Buea:The ongoing land dispute between Ewonda village and Lower Ewonda in the South West regional capital, Buea, has seen increased tensions following recent arrests and legal developments. The contested 101 hectares on the slopes of Mount Cameroon have been the subject of a bitter conflict that has persisted for five years.
According to Cameroon News Agency, gendarme officers arrested several youths from Ewonda on October 13, accusing them of trespass and destruction. Lower Ewonda justifies these arrests, citing defiance of an injunction order and damage to infrastructure by Ewonda youths, supported by video evidence. However, Ewonda youth leader Efome Ferdinand denies any destructive actions by his community.
The dispute is further complicated by allegations from Lower Ewonda that outsiders have been recruited to escalate the conflict. Molua Njie Joseph, representing Ewonda, has described the situation as an 'administrative scandal' and warned of potential violence if not resolved promptly.
Legal complexities add to the tension, with nine suspended land certificates reinstated by Minister Henri Eyebe Ayissi, reversing earlier decisions that nullified Lower Ewonda's land titles for administrative errors and fraud. Lower Ewonda maintains they have historical evidence, including colonial boundary markers, supporting their claims.
Chief Paul Molua Tonga of Lower Ewonda advocates for dialogue as the path to peace. Meanwhile, Ewonda calls for presidential intervention to settle the dispute, highlighting the economic and social hardships resulting from restricted access to their ancestral lands. The conflict has deep roots, with differing historical narratives about the existence and boundaries of Lower Ewonda, as well as the impact of administrative decisions on local communities.