Foumban experienced twenty-four hours of intense tension that ultimately gave way to calm and reconciliation over the weekend following a tragic road accident.
The incident occurred on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at approximately 7:30 PM, when a collision involving the pickup vehicle of the local Gendarmerie Company Commander and a truck led to an altercation.
As a crowd of motorcycle taxi drivers gathered, warning shots were fired to disperse the group, resulting in a stray bullet fatally striking 20-year-old Michirein Nsangou Mohamed Awel, who was in a nearby local eatery, while several others sustained injuries in the ensuing panic.
The young victim succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to the hospital, where His Majesty the Sultan King of Bamoun, Mouhammad Nabil Mforifum Mbombo Njoya, visited him and remained at his bedside until his passing.
Throughout the night, the traditional ruler toured the city, meeting with motorcycle taxi operators and residents to appeal for restraint and prevent further escalation. Despite these early intervention efforts, anger over the tragedy led protesters to erect barricades along the main entrance road to Foumban, leaving the city largely paralyzed by Sunday morning.
In response to the growing crisis, high-level civil and military authorities arrived in Foumban to join peacebuilding efforts. The Governor of the West Region, along with Brigadier General Housseïni Djibo, Commander of the 5th Gendarmerie Region, and Colonel Abba Saïdou, Commander of the West Gendarmerie Legion, convened a decisive meeting at the Royal Palace.
Together with the Sultan King, the officials met with community members, motorcycle taxi drivers, and the victim’s family to hear their grievances, with the Sultan emphasizing that justice must be served while calling for unity and the protection of the town’s heritage.
In a powerful gesture of solidarity that deeply moved the local population, the Sultan King, General Housseïni Djibo, and Colonel Abba Saïdou personally attended the burial of young Michirein.
Following the funeral proceedings, community leaders and motorcycle taxi operators voluntarily cleared the barricades blocking the city’s main thoroughfares.
By Sunday evening, normal traffic and commercial activities had fully resumed across Foumban, with the Sultan returning to the Royal Palace escorted by cheering crowds, including many of the drivers who had manned the barricades the previous night.
Authorities have clarified that the shooting was not directed at the population, but occurred as a tragic accident during the firing of warning shots. Regional officials assured the public that the injured are receiving proper medical care and announced the immediate opening of a formal investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the event.
Through swift dialogue, traditional leadership, and administrative engagement, Foumban successfully navigated a painful moment to reaffirm its commitment to peace and stability.
