By Simon Ndive Kalla
The ongoing Anglophone crisis is now being used by some elders from Beba village to blackmail the Kumbong family, claiming that the family is in support of the secession of the English speaking regions of Cameroon.
This blackmail has made the government to launch a crackdown on the Kumbong family. The Kumbong family house in Limbe was amongst many houses burnt as a result of the current Anglophone crisis this February 2018. On December 5th 2011, John Kumbong, one of boys in the family, was killed after some unidentified individuals set their family house on fire while he was asleep in relation to the leadership dispute.
A power struggle within the ruling family of Beba Village has now resulted in the deaths of several members of the family. The dispute began following the death of Pa Andre Kumbong, the Fon of Beba, in June 2010. One Reymond Kumbong who was in line as his father’s successor was threatened by his uncles who want to be made traditional rulers in Beba village so as to manage a lucrative village land sales.
Their goal was to target Reymond Kumbong, but he was on a business trip to Japan. Prior to this trip, Reymond Kumbong had received several death threats. His uncles are determined to kill anyone who dares to become the traditional ruler. This explains why they have blackmailed the family to the government as a sponsor to the secessionist movement of Cameroon.
Following the destruction of two of their family houses in Beba Village and Limbe, the other members of the Kumbong family have fled over fears of assassination. On this premise, their lives are in danger and his brothers have fled the country. Kenko Foundation, a Limbe-based NGO, has denounced the attitude of the Beba village elders.
Besong Johannes, programmes director of Kenko Foundation, said, “It’s unfair for the community to indulge in blackmail against an innocent family. We shall do our best to continue to protect the rights of the defenseless.”