One village, two chiefs: Rival Manyamen kingmakers crown Hope Sona Ebai chief.

They performed the ritual on Friday, May 9, 2025, despite a Prefectural Order of Kupe Muanenguba, on May 8, 2025, banning any public gathering in the administrative unit. 

The ceremony that held in defiance of the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO’s order, brought together some sons and daughters of the village from across the country. It coincided with the building of the village shrine called ‘Ntem’.

 Contrary to the new development, Sessekou Nfor Besong Williams, was, on March 18, 2025, chosen by another group of kingmakers, notables, and family heads, as traditional ruler of the same village.

On that occasion, the SDO of Kupe Muanenguba, was present. Nfor Besong has since then been issued a Prefectural Order, as the traditional ruler of Manyemen

Meanwhile, speaking after the recent development, Chu Isaiah, a representative of the elite, said Sona Ebai’s coronation came after a series of consultative talks, conducted earlier this year, by the Divisional Officer, DO, of Nguti Subdivision, Etengeneng Kevin Oben. 

Chu said Sona Ebai was overwhelmingly voted traditional ruler during the exercise by kingmakers. He argued that they were surprised that the SDO for Kupe Muanenguba staged another consultative talk after that which the DO had carried out. 

Chu said as a Third-Class Chiefdom, the law empowers only the Divisional Officer, DO, to carry out consultative talks and not the DO. 

He declared that: “To the best of my knowledge, the last talks called by the SDO ended in a fiasco. So, we are confident that our chief still has the moral right to stand and be crowned by our people…”. 

He stated that Sona Ebai will galvanise the population to vote for President Paul Biya, come October this year, when citizens take to the polls.

The Prefect had in his order banning all public gatherings, instructed the Company Commander of the Division to put officers on the alert to maintain public peace and order. Security officers are said to have been present in the village during the traditional coronation of Sona Ebai.

Sona Ebai lauds population

Shortly after being presented to the population, Hope Sona Ebai lauded what he said is the support from Manyemen indigenes at home and abroad. He said the development tells of their attachment and commitment to preserving the cultural values of Manyemen.

Hope Sona pledged to unite the village and appealed to the Kupe Muanenguba administration to listen to the voice of the population of Manyemen. 

He said the people have spoken through their kingmakers and family heads. Sona Ebai said what is left is for the administration to issue a Prefectural Order in this regard.

It should be recalled that tension has engulfed Manyemen since 2022, when its last ruler, His Majesty Nkoongho Eben Jacob, joined his ancestors. 

About Hope Sona Ebai

Born in 1954 in Kumba, Sona Ebai is the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Cameroon Development Corporation, CDC. 

He is a former Director General of the National Cocoa and Coffee Board, former Secretary General of World Cocoa Alliance and former Chief of Party African Cocoa Initiative. 

He is a resource person of the Central Committee of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM, party. He is married and father of four.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3447 of Tuesday May 13, 2025