A group cannot challenge the authority of chiefs - Fako Prez

The Journal cornered Chief Mokoto Njie Johannes, new Fako Chiefs’ President right after the meeting that saw his election. We asked for his thoughts on the lingering land saga in Fako. He was not only quick to refer to the land issue as an illusion, but apparently referring to the human rights group and some Fako Chiefs who are against the idea of land grab, stated unequivocally that no group has the power to challenge the authority of the chiefs when it comes to the land issue. Atia Azonwhi conducted the interview – read on.

How prepared are you for the office of Fako Chiefs Conference President? I am very prepared because I’m not new to the Fako Chiefs Conference. Before my election I was the treasurer. I’m a man of the system. I’m ready for it and will be up to the task. I’ve served as Fako Divisional President of the South West Elite association. I know the good, the bad and the ugly about Fako.

What is your roadmap for the Fako Chiefs Conference in the next two years? My first priority will be to reunite the Fako Chiefs. I’ll also bring in all chiefs who are not yet members of the conference and see how we can ensure that the various chiefs-elect are installed.

I’ll look to the construction of a secretariat for the conference as a matter of urgency. We will also coordinate the development of our villages and ensure the completion of the blueprint for chieftaincy succession in Fako.

Camps seem to have emerged among Fako Chiefs. How do you intend to lead such a divided house? I started reuniting the people even when I was not president. Now that I have been elected president, I pledge to reconcile everybody so that we can move in the same direction for the interest of Fako. I’ll reunite everybody and not only Fako Chiefs. As a chief, you are the father of everybody.

You are taking up this office at a time when land grabbing has become a big issue in Fako. How do you intend to approach the issue? I don’t term it land grabbing because people apply for the land that they lost. Bakweri people gave land to the Germans for the plantations and they agreed that such land will be surrendered to the community when there is need. The

people apply to the government for land to be surrendered and such surrenders are done legally. This does not amount to land grabbing. The state gives the land to the community and the chief as the head manages the land. When we say it is grabbing, it is not true. We may have one or two cases where some people might have misused the land, but it does not amount to land grabbing. The chief has the right to share the land to the community members. Land grabbing in Fako is only an illusion.

But Fako chiefs seem to be at war with their people over surrendered CDC lands. What do you make of this? I don’t want to comment about the group fighting Fako Chiefs. I think they should know better why they are fighting. The land is given to the community and the chief manages it. A group cannot come out to challenge the authority of the chiefs.

Fako Chiefs were recently in Yaoundé to protest the suspension placed on the surrendered lands. What was the outcome of the meeting? A suspension is not a ban. Because of the small noise around the place, the minister has suspended land surrenders so that they can investigate and rectify the lapses. It was not a protest per se. the land has not been taken away from the communities. It still remains community land. The minister reassured the chiefs that all will be well.