Mbengwi, Momo Division – Over 85% of residents in the newly designated Mbengwi-Teghenibi area have expressed support for the creation of a third-class fondom, saying it will bring administration and development services closer to their community.
The positive reception was evident during community gatherings held on 22 May 2026, where residents from Mbengwi-Teghenibi and surrounding neighborhoods described the move as a restoration and a long-overdue step to address gaps in local governance, access to public services, and recognition of their cultural identity.
Speaking on behalf of residents supporting the decision, local representatives said the creation of Mbengwi-Teghenibi provides an opportunity for more inclusive traditional leadership.
“The Teghenibi families are the founders of the Mbengwi-Teghenibi community. For years, the people of Mbengwi-Teghenibi have been working hard on aggressive development projects in collaboration with the local administration and the State of Cameroon. This new structure allows us to manage our affairs more effectively while remaining part of the broader Meta community,” a spokesperson for the Mbengwi-Teghenibi Cultural and Development Association (MBETCUDA) said.
Residents who participated in the 20 May National Day celebrations under the association’s banner said their participation reflected support and appreciation for H.E. Minister Paul Atanga Nji for the creation of the Mbengwi-Teghenibi chiefdom. They gave special thanks to their political leader, the Minister Delegate in charge of the Supreme State Audit, Minister Mbah Rose Acha, for supporting development in line with the Head of State’s vision of an emerging Cameroon by 2035. The biggest thanks, they said, goes to H.E. President Paul Biya for authorizing the creation of new chiefdoms in Cameroon.
Supporters argue that establishing a third-class chiefdom will improve coordination on infrastructure, promote economic activities, youth empowerment, education, and agricultural projects, and open doors for aggressive development in the community. They also note that having a local traditional authority will make it easier to engage with government programs and NGOs operating in Momo Division.
“The goal is not division, but service delivery. We want our youth to have faster access to administrative documents, our farmers to engage directly with agricultural extension officers, and our cultural practices to be preserved through a recognized structure, in line with the administrative procedures and laws of the State of Cameroon,” one community elder stated.
Another notable from Mbengwi-Teghenibi stated: “Now that we have a new, dynamic, and vibrant Fon whose goal is peace, unity, empowerment, truth, respect, and aggressive development, we will always stand and support his vision and his reign.”
The group said the handful of protesters represents no more than 5% of the community. According to them, these protesters argue that the government should have consulted them first and obtained their opinions before proceeding with any creation.
One protester said the state has no right to create a village, claiming it is their right to decide whether to create a new village or not. Another protester said they were called by the SDF party leader to go and support a protest about which they knew nothing.
One other protester said they were called to the palace by their Fon. On arrival, the Fon said that the SDF party leader had called for a protest and asked some villagers to support him. She confessed, “Sir, we followed the protesters blindly without knowing their hidden motives.”
One notable in the Mbengwi chiefdom confessed that he had advised his Fon not to rebel against the state’s decision. He said the Fon insisted that they are followers of the SDF opposition leader and must follow him no matter what, and forced him to join the protest. “Sir, I joined them out of respect,” he said.
Another notable from the Ku chiefdom said he was not happy to join his Fon in what he described as an illegal movement. He said he advised his Fon to seek a permit before going out for a protest, but the Fon, whom he called a dictator, told him to stay quiet. He claimed they are followers of an SDF opposition leader who told him in confidence that if they called people and made noise with financial compensation, the Minister of Territorial Administration would back down and immediately cancel the decision. He further said the minister is supposedly afraid of the name SDF.
Another person, who introduced himself as a notable from Tugi village, explained why they are part of the protest. He said Njaah village was created at their request and they followed up with the support of the Fons of Ku, Mbengwi, Nyen, Mbemi, Njah-Etu, and Njindom villages. According to him, these six Meta Fons stood firmly behind the Fon of Tugi village, and the prefectoral order creating Njaah village was withdrawn under their influence.
He said the seven Fons mentioned above, along with some of their kingmakers, took an oath and agreed that no new fondom would ever be created in the Meta clan except with their acceptance and authorization before the administration could proceed. He added that these seven Fons and some of their notables vowed that it would be at the last drop of their blood that they would accept any new fondom to be created in the Meta clan. He said he is just an ordinary notable with no influence over the Fon and is not happy with the decision of these seven Fons because it is hindering the development of the Meta clan.
Another notable from Tugi confessed that the stance of these seven Fons in fighting the creation of new chiefdoms is discouraging and destroying development in the Meta clan.
Another notable from Tugi village noted that they are the main opposition camp of the SDF in Momo. He said Tugi, as the main opposition camp of the SDF, has produced the highest number of parliamentarians and mayors in Mbengwi Subdivision. That is why, he said, when their SDF opposition leader calls them for any protest, good or bad, they must come to stand with him as a united force.
“We joined a united force for the cancellation of Njaah village. We joined a united force to suppress the CPDM during the 20th May celebrations in 2026,” he said.
He added that their presence in Mbengwi today is to join their united force, as per their oath, to call on the administration to cancel the newly created Mbengwi-Teghenibi village. He ended by saying, “The minister must cancel the Mbengwi-Teghenibi village. If the cancellation is not done, call us cowards.” He quoted himself as saying, “We are the main opposition camp in Meta with a strong opposition leader who is a barrister in law. He is always there to defend our interests.”
The group appealing for the new fondom called on administrative authorities and traditional councils to facilitate consultations that allow all stakeholders to share their views and ensure the transition supports peace and unity in Momo Division.
Prefectoral Order No. 49/2025/PO/DO/SP, signed on 23 December 2025, created the Mbengwi-Teghenibi third-class fondom within Mbengwi Subdivision. The order became public in May 2026.
Supporters maintain that the creation aligns with Cameroon’s decentralization policy, which aims to bring governance closer to the people and improve local participation in decision-making. They say they will continue to work with the SDO of Momo Division and other authorities to ensure the new fondom contributes to stability and development in the region.
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