Ahead of October 12 poll: Hon Ngala Gerard rallies Northwesterners in Douala to crusade peace.

The Douala-based business mogul and Member of Parliament, MP, for Nkambe, in Donga Mantung Division, in the North West Region, on Sunday, September 14, 2025, rallied thousands of Northwesterners resident in Douala and its environs, to seal what has been described as a historic peace pact with the Ngondo community.

Sons and daughters of all seven Divisions of the North West Region resident in Douala and its environs, mobilised by Hon Ngala Gerard, met with their brothers and sisters of the Ngondo community in Douala. 

This was during the 'Ngondo Caravan for Peace'. The event took place at the Din Same Esplanade in Bonassama, Douala IV Subdivision, in the Littoral Region.

The huge and enthusiastic North West Region delegation, led by Hon Ngala Gerard, assured their host community of their resolve to synergise efforts with them to preserve peace before, during and after the October 12 presidential election.

The gathering, described by organisers as a fantastic showcase of love, living together, harmony and unity in diversity, brought together traditional rulers, political representatives, and community leaders from the host community and the North West Region. 

Northwesterners reaffirm commitment for peace

In his address during the ceremony, Hon Ngala Gerard re-echoed the stand of the North West Region community in Douala, for peaceful coexistence and national unity. 

He was categorical that the people of the North West Region resident in Douala and its environs, will not fall prey to the plans of doomsayers plotting violence during and after the October 12 presidential election. 

“The presidential election is around the corner, on October 12. History reminds us that some adventurers in the name of politics, have often tried to use Douala as fertile ground for violence and civil disobedience, aimed at undermining public peace. The memories of 2008 remain vivid. Today, I plead with you: let us not be counted among those who betray their hosts or associate with forces of destruction. Instead, let us stand for peace, before, during, and after the October 12, 2025 elections,” Hon Ngala stated.

The peace crusader was firm that “Cameroon and Douala in particular, are our collective heritage”, insisting that “preserving it is our collective responsibility”.

Hails hospitality of Sawa people 

Hon Ngala Gerard also expressed gratitude to the Ngondo community for their incomparable and legendary hospitality to the people of the North West Region. 

“Douala and its environs today shelter over 500,000 Northwesterners,” he disclosed, adding that the number has grown tremendously since the crisis in the two English-speaking Regions started.

He said despite the massive influx, “our host communities have never faltered in their kindness and hospitality”. 

This, he explained, would never have been possible without the “love, generosity, and openness of the Ngondo community”.  

“I stand here today, as a son of Tabenken in Nkambe, Donga Mantung Division in the North West Region. Yet, in Bonamikano, where I now live, I feel just as much at home as I do in my native village. This spirit of harmonious coexistence is unmatched. I have travelled, worked, and settled elsewhere, but the sense of serenity, peace, and belonging I find in Douala is unique. This city has not only adopted me but has embraced thousands of my brothers and sisters from the North West Region; many of who can now proudly say their lives are better than before the crisis in the two English-speaking Regions,” the people-friendly MP stated. 

The lawmaker said the only way Northwesterners can repay the Ngondo community for the hand of fellowship and hospitality is to “preserve and promote the peace, love, and solidarity we have enjoyed, and wish to continue enjoying”. 

Traditional rulers from the North West Region present at the event echoed Hon Ngala Gerard’s message, pledging to work hand-in-hand with the Ngondo traditional leadership to maintain stability, peace and order.

Ngondo community’s vision for peace 

The Acting President of Ngondo community, HRM Mbappe Bwanga Mylord, welcomed the North West Region community, emphasising that peace is a living reality essential for families, education, business, national progress and remains the most precious asset a society can possess. 

In his message to the North West Region community in Douala and its environs, which was read out in its entirety by the Chief of Bakoko Wouri, HRM Jamil Songwe, the President of Ngondo community added that peace is a “sacred heritage that we must protect and pass on to future generations”. 

“Without peace, there is no future, no prosperity, no happiness…with peace, everything becomes possible. With peace, children go to school, families gather, markets prosper, roads become lively, businesses flourish, and dreams become reality,” he stated.

He said withing the context of the upcoming presidential election, all and sundry, must redouble their vigilance and put peace above everything and not allow the country to become “a political battlefield”. 

The traditional ruler said it was through such sense of collective responsibility that in 2018, the climate of peace was preserved and rumours of possible chaos were defused by proactive dialogue and community vigilance. 

“That is why we must, today again, before the electoral period of 2025 opens, say with a loud and clear voice that we refuse division and that we choose unity, that we reject hatred and that we choose fraternity, that we condemn violence and that we choose peace,” he said.

The Ngondo delegation called on all citizens to be vigilant, responsible, and committed to fostering peace during the upcoming electoral period.

Speaking earlier, the Mayor of Douala IV, Dr Hervé Moby Mpah, praised the initiative. 

The municipal authority said the city’s capacity to host diverse communities peacefully has made it a home to many, especially people from the North West Region.

He highlighted that Douala IV, a vibrant hub for North West and South West Regions communities, thrives because of the culture of peaceful coexistence. 

Mayor Mpah urged participants to protect the legacy of peace and to ensure that it endures through the electoral period; before, during and after the October 12 poll.

“The richness of our diversity must not turn into rivalry or conflict. We want Douala to remain a city of harmony and collaboration, where every community can thrive without fear or division,” he said.

The colourful event was marked by a display of the rich cultures of the Ngondo community and that of the North West Region; in dance, songs and traditional displays. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3566 of Tuesday September 16, 2025