THE WIMBUM DIVIDE: Rev. Dr Nfor Philemon Breaks Silence

THE WIMBUM DIVIDE: Rev. Dr Nfor Philemon Breaks Silence

Prince and Peace Ambassador Rev. Dr Nfor Philemon Bungansa Breaks Silence on the Deepening Division in Mbumland

Amidst deepening suspicion, tension and division among Wimbum people, a highly respected Mbum son, elite, and Peace Ambassador has spoken out.

Rev. Dr. Nfor Philemon Bungansa NFOR, Pastor of Patmos Baptist Church Yaounde, Prince of Njrong Palace, and Knight of the Cameroon Order of Value, Breaking News Newspaper award winner for resilience and unwavering faith, has addressed a heavy open letter to all Mbum stakeholders: WIFU, WICUDA, WACUDA, WIDECA, TANG ABI, WINJU, WINTA, WISU, Group Managers, Chiefs, Notables, Elites, and all Mbum sons and daughters worldwide. He writes below

“Greetings,

MBUM ABI LE?

I come to you as a son of Mbumland who has known the meaning of conflict from theory to practice, ideology to pain and believes in peace and unity as primordial for any meaningful life. But most importantly, I come to you as a servant of the Most High God who believes in Christ, believes in the meaning and greatness of unity in the context of love and who values truth and integrity in leadership for the growth and pride of any people. I come to you NOT AS A WIWARR SON but as a Mbum person interested in the development and unity of Mbumland and concerned about what we bequeath to the future generations. I come to you with questions that I believe need URGENT ANSWERS so that we do not build a fireplace on mudbricks that look like stones and the fufu in the pot (mbigba) spills into the fire before it is cooked. I plead that we meditate on these questions and get answers URGENTLY so that we can have explanations for posterity, who will surely ask back these questions to the present Mbum fathers, elders and leaders. The main question is one:

MBUM ABI LE (MBUM UNITY: REALLY)?

Is the slogan, “Mbum Abi, Abi yu ngir” simply a slogan, or is it actually an identity reflector that we have chosen as a people? If it is something chosen to reflect our identity and to bring us together, how is it that there are other things that have become more important than that unity? Wimbum “Unity Cup” tournaments were played this year without the Wiwarr, and it did not seem to mean anything to anyone. Just look at the paradox or pretense in the name, “Unity Cup Tournament!” There are frantic preparations for the fundraiser towards the construction of a multibillion Cultural Center for Mbum without the involvement of the Wiwarr people. Is it still a Wimbum project, or is it a WICUDA EXCO project, or should I say WIYA and WITANG project? It is easy to say that when reconciliation eventually comes, then Wiwarr will join the train, but does that not make the project more important than the unity we are talking about? Are the two clans or the WICUDA Exco going on with the project, trying to show how great they can achieve without Wiwarr? If so, is this pride, brotherhood, division or unity? What legacy does this leave for our children? Here are the questions that bother me, and I suggest that the WIFU and WICUDA leadership, Mbum constituted groups, Mbum elites and notables should address them as soon as possible, before going on with the project:

1. If we are serious about unity, why has the project that is supposed to bring us together become more important than the unity we talk about?

2. By going on with the project *especially without any practical steps going on towards the reconciliation of WICUDA and WACUDA, * are we saying:
3. That the problem cannot be solved?
4. That our fathers are unable to solve the problem?
5. That Mbum culture and tradition have no peace-building mechanism and Mbum are not interested in using the mechanisms available elsewhere to reconcile and build peace?
6. That Mbum does not have experts in conflict resolution and peacebuilding who can help and is not interested in using the many such experts in Cameroon?
7. That there is no interest in solving the problem?
8. That WACUDA should also feel free to develop and construct its own cultural center?
9. That there are individuals who are preventing the solution to the problem for personal reasons, and those individuals are too powerful for Mbum Fons, Notables and Elites to call to order and bring the pride of Mbum unity back?
10. Or is the project simply indicating to us that Mbum unity is nothing more than a slogan?

3.I have heard us make the analogy of Mbum clans as the three stones on which the pot stands for food to be cooked. In my over sixty years on this earth, I have never seen food prepared on a fire with two stones. From a financial point of view, I believe that WICUDA Exco has discussed and seen that they can accomplish this project and move on without the third stone. But will you still be moving on as Mbum or as “Some Mbum people”? Will it be a WITANG/WIYA or WICUDA Exco project, or a Mbum Cultural Center project as such?

4. What is this project supposed to accomplish if its construction lays aside the greatest value of any people: Unity and love? Are you convinced that Wiwarr sons and daughters at home will pass in Mbiyeh, see the project going on and praise the WIYA and WITANG for it? Are you not actually planting seeds of discrimination, jealousy, and hatred for our children to inherit?
5. Is the spirit with which the project is going on indicating the lack of critical cultural values attached to it, other than a revival in traditions for feeding the flesh with drinking, eating, and Juju enjoyment? What example of values for our development and growth will the project promote when accomplished? Should we not point out those values and apply them in the process of developing or accomplishing the project?
6. Have the njeps (clans) become too powerful for the unity and development of Mbumland? Should Mbum Fons, notables and elites not draw up a strategy for how this unity should be pursued and maintained for the sake of posterity?
7. Mbum abi le? How can a Mbum person still stand somewhere and pronounce, “Mbum abi, abi yu ngir,” and go ahead to present and promote this project at this time without being dishonest or hypocritical?

My dear Mbum people, accept my sincere plea to give you what I have as the best from me to you: the Bible. The Bible calls us to,

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3).

The text calls for humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance and an effort towards unity for the progress of peace. I believe that the greatest project Mbum should have now is that of uniting the people, especially WICUDA and WACUDA. Then, together, with a clear vision and value-led objectives, no project will be beyond our accomplishment for the pride of Mbumland.

May the Lord guide us all, especially our leaders, as we meditate on these questions and seek to move on in unity, love and development.

In His love and grace,

Rev. Dr. Philemon Bungansa NFOR,

Pastor,

Peace Ambassador,

Knight of the Cameroon Order of Value.

Prince of Njirong Palace of the Mbumland

@breakingnews.com