This was during the final of the Bambalng Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Football Tournament, which was played in Bafoussam on September 2.

Shina Rambo, a son of Bambalang, was a dreaded Amba fighter who belonged to a group of separatist fighters called “Marine Forces”.

The group kidnapped Fon Shomitang II in his palace in Bambalang in December 2021 when he was reportedly performing some traditional rites, in preparation for a traditional festival. 

The traditional ruler went on to spend over 18 months in Amba captivity. He regained freedom in June this year.

Before Fon Shomitang II was freed, Shina Rambo had surrendered and handed himself to the authorities. He was later taken to the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration, DDR Centre in Bamenda.

He dropped his arms after his brother, known as ‘General’ No Pity, who was heading the Marine Forces, had been killed in a shootout with security forces.

Time to let go of the past

Shina Rambo, who has been following up the process of reintegration at the Bamenda DDR, came out to acknowledge publicly that he had taken the wrong path. HE went on to atone for his wrong doings.

In front of thousands of Bambalang sons and daughters who turned out in Bafoussam for the peace, reconciliation and unity tournament, the repentant fighter asked Fon Shomitang II and his entire community for forgiveness.

Shina Rambo, accompanied by another repentant Amba fighter, Shutang Oumar, made the public apology in the presence of the Chief of DDR Bamenda Centre, Kum Henry.

The Fon expressed happiness that some of his sons who had joined the so-called struggle for independence are seeing the need to turn away from the path of destruction. 

He sent a message to those still holding arms to drop them, embrace peace and contribute to the development of the village.

Fon salutes initiator of peace tournament

The traditional ruler of Bambalang, who has been preaching peace since the outbreak of the Anglophone crisis, which later morphed into an armed conflict, saluted the Mbaw Yakum Youth at home and abroad, under the leadership of Mingo Pius, for initiating the tournament.

The tournament was launched in 2020 in Douala but had to drag on for so long after

Fon Shomitang II was taken into Amba captivity. The final of the tournament pitted the Yaounde branch of Bambalang youth against those from Douala.

Cup donor, Mingo Pius, who is a youth leader, businessman and politician, said Bambalang youth are more than ever determined to contribute their own quota for the return to peace in Bambalang.

The aim of this peace tournament was to strengthen key skills liked teamwork, responsibility, reliability and non-violent communication through sports and football in particular. 

Cross section of dignitaries attend event

The final of Bambalang peace tournament played at the Bamendzi Stadium in Bafoussam, West Region, was watched by several dignitaries.

Fon Kevin Shomitang II, who doubles as the President of the North West House of Chiefs, was accompanied to the event by some of his colleague traditional rulers from the North West and West Regions.

There was also a delegation from the North West Regional Assembly, representative of the West Regional Assembly and Bafoussam City Mayor as well as some elite of the West Region in attendance. 

Governor Awa Fonka commends Fon, Shina Rambo

The Governor of the West Region, who was among the thousands who watched the finals, commended Fon Kevin Shomitang for his spirit of patriotism and forgiveness.

He exalted the Fon to continue in the same direction, stating that the traditional ruler is a living example in the North West Region, where some Fons have escaped and are now living in different Regions for safety. 

Awa Fonka continued by thanking the two repentant fighters, Shina Rambo and Oumar Shutang, for coming out of the bush and for apologising for their wrong-doing. 

While he appealed that those in the bushes drop their arms, he regretted that youth have continued to die while fighting for an illusionary state.

The ceremony featured distribution of didactics to orphans and displaced children of Bambalang origin to assist them during the 2023/2024 academic year.

By Ngeh Gerald