(L) Min Ketcha Courtes (R) Mayor Luc Messi Atangana
By Brian Mboh
A growing dispute broke out last Friday, March 20 between Housing Minister Célestine Ketcha Courtes and Yaoundé Mayor Luc Messi Atangana over a delayed road project ahead of the visit of Pope Leo XIV.
The dispute erupted in Yaoundé between the Housing and Urban Development Minister Célestine Ketcha Courtes and the City Mayor, Luc Messi Atangana over the rehabilitation of the Madagascar Market–Cité Verte Road axis, just weeks before the scheduled visit of Pope Leo XIV to Cameroon. The project, initially expected to be completed ahead of the Pope’s visit in April 2026, has faced significant delays, fuelling tensions between the two authorities over its management and execution.
The situation reportedly escalated when the Minister attempted to supervise the works, a move perceived by the mayor as an intrusion into his jurisdiction. The standoff reached a peak when Ketcha Courtes visited the Yaounde City Hall and, according to witnesses, forced entry into an office to demand the release of workers allegedly detained on the mayor’s orders.
Overview of clash picture between police officer and worker of Arab Contractor
The workers, hired by a company selected by the Minister to fast-track the project ahead of the Papal visit, had reportedly been arrested by police.
For his part, Mayor Messi Atangana had previously granted a two-month extension to the company initially contracted for the project, which ultimately failed to meet the deadline.
With the papal visit fast approaching, the road remains unfinished, raising concerns about the city’s readiness for the high-profile event.
Centre Regional Governor steps in
Amidst the embroglio, Centre Regional Governor, Naseri Paul Bea on Monday, March 23 descended on the field with his collaborators. While on the field, he noticed that the city council’s contracting company had blocked the road with its own equipment making it difficult for the new contracting firm (Arab Contractors) selected by MINDHU to continue the works. He immediately ordered the city council’s contracting firm to remove its equipment for works to resume. This was done as onlookers applauded the Governor’s decision, which came as a relief to the road users who have been finding it difficult to access the stretch of road. The new company has been given seven days to complete the work.
