During his earlier trips to Bamenda, the Prime Minister was received in a largely deserted city, with residents observing a form of civil disobedience that has become synonymous with the Anglophone Crisis. Shopkeepers closed their stores and streets emptied in symbolic protest against the ongoing conflict. No official calls for such disobedience were issued this time, and no one has publicly explained why. Yet the difference was palpable.
At Matazem, the gateway into the North West Region from the West, a huge crowd gathered to welcome the Head of Government. Traditional dance groups and community delegations from Santa Subdivision, which borders the West Region, performed and waved banners of peace and support.
PM Dion Ngute received at Matazem
The welcome did not end there. At the 'Welcome to Bamenda' monument in Bamendakwe, more groups stood by to receive the August visitor. Up Station saw similar scenes, and at the Ayaba Hotel his temporary residence where a spirited reception awaited him. The city had seemingly turned out en masse to greet the President Biya’s marksman, in stark contrast to the weird scenes of previous visits.
PM Dion Ngute at Upstation
Equally noticeable was the change in security protocol. Unlike similar scenarios, where heavy deployments and hours-long traffic lockdowns are routine, this visit featured a more flexible and people-friendly approach. Security personnel were discreet but present at every strategic location. Traffic interruptions were brief, reopening shortly after the Prime Minister’s convoy passed.
"The last time he came, we stood by the roadside for hours without seeing even a single bike on the street. Today, there’s movement, music, and people. It's still safe, but less scary," said Nfor Emmanuel, a local teacher told Hilltopvoices as he watched the PM's at Ngen junction return to station .
Despite the softer tone of the security arrangements, officials have assured the public that the town remains under close watch, given its volatility. Officers can be seen stationed along key arteries and intersections, offering a blend of vigilance and restraint.
Traffic resuming after PM Dion Ngute passed
Prime Minister Dion Ngute is in Bamenda to preside over the 7th session of the Steering Committee of the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the North West and South West (PPRD-NW/SW). His agenda includes reviewing progress on post-conflict reconstruction projects, inspecting ongoing works such as the new Bamenda Proximity Stadium, and engaging with local and regional stakeholders, including women leaders and civil society organisations.
His visit is not only a moment of political significance but also a potential turning point in how government missions are received in a region still grappling with the scars of conflict. Whether this new tone signals a deeper shift in public perception or simply a pause in a prolonged struggle remains to be seen.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Newsroom
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