Skip to main content

FOUR DEAD, OTHERS WOUNDED IN CAMEROON'S MAIDEN REGIONAL ELECTIONS

By Mildred Ndum Wung Kum

A Roman Catholic Priest and a seminarian - all of Bamenda Archdiocese sustained injuries meanwhile two traditional rulers and two municipal councillor are reported to have died within the context of Regional elections  in Cameroon.


mangled car of Fr Anthony Viban, screenshot from amateur video

Reverend Father Anthony Viban and a seminarian were driving to Alatening, a locality in Mezam, Northwest region. They had left Akum for a Holy Mass in Alatening in the morning of Sunday 6th December 2020, Day of pioneer Regional Elections in Cameroon when they were shot. The priest was wounded on the arm while the seminarian was wounded on the leg, local sources say. The car transporting them was mangled by gunshots. It's windscreen shattered, while its wheels were deflated.

Sources say the two are responding to treatment  in a medical facility.

Councillor Encho Elias Ambi is reportedly dead after being shot in the Northwest Region. The incident is said to have happened  minutes after he voted in Mbengwi, a town that hosted polling stations in Momo Division of the Northwest Region. He is said to have been shot in a convoy along the Alabukam neighbourhood as he struggled to return to Bamenda after voting.

Two other traditional leaders are also feared dead. A traditional leader in Garoua reportedly died after voting. Another who was heading a list died on the eve of Elections still in the Francophone part of Cameroon.

Another Municipal Councillor in one of five councils in Momo Division also died after a brief illness; Mayor Itambi Andrew of Njikwa Council died  on Friday December 4, two days to the D day of Regional Elections.

The polls took place in Cameroon where a socio political crisis has been raging in the Anglophone regions for more than four years, the East Region battling with seleka rebels and the Northern Regions plagued by Boko Haram insurgency.

Comments

Post a Comment

Editor's Picks

AT PALLIUM INVESTITURE PAROLIN ENTASKS ALL TO PEACE   By Mildred Ndum Wung Kum The mission to hand the pallium in Bamenda was blended with a mission of peace, dialogue and reconciliation. Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of States of the Vatican and Pope’s envoy on errand to place the pallium on the shoulders of Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea accomplished his task while also calling on an end to violence affecting Bamenda. He prescribed vigilance and serenity insisting that dialogue should be pursued in place of violence. Pietro Cardinal Parolin at St Joseph Piazza Bamenda Pietro Parolin was principal celebrant of a pontifical High Mass to mark the pallium investiture on January 31, 2021 at the St Joseph Centenary Piazza in Bamenda.  He acknowledged that Bamenda is being shattered by division and rioting. His message of none violence in relation to a socio political crisis plaguing Bamenda fell on a heterogonous audience “we are all responsible for peace. All the actors ...
3 comments
Read more
JUICY EXPECTATIONS AT CAMEROON'S MAIDEN REGIONAL ELECTIONS By Mildred Ndum Wung Kum The first ever Regional Election is taking place across polling stations in Cameroon this Sunday December 6th 2020. After casting votes, the electorate awaits Decentralisation and special status with high expectatiion. Once results are declared by the nation's  constitutional council, the installation of regional councillors plus the exercise of their duties would follow. Councillors line up for Voting on Elections Day Expectations are also juicy in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon though in a backdrop  of a four year old Anglophone crisis.  In Mezam, one of seven Divisions in the Northwest Region where voting is taking place, the streets are deserted as people are sticking to ghost towns in obedience to separatist fighters. However, the polling station at Up Station is lively. Members of the electoral college stroll in and out in various turns casting votes.  The House...
1 comment
Read more
PAUL MBIYBE VERDZEKOV SHALL BE PROCLAIMED CANDIDATE FOR SAINTHOOD BY MILDRED NDUM WUNG KUM A pontifical Holy Mass would be celebrated on Thursday 30th January at the St Joseph's Metropolitan Cathedral Mankon,Bamenda at 9am to officially open the process of beatification for late Archbishop Emeritus of Bamenda, Paul Mbiybe Verdzekov. The Mass would be presided by the Apostolic Administrator of Bamenda Cornelius Fontem Esua. It is expected to bring together a huge number of Catholics and non Catholics including pastors and the laity to witness the beginning of the process of sainthood for Paul Verdzekov.  Saints are honoured as people who lived exemplery lives of virtue, are in heaven (triumphant church), can intercede for those living on earth (pilgrim church) as well as those in purgatory (suffering church). The saintly heritage is revered by Catholics but have also benefitted non Catholics who seek intercession of saints and who strive to mimic the saintly way of life. ...
1 comment
Read more