Stop humiliating traditional rulers!.

He writes that the "vast majority of the population feels distant from the concept of ‘Republic’ at grassroots level, where traditional authority remains the de facto institution of local governance". 

The effective politico-administrative organisation of Chieftaincy, coupled with the traditional system of governance, explains why they were co-opted as "collaborators" and tax collectors by colonial administrators.

While modernity comes with change, other academic research shows that "the eagerness and grim determination to make the old order change and yield to the new, there is a particular institution- Chieftaincy, that has stood its grounds and which rather than yield place to the modernising influence, has continued to dig its roots dipper into the life of the people".

President Paul Biya understood their importance and dynamics, which explained why he decreed that they should earn a monthly allowance of 200,000 FCFA, for First Class traditional rulers, 100,000 FCFA for the Second Class and 50,000 FCFA for Third Class.

All former Prime Ministers and the current from the North West and South West Regions, especially Mafany Musonge and Ephraim Inoni, used the South West Chiefs Conference, SWECC, to boost their political clout.

But it would appear because they are called "auxiliaries of the administration", they have often been ridiculed and humiliated by some administrators in the Regions, especially in the South West Region; not once, not twice.

Before this year’s National Day festivities on May 20, the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, of Fako Division, Viang Mekala, issued an order to all Divisional Officers, DOs, in his division, instructing them to ensure the effective presence of all traditional rulers at the grandstands during the celebrations.

That would have been okay if he ended there. But he went further to warn 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".

His authoritative threat sparked reactions, ranging from the sublime to the embarrassing. Quick to react was the President of the South West House of Chiefs, Dr Atem Ebako, who, in a letter circulated on the social media, questioned the motive of the SDO to insist on the presence of traditional rulers.

Dr Atem Ebako cautioned the SDO against being insolent and disrespectful to the institution of traditional rulers. He stated that the SDO’s fiat was “not only very frustrating, but disparaging to the status, divine honor and dignity of the Traditional Rulers, not only of the Fako Division, but of the entire South West Region”.

Playing public relations for the administrator, the President of the South West Regional Assembly, Zacheus Bakoma, rebuked the President of the House of Chiefs.

In his diatribe, also disseminated on the social media, Bakoma, a former civil administrator, said the Chief's letter was a misrepresentation of the South West Regional Assembly and violated the General Code of Regional and Local Authorities.

Bakoma emphasised that traditional rulers are an integral part of the Republican setup and auxiliaries of the administration. 

He argued that the SDO’s directive was aimed at reminding traditional rulers of their Republican duty and responsibility to participate in national events, stating that as “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, in the letter addressed to Ebako, added 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.”

It was not the first time administrators in the Region ridiculed Chiefs. 

On another occasion in 2018, South West Governor, Okala Bilai, instructed them to march with placards bearing the names of their villages and their subjects lined up behind them.

But why such disrespect, contempt and ridicule, to an institution that has defied the changing time and revered? Can South West Region administrators issue such a humiliating letter to the Chiefs of the Centre Region or Lamidos in the Far North Regions, ravaged by Boko Haram, for instance?

Understandably, traditional rulers in the two English-speaking Regions, since the start of the gory conflict, avoided such festivities, which are proscribed by separatist vandals. 

Those who disobeyed have been tagged "blacklegs, enablers or traitors". Most have been kidnapped or executed. Many have become targets and are internally displaced. 

They find themselves literally between the devil and Deep Blue Sea. They have to make a choice, taking their safety into consideration.

A National Day, traditionally as it is known all over the world, is celebrated with pomp and pageantry. Every patriotic citizen, including traditional leaders, is anxious to attend and be part of the carnival.

It has not been the case in the South West Region, and as economist, Prof Dieudonne Essomba, and a fervent President Biya supporter said on television debate programme, Club d'Elite on Vision 4 TV, last week, "we need to restart national unity from scratch, because we have built an artificial model..., unity cannot be forced, it cannot be artificial and needs a rebuild".

Revered traditional rulers like all nationalistic and patriotic Cameroonians do not need to be cajoled or forced to take part in the National Day.

 Any administrator or supporter like the South West Regional Assembly President, should respect their divine and inalienable human rights enshrined in the Cameroon constitution and international covenants, to which President Paul Biya is a signatory.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3457 of Tuesday May 27, 2025