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M’mockmbie Cultural and Development Association (MOCUDA):
Sustaining Cultural Heritage and Addressing Complex Development Challenges
Introduction
The idea to create an association to take care of development questions in M’mockmbie dates back to 29 October 1983. On that day, John C. Nkempu, Pius Forchop, Tasong C. Dominic, Ndifor Akepu William, Ngecha Sylvester, Simon Morfow, Ngemasong Sylvester, Romanus N. Nkempu and others met in Douala, with aims of brainstorming on the procedures to harness the development of M’mockmbie kingdom and maintain their cultural heritage. These delegates had converged in Douala from all over the national territory. During this gathering, the president of M’mockmbie Family Union in Douala, Chafack John Nkempu addressed them. He appointed Mr David Wamba as acting Chairman and Mr Tasong Dominic as acting Secretary.[1] In an attempt to put in place an organisation with a structure, the delegates designed functions within an executive and voted the persons to occupy them. The Executive had a National President. They elected Mr John C. Nkempu to occupy that post. Pius C. Forchop was elected Vice National President. The elected General Secretary was Tasong C. Dominic. His elected Vice was Ndifor A. Williams. The elected treasurer was Ngecha Sylvester, the financial secretary Ngemasong Sylvester. Simon Morfow and Nkempu Romanus were advisors.
The meeting established six branches notably North West Region with its branch Coordinator Ndifor A.William, South west Region, Nkempu Romanus as branch Coordinator, West region Joseph C. Morfow as branch Coordinator, Lebialem division Teneze Paul, Melong with Assah Azeteh Barnabas and Douala was the headquarter of the association.[1] The North West branch was tasked to draw up a constitution to govern the newly formed association. Men were expected to pay a sum of 1000f and women 500f to be affiliated to the association. The Douala delegates envisaged that, annual contributions to the functioning of the association would vary according to the annual earnings of the people. The table below summarises the classified earnings. The amounts were in FCFA
|
Range |
Amount of |
|
|
|
|
1000-15,000 |
3000 |
|
16,000-30,000 |
5,000 |
|
31,000-50,000 |
7,000 |
|
51,000- 100,000 |
10,000 |
|
101,000 and above |
15,000 |
In the meeting, Mr Pius Forchop raised the issue of the three Corners Foto road to M‘mockmbie Market Square. He said that was not a priority. They deliberated and decided to create a pro pharmacy at the cooperative house in the Market Square. After the Douala meeting which served as a nursery for MOCUDA, the Circulars from the office of the secretary General increasingly used the title “M’mockmbie Development/Cultural Association.” In a letter dated 07 August 1984 addressed to the Secretary General, Ndifor A. William referred to the association as “M’mockmbie Cultural and Development Association” however without the acronym MOCUDA. All Correspondences and letters addressed by the association from 1985 carried M’Mockmbie Cultural and Development Association. The first time a correspondence from the Office of the Secretary General used the acronym was on 20 March 1985 and took the form “MMOCUDA”[4] In fact, throughout the mandate of J. C. Nkempu, it was this acronym with double “m” that was used. However, immediately Paul-Sixtus Ntemgwa took over office, the acronym “MOCUDA” has remained unchanged. Earlier on 16 March 1985, in an epic meeting of Committee members held in Douala, John Chafac Nkempu expressed deep satisfaction that, three years down the line, the idea of creating an association had become a concrete reality. In his capacity as president, he invited every son and daughter of the kingdom to join hands in the race to develop it. During the same meeting, Ngemasong Sylvester proposed that, on the 09 April 1985, they should gather at (M’mockmbie) to celebrate the creation of MOCUDA. At this moment, the name M’mockmbie Cultural and Development Association had been consolidated. The first congress of the association effectively took place on 08 April 1985. The delegates therein decided to use every Easter holidays as a cultural week celebrated back at home.[1] So started the flourishing MOCUDA we have today with branches in the Diaspora. It is very necessary to treat the pioneer executive as the champions of M’mockmbie civilization. This essay will explain how the association has been administered, the development and cultural axis and finally its expansion within the last thirty years.
In the mind of every person of M’mockmbie extraction, MOCUDA is an association of pride. It is the identity of the people championing development, their collective vision and shared cultural, sports and merry making values. Having served the association for 20 years and above in different capacities, Ndifor Akepu William proposes the best definition of the association. To him, “MOCUDA is the only constituted body in M’mockmbie recognized by the government and our local administrative authorities, which tries to enhance the development of M’mockmbe in all areas of human endeavours. This means that MOCUDA …is capable of speaking to the government or our local administrative authorities on behalf of M’mockmbie people.”
On the Constitution
On the date of the inception of MOCUDA in Douala on the 29 October 1983, the participants unanimously agreed that, the North West branch should draw up a constitution, which will govern the association to be presented in the next meeting. Close to two years later, on the 16 March 1985, Ndifor A. William presented a draft constitution to a committee meeting in Douala. He was requested to produce the draft and circulate it for study and adoption. Finally, Ndifor Akepu William, Ntemgwa Paul-Sixtus and Ngemasong Sylvester, members of the North West branch came out with the first ever MOCUDA Constitution, a three pages document.
The preamble of the constitution read thus: considering the desire and need for the development of M’mockmbie in all areas of development, considering the necessity of the revival of our culture and the role cultural and development associations play in our socio-cultural, economic and political development of a people, M’mockmbie elements have decided to form a cultural and development association. Article I stated the name of the association called “M’mockmbie Cultural and Development Association” abbreviated
Association” abbreviated MOCUDA. Article II spelled out the aims. Article V brought out the National Executive Committee, a 15 man office including the function of a Work Inspector and an auditor. At the helm of that Executive Committee was the post of the National President General. Article VIII made provisions for the organization of football, volleyball and handball. Unfortunately, volleyball has never been organized in MOCUDA. The condition of amendment was provided for in the constitution if 2/3 of a majority in a general meeting voted in favour of that amendment.
The Creation of Projects and their realization
At the meeting in Douala on 29 October 1983, the champions of the creation of MOCUDA earmarked the creation of a pro pharmacy in
the village. This idea became the strong focus of the elite. On the 31 October 1983, the president addressed a letter to the King of M’mockmbie, V. A. Fossimombin explaining the process through which the project was to be realised. First under the assistance of the king, the village women were to provide sand and stones. Secondly, the M’mockmbie Development Association provided the sum of 100,000f (one hundred thousand francs). Thirdly, they suggested the arrangement of two rooms in the market to suit the purpose of a pro pharmacy. Fourthly, once the sand and stones were to be ready, the project chairman elected in Douala, Teneze Paul was to collect the 100,000f for to continue with the project. Finally, once completed, Teneze Paul would contact the Doctor in Fontem for the installation of the pharmacy. On the 23 November 1983, Taleh Francis addressed a letter to the Secretary General in the capacity of the appointed register to inform him that the sand and stones were ready in the quantity requisite to realise the project. Through efforts and proper coordination, MOCUDA went beyond a pro-pharmacy and
created a health post unit with beds to admit patients. During the inauguration of the health post, Dr Ojong Ntui, the doctor at Fontem remarked that: “The village health post is the symbol of primary health care at the village level. It is the fruits of the self-reliant efforts of the dynamic people of M’mockmbie; it is healthcare brought to the door step of the M’mockmbie population. Through this post the people of M’mockmbie will receive health care at their convenience, at a cost they can afford, on terms they can cope with and in a language that is none but their own.
While the health post was to be inaugurated the following day, in a meeting on 8 April 1985, MOCUDA was already brainstorming on how to speed up the steam of education in the kingdom. Thus MOCUDA sought to understand how to make aid available to C.S. Fossimockmbin and G. S. Attrah and to provide scholarships to children of M’mockmbie origin doing sciences in any approved high school.[1] On the 15 June 1985, MOCUDA resolved to provide scholarships worth 100,000frs, give assistance to the Catholic School worth 200,000frs and 200,000frs to Government School. In a letter dated 09 October 1986, the headmaster of G. S. Attrah expressed appreciation for the reception of 131,050frs (one hundred and thirty-one thousand and fifty francs.) They specified that, the money was used to build the dormitory and to give a face lift to the headmaster’s office.[2]Despite their good intentions they didn’t make it to the initial sum envisaged.
The M’mockmbie Hall Project: a mega vision in the 1980s
The inauguration of the public health care post was not a serene and smooth moving event especially with the arrival of profile personalities like the Divisional officer of Fontem subdivision, the Brigade Commander and the Commissioner of Public Security for Fontem. There was the problem of reception in a spacious room. This was still very fresh in the minds of the delegates when they attended the Bamenda executive meeting on 15 June 1985. During the deliberations, the issue of a General Hall (Congress Hall) at home (in M’mockmbie) surfaced. The President suggested that, the association should apply for a piece of land to the chief to serve this purpose. If the land were granted, they could start depositing stones there pending the availability of money for construction. On the 12 September 1985, as a logical follow-up to the hall project, the Secretary General wrote a letter to the king wherein he said MOCUDA had taken a step to put up a hall in the nearest future. He explained that, the hall was to enable MOCUDA to carry out future activities without difficulties. The letter specified that, the plot allocation should take into consideration centralization, levelness, size and accessibility to road transport. The King was to show the plot to Njuti Jacob. The king suggested against the wish of MOCUDA tat, the Congress Hall should be built in his palace. This was an embarrassing situation to Njuti Jacob. The president John Nkempu resolved to handle the matter himself. In an executive meeting on 28 March 1986, the president informed
MOCUDA delegations that, he could not see eye-to-eye with the King on this matter. He advised that, in the time being the matter should be suspended from MOCUDA deliberations because it was raising a lot of controversies as to whether it must be built at the esplanade of the palace or elsewhere. The president differed with the King on grounds that, the palace is a traditional headquarters where traditional manifestations, meetings and ceremonies are held. On the contrary, a community hall is meant for such activities as dances, ballets, marriages and feasts etc. and it was going to be improper for the two to be situated in the same vicinity. Since many arguments arose therein, in the best interest of the association, the president decided to suspend the question.
From John Chafack Nkempu to Paul-Sixtus Ntemgwa, 1991
John Chafack Nkempu, (admirers call him J.C. Nkempu), was a pathfinder, a trailblazer more of a visionary whose spirit of uniting people under their identity surpassed every personal desire. The pair J.C. Nkempu as president and Dominic Tasong as secretary general helped to implant MOCUDA on a solid foundation. Their creation of branches outside of Douala with a powerful nucleus of centralised coordination was the spring from which MOCUDA kicked off. On the occasion of the maiden visit of the parliamentarian of Fontem subdivision, Hon Fonju A. Martin to M’mockmbie on the 22 January 1989, the president summed up the achievements of MOCUDA since creation. MOCUDA had “spent a total of 700,000 frs to assist the population in providing a building for the primary health care post….It has spent a
total of 510,000frs to construct rooms for the four schools currently existing in the village.”[1] He added that, the association also contributed 100,000frs for the construction of bridges along the Mbingang Mbegle road. Other expenditures on M’mockmbie-Besali road, renovation of lemou and education amounted to 465,000frs. A summation of these spending provides a net amount of 1,710,000 frs (one million, seven hundred and ten thousand francs), a giant figure when compared to the essentially rural population with little earnings. This amount could be equal or greater than 10,000,000frs in 2022. It was through persuasion and a true zeal for development that the population adhered massively to the ideologies of the association. The consolidation and continuity of the association delved into the hands of Paul-Sixtus Ntemgwa as President and Ndifor Akepu William, Secretary General in March 1991.
[1] A Speech Presented by the President of M’mockmbie Cultural and Development Association to welcome Hon. Fonju A. Martin (Parliamentarian for Fontem Sub-division) on his maiden visit to M’mockmbie chiefdom on 22-01-1989.
The transition
It was during the MOCUDA general meeting of 15
March 1991 that a new executive was voted. On that day, at 02:15pm, Nkemalegop
of Attrah led the opening prayers at Catholic School Fossimombin. The significant event of the day was the renewal of MOCUDA executive. The General President was Paul-Sixtus Ntemgwa and vice Njuate Paul. The post of the Secretary General was occupied by Ndifor A. William and his vice Ngemasong Oliver. The elected treasurer was Nkemateh John, financial Secretary Tasong Paul, Publicity officer Asong David. This Executive had three advisors namely Asaah Thomas, Fongang Thomas and Nkempu John. Tasong Dominic occupied the post of the Cultural Officer, Ngemasong Sylvester, Works inspector and finally Nkem Robert became auditor. On the 16 March 1991, the manifestations proper took place. The outgoing president, J.C. Nkempu presented the newly elected executive to the public and so began the Ntemgwa era.
Preponderance towards Road Infrastructure
Even before quitting office, J.C. Nkempu had already put his entire energy only on road construction. The beginnings of the office of Paul-Sixtus Ntemgwa prioritized the development of road infrastructure as a principle of administrative continuity. The first of his projects was an inter-village road linking M’mockmbie and M’mockngie through Awout. It was the bounden responsibility of the Ntemgwa-led executive to seek the cooperation of the M’mockngie people so that the project be jointly realised. To pull the M’mockngie people into the project, MOCUDA addressed a correspondence to the President of M’mockngie Cultural and Development Association consulting their executive committee so that they could meet to discuss the possibilities of putting their efforts together “towards the realisation of the Ajangem-Awout road project.”[1]On 14 July 1991, delegations of the two associations met at the residence of Paul-Sixtus Ntemgwa in Bambili. They decided to carry out a feasibility study of the project before meeting again
Ntemgwa led MOCUDA and the quest for educational facilities
The first attempt to have a post primary school in M’mockmbie started in 1998. On behalf of MOCUDA, its president Paul-Sixtus Ntemgwa applied for a Government Bilingual Secondary School (GBSS). The bilingual secondary school was meant to serve the interest of the all the M’mock clans (M’mockmbie, M’mockngie, Mock-Leteh and Mock-Leleng. The justification for this was that, the Mock clan displays linguistic, cultural and geographical closeness. They envisaged the college to be situated at Atsombie. The strong argument advanced to justify a
bilingual college was a total pupil’s population of 2,299. This first attempt didn’t yield any fruits. However, during his mandate and precisely in 1999, G.S.S. Mmouk was granted for the school year 2000/2001 and eventually situated at a boundary between M’mockmbie and M’mockngie. The school became an object of conflicts but for the tact of Nkempu Romanus, the chairman of the MOCUDA education committee, it could have been a fiasco. Large proportion of MOCUDA dues and contributions of M’mockmbie people alone permitted the school to kick off. During the 2001 financial year, an allocation of 21,000,000 frs was accorded the school to enable it set a modern infrastructural base.
Towards the end of the Ntemgwa-led executive, he prepared a widely circulated document captioned “M’mockmbie development priorities in the third millennium. The document highlighted health, education, housing, road network, electricity and water supply Although his tenure of office would end the following year, it was at least a comprehensive blueprint for the development of the Kingdom.
Paul –Ntemgwa, An Application for Government Biligual Secondary School (GBSS) for Mok Clan, 13 March 1998.
Paul Ntemgwa and Ndifor A. William, Minutes of an executive meeting held in Bafoussam on Saturday 18 November 2000.
Ndifor Wiliam and Dr Ntemgwa Paul, M’mockmbie development priorities in the third millennium, M’mockmbie, 10 September 2000.
M’mockmbie Women Common Initiative Group (Women Emancipation)
On the 27 March 1995, the King of M’mockmbie, V. A. Fossimock cede a piece of land measuring 40 m by 15 m directly opposite the residence of Jean Nkemateh on the road from M’mockmbie market square to Atsombie for the construction of MOWOCIG hall. As compensation, the
King received “salt” worth 60,000 frs (sixty thousand francs.)[1] Inn 1996, a loan of six million frs was granted by FIMAC to MOWOCIG.
Outside of this the targeted projects for 1995 and 1996 financial years were the construction of the Ajangem Fonang and Ajangem Nkemengeng and the Besali roads. Concerning the two bridges, Fornjunkang Francis donated 100 bags of cement for its realisation. The president of MOCUDA, Ntemgwa Paul-Sixtus wrote a letter of appreciation to him to express gratitude for his gesture.
The Ntemgwa office and the struggle for peace
During his tenure of office, Paul-Sixtus Ntemgwa sought every means to enhancing peace both within the Kingdom and also with neighbouring Kingdoms especially Fongo-Tongo with which there had been persistent quarrels. On 14 December 1995, on the occasion of the visit to M’mockmbie by the pioneer Divisional Officer (DO) of Alou, Ntemgwa urged the DO to study the situation very carefully and seek means of solving it once and for all.[2]Later, on 05 November 1996, the president was present alongside the Fon of M’mockmbie in preparing an entente between the Fongo Tongo and M’mockmbie. According to the entente, the road from Dschang passing through Fongo Tongo to M’mockmbie regularly blocked due to boundary conflict at Nchinkeng was to be lifted. The fon of Fongo Tongo pledged that, his people were not to block the road again. The concession benefitted by the Fongo Tongo people was to harvest their crops on the disputed territory. The two Fons signed a communiqué to be publicised to their people in Dschang.
Tasong Paul and the Challenge of handling the Funerals of King Ajamah Victor Fossimock
One of the uphill tasks which the office of MOCUDA under Tasong Paul handled was the management of the funerals of V. A. Fossimock when he [the deceased] travelled[1] to the world beyond. MOCUDA raised and spent money and prepared a statement of financial account to that effect. MOCUDA raised a total income of 5,333,600frs out of which the total
According to M’mockmbie cosmology, the king (Paramount Chief, Fon) does not die. Instead, they transit to the world of the ancestors. This sacred belief is in respect of their semi-deity while they are alive.
dues collected from branches yielded the sum of 3,442,400frs. Individuals from M’mockmbie, Alou Sub-division, Lebialem Division and the South West Region and well-wishers elsewhere all made huge sacrifices to run the funerals of the departed King. Outstanding amidst these donations among profile personalities was Prime Minister Peter Mafany Musonge who donated the sum of 300,000f to the M’mockmbie people. Out of this income raised, a total of 4,909,900f were spent.[1] Concerning the reception, there was thorough planning by MOCUDA assigning tasks to the village committee. MOCUDA took charge of the reception of VIP delegates, MOCUDA members, hired, decorated and arrange the sitting positions.
The Chieftaincy Crisis; the Trial MOCUDA faced in the 1990s and beyond
The most disturbing phenomenon in M’mockmbie at the dawn of the third millennium was the chieftaincy crisis. The chieftaincy crisis can be briefly defined as the confrontations, lack of harmony and understanding between the king of M’mockmbie. Fon Victor Ajamah Fossimock whom with the desire to facilitate administration of his kingdom, decided to make six pioneer sub-chiefs to head the then existing quarters of Mmockmbie: Fongeih of Atsombie, Forchop of Mendia, Formenaut of Metangang, Fossong of Attrah, Fornjumellah of Mbegle and Chief Forchengallah of Nchengallah. The standoff led to their refusal of the participation of the king in ceremonies organised in these villages. They described this flawed band of the king as “ghost town”, an appellation quickly borrowed from Cameroonian opposition parties in the 1990s advocating boycott of economic activities in major cities. This tense relation between the king and his notables was even compounded by the desire of Chief Forchop of Mendia to become autonomous. The Tasong-led MOCUDA inherited this paralysis.
At the first executive meeting held at the start of their mandate in Dschang, an adhoc commission was constituted to resolve the chieftaincy crisis in the kingdom. The commission had as president, Tasong Dominic, Secretary, Ndifor A. William, and members Tasong Paul, Ngezem Eugene, and Tendongmo Isaiah. They were tasked to resolve the crisis before the scheduling of another executive meeting.[1] Tasong Paul took over in a turbulent environment. On 14 July 2001, Ntemgwa Paul-Sixtus handed over to Paul Tasong and his handing over notes read very optimistically
Among many others, the only challenge he bequeathed to his successor was the rehabilitation of the M’mockmbie Palace, road maintenance, the creation of a cultural arena in the palace for cultural festivals and other manifestations, and finally to spur youths to take an active participation in MOCUDA.[1]Beyond that however, was the thorny chieftaincy issue which handicapped social cohesion and harmony among the M’mockmbie people, the traditional elites and posed a great difficulty to the administration.
In the first executive meeting of MOCUDA under the leadership of Paul Tasong held in Dschang on 14 July 2001, they decided to create a commission tasked with resolving the chieftaincy crisis. Members to the commission included Tasong Dominic as President, Ndifor William as Secretary, with members including Eugene Ngezem, Tasong Paul and Tendongmo Isaiah. The commission was also to figure out appropriate titles for all title holders in the Kingdom.[1]It is worthy to note that, the other three last members to the commission were the newly elected President, secretary general and financial secretary of MOCUDA. This came out as a recommendation of the aforementioned meeting henceforth baptised as the Peace and Reconciliation Committee.
On 15 September 2001 in collaboration with Fon Victor Ajamah Fossimock (the supreme commander), the six pioneer sub-chiefs he made and some invited elites, a total of 37 members held the M’mockmbie Palace Peace Talks. The talks were a series of thirteen decisions reached because the peace talks were on in conjunction with the “Lecot” land crisis. The resolutions on the chieftaincy crisis were the suspension of the crowning and enthronement of new chiefs and “Mekems” in M’mockmbie, new chiefs and “mekems” created before then were requested to go to those sub-chief who were their quarter heads and pay allegiance whose material part consisted of a goat, the sum of 50,000frs, a bag of salt and a tin of oil, the said chiefs and mekems were to remain loyal to their quarter heads owning no maps and taking part as subjects of that quarter to all development and socio-political matters, and finally, a restriction clause which demanded that, any chief reticent to the above three conditions was to quit the quarter and create a new one where they will be subject to no pre-existing authority except the Fon. These chiefs expected to pay loyalty to their quarter heads were; in Mendia chief Fortsa Martin and Chief Fomefe John, and Nkemnju Edward, in Attrah; Chief Fomelah Pius, Tenegu Denis, and Nkemcha Paul, in Nchegallah; Chief Fortoangah and Nkemabeh/Azemafac Aloys/ Zencha Adolf. In Mbegle; Nkemake James and finally in Atsombie, Njumencha Stephen. The President of MOCUDA was empowered to write to the six original rulers to give them the right to enforce the decision taken in the palace meeting. The meeting further condemned energetically all written reports to the Gendarmerie, administrative authorities etc
Although the Fon was a member of the meeting, no sooner will these decisions come out that he would send a strong worded message to the President of MOCUDA as a show of total dissatisfaction of the decisions taken during the meeting. The Fon’s message was entitled “reactions to your document titled M’mockmbie Palace 15/09/2001.” The shocking revelation in the document was that, the resolutions which came out from the Peace Talks were a ‘misinformation’ to the President of MOCUDA. Neither the President nor the secretary general took part in the talks. The Fon accused the President for not consulting him before setting up the Peace and Reconciliation commission, informed the President that no one except the Fon could suspend the crowning and enthronement of new chiefs and mekems because it was the Fons natural right in his Kingdom. In his own words, he said: “There is nothing like the original Title holders. What do you mean by this appellation? The Fon is the only Original traditional ruler of the Fondom. Any other person originates from the Fon or he is a stranger and cannot talk of originality.”The Fon went further to indict MOCUDA for “encouraging rebellion in his Fondom by arrogating such appellations as original title holders to certain people.” The Fon ended by predicting that; “If MOCUDA does not stay away from village politics and traditions, it is consequently going to fail.”
In the midst of the confusion, the President of MOCUDA required both foresight and tact in handling such a pandemonium. Contrary to the Fon’s reaction after the Palace talks, the Six sub-chiefs thanked MOCUDA for the initiative of the Peace and Reconciliation whose good intentions was to restore peace and unity in the Fondom. They remarked that the “Fon is old and sickly (a statement that was never used by a people on their leader) so we shall not fold our arms and stand by to see a few people worthy to be called criminals trying to mislead him to plunge the whole Fondom into problems.” The Six sub-chiefs pointed out that, “the implementation of the decisions arrived at on the 15/09/2001 is still very timid because some adventurers go round and try to intoxicate others and we are anxiously waiting on you, so that we cooperate to bring them to book.” It was a convincing strategy to set aside MOCUDA and create a neutral body to handle such a thorny and divisive arena. The twists and turns of this tussle led to the full involvement of MOCUDA for close to two years. During the executive meeting held in Bamenda on the 23 February 2002, Tasong Paul in his capacity as
national president warned the people who were trying to misuse the missions of MOCUDA by trying to squeeze benefits regarding the chieftaincy crisis hiding behind the name of the prestigious association. On this date, he blew the last whistle on MOCUDA handling the chieftaincy crisis. He insisted “that matters that were purely internal and touch only the villagers should be allowed to be solved by them, as they will obviously know better where the shoe pinches than the external elite.”[1]
Internal wrangling and misunderstandings within the 2001 Executive
Relations between the President-elect and the Secretary General-elect of the 2001 Executive and the Cultural adviser did not go well. From the very first executive meeting held in Dschang, there was every indication that the two personalities would not take long to clash. On 14 July 2001 during the first executive meeting of MOCUDA since taking over office, the president, Paul Tasong in his policy statement observed that, development is two folds, that is, political and economic. To the President, politics was to move hand in glove with economic development. Consequently, it was the active participation of the M’mockmbie people in politics that was to determine their economic gains.[2] The Secretary General (Eugene Ngezem) reacted to this opinion stating that, MOCUDA’s constitution made the association apolitical, and thus its leadership was to handle politics with a lot of care since membership stretched beyond party lines.[3]Concerning the M’mockmbie Palace Talks of 15 September 2001, Chief Fortoangah, the father to the Secretary General was requested to pay allegiance to Chief Fortsengallah. Mixed reactions stemmed from the talks and the President of MOCUDA was specifically indicted by the aggrieved chiefs. Coincidentally, Chief Fortoangah, the President MOCUDA and Eugene Ngezem (Secretary General) were all resident in Yaounde. Between September and November 2001, the Yaounde Chapter forwarded protests statements accusing the President of “amongst other things, … elevating some people to ‘six original rulers’ stripping the rights of, and the conditions under which traditional rulers were crowned, minimising the authority of the Fon and circulating a document on the culture, or say, tradition of the Fondom without the Fon’s signature or that of the delegate of culture in
MOCUDA.”[1]Responding to these accusations, the President expressed disappointment with the accusations considering the Yaoundé missive as bitter and divisive.
The president was shocked that, there was such discontent in Yaoundé against him, yet the Secretary General didn’t inform him of it.[2]Eugene Ngezem reacted by saying that, the EXCO members should be ready to accommodate contrary ideas or criticism. He condemned the President for signing the M’mockmbie Palace Talks document and argued forcefully that, as Secretary General the Constitution gave him the mandate to sign all circulars and to summon EXCO and general meetings.[3] Because of the widening rift, the President requested them to move to another item on the constitution. The different perspectives on MOCUDA stance, especially with regard to the resolution of the chieftaincy crisis was not an ideological clash. There was an ardent defence of interest as the ideas which the Secretary General used to defend his points were in tandem with the Fon’s heavy worded message to the President of MOCUDA.
On 12 November 2001, the SG sent a confidential letter to the President indicating his savvy on MOCUDA, and the mastery of the Yaoundé branch. He stressed that the President either by design or accident, minimised him, his SG. The SG went further to state that, the President humiliated him by seizing some correspondences from him. Although we are not able to understand what followed next, it is noticed that, from 2002, it was the Vice Secretary General Nkemlemo Denis that continued the activities of the Office of the Secretary General of MOCUDA.
Tasong Paul Led MOCUDA and the Unification of diverse political opinions torn by multiparty politics
The advent of multiparty politics in M’mockmbie with the liberalisation of the political space in Cameroon in the 1990s created divisions, hatred and suspicion among the M’mockmbie people. Between 1990 and 2003, the M’mockmbie elite found themselves more entangled in political wrangling instead of focusing on the cultural and economic development of the kingdom so dear to the founding fathers of MOCUDA. This conflict became itself an obstacle in the smooth functioning of the association and needed a person
with full charisma to rally all internal and external elite behind the ideology of a “M’mockmbieness” to take primacy over all other political tendencies.
In his first executive meeting where he outlined his policy statement, Tasong Paul intimated that conflict within and outside the village was an impediment to the peace and development which the village was in dire need. He requested his co-executive members to support his ideas and endeavours to give MOCUDA the new touch and taste it deserved. The president elect was optimistic the association would “reflect its name by serving as a leading force in all developmental projects in M’mockmbie Fondom.” He perceived the notion of development as fully rooted in the political and economic fabric of society and consequently “the M’mockmbie people must not be indifferent to politics.” He counselled the people to pull their weight behind the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) which could quickly provide solutions to their aspirations.[1]
Barely four years later, Ngemasong Sylvester paid reverence to Tasong Paul for his commitment in bringing the people of M’mockmbie together. He saluted the Tasong-led MOCUDA as a mature leadership since it transcended political partisan frontiers. They reiterated again and again that the positive vision of the national president went beyond party lines and set out to bring together and activate all the forces of M’mockmbie for development.[2] Talking in the spirit of the president (Tasong Paul), he emphasized that, the MOCUDA bureau had the obligation to collaborate and cooperate as children of the same Fondom because their common goal was development. The last of the item which his mandate achieved bringing about the complete unity of the M’mockmbie people by 2007 was the full integration of the Mendia people in the MOCUDA activities. In their bid to create an autonomous kingdom, some people of this village back home stopped paying dues to MOCUDA. The last breeds of people in that category were asked to pay their dues in 2006 and they complied. Their compliance marked the beginning of the harmony era in M’mockmbie kingdom.
MOCUDA and the management of the July 2003 Disaster in M’mockmbie
The Challenge of the organisation of the Silver Jubilee under Mr Ngemasong sylvester
In 2008, MOCUDA was 25 years old. The association however reserved the chance to celebrate its silver jubilee only in 2010. It was a challenge in regard to the raising of funds, making adequate preparations with regard to logistics and organising a successful occasion. The preparation for the event began in 2008. According to Ngemasong Sylvester, three solid reasons justified such a silver jubilee celebrations. First, MOCUDA had played a precursor role in the overall development of M’mockmbie kingdom. Secondly, it had landmark achievements since the creation of the association in 1983 and finally, it was necessary to think things over given its existence for 25 years. One of the things set out to produce was a jubilee magazine. Since that itself necessitated an intellectual brain warming, they began arrangements early enough to have articles submitted either to the office of the President or the Secretary General. In order to arrive at a successful deadline for the publication of the magazine, they set out committees to work on it. They were (1) Origin of the idea of a cultural and development association (2) promotion of “mock” culture (3) promotion of education (4) inherent problems and suggestions for solutions and (5) Economic potentials / resources of M’mockmbie population growth and strength. Earlier on, the secretary general informed branches that, following advice [1]from the Patron of MOCUDA, Tasong Paul, and preliminary contacts had been made with CICAM Company for the production of for the Silver jubilee uniform to be marked by marked with colours of M’mockmbie cultural artefacts and bearing the achievements of MOCUDA within the 25 years of its existence.
Outside of this, MOCUDA set up ten committees to work for a serene and hitch free Silver Jubilee celebrations. They included the Organising and General Supervising Committee
at the helm of which was the President. The task assigned to this committee was to elaborate the programme, the logistics and supervision of the other committees. Noteworthy is to recall that, the president at the moment was Ngemasong Sylvester. The finance committee co-headed by the treasurer and the financial secretary was to receive money from individuals and groups and disburse money for silver jubilee celebration in the same manner. The uniform committee headed by Nkemajah Dydimus Efeze had the function to come out with a befitting uniform depicting M’mockmbie culture and environment. Ngemasong Mary headed the entertainment Committee. Each MOCUDA branch had to provide five women for an optimal performance to this committee. The leader of the decoration committee was Forjukang Alpohonse from Bafoussam. The Committee in charge of traditional and other forms of dances was placed under Nkemembie George. Their term of reference was to plan a dancing order, rate their performances and match prizes according to that performance. The secretary General of MOCUDA at the time, Azemafac Talisesius was the president of the Magazine Committee. Theirs was to receive, assess and publish the articles submitted for the Silver jubilee Magazine. The responsibility of the protocol was placed on the shoulders of Nkemapasew Pius while the Publicity Committee was led by Ndiambong Evaristus. Finally Asongmo Evangelius was in control of the Sports committee.[1]Such was the nature of the human resource put in place almost a year earlier to ensure proper commemorations of the MOCUDA Silver Jubilee. The functions of each of these committees were specified during an enlarged executive meeting held in Bafoussam on 08th August 2009. During the same meeting, estimates of the expenditures for the MOCUDA Jubilee stood at 9,425,000frs against an anticipated income of 10,680,000frs. Other dispositions taken during the meeting involved the collection of all MOCUDA dues before January 2010 so as to avoid mistakes inherent with rushing.[2]
The Silver Jubilee was set to take place between the 2nd and the 07th of February 2010 in an attempt to dodge the poor weather conditions which often disturb MOCUDA celebrations during the Easter season. The Silver jubilee Uniform was already ready and available at the various branches for the M’mockmbie people to buy. The importance of the celebrations of the event cannot be over-emphasized following the attribution of six days to
the exercise. The details of the programme were worked out one month to the date of the event.[1]
M’mockmbie people effectively began to converge into their motherland on the 3rd January 2010 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of their cherished association. Regarding the celebrations proper, an innovation in the area of Sports was the launching of Athletics. In the annual general meeting held at the M’mockmbie Fon’s Palace on Friday 05 January 2010, the Silver Jubilee Magazine was launched. The carton containing the Magazine was unveiled with the sum of 10,000frs by Mr Formbin Nicolas, a Dschang based business tycoon. Chief Forto-Angah Franco, a USA based elite bought the most expensive copy codenamed ‘the Obama’s Copy’ at the sum of 74,000frs.
The Silver Jubilee clashed with the end of the office of Mr Ngemasong Sylvester especially with his failing health. His tenure of office is credited with the organisation and holding of the MOCUDA Silver Jubilee. Elections took place under the chairmanship of, Chief Forto-Angah Azabze Franco. In highly contested elections, the newly elected President was Atembe-afac Alfred with Secretary General Azemafac Talisesius. All the posts provided for by the constitution were renewed.
The zenith of the occasion was on Saturday 06th February 2010. Events began when at about 11am, the King of M’mockmbie, Fozeh Tameko Exodus I poured libations praying the gods of M’mockmbie land to protect all and sundry present in the colourful ceremony. On behalf of the President, the Secretary General, Azemafac Talisesius welcome everyone; the M’mockmbie people, their invited guests, the administration to their land describing the M’mockmbie people as “law abiding” citizens. For his academic successes, King Fozeh Tameko Exodus I received gifts in cash and in kind from friends and well-wishers. The DO of Alou, an august guest to the occasion, in his discourse called for greater harmony among the M’mockmbie people. The DO explained that, the biggest factor of disintegration in M’mockmbie was chieftaincy complaints. The bone of contention among the chiefs, the DO iterated was the duel of Chiefs with territory against those without territory otherwise referred to as honourific title holders. The M’mockmbie people were taken aback when the civil administrator informed them that, the highest number of complaints in his office from Kingdoms in Alou subdivision came from M’mockmbie. To facilitate his task of administration, he requested the President of MOCUDA working in collaboration with the King to produce and submit to his office a comprehensive list of Chiefs with territory and those without territory.
MOCUDA and the Resolution of the M’mockmbie Fongo-Tongo Boundary Dispute
S.DF.Os of Menoua and Lebialem and the D.Os each charged with the application of the decision which will be registered in the official gazette in both Cameroonian languages.[1] Despite prohibiting further intrusions, the Fongo-Tongo people continued aggressive tendencies. We however salute the initiative taken by MOCUDA to use a legalistic approach to resolve a recurrent conflict.
Tragedy of Besali violence and MOCUDA intervention, 14 September 2011
On 14 September 2011, thirty miscreant gangs from Besali attacked farmers of M’mockmbie at Asemangang farmlands and brutally murdered Ngumezoh Forbande Thomas. They were armed with machetes, knives, axes and sticks. Seven other farmers were wounded including Ashunganya Martin Nkemju, Anette Franco, Ngune Jescarp, Nkengfack Edwine, Zencha Elvis, Mbanyick Nico and Awandem Pierre Marie. The Chairperson of the M’mockmbie Traditional Council, Nkempu Albert speedily wrote a complaint to the SDO of Lebialem Division describing the despicable situation of Besali aggression and requesting his prompt intervention to halt tensions and bring about justice to the affected parties. The complaint indicated that, the miscreant gang carried out mass arson by setting farm houses ablaze.[2]
It was a day of grief and consternation for the M’mockmbie people in the village, in towns and abroad. There was a massive mobilization to alert all public offices and the forces of law and order. Tensions at the scene of the gruesome event were so high that, the elements of the Alou Gendarmerie Brigade dispatched there did not go.[3]The matter after due investigation was referred to the Criminal Section of the Lebialem High Court. As per a letter addressed by the President of MOCUDA-USA (Chief Forto-Angah Franco Azabze) to the President of MOCUDA, (Fezap Nicolas), the latter supported the treatment of the wounded by the sum of 200,000 frs directly. HRH Chief Forto-Angah Franco Azabze indicated that, his branch also paid the sum of 500,000frs to the lawyer hired for “the M’mockmbie-Besali case judged and won in March 2012, plus his consultation fee and transportation. Other expenses on this matter cannot be shared in this letter.”[4]Hence, interpreting this sentence indicates that,
in addition to the official amounts hereby declared and in the name of MOCUDA–USA, some individuals made expenses in their own name.
A detail exploitation of the information contained in the judgement of this case makes the following revelation. The M’mockmbie people were represented by Nkempu Albert serving in the capacity of the M’mockmbie Traditional Council Chairman and acting as regent of Fon Tameko Isidore, a student of INJS in Yaounde. The M‘mockmbie claimants hired Barrister Ngek John Ngalla whom on account of eight charges amounting to killing, assault, medical considerations, days spent in the hospital, the civil claim council was making claims of a sum total of 45,326,600frs.[1]The details of the financial claim was justified on grounds that, Medical treatment stood at 3,326,600frs, general damages, 12,000,0000frs and damages for the death of two victims, 30,000,000frs, that is 15,000,000frs for each death.[2] The amount was also to cover expenses borne in mortuary and burial expenditures for the two corpses. Mbanthe Nicolas died at the Dschang district hospital from wounds and beatings sustained from assaults. However, the judgement eventually stated that, “all the convicts are liable to pay a total award of the Civil Claim of 29,326,600frs.” The right to appeal was reserved for ten days.[3]H. R. H. chief Formenaut Nkempu Albert explained that, as of 2022, the convicts did not pay any amount of money either to the assaulted or bereaved families. The defence counsel of the miscreant gang handled by Barrister Tangunyi Gilbert and Ateba Glory advised the convicts to appeal. They eventually appealed at the Mamfe Court of Appeal but the court upheld the verdict reached in Fontem.[4]With regard to the aforesaid, the case pitting the M’mockmbie people against the Besali people as orchestrated by the killings at Asemangang farm lands and general brutality with machetes, sticks guns and axes as ascertained by the courts is not yet a closed chapter.
The Creation of Government Technical College (GTC) M’mockmbie
water facilities. Most parents quickly grasped that, it was necessary to have the kingdom furnished with an education system that provided solutions to their immediate needs.
During the mandate of Nkwette Tsofac Atembe’afac Alfred, MOCUDA applied for the creation of a GTC. The school opened its doors during the school year 2012/2013. MOCUDA in synergy with the Fon of M’mockmbie jointly decided rates to raise funds for the start of the school. The rates were based on the social, financial and traditional status of the contributor. Each Chief was to pay a rate of 10,000frs, Mekemlaahs and Mekem-meingfor, 7000 frs with Nkem-Forntieh at 5,000frs. The civil servants in the same capacity as the traditional title holders were to donate in a bigger capacity than their village based elites. Tasong Paul was to donate a double of the total contributions made by the village.[1]The land of the GTC was carved out from mission land. The assignment was carried out by Dr Paul-Sixtus Ntemgwa who did all the negotiations with the Catholic Church. At the launching of the school take off, the M’mockmbie people contributed the sum of 1,607,325 frs. In March 2013, the commission for the follow up of the education project gave a financial report that, a total of 2,138,322 frs was raised. Out of that amount, closely 2,000,000 frs was used in the demarcation and planting of pillars on the school land. A minimal balance of 133,000 frs remained in the coffers of the school.[2]At the end of his mandate at the helm of MOCUDA, Nkwetta Tsofac Atembe-afac Alfred, counting his achievements, he mentioned the creation of GTC. He was particularly thankful the government, administrative and municipal authorities, and some individuals for lending him support to succeed in that noble mission.[3]
2014- The Calamity and Reflections led by MOCUDA Patron
In 2014, the King of the M’mockmbie kingdom enthroned in 2004 transitioned into eternity at a tender age. King Tameko Exodus quick exit at a young age without grown up children was devastating to the leadership of M’mockmbie kingdom. The stakes of guaranteeing chieftaincy rites were high especially as some princes found his early demise as an opportune time for them to become kings themselves. In the midst of mourning and tensions, Paul Tasong summoned a meeting in Douala on 5 July 2014. He coined the meeting M’mockmbie Fondom Reflection Group. However, it was in his capacity as MOCUDA
Patron[1] that he summoned the meeting which brought together princes, members of the Traditional council, chiefs, elites, with the purpose of discussing the issues and giving advice on the best course of action to be taken. As elite, the Patron explained, it was necessary for him to unite the kingdom in the face of adversity. To him it was necessary to use what he termed “structured dialogue” to find a possibility of filling the vacuum created by the passing away of the young Fon. Amidst some key figures also in the meeting were Dr Paul-Sixtus Ntemgwa, Ngemasong Sylvester, Nkempu Romanus, Nkempu Albert, Forteatsa Dominic, Fonkeng Mathias, Nkemnkeindem Denis and Fezap Nicolas. In total there were nineteen people in attendance. The youngest participant was Ngezem Fortsomo Skyly.[2]
The meeting took three key resolutions. First, by the tradition of the M’mockmbie people, only the son/daughter of a deceased person can be heir at their death. Therefore, tradition must be respected. Secondly, the enthronement of the Fon of M’mockmbie shall follow the Will of the late Fon. This was so because, during the meeting, it was declared that he left a Will. They decided that, given the tender age of the late Fon’s children, a committee of people was to be put in place to accompany the new Fon until he grew to the right age. Finally, the Buea delegation to the meeting headed by Ndifor William was to propose modalities regarding resolution two.[3]
A follow up meeting of the reflection group took place in Douala on 9 August 2014. Correcting the minutes of 4 July, they indicated that, children of Fon Ngepngew, Fon Mbanyick and Fon Ajamah could be regent. Once this was done, Fonkeng Mathias moved the minutes correct for adoption. Worthy of note here is that MOCUDA presidency during the 2014 calamity had been won by Efezap Nicolas with Asongmo Evangelus as the secretary General.
[1] The Patron here, Ndi Nkemtaleh Paul Tasong as of 2014 was an experienced person in M’mockmbie’s traditional administration. Knighted over a decade earlier as a “Nkemalaah”, one of those persons that give counsel to the King, he had been sufficiently grounded. He played a frontline role in the organisation of the funerals of King Fossimock Ajamah Victor in 2004, serving then as President of MOCUDA, the moment when Tamoko Exodus became King. He was the grandson of Nkem-Menkong Peter Zenkeng, and son to Nkem-Menkong Gertrude, the leading Nkemalaah in the making of a new king in M’mockmbie. Outside of this, he had achieved extraordinarily in Cameroon’s public administration where he had served over two and a half decades braving up to the ranks of Secretary General in the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development. He thus had the influence and calibre requisite to confront people in such unusual moments. His profile matched his lofty mission.
Recapitulation of MOCUDA presidents and Secretaries General
Ndifor William and the Buea delegation tasked to propose modalities of succession came out with a report titled Draft Resolution on Royal Succession in M’mockmbie. The report proposed the putting in place of an Advisory Council composed of the Chairman of the traditional Council, a representative of the royal family, and the representative of the elite to accompany the young Fon for a period of 15(fifteen) years. The traditional Council Chairman was to assume the position of the Fon’s representative, presiding over occasions, relate with the Fons and other notables of neighbouring Fondoms but with the reservation of not sitting on the Fon’s seat or creating notables.[1]The representative of the Royal Family in the Advisory Council was tasked in the draft Resolution to ensure that basic necessities were provided to the late Fon’s family while the representative of the elite was to take charge of the orientation and education of the Fon.
The legitimacy and legality of MOCUDA
MOCUDA derives her legitimacy from the common will of the M’mockmbie people to support and obey the leadership of the association. Their support is ob served by their collective will to create each branch wherever they go. According to the April 2022 financial report of the association, MOCUDA has twenty-eight active branches, under the presidency of Nkemambie Changeih George.
Conspicuous amidst these branches is the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America. M’mockmbie has people in Bahrain, South Africa, Canada and Germany with individuals in France, Belgium, etc. These persons are yet to constitute branches to showcase their identity. In the area of legality, the different executives which have taken turns in MOCUDA have always collaborated with different administrations. The recognition given by the administration is a tacit legality accorded the association. MOCUDA is legally registered to the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Lebialem by registration N° 499/G.42/67/v.4/PS/2011. The tregistration was carried out by the office of Atebe-afac Alfred with receipt dated 14 June 2011. On 11 October 2011, the SDO by ref N° 265/ G. 41/67/ v.4/ps/2012 recognised the newly elected executive headed by Fezap Nicolas.
Across the years of its existence, (exactly 49 years in 2022), MOCUDA grew in leaps and bounds. Evidence of this growth rested in its solid achievements and more especially, resilience in the face of the Cameroon Anglophone Crisis. From March 2018 to about January 2021 when M’mockmbie became a no go area for most of its sons and daughters, rebels, the administration, everyone involving the traditional authorities looked on the association as the only means that could bring about peace and harmony among the people. The association enjoyed legitimacy in the eyes of youths who espoused the separatists cause and thus took up
arms against everyone especially the political class. At the same time, the administration gave it full support to keep the kingdom alive. It stood as the only functional institution upon which the M’mockmbie identity was knitted.
The strength of this association is founded on its organisational skills. Streamed in over twenty-seven (forty) branches, MOCUDA derives its human and financial resources from them, (branches) spread across the country and presently, a growing and influential diaspora membership. The M’mockmbie diaspora in the USA and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are the most active. Borrowing from other experiences, theirs is an added advantage because; they do not only add value by bringing in fresh ideas to fortify MOCUDA but also huge financial remittance which boost the income of the association. Following the turn out of the association in Dschang in 2022, MOCUDA’s lone challenge for survival and credibility would depend on the vitality of its leadership. That dynamism would be reflected first, on how they initiate and realise projects which transform the day-to-day lives of the M’mockmbie people at home regarding such pressing needs as water, farm-to-market roads, electricity, revamping dilapidating infrastructure, etc. Secondly, it would be a hard nut to crack for MOCUDA to rekindle the educational sector brought to its knees by the burden of the Cameroon Anglophone Crisis. Finally and above all, the vigour of MOCUDA will be tested on how they confront the clash of interpretation of succession to the throne of the departed King and many other actions which individuals are carrying out in the public space interpreted by other individuals as assault to their most cherished traditional values. The multiplicity of versions of interpretations and counter-actions are fissures on the cohesion of M’mockmbie people requiring a lot of ingenuity to brush out. To invent a solution to these multifaceted challenges will be the burden of the executive headed by Nkemajah Dydimus Efeze (PhD), the first academic President of the association since its creation.
Dr. Nkemaja Dydimus Efeze, The present MOCUDA President 2022 –
Across the years of its existence, (exactly 49 years in 2022), MOCUDA grew in leaps and bounds. Evidence of this growth rested in its solid achievements and more especially, resilience in the face of the Cameroon Anglophone Crisis. From March 2018 to about January 2021 when M’mockmbie became a no go area for most of its sons and daughters, rebels, the administration, everyone involving the traditional authorities looked on the association as the only means that could bring about peace and harmony among the people. The association enjoyed legitimacy in the eyes of youths who espoused the separatists cause and thus took up arms against everyone especially the political class. At the same time, the administration gave it full support to keep the kingdom alive.
The M’mockmbie diaspora in the USA and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are the most active. Borrowing from other experiences, theirs is an added advantage because; they do not only add value by bringing in fresh ideas to fortify MOCUDA but also huge financial remittance which boost the income of the association. Following the turn out of the association in Dschang in 2022, MOCUDA’s lone challenge for survival and credibility would depend on the vitality of its leadership. That dynamism would be reflected first, on how they initiate and realise projects which transform the day-to-day lives of the M’mockmbie people at home regarding such pressing needs as water, farm-to-market roads, electricity, revamping dilapidating infrastructure, etc. Secondly, it is a hard nut to crack for MOCUDA to rekindle the educational sector brought to its knees by the burden of the Cameroon Anglophone Crisis. Finally and above all, the vigour of MOCUDA is tested on how they confronted the clash of interpretation of succession to the throne of the departed King and many other actions which individuals are carrying out in the public space interpreted by other individuals as assault to their most cherished traditional values. The multiplicity of versions of interpretations and counter-actions are fissures on the cohesion of M’mockmbie people requiring a lot of ingenuity to brush out. A solution to these multifaceted challenges are the burden of the executive headed by Dr Nkemaja Dydimus Efeze (PhD), the first University don President of the association since its creation.
The history of M’mockmbie Cultural and Development Association whose acronym is MOCUDA traces over four decades. The following synoptic table presents a panoramic view of the association’s development efforts with key actors concerned.
Date | Event | Key Actors | Significance |
1983 | Creation of MOCUDA with branches in Douala, Yaoundé, Kumba and Bamenda | King: Ajamah Victor Fossimock President: John Chafack Nkempu, Secretary: Tasong Dominic | MOCUDA became an active player in M’mockmbie development and cultural matters. Development planning and execution became MOCUDA Achilles tendon. |
1984 | First MOCUDA annual congress in M’mockmbie | King: Ajamah Victor Fossimock President: John Chafack Nkempu, Secretary: Tasong Dominic | MOCUDA planned to construct a pro-pharmacy |
1985 | Inauguration of M’mockmbie village Health post constructed by MOCUDA | Dr Ojong Ntui, Medical Doctor in charge, Fontem King: Ajamah Victor Fossimock President: John Chafack Nkempu, Secretary: Tasong Dominic
| The problems of sanitation, hygiene and general health were now taken care of in M’mockmbie thanks to the coordinated efforts of M’mockmbie |
15 June 1985 | MOCUDA provided 200,000 FCFA to assist G.S.S. Attrah and another 200,000 FCFA to C.S. Fossimockmbie | Atabong Simpon Aleanu, Headmaster, G.S.S Attrah King: Ajamah Victor Fossimock President: John Chafack Nkempu, Secretary: Tasong Dominic
| The boosting of educational infrastructure in the kingdom |
1991 | Change of MOCUDA Executive | President: Dr Paul-Sixtus Ntemgwa Secretary: Ndifor Akepu William Financial Secretary: Tasong Paul Njukang | Respect of constitutional democracy and rule of law |
1991-1993 | Linking roads between M’mockmbie and M’mockngie | King: Ajamah Victor Fossimock President: Dr Paul-Sixtus Ntemgwa Secretary: Ndifor Akepu William Financial Secretary: Tasong Paul Njukang | Development of transport infrastructure |
1993-1999 | MOCUDA applied for funding and constructed the M’mockmbie Women Cooperative Hall | King: Ajamah Victor Fossimock President: Dr Paul-Sixtus Ntemgwa Secretary: Ndifor Akepu William Financial Secretary: Tasong Paul Njukang | Development of cooperative agriculture and cooperative marketing. Women empowerment and emancipation |
1997 | Negotiation of peace agreements with Fongo-Tongo over boundary disputes | King: Ajamah Victor Fossimock President: Dr Paul-Sixtus Ntemgwa Secretary: Ndifor Akepu William Financial Secretary: Tasong Paul Njukang | Peace and development initiatives especially with neighbouring clans were regularly arranged to enhance good neighbourliness. |
2000 | Creation of G.S.S. Muock, now G.H.S Muock | President: Dr Paul-Sixtus Ntemgwa Secretary: Ndifor Akepu William Financial Secretary: Tasong Paul Njukang | A college to serve people of M’mockmbie and M’mockngie origins |
2001 | Change of MOCUDA Executive | President: Tasong Paul Njunkang presently H. E. Minister Delegate in Charge of Planning at the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development Secretary: Eugene Ngezem presently Professor at Clayton State University, USA | Respect of constitutional democracy and rule of law |
2003 | Provision of relief support to victims of July 2003 disaster in M’mockmbie | King: Ajamah Victor Fossimmock President: Tasong Paul Njunkang Secretary: Eugene Ngezem
| Economic and psychological support to the vulnerable Construction of a storey building in the palace |
2004 | Management of the transition following the departure of King Victor Ajamah Fossimock | Monarchic heir, King Tamoko Exodus Fossimock I becomes succeeds father | Respect of culture and traditional heritage
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2008 | Creation of G.S.S. M’mockmbie, now G.H.S. M’mockmbie | President: Tsong Paul Njukang Secretary: Denis Nkemlemoh | Extension of Education |
2008 | Change of MOCUDA Executive | President: Ngemasong Sylvester Chafack Secretary: Azemafack Teracesius | Transparency and rule of law |
2010 | MOCUDA Silver jubilee celebrations | King: Tamoko Exodus Fossimock President: Ngemasong Sylvester C. Secretary: Azemafack Teracesius | The Silver jubilee was actually in 2008 but celebrations proper took place in 2010 |
2010 | Change of Executive | King: Tamoko Exodus Fossimock President: Atembe-afac Alfred A. Secretary: Azemafack Teracesius | The outgoing president had failing health. He needed more time to pursue medical treatment, work exigencies and rest. |
2011 | Extension of farm to market roads in large scale | King: Tamoko Exodus Fossimock President: Atembe-afac Alfred A. Secretary: Azemafack Teracesius | Farm to market roads have always been regular projects on MOCUDA realisations. This year, they were opened to perishable crop production zone |
2011 | M’mockmbie-Besali land Crisis produced fatalities | King: Tamoko Exodus Fossimock President: Atembe-afac Alfred A. Secretary: Azemafack Teracesius | Justice and peace initiatives |
2012 | Change of Executive | King: Tamoko Exodus Fossimock President: Fezap Nicholas Fombin. Secretary: Asongmo Evangelius | Democracy, transparency and the sovereign wishes of the people |
2013 | Creation of GTC M’mockmbie | King: Tamoko Exodus Fossimock President: Fezap Nicholas Fombin. Secretary: Asongmo Evangelius | Extension and diversification of educational facilities |
2013 | Maintenance of intra-village roads | King: Tamoko Exodus Fossimock President: Fezap Nicholas Fombin. Secretary: Asongmo Evangelius | Facilitate the evacuation of food crops |
2014 | Unexpected exit (transition) of His majesty Tamoko Exodus Fossimock at a tender age | H. E. Paul Tasong Njunkang President: Fezap Nicholas Fombin. Secretary: Asongmo Evangelius | The putting in place of Regency as a transient moment in M’mockmbie history of development and culture |
2015 | Extension of water facilities for domestic uses and farm irrigation | Regency: Ajamah Mezenzu Lovette President: Fezap Nicholas Fombin. Secretary: Asongmo Evangelius | This solved the problem of water shortages |
2015 | Change of Executive | Regency: Ajamah Menzenzu Lovette President: Nkemebie George Changeh Secretary: Asongmo Evangelius | Democracy and transparency |
2016-2017 | Re-afforestation at Atsengatot | Regency: Ajamah Mezenzu Lovette President: Nkemebie George Changeh Secretary: Asongmo Evangelius | Fight against climate change and drought |
2018 | Rally political support at Menji to thank President Paul Biya for the appointment of H.E. Paul Tasong as Minister Delegate at the Ministry of the Economy Planning and Regional Development | Regency: Ajamah Mezenzu Lovette President: Nkemebie George Changeh Secretary: Asongmo Evangelius | Reinforcement of politics in M’mockmbie Kingdom |
2018-2020 | Peace initiatives to mitigate the effects of the Anglophone Crisis | Regency: Ajamah Mezenzu Lovette President: Nkemebie George Changeh Secretary: Asongmo Evangelius | Peace and conflict resolution efforts |
2020-2022 | Revamping roads within the kingdom do to neglect and abandon caused by the crisis | Regency: Ajamah Mezenzu Lovette President: Nkemebie George Changeh Secretary: Asongmo Evangelius | Rebuilding M’mockmbie Kingdom |
2022 | Change of Executive | Regency: Ajamah Menzenzu Lovette President: Dr Nkemaja Didymus Efeze Secretary: Njuateh Sebastien | Respect of democracy and rule of law |
2022-2023 | -Maintenance of road infrastructure -building of culverts and bridges – supply of water through catchment renovations – Fight against pesticide -revamping M’mockmbie integrated Health centre – Renovation of structures for effective back to school -Supporting pupils and students with school materials, payment of school fees and providing condusive environment for studies. | Regency: Ajamah Menzenzu Lovette President: Dr Nkemaja Didymus Efeze Secretary: Njuateh Sebastien | Reinvigorating the economy of M’mockmbie and encouraging return of internally displaced persons. Mmockmbie Kingdom is the only area in Lebialem where schools and other activities have have resumed fully |
2024 | Mega fund raising for M’mockmbie-Besali road rehabilitation | Regency: Ajamah Menzenzu Lovette President: Dr Nkemaja Didymus Efeze Secretary: Njuateh Sebastien | Make M’mockmbie the centre of commerce, transit, health and educational services in the whole Lebialem division |
Concluding statement
M’mockmbie development during the post-colonial period has a long history. That history is closely associated to the rise of modern elite vested with dynamics of the modern economy. Essentially rural in outlook, it has experimented with different kinds of agriculture but today it has a flourishing trade. With many of its children in the diaspora and ambitious that, the kingdom gained much in economic development, and making huge remittances to that effect, the future is bright.
Reference: Mr. Njuateh Sebastian and Dr. Nkemaja Dydimus