By Ernest Sumelong
Former Prime Minister, 
Peter Mafany Musonge, at the weekend led a CPDM Central Committee delegation to Buea to mend the fragmented and warring CPDM Fako III Section before the July 22 twin elections.
The Central Committee delegation, which included CPDM Politburo member, Dr. Mrs. Dorothy Njeuma, the Director of Cabinet at the Prime Minister's office, Paul Njie Meoto, Limbe Urban Council Government Delegate, Samuel Lifanda, politician, Gwendoline Burnly and the Paramount Chief of Buea, SML Endeley, among others, gathered the various factions of the party in Fako III at OIC in a reconciliation meeting.
Local party rivals who were further torn apart by the recent reorganisation and primaries, after a challenge by Musonge, embraced, pledged to forget the past and work together so that the party could win in the upcoming elections.
Local militants have described the reconciliation move as a timely measure to salvage a house engulfed by fire.In all, more than four camps had been created in CPDM Fako III after the reorganisation and primaries, and these factions operated in mutual distrust, resentment, backstabbing and witch-hunting.
The stalemate brought untold speculations and fears that most of the vanquished camps would align with the opposition. There was the Mbella Moki camp, Arthur Lysinge camp, Namanga Ngongi camp, Emilia Lifaka and Hannah Etonde Mbua camps.
CPDM Fako III President and incumbent Buea Mayor, Charles Mbella Moki, said the reconciliation was emotional and warm. According to him, Musonge brought a message of peace, reconciliation and togetherness for the elites of Fako III.
"The meeting was intended to restore order, peace and harmony within the ranks of the party after tearing ourselves apart at the just ended reorganisation and primaries. We know what position Buea has in the history of the CPDM and no right-thinking CPDM militant, as far as I know them, can cast their votes anywhere else," Mbella said.
According to him, he believed the reconciliation was genuine and they were unanimous to keep personal interests aside and work for the interest and victory of the party come July 22.
The CPDM Fako III President, Emmanuel Mbome Motomby, who also attended the reconciliation meeting, told The Post that the meeting was quite necessary and important for them to forget about the past.
"The role the former PM and the Paramount Chief played was very important.The Paramount Chief implored the spirits of the ancestors and beseeched us to be united... We have resolved to work together for the party. I am not sure anybody would want to work against that reconciliation," Motomby said.
On his part, Arthur Lysinge, another CPDM Fako III elite, at the reconciliation, described the role the former PM played as "statesmanly". "Seeing the calibre of people who had come to talk to us, we had no choice but to bow in reverence because we have no reason to continue fighting. The reconciliation was genuine and we are now resolved to work together for the party," Lysinge said.
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