The locality of Bambili, situated in the North-West region of Cameroon, is currently experiencing high tensions. This Tuesday, a large-scale protest, led by hundreds of residents, disrupted commercial activities, leading to the closure of shops and markets. The cause of this protest movement? A persistent land dispute between the communities of Bambili and Nkwen.
The protesters are denouncing illegal land sales in a disputed area between the two communities. According to testimonies reported by MMI Infos, the protesters traveled several kilometers to Alegeh, a territory claimed by both Bambili and Nkwen. They accuse certain actors of illegally continuing the sale of plots in this disputed area, despite a previous court decision.
Waving plants as a sign of peace, the residents claim they wanted to organize a peaceful march. However, the situation escalated when security forces were deployed to the scene. Soldiers allegedly tried to prevent protesters from crossing a boundary defined by the authorities, which exacerbated tensions.
As a result of these events, many businesses and the main market in Bambili were forced to close, temporarily paralyzing the economic activity of the locality. Residents recall that a court decision regarding this land area had been issued by the former prefect of the Mezam department, Nguele Nguele Felix. They accuse the Fon of Nkwen of not respecting this decision and continuing to carry out land transactions with property developers.
The tension between Bambili and Nkwen is not a new phenomenon. Sources indicate that this land conflict has been going on for several years, with occasional clashes resulting in property damage and injuries. In November 2023, the Mayor of Tubah called for calm in the face of this situation. The roots of these tensions sometimes go back to the colonial era, when territorial demarcations created disputes between communities.
For now, the situation remains tense in Bambili, with a deployment of soldiers at the entrances to the city. The authorities have not yet communicated on the measures envisaged to resolve this conflict in a sustainable manner. Resolving this land issue is crucial to ensuring the stability and economic development of the region.
