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Violent Clashes Rock Mbessa/Oku Again

Cameroon Tribune (Yaoundé)
NEWS
9 May 2007
Posted to the web 9 May 2007

By Choves Loh

A violent exchange of gun shots have again jeopardized peace between the
villages of Mbessa, Belo Sub Division and Ichim, Oku Sub Division since May 5th
2007. Barely two months after the last confrontation that pit both communities
resulting in massive destruction of property, they are again crossing swords
over the disputed piece of land that separate Ichim in Oku, Bui Division and
Mbessa in Boyo Division.
Boyo S.D.O, Mohamadou Haman told Cameroon Tribune, Monday, that he got reports
of renewed clashes on Saturday May 5th and immediately dispatched the D.O of
Belo Sub Division, Lienwotue Patrick, to size up the situation. At press time,
Mohamadou Haman said he had informed the Governor and instructions had already
been given for the North West Legion Commander to dispatch Gendarmes for
reinforcement on-the-spot at the disputed area where the confrontations are
said to be violent with unconfirmed reports of four deaths.
Traveller sources have contradictory versions about the causes of the renewed
clashes with revelations that hectares of newly planted corn and bean farms
have been destroyed on the Mbessa side, while women and children fleeing the
confrontation are currently taking refuge in the Mbessa Catholic School and
Mission Compound with Reverend Father Anthony Viban taking care.
It is perhaps important to note that the Provincial Technical Commission in
charge of the dispute recently resolved to retrace the Oku/Mbessa colonial
boundary with the Oku and Belo local councils and respective communities of Oku
and Mbessa to contribute about CFA 4.3 million for the project. When both
communities clashed last February 12 - 14 over three hundred houses were burnt
in Mbessa and many people suffered injuries in Oku.

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