Bangolan crisis:1 killed, dozens injured in clashes

Violent clashes between the police and hundreds of villagers in Bangolan, Northwest region, has injured many and left one dead, according to reports from local journalists.

Angry villagers matched to the Bangolan palace Saturday to protest against the forceful enthronement of Chafah XI, a traditional ruler who was dethroned by villagers several weeks ago. Villagers claim that the police invaded and occupied their palace, demanding for an “unconditional and immediate enthronement” of Chafah.

“We are against government meddling into our traditional affairs,” an angry protester told me on Facebook. “The police should leave our palace immediately.”

Chafah is accused by villagers for raping their culture with dirty politics.

Chafah had earlier denied the charges in the media, arguing that since his enthronement in 1982, he has been protecting the decades-old culture, and has rolled out great development projects in the village.

Chafah cheated death in January when villagers stormed the palace to cleanse their throne.

More than 500 villagers have staged a sit-down strike around the palace that has been cordoned off by the military. Villagers have blocked all roads leading into the village.

Takembeng, a group of old women believed to have mystical powers, have paraded nude in front of the military.

Clashes between traditional rulers and villagers are commonplace in English-speaking Cameroon. In 2007, a traditional ruler was mobbed by angry villagers in Babanki, another village located miles away.

It is common place for traditional rulers to meddle in politics and rubbish their culture to the highest bidder.