National Day of twists & turns in Fako.

At the origin of the drama that characterised this year’s 20^th May feast in Fako Division, was the SDO of Fako, Viang Mekala; who issued a directive to all Divisional Officers, DOs in Fako Division, instructing them to ensure the effective presence of all traditional rulers at the Bongo Squares grandstand in Buea, Tuesday, for this year’s National Day celebration.

The SDO, in the directive, had warned that “the unjustified absence of any traditional ruler will immediately be subjected to a request for explanation and a disciplinary file be sent to hierarchy”. 

In a swift response, the Vice President of the South West Regional Assembly, who doubles as the President of the South West House of Chiefs, Chief Atem Ebako, questioned the SDO’s authority to order the presence of traditional rulers during such a public event. He warned the SDO against being insolent and disrespectful to the institution of traditional rulers. 

The President of the South West House of Chiefs said the SDO’s directive was “not only very frustrating, but disparaging to the status, divine honour and dignity of traditional rulers, not only those in Fako Division, but of the entire South West Region”.

In what has been interpreted as washing their dirty linen in public, the President of the South West Regional Assembly, Zacheus Bakoma Elango, wasted no time in firing back at his Vice President.

He publicly chided Chief Ebako, who doubles as the President of the South West House of Chiefs, for challenging the directives of the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, of Fako, for traditional rulers to attend yesterday’s National Day celebration. 

In a strongly worded letter made public on Monday, May 19, 2025, Bakoma expressed disappointment and dissatisfaction with Chief Atem Ebako’s response to the SDO’s directive. 

“…unfortunately, by your correspondence, you are combatting global State and collective efforts to bring back peace and normalcy to our beloved Region,” the Regional Assembly President wrote. 

He accused his Vice of misrepresenting the institution by using the letterhead without his consent. 

“Writing on the official headed paper of the South West Regional Assembly, without the consent of the President, on a sensitive issue of this nature, is not only a misrepresentation of the South West Regional Assembly, but equally and above all violates Section 312(1) of the General Code of Regional and Local Authorities…,” he stated. 

Bakoma Elango explained that the SDO’s directive was aimed at reminding traditional rulers of their republican duty and responsibility to participate in national events. 

“…much as we respect and recognise traditional rulers as custodians of the tradition of our people, they remain an integral part of a republican set up, and in that capacity are auxiliaries of the administration,” Bakoma added. 

He also stated that: “…the South West Regional Assembly dissociates itself from the content of your letter, dated May 19, 2025; addressed to the Senior Divisional Officer for Fako Division”. 

The latest stand-off between Bakoma and Chief Dr Atem Ebako, has raised questions about the future of relations between traditional rulers and the administration in the South West Region. It has further reignited a debate about the role of traditional rulers within the context of decentralisation and the limits of civil administrators.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3451 of Wednesday May 21, 2025