The Paramount Ruler of Buea, HRM Robert Esuka Endeley, has, in an interview, asked the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, for Fako, Viang Mekala, to focus on doing his work as the SDO, while Chiefs do theirs as custodians of tradition. He was responding to questions about the recent order of the SDO calling on Chiefs to participate in the National Day festivities or face sanctions.
In his reaction to the press after turning up for the National Day, the SDO said he read the message “with a little bit of consternation because I know that as somebody who loves his country, you don’t need to be reminded to come to this annual ceremony”. The paramount Chief said he was taken aback.
“I am a chief, I will my job, let him do his own job,” HRM Robert Esuka Endeley said.
Genesis of the Problem
The controversy began when the SDO for Fako Division, Viang Mekala, issued a directive to all Divisional Officers in Fako, instructing them to ensure the effective presence of all traditional rulers at the grandstands during the National Day celebrations on May 20, 2025. The SDO further warned that “the unjustified absence of any traditional ruler will immediately be subjected to a request for explanation and a disciplinary file be sent to hierarchy.”
Chief Atem Ebako Andrew, following the uproar the SDO’s message caused on and offline, responded to the SDO’s directive, questioning the authority of the SDO to insist on the presence of traditional rulers. He warned the SDO against being insolent and disrespectful to the institution of traditional rulers.
He stated that the SDO’s directive was “not only very frustrating, but disparaging to the status, divine honor and dignity of the Traditional Rulers, not only of the Fako Division, but of the whole SW Region”.
This did not go well with the President of the Southwest Regional Assembly, Bakoma Elango Zacheus, who quickly sent out a public response in which he stated that Chief Atem Ebako’s response to the SDO for Fako was misrepresentative of the Southwest Regional Assembly and violated section 312(1) of the General Code of Regional and Local Authorities.
In his letter to Chief Atem Ebako, Bakoma emphasised that traditional rulers are an integral part of the republican setup and auxiliaries of the administration. He argued that the SDO’s directive was aimed at reminding traditional rulers of their republican duty and responsibility to participate in national events, stating that as “much as we respect and recognise traditional rulers as custodians of the tradition of our people, they remain an integral part of a republican set up, and in that capacity are auxiliaries of the administration.”
Bakoma’s rebuke of Chief Atem Ebako has sparked a debate about the role of traditional rulers and their place in society, as well as the limits of administrative authority. The response from the President of the Regional Assembly to the President of the House of Chiefs came after Chief Atem Ebako had responded to the SDO’s directive, highlighting the complex political dynamics at play in the region.
Bakoma’s letter to Chief Atem-Ebako concluded that “the South West Regional Assembly dissociates itself from the content of your letter dated 19th May 2025, addressed to the Senior Divisional Officer for Fako Division.” The standoff between Bakoma and Chief Atem-Ebako has raised questions about the future of relations between traditional rulers and the administration in the Southwest region.
The debate about the role of traditional rulers and the limits of administrative authority will likely continue, with many wondering whether the administration will find a way to balance its authority with the dignity and autonomy of traditional rulers in Fako, or continue to treat them with in such an insensitive way and sometimes disrespect.
By Andrew Nsoseka
