Traditional councils, local elders, and community leaders possess historical knowledge and legitimacy that can help bridge differences. At the same time, modern governance structures can provide technical and legal support necessary for durable solutions.
By Timothy Engonene
Guest Editor-in-Chief, The Independentistnews
BAMBILI February 11, 2026 – The recent escalation of the land dispute between the brotherly communities of Nkwen and Bambili has done more than raise tensions in the region. It has reopened painful questions about authority, justice, and the future of traditional institutions in a time of prolonged conflict.
At the heart of the issue lies a troubling reality: institutions meant to represent local and traditional authority often appear absent or powerless when communities need them most. Instead, resolution efforts frequently move toward administrative officials, particularly the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO), a representative of centralized state authority.
For many citizens, this situation creates confusion about where real authority lies—and who should ultimately mediate disputes over land, identity, and community heritage.
The Promise and Limits of the “Special Status”
For generations, traditional institutions across Southern Cameroons played a vital role in maintaining peace and settling disputes. Fons and traditional councils were custodians not only of culture but also of land governance and community justice.
The reforms introduced after the 2019 Grand National Dialogue, including the creation of Regional Councils and the House of Chiefs, were presented as steps toward restoring that local authority.
However, experiences like the Nkwen–Bambili dispute suggest that these institutions have yet to gain the practical authority needed to handle serious conflicts. Many community members feel that when disputes escalate, decisions still shift away from traditional structures toward centralized administrative offices.
This disconnect raises concerns about whether the current arrangements sufficiently empower local institutions to resolve conflicts in ways communities trust.
Conflict, Fear, and the Human Cost
It is important to remember that land disputes are never merely administrative matters. They affect families, livelihoods, and long-standing relationships between neighboring communities.
The people of Nkwen and Bambili share markets, marriages, schools, and histories. Prolonged disputes risk damaging bonds that generations have built through coexistence.
In moments like these, leadership—both traditional and administrative—must aim first at preventing violence, protecting civilians, and preserving long-term peace between communities.
Restoring Confidence in Local Resolution
Many observers believe that strengthening community-led mediation mechanisms could help prevent disputes from escalating to administrative or security interventions.
Traditional councils, local elders, and community leaders possess historical knowledge and legitimacy that can help bridge differences. At the same time, modern governance structures can provide technical and legal support necessary for durable solutions.
Rather than competition between traditional and administrative authorities, cooperation between both systems may offer a path toward more stable dispute resolution.
A Call for Wisdom and Responsibility
This moment calls not for accusations, but for reflection and responsibility from all actors—traditional leaders, administrators, political actors, and community influencers.
Public rhetoric that deepens division or exploits communal tensions risks long-term harm to communities already facing hardship from years of conflict and instability.
The real task ahead is ensuring that disputes do not become tools of political struggle, but instead become opportunities for communities to reaffirm peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.
Conclusion: Governance with Humanity
Ultimately, institutions—whether traditional or administrative—must serve the people. Authority gains legitimacy when it protects communities, resolves disputes fairly, and preserves peace.
The Nkwen–Bambili dispute should serve as a reminder that governance must remain grounded in humanity. Land can be negotiated, boundaries clarified, and misunderstandings resolved—but broken relationships between communities are far harder to repair.
At this critical time, wisdom, restraint, and dialogue will determine whether neighboring communities move forward together or allow division to deepen. Peaceful resolution, guided by justice and mutual respect, remains the only path that honors both history and the future of the people involved.
Timothy Engonene
Guest Editor-in-Chief, The Independentistnews
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