The Prime Minister’s convoy that was heading to Bamenda, Tuesday October 5, 2021 was not attacked by gun men as reported on some Social Media platforms.
The Minister Delegate at the Ministry of External Relations in charge of Relations with the Common Wealth, H.E. Felix Mbayu, however acknowledged the fact that gunshots were fired but from a distance.
The convoy actually stopped at Matazen as the PM was received by some North West officials upon his arrival in the region. While the Prime Minister was exchanging with the officials, sounds of gunshots were head from afar but loud enough. No one could tell with certitude who were those firing the gunshots and if they were targetting the convoy or not. Eye witness accounts attests that over 40 shots were fired from a distance, without retaliation from the security forces.
In trying to protect the PM, security forces immediately rushed him to his car as other members of his delegation equally stepped into their respective vehicles for safety.
The security forces tactically handled the situation requesting for more troops for the journey to comtinue. Contrary to a call to boycott the Visit from the Interim Government of the Ambazonia, the population (Elites, Students, women…) turned out in their numbers to welcome the PM.
Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute, actually arrived the town of Bamenda safely and the series of planned audiences with top Administrative and security forces of the region, NW members of Parliament and members of the NW regional Assembly Bureau held hitch-free at the Bamenda Ayaba Hotel. The PM equally met with the media to whom he made some important revelations relative to the resolution of the Anophone crisis.
The PM informed the press that the financial challenges surrounding the maintainance of the Bamenda-Babadjou stretch of road has been resolved by the World Bank and the project will soon resume, this time under the control of three (3) national companies owned by indigenes of the North West region.
The PM invited the media to become vessels of peace in the restive region, by fighting to re-establish it’s dignity.
Reacting to worries on the continuos presence of the military in town, Joseph Dion Ngute said the military will leave the region immediately the crisis come to an end. As part of measure to broker a peace deal to the region, Ministry Felix Mbayu said the government is on a process to set up grassroots follow up comittees of the recommendations from the Major National Dialogue.
Worth noting is the fact that a public rally to explain to the population to what extent has the recomendations have been implemented will take place tomorrow at the grand stand – commercial avenue will take place Wednesday.
