Paper Status Tracking

Journals by Title

Journals by Subject

Contact us

	[email protected]
	3275638434

	Paper Publishing WeChat

Useful Links

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Article

Open Access

The T-Junction Conflict Palaver Amongst the Balikumbat and Bafanji People: Causes, Evolution, and Impacts 1966-1998

Author(s)

René Ngek Monteh

Full-Text PDF Download XML 494 Views

DOI:10.17265/2159-5526/2018.06.003

Affiliation(s)

University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon

ABSTRACT

In Africa, ethnic conflicts were the main forms of political instability in the multi-ethnic societies during second half of twenty century and the beginning of the new century. The North West Region of Cameroon is a multi-ethnic region and is one of the main theatres for ethnic tension in the country. The ethnic conflict in this region reflects not only relations between the indigenous peoples in the region, but is also a treat to national unity. The relative absence of industries and growing unemployment has thus resulted in agrarian overpopulation and underemployment. This situation has aggravated the struggle for land and competition for the limited number of privileged and lucrative positions in the local administrations between members of the different ethnic groups. From this perspective, this paper appraises the root, evolution, and the impact of boundary conflict between Balikumbat and Bafanji with reference to the T-junction perspective as key site of contestation, and thus an integral aspect of conflict among the local population. This paper also illustrates the social context of ethnic conflict in multi-ethnic societies given the varied nature of various ethnic conflicts in the region and the deep historical roots. Data were derived from primary, secondary, and alternative sources. However, the author adopted the content analysis based on logical deduction and analysis of the available data. In sum, the study found out that the dominant causes of the conflict include ethnic differences, land grasping, and political power.

KEYWORDS

T-junction, ethnic conflict, boundary, Balikumbat, Bafanji

Cite this paper

Sociology Study, June 2018, Vol. 8, No. 6, 287-304

References

Andu Ezieh, C. 1996. “North West—Tribal Wars: Fon of Balikumbat Ordered to Pay 172 Million Fcfa for Bafanji Destruction.” The Herald, October 4-6.

Bungfang, P. 2000. “Inter-Chiefdom Conflicts in the North West Region of Cameroon From 1889-1999, Colonial and Post Colonial Influences.” Master dissertation in History, University Yaounde I.

Chilver, E. M. and P. M. Kaberry. 1968. Traditional Bamenda: The Pre-colonial History and Ethnography of the Bamenda Grassfields. Buea: Cameroon Government Printers.

Formi, W. 1998. “SDO Access Fon Doh Gwanyin III of Balikumbat-Bafanji Conflict”. The Post, February 2, no. 4095.

Groele, C. 2004. “Exploring the Possibilities and Challenges of PCTA Methods Within Early Warning System: A Case Study of Balaikumbat-Bafanji Conflict in Cameroon, Africa.” Master dissertation in Intercultural Work and Conflict Management of Applied Science, Alice-Salomon-Plat-25D-12627, Berlin.

Hougie Ngwochu, G. 2005. “Balikumbat and Her Neighbours. From 1898 to 1998: Quest for Hegemony.” Master dissertation in History, University of Yaounde I.

Mbock, C. G., ed. 2000. Les Conflits Ethniques au Cameroun Quelles Sources, Quelles solutions? (Ethnic Conflicts in Cameroon What Sources, What Solutions?). Yaounde: Edition Service Oecumenique pour la paix and Editions Saagraph.

Mbunwe, C. 1998a. “Balikumbat Warriors Wiped out Bafanji.” The Post, April 20.

——. 1998b. “Balikumbat Wiped out Bafanji”. The Post, January 30, no. 5096.

Nkwi, P. N. 1987. “Traditional Diplomacy: A Study of Inter-Chiefdom Relations in the Western Grassfields, North West Province of Cameroon.” Publication of the Department of Sociology, University of Yaounde.

Nkwi, P. N. and J.-P. Warnier. 1982. Elements for a History of the Western Grassfields. Yaounde: Department of Sociology, University of Yaounde.

Penbaga Doh, J. 2000. “Bali and Their Neighbours. A Study of Political Relations of the Bali and the Widikum From Pre-colonial Times to 1961.” Master dissertation in History, University of Yaounde I.

Sama, S. L. 1998. “Balikumbat/Bafanji: War; Who Caused It? What Should Be Done.” The Errand, no. 16 of Friday.

Simo Mope, J. A. 1996. “Customary Land Tenure Regimes in North West Cameroon: Evolution and Interactions With Wider Economic and Political Development.” Presented at Franco British Conference on Land Tenure and Resource Access in West Africa, November 18-19, Dakar, Senegal.

SIRDEP. 2001. Monographic Study of the Balikumbat Rural Council. Retrieved (https://sirdep.files.wordpress.com/2011 /11/2001-mc-monographic-study-balikumbat-council.pdf).

Tume, G. 1996. “Bafanji-Balikumbat Border Conflicts”. Cameroon Tribune, no. 677/3060 of January.