In the North West region, the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Mezam, Simon Emile Mooh, has issued a prefectural order banning all undeclared public meetings and gatherings. This move comes as tensions rise ahead of October 1st, a date of significant historical and political importance in the region.
October 1st marks a day celebrated by separatist militants as the independence day of the self-declared state of Ambazonia, which claims independence from Cameroon. The ban on public gatherings is seen as a preventive measure to avoid any potential unrest or public demonstrations that could escalate tensions in the already conflict-stricken Anglophone regions.
The order explicitly states that any person or group of persons who violates the provisions of the present order shall be punished under the rules and regulations in force. The SDO has directed law enforcement agencies, including Divisional Officers in Mezam, the Group Commander of the Gendarmerie in Mezam, and the Commissioner of the Central Police Station in Bamenda, to ensure the order is strictly enforced.
This is not the first time such a ban has been imposed. It has become an annual occurrence as the date approaches, reflecting the ongoing conflict and the government’s efforts to maintain order. The indefinite nature of the ban, with no official lifting of these restrictions, has been a point of contention and discussion among citizens and analysts alike.
The situation in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon remains complex, with various stakeholders advocating for different solutions to the ongoing crisis. The ban on public gatherings is just one aspect of the broader socio-political dynamics at play in the region.
