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Cameroon Chiefs Create Militias for Protection from Separatists

Moki Edwin Kindzeka

   YAOUNDÃ - Traditional village chiefs in Cameroon's restive western
   regions are for the first time creating armed militias for protection
   against separatists. Cameroon's government has been asking traditional
   rulers who fled the separatist conflict to return to their palaces and
   take part in December's regional elections. But a majority of the
   chiefs has been reluctant to return due to threats from the rebels.

   The Nso people of Cameroon's Northwest region shout and applaud in the
   town of Kumbo. They came out to listen to a plea from their elders and
   palace notables to give a memorable welcome to their traditional
   leader, Sehm Mbinglo, whenever he returns.

   Mbinglo fled the area three years ago after separatists abducted him
   three times and killed two of his children for unknown reasons.

   Among the nearly 1,000 people who came to listen to the notables was
   Dorothy Yekong, who said she is longing to see her Fon, or traditional
   ruler.

   "When the peace makers said the Fon will be coming back, we just felt
   some peace in Kumbo because when we were there without the Fon it was
   just as if to say the child is there surrounded by lions. So, if he
   finally comes, we are sure that peace will return in Kumbo. He is the
   father of everybody in Kumbo," she said.

   Yekong said she was pleading with separatists fighting to create an
   English-speaking state in Cameroon not to attack palaces and notables
   who are only there to promote African cultures and traditions.

   But shortly after the Nso elders and notable made the plea on people to
   welcome their village chiefs, separatist groups on social media warned
   against the chiefs returning.

   Donatus Kewa, who said he is a spokesperson for separatist fighters in
   the North West region, says the chiefs act as informants for the
   military.

   He said the village chiefs and their notables who escaped from the
   English-speaking regions to the French-speaking zones, especially
   Cameroon's capital, Yaounde, will be killed if they return. He saidthe
   chiefs received help in escaping from the Cameroon military, which he
   saidis an enemy that all English speakers should fight against.

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