By Neba Jerome Ambe
After nearly four years of vacancy and uncertainty, the Esu Fondom in Fungom Subdivision, Menchum Division of North West Cameroon has formally restored its royal leadership with the installation of Fon Meh Buh II, bringing closure to a difficult chapter in the community’s history and reopening conversations around unity, continuity, and development.
The new Fon, born Fidelis Nfuia, was installed on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, following the completion of all customary rites and official endorsement by state authorities. The ceremony, held in Esu, was supervised by senior administrative officials, including the Senior Divisional Officer for Menchum, Abdoulahi Aliou, and the Divisional Officer for Fungom, Garba Oumaru, signaling full recognition of the new monarch by the state.
Beyond the formalities, the installation carried deep symbolic weight for the people of Esu. The throne has remained vacant since March 2021, when Fon Kum Achuo Kaw Zih Albert II and his wife, Queen Bibiana Bong, were assassinated while returning from a traditional ceremony in Weh. Their deaths left a profound scar on the Fondom and stalled the continuity of traditional authority.
Fon Meh Buh II’s accession is rooted firmly in tradition. He emerges from a distinguished royal lineage, becoming the rare custodian of a throne passed down through three successive generations of rulers in his family. Palace sources confirm that the succession respected rotational norms and was validated through extensive consultations with kingmakers and traditional custodians, reinforcing the legitimacy of the process.
Educated in Esu, Wum, Douala, and Yaounde, the new Fon brings a blend of local grounding and academic exposure to the throne. A graduate of the University of Yaounde II, Soa, with qualifications in Law and Political Science, he is widely viewed as reserved, methodical, and open-minded, traits many observers say are critical for leadership in the current context.
In his maiden address, Fon Meh Buh II began by honouring the memory of his predecessor, calling for a moment of silence in tribute to the late Fon and Queen. He then struck a conciliatory tone, urging Esu natives at home and abroad to embrace peace, reconciliation, and collective responsibility.
The Fon pledged loyalty to administrative authorities and expressed readiness to collaborate with government institutions in the pursuit of stability and development. He also reaffirmed his determination to safeguard Esu ancestral land, describing land protection as a sacred duty tied to identity, heritage, and future generations.
The installation drew traditional rulers and dignitaries from across Menchum Division and beyond, including the Fon of Maga from neighbouring Nigeria, highlighting the cross-border cultural ties and regional significance of the Esu throne.
As the dust settles on the ceremony, many within the Fondom see the enthronement as more than a ritual event, it is viewed as a turning point. Expectations are high that the return of stable traditional authority will foster dialogue, rebuild trust, and help steer the community toward peace and gradual renewal.
For Esu, the crown has returned, not just to a ruler, but to a people eager to move forward together.
