The violence narrative is giving way to the peace narrative in Bambalang.
Once beaten twice shy the saying goes. Youths of Bambalang through their youth President are working hard to change the hitherto hostile atmosphere in Bambalang to a more peaceful one. This exercise is championed by the YCPDM section president for Ngoketunjia I and National President of the Mbaw Yakum Youth Association, Pius Mingo. In taking the crusade for permanent peace from the confines of the party to the entire community, Mingo plans to bring youths in Ngoketunjia I, particularly those of Bambalang village to the realization that no growth is possible without peace.
In a planning meeting involving members of the national and regional executive bureau of the Mbaw Yakum Youth Association on April 1 in Yaounde, they agreed to have a peace and prize award conference to take place in Bafoussam west region from August 26 to 27, 2023. According to Pius Mingo “Bambalang my village is one of the most hardest hit communities in Ngoketunjia by the armed conflict”, he said.
Understandably youths of this community have learned to treasure and preserve peace the hard way. They, who have seen their community, relatives and peers destroyed in a senseless crisis that has benefited none, but that has plunged their community in a more difficult economic, social situation that it was before the crisis are more determined to right a wrong which has rather overdued. They better appreciate peace today, and understand that only they can rebuild and maintain their own peace. They are committed to follow their leader and rebuild their lives as well as their community.
According to Mingo, “We are bringing a message of peace to the Youths in our section through the YCPDM. The results so far are plausible. However, we have also realized that all the youths are yet to get on board the YCPDM train, reason why we are making use of our office as the Youth President of the Mbaw Yakum Youth association to bring the same message to the yet to become YCPDM militants especially in our Village Bambalang”, he insisted.
In the build up to the August come together, the National president plans to distribute didactic materials to Bambalang children in view of the 2023/2024 academic year.
Pius Mingo lost his father in February this year after he was kidnapped and later killed by Separatists.
He has continued to implore the good sense of the youths of Bambalang who are still in the bushes to accept the call of the Head of State for them to lay down their weapons and come to normal life. He also pleads for the release of their Fon.
Irene AWENEG
