New Mbengwi-Teghenibi Fondom Receives Strong Community Support

Joy and optimism continue to grow across Mbengwi-Teghenibi following the official creation of the area’s new third-class fondom, a development widely welcomed by residents as a major step toward improved local administration and accelerated community development.

During meetings and community exchanges held on May 22, 2026, inhabitants of Mbengwi-Teghenibi expressed overwhelming support for the new traditional structure, describing it as a long-awaited recognition of the community’s identity, history, and contributions to the development of the Meta clan and Momo Division as a whole.

Community leaders and residents said the establishment of the fondom will strengthen grassroots governance by bringing administrative services and traditional leadership closer to the population.

Speaking on behalf of the Mbengwi-Teghenibi Cultural and Development Association (MBETCUDA), a community representative explained that the Teghenibi people have consistently invested in local development initiatives in partnership with state authorities and development stakeholders. 

“The creation of this fondom is not about separation or conflict,” the spokesperson said. “It is about improving administration, promoting development, preserving our cultural identity, and creating better opportunities for our people while remaining part of the larger Meta community.”

Residents believe the new fondom will facilitate better coordination of development projects in sectors such as agriculture, road infrastructure, education, youth empowerment, and local economic activities. Many also expressed confidence that the new structure will improve engagement with government programs and non-governmental organizations working within Momo Division.

Community elders noted that the presence of a recognized traditional authority in Mbengwi-Teghenibi will help address longstanding administrative challenges faced by residents, particularly in accessing public services and participating in local decision-making.

One elder stated that the population is determined to support any initiative that promotes peace, unity, and sustainable development in the area. “Our people want progress,” he said. “We want our youths empowered, our farmers supported, and our cultural values protected through a recognized and lawful traditional institution.”

Supporters of the fondom also expressed appreciation to the Head of State, President Paul Biya, for approving the creation of new chiefdoms across the country as part of efforts to strengthen decentralization and local governance.

Special recognition was equally given to the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, and the Minister Delegate in charge of the Supreme State Audit, Rose Mbah Acha, for what residents described as their continued support for development initiatives in Mbengwi Subdivision.

Participants who marched during the May 20 National Day celebrations under the banner of MBETCUDA said their presence symbolized gratitude and solidarity with the authorities who facilitated the creation of the new fondom.

Despite the widespread support, a smaller group of individuals opposed the decision and organized protests against the establishment of the fondom. Some protesters argued that consultations should have been broader before the administrative order was issued.

However, several individuals who participated in the demonstrations later admitted they joined the movement without fully understanding the issues surrounding the protest. Others claimed they acted out of loyalty to traditional or political leaders within the area.

Statements from some notables revealed underlying tensions among certain traditional authorities within the Meta clan regarding the creation of new chiefdoms. 

According to several accounts, a group of Fons had previously agreed to resist the establishment of additional kingdoms unless approved collectively by existing traditional rulers.

Critics of this position argued that resistance to administrative expansion has slowed development opportunities for emerging communities seeking greater representation and recognition.

A notable from Tugi village described the opposition to new fondoms as counterproductive, saying communities should be allowed to pursue administrative structures capable of improving development and social inclusion.

Another resident noted that political rivalry has also contributed to tensions surrounding the creation of the Mbengwi-Teghenibi fondom, with some groups allegedly mobilizing protests along partisan lines.

Nevertheless, supporters of the newly created fondom called for restraint, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence among all communities within the Meta clan. They appealed to traditional authorities, administrative officials, and community stakeholders to prioritize unity and development over division.

The Mbengwi-Teghenibi third-class fondom was officially established under Prefectoral Order No. 49/2025/PO/DO/SP signed on 23 December 2025. Although the order was signed in 2025, information about its implementation became widely known in May 2026.

Residents supporting the new fondom insist that the initiative is consistent with Cameroon’s decentralization policy aimed at bringing governance closer to local populations and improving citizen participation in development processes.

They reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with administrative authorities, including the Senior Divisional Officer for Momo Division, to ensure that the new fondom becomes a source of peace, stability, and meaningful development for Mbengwi-Teghenibi and the wider region.