MINAT boss forbids traditional rulers from banishing people.

In the note, a copy of which The Guardian Post has seen, Minister Atanga Nji indicated that his attention has been drawn to a rising practice of some custodians of tradition asking people to leave their chiefdoms.

The minister decried that the move is against the fundamental right of every citizen to reside wherever they choose to. He also said such a move restricts the right of citizens to freely move in their country.

He then directed the 10 regional governors to remind traditional rulers about their limit of their powers. 

According to the minister, “the legislative and regulatory system in force does not empower traditional leaders to take measures to limit the normal exercise of the right to freedom of movement”.

Atanga Nji in his communique clearly stipulated that such powers are exclusively in the hands of the President of the Republic, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and heads of administrative units. 

He also stated that the cited person and institutions can take such decision in within the framework of striving to maintain public order. Within such a context, he said the competent authority could restrict the movement of goods and persons.

The minister equally reiterated the need for the strict implementation of his directive. To note that the minister’s order comes days after a decision signed by a traditional ruler banished a man from Balatchi village, Bamboutous Division of the West Region. 

The traditional ruler of the area is said to have expelled a man suspected of having committed incest. The man is said to have been accused of having carnal knowledge of his biological daughter.

The decision of the traditional ruler of the area, restricts the accused from coming into Balatchi, associating with any subject or taking part in anything concerning the village.

By Ngange Glory Yinyu (Journalism student on internship)

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3187 of Friday August 02, 2024