the Governor of the Northwest by the Fons of Menchum. The letter is titled "Recipe For Violence, Disorder and Anarchy in Wum Subdivision Perpetrated by the Administration in Place".
In it, the Fons thanked the Governor for the effort he has so far made to resolve the farmer/grazier conflict. They, however, "observe with dismay, the manner in which the Menchum administration is handling the issue."
The letter outlines the history of the conflict noting that the Aghem women have had two prolonged sit-down strike actions since it began.
The Governor formed a commission, which made recommendations that could end it. All that the farmers and graziers want is the implementation of its recommendations, stated the Fons.
Instead of doing so, the SDO, Alexandre Njoya and Emmanuel Kouam, Wum Central DO, seem to derive some sadistic pleasure from confusing the population.
For instance, it notes, on April 18, 2005, the DO wrote a letter to the Fon of Aghem, as well as all Chiefs and Ardos.
Paragraph five of the letter reads, "You shall henceforth be held responsible for the invasion of farmlands by graziers in your respective villages."
A prefectoral letter sent earlier had conveyed a similar message empowering the farmers to catch all stray animals and keep them at the Wum Rural Council.
By these instructions, the administration had transferred to the Chiefs and the population the responsibility of removing the cattle from the farmlands. Consequently, the people divided themselves into groups, caught all cattle found on farmlands and took them to the palaces of the Chiefs responsible.
On April 19, the same DO sent a secret letter to the graziers through Djibrila Masanga (their spokesman) telling them to stay with their cattle on the same spot.
A prefectoral order with three articles arrived; the first article prohibited the impoundment of animals anywhere except the legally competent council compound. Article two prohibited any individuals or groups from trying to replace the Agro-Pastoral Commission and article three threatened severe sanctions for defaulters.
Bullying SDO
The letter of the Aghem Fon is particularly bitter about an event, which occurred on June 15, 2005. On that date representatives of farmers, mainly women, came in obedience to hand a message from the DO.
But to their embarrassment, the SDO threatened opening fire on the farmers' representatives. He later changed his mind when bullets from his gun fell out. He rather decided to push the women away by force and in the process injured one who is still receiving treatment in hospital, stated the letter.
The letter ends with a complaint that the administration in Wum is misusing powers to create confusion and unnecessary tension where initially peace and order reigned. It states that the only solution is to implement the recommendations of the Governor's commission.
The letter is signed by Fon Bahmbi III of Aghem, Chief Bernard Afuhkou of Naikom, Regent Henry Mua of Kesu, Chief Martin Fang of Cheregha, Chief Michael Akwo of Magha, Regent Akwo Bartholomew of Zongefuh, Chief Chrysantus Achuo of Waindo, Chief Simon Anyambong of Wative, Chief Christopher Kedze of Ghidze, Chief Joseph Anang of Zongetegha and Chief Joseph Nchia Ndoh of Wazooh.
By press time The Post learnt that 10 of those arrested in connection with the unrest in Wum had been released.
If the governor's recommendation can not be applied to the letter, I wil suspect that some past and present administrators of Wum are profiting from the ongoing conflict and as such will prefer the situation to remain the same.
Njei Moses Timah
http://www.njeitimah-outlook.com
Posted by: Njei Moses Timah | Monday, 08 August 2005 at 11:19 AM