In a letter dated September 25, 2019, the Parliamentarian addressed himself to the Head of State on the “Desecration of the Bafut Palace and Villages in Bafut Fondom.”

The MP says he is reliably informed by senior elites of his constituency that elements of the Cameroon military invaded the Bafut Palace on Tuesday, September 24, 2019. He wonders why such a thing will be happening when the Head of State is making efforts to bring lasting peace and national cohesion with a call to dialogue.

“The invasion is happening for the second time and saw the military shattering eight houses belonging to queen mothers’, looting property, shattering three ancestral shrine houses, looting its content, shattering the two doors of the museum and carrying away artefacts. One of the Fon’s guards, a 56-year-old prince who is a father of six children was shot, the queen mothers, prince and princesses were molested,” said Hon. Fusi Naamukong.

The representative of the people adds that since the convening of the Major National Dialogue, many villages in Bafut Subdivision have been attacked by the military with many houses destroyed, property looted and innocent civilians killed.

“This diabolic action has left the entire population devastated, with many forced to flee into the bushes for safety. The whereabouts of His Majesty the Fon of Bafut is unknown, leaving the entire population of Bafut Subdivision in panic and fear.

“It is worthy to note that the Palace of Bafut is an ancient tourist destination and an imminent UNESCO heritage site. Looting the artefacts exposes the country to international shame.”

Hon. Fusi Naamukong calls on the President of the Republic to bring the perpetrators of these “acts of vandalism, looting and wanton destruction” to book and those affected adequately compensated.

The lawmaker hopes that government will do everything to create a conducive atmosphere that will enable peace and harmony to return to “this beautiful nation” and Bafut subdivision in particular.