A Day to Remember: May 25, 2023
As the sun set on the bustling city of Sangmelima, the capital of Cameroon’s South Region, it marked a dark day in the annals of our history. The city, usually humming with the sounds of daily life, was plagued by the harsh cacophony of conflict. We witnessed an unthinkable act of tribal instrumentalization led by political elites from the South Region that set brother against brother and fractured our unity.
An Act of Divisiveness
Suddenly, the Bulu tribe, instigated by unseen hands, began a campaign of hostility against their Bamileke, Bamoun and Anglophone brothers. “Why?” we asked ourselves, shocked and appalled. It’s an incident that has left a deep scar, reminding us that we must stand united against any form of manipulation that tears at the fabric of our collective identity.
The Unseen Hand of Manipulation
Christian Bomo Ntimbane, a Paris-based international lawyer and a beacon of truth in these troubled times, is spearheading the campaign to unveil the true culprits. According to him, this isn’t a simple case of tribalism, but a deliberate maneuver by political elites. He boldly states, “Émeutes de Sangmelima: Message aux élites, pontes du régime” – ‘The Sangmelima riots: A message to the elites, the bigwigs of the regime’. The question that resounds in our minds is, “Who stands to gain from this chaos?”
The Political Power Play
Our investigation unveils a sinister game of chess, played in the hallowed halls of power, that is being orchestrated by political elites. This isn’t about tribalism. The youth, our future, are being used as pawns in a game of political one-upmanship. The Dja and Lobo department, particularly the district of Sangmelima, finds itself in the grip of unscrupulous political actors. Will we sit back and allow these puppeteers to control our destiny?
An Economic Wound
Sangmelima, once a thriving city, now faces one of the highest unemployment rates in Cameroon. The life of a majority of non-schooled youths in the city is a tale of joblessness and hopelessness. Beyond the handful of shops, largely owned by people from other regions, there is a conspicuous absence of businesses. So, when the chaos began, it provided an opportunity for these disenfranchised youths to pillage – an act of desperation borne out of their abject living conditions.
The Rumor Mill
A curious story was spun, a story of a young Bamoun man purportedly causing a death through mystical means. This became the rallying cry for the instigators to spread mayhem and topple one of the rival political factions. This pretext for inciting violence is as outrageous as it is despicable. Can we let these deceptive narratives breed division among us?
Unity in Diversity
It’s crucial to remember that there is no inherent animosity among the Bamoun, Bamileke, northerners, or the anglophones in Sangmelima. We’ve coexisted peacefully for decades, sharing our lives, our joys, and our sorrows. We must refuse to let external influences disrupt this harmony. Our strength lies in our unity.
A Cry for Justice
As responsible citizens, we cannot stand by while our brethren suffer injustice. Victims of these atrocities are urged to reach out to Christian Ntimbane Bomo and the Civil Society of RECONCILIATORS for legal recourse. Cameroon is, by design, a republic and
a state of law. No individual has the right to infringe upon the rights and properties of others, irrespective of the circumstances. It’s our responsibility to uphold this principle.
The Path to Reconciliation
Our focus now should be on reconciliation and healing. We must not let these incidents divide us but rather use them as stepping stones to forge a stronger, more resilient society. Let’s turn our collective outrage into collective action.
The Call to Action
This is a wake-up call for all Cameroonians. It’s time for us to join hands and demand accountability from our government. We need job creation, economic stability, and transparency from our leaders. It’s high time they stop playing with the lives of our youth for political gains.
In the face of this crisis, we are reminded of our common humanity and our shared aspirations for peace, unity, and prosperity. Let us not allow the actions of a few to dictate our collective destiny. Together, we can overcome, and together, we will rebuild a stronger Cameroon.
Our fight is not against each other; our fight is against the manipulations and machinations of those who seek to divide us. We must remain resolute in our pursuit of justice, truth, and reconciliation. The struggle is real, but together, we are stronger. Together, we will prevail.
