After PM’s Buea peace mission: SDO leads community dialogue in Fako.

The Limbe event brought together representatives from all seven Subdivisions of Fako, including administrative authorities, mayors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, elected officials, civil society representatives and other community stakeholders.

Participants were given the opportunity to express their concerns and propose ways of addressing insecurity, unemployment, the impact of the crisis on local communities and the need to restore normalcy across the Division.

Speaking after the meeting, SDO said he was satisfied with the participation and the opportunity given to representatives of all seven Subdivisions to express themselves freely.

Viang Mekala explained that the stakeholders were expected to return to their respective communities and engage those still involved in the armed conflict, particularly those reluctant to heed the Head of State’s call to lay down their weapons and return to normalcy.

According to him, the population also has an important role to play by sustaining cooperation with the administration and security forces.

Viang Mekala observed that Fako had enjoyed relative peace compared with other parts of the crisis-affected English-speaking regions. 

However, he said there was a need to consolidate the gains made and move towards complete peace so that residents could go about their daily activities without fear.

Stakeholders urged to carry peace message to communities

The SDO said the dialogue allowed stakeholders to express their views and concerns, describing the process as inclusive and participatory. He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, elected representatives and community leaders to take the message of peace and reconciliation to people who were not present at the meeting.

“From this moment onward, we consider that we have re-established community dialogue throughout the Division,” he said.

“Consequently, we all are called upon to embark on a mission of peace. The message that we must all convey to others who are not here is a message of peace and reconciliation,” the SDO added. 

He further called on community leaders to persuade those still involved in the conflict to surrender, assuring that those who voluntarily lay down their weapons could be received respectfully and considered for reintegration or rehabilitation.

The SDO maintained that the success of the peace initiative would depend on collective responsibility and the willingness of stakeholders to sustain dialogue beyond the meeting.

Cross-section of participants 

CDC revival linked to lasting peace

Beyond security concerns, stakeholders argued that lasting peace would require practical measures to address unemployment, economic hardship and longstanding development challenges in Fako.

The Paramount Chief of Buea, HRM Chief Dr Robert Esuka Endeley, stressed that the future of the Cameroon Development Corporation, CDC, was closely linked to the return of peace in the Division.

“The CDC is not just for Fako. CDC had once been the breadbasket of this country. So, if you bring the CDC down, you have brought the entire country down,” he said. 

The need for government to fulfil longstanding development commitments was also raised by Senator Charles Mbella Moki of Buea. He argued that unfulfilled promises concerning major infrastructure projects had contributed to frustration among residents and should be addressed as part of efforts to restore confidence and lasting peace.

Traditional rulers, religious leaders and women call for action

The Paramount Chief of Limbe, HRM Majesty John Elufa Manga Williams, emphasised the need for honesty and openness among stakeholders as they sought solutions to the crisis.

Speaking on behalf of women, Ms Wotany from Buea highlighted the suffering experienced by women and girls during the crisis, including the loss of family members, disrupted education, sexual violence and unplanned pregnancies.

For his part, HRM Chief Molive Otto Molungu, speaking on behalf of the South West House of Chiefs, urged stakeholders not to overlook victims of the crisis.

He drew attention to children who had lost one or both parents and people who had been injured or otherwise suffered as a result of the violence.

Other speakers included the Mayor of Tiko, HRH Chief Dr Peter Mesoso; Mayor of Limbe III, Nseke Luma Diboti; Imam of Buea, Imam Mohammed; and Rev. Dr Simon Mokoko, representing the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon.  

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3951 of Monday October 26, 2026