Baba 1: Procedure of finding new Fon not respected- Moh Mbameley

By Nfor Hanson Nchanji

There is an ongoing cold war between Councillors and some Elites of Baba 1, Ngoketundjia Division in the North West region. The people are still mourning the disappearance of their traditional ruler, but succession disputes have taken center stage.

HRM Fon Fuekemshi II gave up the ghost on May 2, 2023, but just days after his demise, a new Fon has been identified, the son of his last wife.

On May 8, 2023, CNA was reliably informed that 9-year-old, HRM, Fue Nghaper II of Baba 1, was chosen as the new traditional ruler to succeed his father.

“He was chosen in respect to Baba 1 tradition. There, it’s father to son directly and the boy chosen is the son of the late Fon. People are wondering why the boy was chosen whereas the Fon had boys of 35 years upward. That little boy was chosen because the mother lived with the Fon until his disappearance though being the last wife. The mothers of the older children left the palace already and they couldn’t choose someone whose mother is no longer in the palace.

Well, I know elites in Yaoundé chose the new Fon though in respect to Baba 1 tradition but if it happened that the council did not sit then that’s where the problem is,” a source who had knowledge of the situation said.

But those against the “catching” of a new traditional ruler said the process was very sudden and went against the tradition of the people of Baba 1. One of such people who enthroned the deceased Fon during his days is a former Divisional Officer, Moh Mbameley.

“There is a traditional procedure to choose a new Fon. Once the Fon goes missing, according to the Baba tradition, a period of “fever” is declared for two weeks at the Palace. This is meant to allow women and other people to carry out their duties, arrange things and prepare for a bigger announcement. After the two weeks, another two weeks period is declared, when the Fon’s disappearance is now officially announced,” he said in an interview.

According to Moh Mbameley, only important Kingmakers have the right to enthrone a new Fon but that was not the case which led to the announcement of a new traditional ruler.

“They are traditional King makers who inherit the title to enthrone the new Fon. They are not appointed. All of them were not present, the paramount ones were not around. Two or three took part. The main people did not take part.” He revealed.

The former administrator alleged that friends of the deceased ruler, singlehanded the process of “appointing “a new ruler.

“Friends of late Fon took it upon themselves and are now rushing to have him recognized.”

“The throne of Baba 1 has always been in court. Some of the palace Princes took the late Fon to court and it went on for a while. They said he exploited the people, and it wasn’t his right to sit on the throne. Before Fon’s death, the palace was divided into 4 parts so it’s really a difficult one in Baba 1 until someone brings them together which I think it’s already happening,” the source with knowledge on the event told CNA reporter in a chat.

Some comments claim that the choice for the young Fon is because Regents, who usually take charge of a village before the young ruler reaches acceptable age to rule, want to take control of the Palace affairs and dictate their laws.