CI-NEWS

Hon Enwi Francis leads Momo Peace Caravan to Mbon Community.

2019-11-25

No: 457

Hon Enwi Francis leads Momo Peace Caravan to Mbon Community.

By Etoh Anzah George in Bamenda.

Momo Division, considered hostile territory to government institutions by dint of its being a bastion for Ambazonian fighters, unexpectedly provided a soft landing for the Hon Enwi Francis-led Peace Caravan to explain the resolutions of the Major National Dialogue.

After a move into bars, provision stores, market sheds in Mbengwi chief town of the Momo Division, Enwe Francis Abi, as GOD will have it, rallied and caught the attention of many at the entrance to the Mbon (Mbengwi) community market where he took out time to respond and clear the doubts that have since been lingering in the minds of the people of Mbengwi.

It was the bike-riders that were the first to confront the delegation.

"We have been insulted and maltreated by unscrupulous security officials who resort to exploiting us financially because we can barely afford a 1000 francs for them", one of the complained.

Responding, Hon. Enwe Francis said:

"We are aware of these and many other expropriations. We will continue to see how we can best help the administration to meet up with this challenge". Accompanying the MP was Mbengwi D.O, Sakwe Esapa Jarvis who responded: "Note has been taken to this worry and we shall in the days ahead address this as a matter of urgency".

Going further, the masses complained: "Due to the crisis we left our neighbouring abodes where our homes and belongings were burnt. We have tried ceaselessly and effortfully to establish a birth certificate and Identification card (I.D) but most often we are asked to go and return later......Worst of all without this document when confronted with security officials we are arrested and detained".

To this, Hon. Enwe Francis, aided by the D.O in whose capability lies the obligations, said: "Over the past 4 days I have signed 30 birth certificates for people intending to establish I.D cards. My doors are open to attend to anyone who deems it necessary to come. Before now the situation wasn’t at all comfortable because the machines for establishment of ID cards weren't in good shape but all has been regularised and activities have taken off smoothly".

On the question of the essence of the peace caravan amidst insecurity, Hon. Enwe answered: "After the dialogue His Eminence Tumi dispatched us to the fields to preach peace, unity, oneness and leave away all odds. At the major national dialogue we tabled so many proposals and recommendations and it is important to know parliament is on and we all are expecting the best outcomes from the sitting but straightly reasoning ,NO resolution can see its successful implementation amidst war.It is therefore of utmost importance to create a convenient and peaceful atmosphere so we can jointly embrace whatever will be a fallout of the so much sung special status".

Found in bars and nearby raffia palm shops, youths, men, women and girls soon gathered and exploited the unique November opportunity to voice out their worries and to some youths the cry was simple: "For 3 years counting we haven’t seen the four walls of a classroom. Do all in your capacity to cause our schools to go functional so we can begin the fight to bury illiteracy.”

Enwi's affirmative response certainly struck the keynote. "It is my personal as well as our collective role and desire to see you all go to school. Subsequently, I will pledge my unflinching support to the appropriate quarters for an effective school return".

Further confronted by the zeal to adhere to republican principles, many had resorted to the establishment of certificate of lost documents (temporary identification paper to serve in case of a missing and declared document to the administration).

Unfortunately, this document is only valid in Momo Division.

“When we approach the Mile 1 Upstation Bamenda police check posts and are ordered out of the buses our documents are rejected and we are compelled to bribe our way out for a crime we are innocent of. Thus sir we wish to know if certificate of lost documents are illegal or why do we after spending 4000 francs which is almost one-third the cost of the establishment of an ID card we still must pay security officials? A transporter queried.

Hon. Enwe was disturbed by this query. "I am shocked myself that such happens and if I can’t go to the field I won’t know these realities. All will be done to ameliorate the situation. Some of your worries will culminate in a comprehensive report which I shall send to the PM’s Office under whose supervision this move was effected and to this I am sure the essentials will be provided", he said.

The masses expressed doubts if not meeting the fighters would change the situation on the ground. "You come in bullet-proof armoured cars, talk to us while the fighters remain in the bushes. Is this message for harmful or harmless people like us?".

The MP for Widikum who has been a victim of the crisis himself, watching his native home reduced to fire responded:"These fighters are our sons and we know them. I have had calls from so many who want to leave the bushes but due to identification documents and the fear factor resort to staying back so it is our wish that you speak to them. Preach the peace message, sensitise, encourage, and advise them. We will provide our phone numbers so that whoever intends or knows a would-be repentant fighter should stop at nothing to call us so that collectively we can chart a way forward for a promising and better future for them".

The divisional caravans are seen as moves intended to soften the pitch for sub-divisional endeavours. Momo holds elites in distinctive roles like Rose Mbah Acha, Awanga Zacharias, Joseph Mbah Ndam, but for 3 years they have never initiated or done humanitarian gestures in their municipalities. Even though state backed and financed, amongst the 10 delegates who received mission allowances for the assignment just 4 braved the odds while others can be fairly accused of robbery to the state. The big question is: When crooks resort to expropriations while the state suffers isn't it an indication they are advocates for continuous crisis?

Pledging his support, Egoh Ringo told the press: "The message of peace is daunting and worth emulating. It is a collective responsibility and a necessary one.“ After Mbengwi, the peace caravan has assignments in the other four sub-divisions of Widikum, Batibo, Njikwa and Ngie.

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Hon Enwi Francis leads Momo Peace Caravan to Mbon Community.