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Cameroon: Wum 'Boils' As SDO Delimits Farmer - Grazier Boundaries
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The Post (Buea)
19 November 2007
Posted to the web 19 November 2007
Chris Mbunwe
As we went to press, farmers and cattle graziers in Wum, Menchum Division were planning a peaceful demonstration today, Monday November 19 against an order of the Menchum Senior Divisional Officer, Patrick Simou Kamsu, delimiting farmer-grazer boundaries in certain parts of Wum Central Subdivision.
Angry farmers vowed to frustrate the Prefectoral Order from being implemented anywhere in Wum, with the result being mounting tension in the area.According to the SDO, the decision followed what he termed reconnaissance trips his team undertook to parts of Wum Central Subdivision as well as the implementation of the recommendations of Governor Koumpa Issa's Commission.
Areas that have been affected include farmlands at Mbinjam, Naikom, Zongefuh and grazing land in Waindo, Wanangwen and Zongekwo. The Prefectoral Order dated November 2, goes further to state that Lake Nyos camp at Ghidze is exclusively state property; consequently, its utilisation shall be as directed by the state. He declares Magha area as no grazing land.
In compliance with the Prefectoral Orders Nos. 135/2007 of 2/11/2007 and 136/2007 of 2/11/2007 ascertaining the basic principles governing farming and grazing lands, the Divisional Officer for Wum Central Subdivision, Mr. Augustine Awa Fonka, on his part has issued a letter ordering two prominent graziers, Alhadji Gouni Warang and Alhadji Ahmadou Kia, to evacuate their cattle from the farming zone between Prisons Department and Mallam Yero,s compound on or before Thursday, November 22.
He furthers warns: "take note that you shall be prosecuted for failure to comply with the instructions contained herein above, which are non-negotiable. Any cattle straying in the zone after the above-cited date will simply be impounded and handled as per the regulations in force. Act wisely," states DO Awa.
Many farmers whom The Post contacted in Wum held that the Prefectoral Orders were very likely to provoke another nasty scenario reminiscence of what took place two decades ago in 1981, when a "reckless local Prefectoral decision" set farmers and graziers at loggerheads and police shot dead nine farmers in violent confrontations.
It is worth noting that in 2005, some1500 women occupied the Palace of Fon Mbah-Mbi of Aghem, sleeping in the open for three months in protest. Then, the women accused the Fon of conniving with the local administration in depriving farmers of their farmlands.
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Their protest paid off after Governor Koumpa Issa, intervened and created an inter-ministerial commission that calmed flaring tempers.It is strongly held here that many local administrators sent to Wum, try as much as possible to grow rich by way of setting confusion, only to turn around and ask for bribe from graziers and poor farmers.
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