THE CPDM TRAP—CHIEFTAINCY AS A POLITICAL SUBSIDIARY

Under this perspective, traditional leaders should function as non-partisan custodians of culture and unity, serving all members of their communities regardless of political affiliation. The ongoing dispute in Bangolan is therefore seen by some as part of a wider struggle to redefine the role of traditional authority in contemporary governance.

By Lester Maddox, Guest Writer
Independentistnews, Oakland County, California

The controversy surrounding Fon Chafah reflects a broader dilemma facing many traditional rulers in the Southern Cameroons: the tension between customary authority and participation in national party politics. By accepting a seat as a Senator in Yaoundé, Fon Chafah moved from the strictly traditional sphere into the partisan political arena. Critics argue this reflects a longstanding strategy by central authorities to draw traditional institutions into state structures, thereby reducing their independence. In this view, once autonomous palaces risk becoming extensions of administrative authority rather than guardians of community interests.

This development raises an uncomfortable question for many in Bangolan and beyond: does a traditional ruler serving within party politics represent his people first, or the political system that elevated him? Observers point to recent controversies surrounding Fon Chafah’s public actions and statements as evidence, in their eyes, of a leader navigating competing loyalties between state expectations and ancestral obligations.

When a Fon assumes an overt political role, critics contend, it becomes increasingly difficult for him to challenge government authority on behalf of his people. Supporters of reform argue this dynamic has weakened trust in traditional institutions, with some communities now perceiving their rulers less as protectors and more as intermediaries for political interests.

For advocates of political and cultural reform in the region, the solution lies in restoring a clear separation between chieftaincy and party politics. Under this perspective, traditional leaders should function as non-partisan custodians of culture and unity, serving all members of their communities regardless of political affiliation. The ongoing dispute in Bangolan is therefore seen by some as part of a wider struggle to redefine the role of traditional authority in contemporary governance.

The Essential Truth:
For many observers, the dilemma remains unresolved: can a traditional ruler simultaneously embody ancestral authority and partisan political allegiance without compromising one or the other?

Lester Maddox, Guest Writer
Independentistnews, Oakland County, California