By Moma Sandrine
Uncertainty still looms around the atmosphere in Bali, North West Region of Cameroon after suspected separatist fighters infiltrated the town last week.
The group is suspected to have razed the house of Jerome Doh, Secretary of State in charge of Penitentiary Administration in the Ministry of Justice. Since last week, with the confrontation between this group and the forces of law and order, fear and confusion took hold of the town.
Although the tension is gradually reducing, life is yet to return to normal since bikes and cars have been banned from plying the roads. The Sun gathered that the ban was placed by suspected separatist fighters. For two weeks now, vehicles that normally ply the Bamenda-Bali highways have been off the road. People traveling to and from Bali either board a vehicle normally headed for Batibo or a private car. In such a case, the passengers are asked to pay FCFA 1000 each, twice the usual amount. One passenger remarked angrily “has the road to Bali increased or why the increase in fare?“
Farmers are facing difficulties going to distant farms due to lack of means of transportation. “It has not been easy but what can we do, we must go to the farm. The most challenging part of it is transporting farm produce back home. I rear fowls and because of this instability I am forced to sell a fowl that should cost 5000FCFA at 3000FCFA even at that where are the buyers?“ Donaltus, a resident of Bali told The SUN.
Some people in Bali have resulted to dusting their old bicycles and making proper use of them since it seems to be the only alternative. Stray animals have become occupants of the previously busy streets of Bali. Popular junctions like Ntafuang and Ntakoh which were usually very busy now observes a calm atmosphere as neither music nor rowdy discussion is heard. “I like the calmness of the town. It feels like the good old days,“ remarked a local.
While some people are seemingly comfortable with the new state of the town, others just can’t wait for things to get back to normal.