Administrative Obduracy in Implementing Judgements Crystallising Conflicts in West Cameroon: An Insight into the Missong Chieftaincy Crisis 1967-1971

Abstract

This paper examines the management of the Missong Chieftaincy conflict by the Wum divisional administrations after the West Cameroon Government had adjudicated on the matter in 1967. It argues that the suppleness of the Wum administration in implementing the verdict of the Chieftaincy Tribunal and the Executive Council entrenched the conflict between Luh Beh and Tryself Apwa Ngu and their supporters. With the refusal of Beh to concede defeat, the Wum administration did little in bringing him to order as he continued acting like the chief and refused submitting to Ngu, the victor. In spite of his activities, that degenerated the crisis, the Wum administration remained silent on the matter until 1971 when it decided to implement the decisions of the Chieftaincy Tribunal and Executive Council whole heartedly and stopped Beh from postulating as the chief of Missong after a long period of suspense, hatred and division in Missong.

Keywords: Administration, Conflict, Crisis, Missong, West Cameron and Wum.