By Louvier Kindo Tombe
Before the crisis in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon, many are those who never celebrated Christmas out of the regions. Christmas has always been a period to commune with family members.
“I used to visit home every Christmas to celebrate with, and receive blessings from my parents,” a native of Babanki in Tubah Sub Division, Mezam Division of the North West region told News Upfront.
During Christmas, the ambiance was that of joy and love sharing, but today the peace that reigned some six years ago in the Anglophone regions has given way to hatred, insecurity and other vices.
That explains why renown CRTV journalist, Njie Mbonde Albert, decided to launch the “Christmas Without Fear” campaign.
“Out of politics I feel we should come together as a people to remind ourselves and our people to accept the message of peace, love, and reconciliation that comes with Christmas,” Njie Mbonde Albert said.
The campaign according to Njie Mbonde Albert, is apolitical. It is however expected to contribute it’s own quota in the quest for peace in the North West and South West regions. The timing is even more strategic.
“Christmas won’t end our problems, but it reminds us of who we are and what we truly represent as a people who used the season to renew our family ties,” he added.
The “Christmas Without Fear” campaign mobilizes actors from different walks of life to raise awareness on the need for peace to return to the English speaking regions of the country. Movie actors and actresses, musicians, media icons, traditional and religious leaders from the North West and South West regions of Cameroon have endorsed the campaign.
“We have lived in real pain, suffering and torture, time has come for us to forgive one another, to give each other a second chance, a chance to celebrate Christmas and to live in peace,” Rev. Samuel Fonki Forba, moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon said as part of his contribution to the campaign.
Anglophones are generally a Christmas loving people. The promoter of the campaign “Christmas Without Fear”, Njie Mbonde wants Cameroonians from the restive regions of the country to visit their villages without fear of being kidnapped, molested or killed.
The media icon invites all and sundry to join the campaign saying that no effort is too small to restore peace and serenity in the restive regions.
“Jesus is the prince of peace, and we are confident that his birth will bring us peace,” says Archbishop Andrew Nkea, of the Bamenda Archdiocese.
The Archbishop is part of those who have trusted the campaign to change the narrative in the Anglophone regions during these festive periods.
Also in the campaign are the Bishop of Buea, Executive secretary of the CBC, movies celebrities like Otia Vitalis, Solange Ojong and Agbor Gilbert. Artists are not left out, Ko-C, Mola Mongombe, Boytag, Maxi Manor have joined the campaign not leaving out the paramount rulers of Buea, and Kumba as well as the Fon of Nkwen and Mendankwe.
So far, the campaign videos have received the endorsement of Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), Divine Mercy Radio and TV and My Media Prime TV.
Albert Njie Mbonde says “i am humbled by the sincere collaboration i have enjoyed from my colleagues this far“.
