By Doc Moore
Traditional rulers in Lebialem Division, Southwest Region of Cameroon have reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to revitalizing the local economy, promoting education, and ensuring a peaceful and successful presidential election scheduled for Oct. 12.
The collective commitment was made during an extraordinary session of the Lebialem Fons Conference, presided over by its president, Fon Aloysius Lekelefac Fotabong of Lewoh. The event, held in Menji, brought together all 17 Fons of Lebialem, presidents of various development associations, and was attended by Minister Paul Tasong, a prominent son of the division.
This crucial gathering focused on the social, economic, and political challenges facing the division, which have been severely impacted by years of crisis in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions.
Education was top on the agenda, with the Fons — the custodians of tradition and moral authority — expressing deep concern over learning disruptions caused by the prolonged conflict.
They pledged to take the lead in urging their communities to value education and to work closely with competent authorities and stakeholders to ensure that schools reopen throughout Lebialem.
“We must mobilize all human and material resources to bring our children back to school,” the Fons emphasized. “Education is the foundation of any progressive society, and we cannot afford to lose another generation.”
On the social front, the Fons stressed the urgent need to restore basic social amenities like clean water, health care, electricity, and access roads. They noted that these services are critical to fast-tracking the socio-economic recovery that has stalled for several years due to the ongoing crisis.
The traditional rulers also extended an olive branch to the few remaining armed fighters still hiding in the bushes.
They called on the separatists, many of whom they described as their own sons, to lay down their arms and take advantage of the government’s Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) program in Buea.
While acknowledging that armed resistance has drastically reduced, the Fons stressed the importance of continued dialogue.
“We will continue reaching out to them as our children. They need to understand that peace and development go hand in hand,” they stated.
Economically, the Fons and Minister Tasong outlined ambitious proposals aimed at reigniting the division’s economic engine. Key among these are the reconstruction of local markets to boost trade, the rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads to ease access for farmers and traders, and support for agriculture and livestock sectors to provide jobs and food security.
The leaders stressed that local economies must be revived to prevent further rural exodus and to empower youth and women, who have been most affected by the economic downturn.
They also extended heartfelt congratulations to the government, through Minister Tasong, for the FCFA 1 billion electricity project recently financed under the Special Program for the Reconstruction of the Southwest and Northwest Regions.
The project, which aims to reinstate power using reinforced concrete poles from Dschang through Menji to Bakebe, was described by the Fons as a tangible demonstration of the government’s commitment to restoring normalcy and development.
On the political front, the Fons reassured the public that all necessary preparations have been made to ensure the upcoming presidential election on Oct. 12 will be peaceful, inclusive, and hitch-free.
They appealed to the entire population of Lebialem to turn out massively and exercise their civic duty. In reaffirming their support for President Paul Biya, the Fons cited a series of developmental projects and high-level appointments of Lebialem indigenes under his leadership.
They emphasized that the core message of the conference remains peace, unity, and mass participation in the electoral process. The resolutions from the conference are expected to serve as a blueprint for rebuilding the division.
“The once buzzing and hustling Lebialem will rise again,” the Fons declared, expressing confidence that with collective effort and unwavering determination, the division can regain its lost glory.
