Cathy Meba, vice-president of the South Regional Council, has defended the Minister of Urban Development, Célestine Ketcha Courtes, following an altercation at the Yaoundé City Council. The incident highlights tensions between the state and the city council regarding the rehabilitation of a strategic road in Yaoundé, just days before the visit of Pope Leo XIV.
According to Meba, the Yaoundé City Council had arrested contractors engaged in road rehabilitation work. This work is crucial in view of the papal visit scheduled for April 15, creating additional pressure for its completion on time.
The origin of the conflict lies in a public contract initially awarded to another company, which was unable to meet the deadlines. The Mayor of Yaoundé had granted a two-month extension, but faced with the urgency of the situation, a new company was mobilized by the Ministry of Urban Development. Cathy Meba emphasizes that this company is working without initial payment, motivated by the need to preserve Cameroon's image.
The arrest of the new company's employees by agents of the urban community triggered a strong reaction. Minister Ketcha Courtes reportedly went to the scene and, faced with the refusal to release them, forced entry into the city council premises to free the contractors.
This incident reveals a conflict of competence between the central state and the Yaoundé city council. While road rehabilitation is normally the responsibility of the municipalities, the Pope's visit has required exceptional coordination under the authority of the government. The situation highlights an administrative dysfunction, where presidential urgency collides with local prerogatives.
The imminent visit of the Pope puts maximum pressure on the Cameroonian authorities. Any delay in the rehabilitation of this strategic road would be perceived negatively on the international stage. The incident also raises questions about the governance of major public works projects and the coordination between local authorities and the central government in Cameroon.
