Santa village: Community pushes back against plans for new village.

According to the traditional council, there are some elite and authorities who are violating official decrees in order to divide Santa village.

The issue of creating a village within Santa village has been going on for years, following the unsuccessful creation of a village within Santa village, known as “Santa-Akum" by Fru Francis Wanki.

According to a press release dated April 8, 2021, and signed by the former Divisional Officer, DO, of Santa Subdivision, Ebena Essian Franck, an injunction was placed, prohibiting Fru Francis Wanki from acting as the traditional ruler of “Santa-Akum”.

According to members of the traditional council of Santa village, tension later sparked again in March 2025, when a date was set to install Fru Francis Wanki as the traditional ruler of “Santa-Akum”. 

The installation ceremony was later suspended by the Divisional Officer of Santa Subdivision, Jules Roger Nkolo. 

The unsuccessful attempt to recognise Fru Francis in March 2025 led to protests from the population of Santa village. They marched to the DO’s office, calling on the administration to put an end to the crisis.

History of one Santa village 

According to Prince Sule Muhamadou of the Santa palace, history holds that Santa village was founded by their forefather, Chia Boma, in 1922.

While on his part, Tanjong Boma Oliver, another Prince and member of the traditional council, revealed that when their founding father, Chia Boma, left Akum and settled in the present date Santa, he was warmly welcomed and given land by the people of Babadjou.

On October 5, 1992, a Presidential decree signed by the Head of State, Paul Biya, authorised the creation of Santa Subdivision. 

According to the decree, Santa was recognised as a Subdivision under Mezam Division, with ten villages namely; Santa, Baligham, Akum, Awing, Pinying, Baba II, Baforchu, Alateneng, Ndzong, and Mbei.

According to archives from the Santa Palace, when Chia Boma founded the village in 1922, he ruled as Chief until 1982. He was succeeded by Boma Nikut II, who ruled from 1982 to 2009. The present Fon Achiri Boma III took over in 2009.

Following consultative talks carried out at the Santa Fon's Palace on October 10, 2014, Achiri Boma was designated the Third Class Fon of Santa village. 

On October 10, 2020, the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, of Mezam, Simon Emile Mooh, officially recognised Achiri Boma III as the Fon of Santa village.

All these, according to the Legal Consultant of the village, Barrister Fokou Aloysius, are clear proves that the proclaimed “Santa-Akum” village, never existed.

While calling on the population of Santa village to restrain from all acts of violence and remain calm, Barrister Fokou Aloysius revealed that the village has legal petitions at the level of the administration.

The press briefing ended with Fon Achiri Boma III urging the elite of Santa Subdivision and authorities to play their roles objectively. Fon Achiri added that peace is primordial to the people of Santa village, and Santa Subdivision in general.

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