ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: FAKO WILL NO LONGER TOLERATE WHAT NO PEOPLE SHOULD BE FORCED TO ACCEPT

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: FAKO WILL NO LONGER TOLERATE WHAT NO PEOPLE SHOULD BE FORCED TO ACCEPT

Fako land is not available for fraudulent sale, unlawful occupation or political manipulation. Anyone who paid money for disputed Fako land should immediately demand a full refund, because we shall lawfully pursue the recovery of every inch, hectare and square metre unlawfully transferred to any individual, association or company.

The Bakweri people would never enter another community, manufacture traditional authority and attempt to dispossess its indigenous population. Many honourable people from other communities would equally reject conduct that is disrespectful, provocative and manipulative.

The treatment inflicted upon the Fako people—and the injustices they have endured in silence—would not be accepted in any community that respects the rule of law, legitimate traditional authority and indigenous land rights.

Where else would an individual be permitted to proclaim himself a “Muslim Chief,” “Hindu Chief” or any other religious chief within an established host community—and then allegedly collaborate with local administrative authorities to dispossess indigenous people of their ancestral lands while presenting the transaction as a government decision?

This is not a religious issue. Muslims, Christians, Hindus and people of every faith deserve equal dignity, respect and protection. The real issue is the alleged fabrication or misuse of traditional authority, the manipulation of administrative power and the dispossession of a host community without lawful consultation, transparency or consent.

Religious leadership cannot be transformed into indigenous chieftaincy. Administrative authority cannot manufacture customary ownership. Government decisions must never become a disguise for land grabbing.

The Fako people are peaceful—but our peaceful nature must never be mistaken for weakness.

We therefore call upon everyone who paid money to any individual, association or group for disputed parcels of Fako land to return immediately to those who collected the money and demand a full refund. Anyone who proceeds with construction, resale, occupation or development on such disputed land does so at their own risk and subject to the law.

We shall pursue, through every lawful avenue, the cancellation of every fraudulent transaction, the restoration of every unlawfully transferred parcel of land and the investigation and prosecution of everyone found responsible—regardless of rank, religion, wealth, office or political connection.

The Fako people welcome every law-abiding resident. The people of Meme, Ngoketunjia, Bamenda, the Beti-Bulu communities and communities throughout Cameroon also welcome law-abiding residents. But hospitality does not extinguish indigenous rights. Welcoming others does not mean surrendering ancestral land, identity or legitimate traditional authority.

Peaceful coexistence must never become a licence for dispossession.

Enough is enough.

Dr. David Makongo