The CPDM will tomorrow Thursday December 15 accompany the people of Mankon, in the North West region as they celebrate the life of the party’s late longstanding Vice President, Fon Anyeghamotu Ndefru Solomon Angwafo III, who was also their traditional ruler.
It is one month of funeral, also known as cry-die during which all the late Fon’s children and grandchildren will lead dance groups. This ceremony will usher in the era of the new Fon Fru Asaah Angwafo IV. The people of Mankon will be celebrating the life and legacy of the late Fon – the CPDM was an integral part of his life. Under the banner of North West CPDM elite, the ruling party has made a significant financial contribution for the ceremony and will be present in the numbers at the Mankon Fon’s palace.
King Solomon Angwafo III drew his last breath on May 21, 2022 after 38 years as first vice President of the CPDM, and 63 as traditional ruler of the Mankon people. He was 97 when he passed away on his birthday. He was regarded as the traditional ruler in a league of his own with a full dosage of hospitality, a towering politician, and legacy nonpareil.
Fon Angwafo III lived in his palace until his death, a feat nowadays in the troubled English-speaking part of Cameroon, where armed groups chase away, kidnap and kill traditional rulers. Despite this tense atmosphere the traditional ruler stayed and remained in politics. He was the eldest member of the reinstated [in 2021] House of Chiefs. His stance on the unity of Cameroon was vehement. No doubt, he earned the trust of the National President of the CPDM Paul Biya, and his comrades. For 38 years, he survived all shake ups within the party and kept his post of Vice President.
Being active in partisan politics, the late traditional ruler still commanded honour and respect from across the board during his 63 year rule. He taught his people (indigenes of Bamenda metropolis) hospitality. He welcomed the church, for example, and offered land. Mankon people under his reign welcomed even Nigerians, and allowed them to settle in peace on their land. The successor will have big shoes of his father to wear laced with new challenges of the time.
Jude VIBAN
