Cameroon: CHRDA make a statement on the assassination of the fon of Esu in the Northwest Region
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On 12 March 2022, the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) on their official website says they strongly condemn the barbaric assassination of the Fon of Esu and his wife by unidentified gunmen.
The Cameroonian based human rights organisation narrated the fact of the incident as follows.
On March 9, 2022, HRH Fon Achuo Kawzuh Albert, the Traditional Ruler of Esu in Fungom Subdivision, Menchum Division of the Northwest Region, lost his life in an attack perpetrated by unknown gunmen.
The incident occurred when the convoy of the Fon and his entourage was attacked while they were returning from the coronation ceremony of Fon Mbuh II, the Fon of Weh village. In the attack, the Fon and his first wife Duh Bibiana were allegedly stabbed to death, while his second wife sustained injuries. The other four members of the convoy were spared although one was injured.
All attempts by CHRDA to have the survivors narrate what they experienced have been futile; however, eyewitnesses and a large part of the population of Esu accuse the Mbororos for a targeted assassination of their Fon. According to a witness, the attack on the Royal Family was carried out by four (04) armed Mbororo men, who crossed over from Nigeria and laid an ambush in the area.
The Mbororos, via the Justice and Dignity Campaign, while condemning the assassination of the Fon, dissociated themselves from any involvement in the incident and accused armed separatist fighters for the attack on the Royal Family. Another communiqué, signed by about 10 leaders of the Muslim community in Menchum (Mbororos and Fulani-Hausa), denounces the killing of the Fon, whom it describes as their friend and a great leader who ruled his people with compassion and inclusiveness. While denying any involvement in the killing as it is purported on social media, the communiqué called on judicial authorities to investigate and prosecute whoever was involved in the killing of the Fon.
Separatist fighters, on the other hand, via a daily podcast by Capo Daniel, the ‘Deputy Defense Chief’ of the Ambazonia Defence Forces (ADF), accused Alhadji Baba Ahmadou Danpullo of Ndawara and Elba Ranch for the assassination of the Fon, because of a land dispute between Danpullo and Esu village which has existed for decades. An early statement by the Divisional Officer for Menchum on March 10, 2022, says the convoy of the Fon was attacked by “armed terrorists.” CHRDA has been unable to ascertain the identities of the perpetrators while the counter-accusations are ongoing.
In the aftermath of the assassination of the Fon, the aggrieved population of Esu allegedly attacked the Muslim community by setting ablaze the local mosque in Esu and some shops in the market. In the morning of Friday, March 10, the corpse of Aegideon Tegha Dzughu was found in the village, and the population of Esu was accused of killing him. This resulted in arbitrary arrest and detention of youths by the Defense and Security Forces, amplifying tension in the village of Esu.
CHRDA condemns the assassination of the Fon and his wife, along with the retaliation of the youths in Esu who burned down Muslim property. CHRDA raises concerns for fear of an escalation of violence in the area which already has a long history of land conflicts between the local population made up of farmers and the Mbororo community (graziers) on the one hand, and the local population and Alhadji Danpullo on the other hand.
Our condolences go out to the bereaved family, and we also call on the population of Esu to stay calm and give peace a chance to reign while the government investigates the assassinatiom incident. We call on witnesses to cooperate with judicial authorities during investigations so that justice may take its full course.
The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) is an independent, non-governmental, apolitical and non-profit making organization created in 2005, dedicated to the protection and advancement of human rights and the promotion of democracy as a political culture in Africa. CHRDA is based in Buea in the Southwest Region of Cameroon.
For more information, please contac: https://www.chrda.org/news-details?post_slug=cameroon-the-assassination-of-the-fon-of-esu-is-unacceptable
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
