Bimbia: Indigenes throw weight behind Njalla Quan, reiterate respect of law
The dust is yet to settle in Bimbia, a historic village in Limbe 3 Council, Fako Division in the South West region, following the ban of any activity carried out under the Bimbia Cultural and Development Association, BICUDA. The association revealed that they have not yet been approved by the administration and the process has already passed the required months of waiting.
Read further the 2020 law on artistic and cultural associations in Cameroon
Brief history
On April 25, 2025, the SDO of Fako issued a communique, banning any gathering held under the banner of BICUDA. The next day April 26, members of the said proscribe association met at the Paramount ruler’s palace for a cultural and courtesy visit. News of this meeting reached the ears of the SDO who is said to have been provoked. But the members of the association who are still waiting for their legalization, three months after deposition, fired back at media reports that they violated administrative order.
According to a statement and voice notes sent to CNA newsroom, they deny any wrongdoing insisting that they obeyed the SDO’s orders and did not hold a general meeting as previewed. They instead suggested that since the meeting had been banned, they will pay a courtesy visit to their Paramount ruler as indigenes of Bimbia not as BICUDA.
They also reiterated that the objective of BICUDA does not have any discriminatory tendency, it does not target any other community, dispelling reports that they were out to chase non indigenes from the former slave site, a historic destination in Cameroon.
“BICUDA does not pose as threat to anybody, BICUDA does not advocate for segregation or discrimination and does not advocate for the ejection of non-indigenes. BICUDA advocates for Bimbia’s unity, cultural valorization and development. But this advocacy is being fought by people who carry out illicit activities in Limbe 3”, the program Coordinator, Dr. LULU John Billa, told CNA in a voice note.
“There are people involved in illicit activities that are fighting or who have acquired properties in Bimbia illegally and they are fighting against the existence of any entity that brings the Bimbia people together. On the other hand, those who have acquired their properties legally using the right channels have nothing to be afraid, I think they should be one of the supporters because they are part of the community and will benefit from whatever development that will come with the indigenes being involved in community development,” he added.
The bigger picture
Amid this ban on BICUDA activities and the cold war ongoing, the Bimbia slave trade site lies at the centre of discussion. This has recently been in the news, with speculations that a developer has acquired government’s accord to start bulldozing the site. The people of Bimbia protested such moves saying that The Slave Trade Center was not for sale.
The indigenes that have been decrying bad roads and abandonment say they will welcome anyone who legally and rightfully acquire properties, because they all want development. This has been their main worry-Bimbia is the least developed area in Fako Division, with places like Kange, Mboko II, Mbomo I and Mbomo II, having terrible road network systems.
This situation had forced traditional authorities to table their cries and demand that the government should focus on developing the subdivision.
Looking at the future
The Bimbia Cultural and Development Association, which is still waiting for an official legalization receipt from administration, said it fully support the General Coordinator, Henry Njalla Quan Junior, who has been the one exchanging letters and explaining the reasons for the creation to the Senior Divisional Officer of Fako.
On May 6, traditional rulers, elites and indigenes jointly agreed to throw unflinching support to Mr. Njalla Quan. They emphasized that the ban on their association was a sign of maximum disrespect to the community that supports with a 100 percent margin, the head state, Paul Biya.
They added that since the deed has been done, they are committed to working together with the administration in a constructive dialogue but did not also fail to note, they are aware that the Divisional Officer of Limbe 3, does not like the people of Bimbia. This same D.O was cited in a May 1, letter in which the General Coordinator, designate of BICUDA, Henry Njalla Quan told the SDO, the superior of the former, that he, the SDO is being induced into error by his collaborator.
