Minister Atanga Nji’s two reasons why NW, SW chiefs must return to palaces

By DOH JAMES SONKEY Territorial Administration Minister, Paul Atanga Nji has disclosed that traditional rulers from the North West and South West regions who were forced out of their palaces by the socio-political crisis, must return home now to “first of all take control of their palaces and secondly participate at the upcoming Regional elections and the House of Chiefs that has to be reinstated by the Head of State, Paul Biya.” Speaking to reporters at the end of a seven-hour separate deliberations with these custodians of the tradition in the two English speaking regions, last August 19, 2020 at the Yaounde City Council hall, the Territorial Administration boss reassured the Fons and Chiefs that government will support their return to their palaces. NW Fons pose with MINAT boss, Paul Atanga Nji Addressing the auxiliaries of the administration, Minister Paul Atanga Nji explained that the meeting was organised on the initiative of the Head of State, Paul Biya, who is Fon of Fons. He also reminded the traditional rulers of their role in overseeing the implementation of the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction of the North West and South West Regions in their respective villages. Urging traditional rulers to overtly denounce separatist fighters and support government’s peace restoration efforts, the MINAT boss underlined that; “Sitting on a fence is counterproductive, so, we need to identify ourselves with what is positive.” These First Class, Second Class and Third Class chiefs pledged to forgive all separatist fighters and other persons who have committed atrocities and desecrated the land should they lay down their arms to give peace a chance. The separate sessions were also attended by Cabinet Ministers, Senators and Members of the National Assembly from the two English speaking regions. Some traditional rulers highlighted the need for cleansing rituals to appease the ancestors following the desecration of their palaces and their lands and also presented the need for temporary lodging facilities while construction works are carried out on their palaces that had been burnt down, ransacked, looted and destroyed by separatists. The meetings ended with them expressing gratitude to government for the attention shown towards the traditional institution. The post Minister Atanga Nji’s two reasons why NW, SW chiefs must return to palaces appeared first on The SUN Newspaper, Cameroon.