The Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development in charge of Planning Paul Tasong alongside Lebialem Fons and elites on July 13 braved all odds to hold the annual conference of Lebialem Fons in Nkongle, Wabane Subdivision. 

The Minister and the Fons were accompanied by Senator Fon Lekunze Nembo Andreas, Hon. Forju Bernard and other elites. 

In his welcome address, the Mayor of Wabane Council described the gesture as a giant step for the return of peace in Lebialem while begging on God Almighty to lead them through. 

On his part, the President of the Lebialem Fons Conference,  Senator Fon Lekunze read out the Declaration of Traditional Rulers on behalf of his peers. 

His words: "We the natural traditional rulers of Lebialem Division meeting this day July 13 in Wabane Subdivision, hereby solemnly declare our position on the numerous happenings in Lebialem Division and beyond. Mindful of our firm resolution to support state institutions, restate our resolute admiration for the foresighted leadership and policies designed to foster development and the welfare of Cameroonians;

"cognisant of the Clarion call of the President of the Republic as preached by Prime Minister Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, during his recent visit to the North West and South West regions ; cognisant of of our moral obligation as natural rulers of Lebialem Division to ensure peace and warfare of our people ; mindful of the trust and confidence bestowed on the People of Lebialem and the Southwest region in general; aware of the recent calls for Secessionist fighters to lay down their arms and participate in the development of our lovely country, couple with the firm resolve of government to ensure that peace reigns in the NW and SW in general and the country in general.

"Conscious of the overwhelming victory of HE Paul Biya in his last Presidential elections: we the traditional rulers of Lebialem Division in the presence of elites join our voices  to those of Cameroonians of goodwill to condemn in strongest terms , all manifestations , utterances and actions that undermine in any form whatsoever the image and dignity of Cameroon as well as that of the Head of State and the institutions he incarnates." 

 The Fons equally resolved to stand firm behind the government which is multiplying efforts to ensure that Cameroon regains its glorious image of a haven of peace so that development will speed up nationwide. 

"We call on Lebialem sons and daughters at home and abroad, irrespective of their opinions to place the development of Lebialem and Cameroon ahead of their individual opinions and interests and join us in this journey of peace and development," said Senator Fon Lekunze Nembo Andreas. 

They also called on those who are still holding arms on Lebialem soil to drop them immediately and be reintegrated into society. Those who had fled their homes were urged to return to their various villages in Lebialem. 

"As traditional fathers of the Division, we are open to all our children and pray that as we intend to return to our various palaces , may they join us in good faith so that together we could join hands to continue the development process of our division," said the President of the Lebialem Fons Conference. 

The traditional rulers equally called on all Lebialem sons and daughters displaced within the country to return to their various villages , organise cleanup campaigns and most importantly join hands to make sure all schools start effectively come September 2, 2019. 

In declaring their unalloyed support for President Paul Biya, Fon Lekunze said: "We heartily congratulate , thank and renew our unflinching support to HE Paul Biya, Head of State and national chairman of the CPDM for the exceptional   good service he is rendering to the nation. We hereby renew our total and unconditional support to Cameroon's Republican institutions and values." 

Enter Minister Paul Tasong

Addressing the population, Minister Paul Tasong used the opportunity to thank the Fons of Lebialem and lauded their initiative of deciding to hold their annual conference this year on Lebialem soil. 

He equally saluted the bravery of the population for defying all fear to turn out in their hundreds. 

The Minister also extended the Goodwill message of Prime Minister Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute and to encourage the people to be strong and get hope in the future. This words he said, were from the Head of State through the PM and to him to forward to Lebialem people. 

"I am happy that this meeting is being held in a classroom because it is a symbol that the classes will be used again soon after a long pause," added. 

Holding the meeting in a classroom to him is a clear indication that children will sit in all the classrooms in Lebialem this coming September. 

"If you people decide that these children should come to school, they will come . We have lived in fear for too long, faced the current circumstances with courage and now that we are beginning to see an end to this unfortunate situation, the Prime Minister asked me to encourage the young people of Lebialem who are still wayward in their attitude towards the current situation to drop their arms and come back home so that we collectively pursue our efforts to develop this division," Minister Tasong added. 

Hon. Forju and Senator Fon Lekunze each handed FCFA 500.000 for the people to organise community labour to arrange the roads while Minister Tasong asked them to put the projects on paper and forward to him while promising better days ahead for the Lebialem people.