FOR THE GENERAL ATTENTION OF OUR YOUNG ÉLITES; ONE PEOPLE. TWO REGIONS. ONE POWERFUL VOICE.
A joint North West–South West New Elites Association could become the key to unlocking genuine cooperation and unity between our two regions—creating a formidable platform for economic empowerment, political transformation and a stronger common future.
Wherever our people may be—across Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South America, or within Cameroon—let hundreds of cultural associations flourish.
Let school, ex-student, old boys’ and old girls’ associations multiply.
Let village, tribal and community development associations prosper.
Let councils of chiefs and fons continue to preserve our identities, traditions and institutions.
But if these associations exist only for annual meetings, speeches, eating, drinking and dancing, they will never transform the lives of our people.
Our associations must now become more than social gatherings. They must become locomotives of development, solidarity and collective progress.
The histories of the North West and South West are deeply connected. We share a common heritage, similar institutional experiences and many of the same political, economic and social challenges. Yet political manipulation, regional rivalry and mutual suspicion have repeatedly weakened our collective strength.
The time has come to change that history.
We must create joint umbrella structures connecting similar associations across both regions:
A North West–South West Council of Chiefs and Fons.
A joint federation of cultural and development associations.
A common platform for school, ex-student, old boys’ and old girls’ associations.
A united network of young professionals, entrepreneurs, academics and emerging leaders.
A strong global council representing our elites within Cameroon and throughout the diaspora.
This responsibility must begin with our chiefs and fons. As custodians of our traditions and symbols of continuity, they must rise above village, tribal and regional divisions and summon their elites into one powerful voice and constructive force.
Such unity would:
1. Expand cooperation in education, investment, infrastructure, culture and development.
2. Replace suspicion with mutual respect, trust and confidence between North Westerners and South Westerners.
3. Strengthen solidarity and broaden access to educational, professional, cultural and economic opportunities.
4. Increase our collective bargaining power while reducing political manipulation and the destructive politics of divide and rule.
5. Mobilise capital, knowledge, influence and expertise from our diaspora for community development.
6. Consolidate peace, stability, unity and peaceful coexistence across both regions.
This must not become another political pressure group or an organisation controlled by a handful of personalities. It must be transparent, inclusive, non-partisan and development-driven—with clear objectives, accountable leadership and measurable projects.
Our young elites must provide the ideas, energy and innovation. Our chiefs and fons must offer traditional legitimacy and moral leadership. Our businesspeople must invest. Our professionals must contribute their expertise. Our women and youth must occupy central positions. The diaspora and all people of goodwill must provide their networks, resources and support.
We have mourned together, suffered together and survived together. Now we must organise, rebuild and prosper together.
The North West cannot realise its full potential in isolation from the South West, and the South West cannot secure its strongest future while disconnected from the North West. Our strength will not come from erasing our differences, but from organising those differences around a common purpose.
Let our chiefs and fons convene the historic meeting.
Let our elites design the structure.
Let the diaspora mobilise its support.
Let this generation transform our many associations into one coordinated voice, one development force and one shared future.
The time for ceremonial unity is over. The time for organised cooperation, collective action and shared prosperity has come.
— Dr. David Makongo
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