Senator Mbella Moki Accuses FECAFOOT of Anglophone Marginalisation

The former Second Vice President of the Cameroon Football Federation, Senator Mbella Moki Charles has accused the country’s football governing body of marginalization against Anglophones.

Regional Sports Delegate (Egbe Ignatius-left) Njomo Kevin (middle) & Senator Mbella (right)

According to the politician and current President of the South West Regional league of FECAFOOT, by appointing Celine Eko to head the female football commission instead of Madam Sakwe Helen, the Barrister Dieudonné Happi-led normalization committee has exhibited a clear act of the marginalization that Anglophones are decrying in Cameroon.

The Senator made the statement at Capitol Hotel Buea on Friday November 3, 2017, during a concertation meeting between the 2009 regional and divisional executives, and normalization committee member, Njomo Kevin.

Talking to Volcanic Sports, the Senator unequivocally said:

“In brief, in 2009, one of our members was the President of feminine football at national level, Madam Helen Sakwe. The former normalization came in and arbitrarily replaced her. 

"In the call that you made that the 2009 executives should comeback to office, we think it was logical that Madam Helen Sakwe should have taken her place as well. 

"We were surprised when the normalization committee rather endorsed the illegality that was conducted by the 2013 normalization committee. And brought in whoever is there now, placing Madam Sakwe in an inferior position.

“Mr Representative, this is a glaring example of the marginalization that Anglophones are highlighting in this country. 

“Our hope is that considering the prevailing atmosphere in our country today, considering the social agitations that I have witnessed around the country, FECAFOOT should not become a breeding ground for trouble-makers. We shall not subscribe to that. Our plea is that as a messenger, as someone who knows this region very well, you should be able to carry our concerns to the right quarters.

Note that after occupying the South West Region's top football office for over two decades, Senator Mbella got appointed as the 2nd Vice President of FECAFOOT at national level under the ousted Tombi A Roko Sidiki. 

2009 executives of the SWR pose with Governor, FECAFOOT envoy-Njomo & Regional Sports Delegate 

The meeting was aimed at prescribing the job of the incoming officials at a time that the country’s football is being critically fine-tuned. 

Talking to the delegates, the retired journalist flashed back on glory days, in a bid to paint a picture of how Cameroon football should be at all levels.

Addressing the 2009 delegates, pressmen and well-wishers, FECAFOOT envoy and member of the normalization committee Mr Njomo Kevin said:

“It is with a happy heart that the normalization committee of FECAFOOT is meeting with the executive members of the regional and divisional leagues of football for the South West Region, those who were elected in the 2009 General Assembly.”

Mr Njomo said he was counting on their huge experience over the years as FECAFOOT commits to fine-tuning Cameroon football. 

“The President of the regional league of FECAFOOT, I want to assure you here, that I have taken note of the points registered. I want to promise you that you will no longer have documents issued in French. I have taken note. These problems will be properly addressed.”

Mr Njomo also praised the SW regional league for unity and an all-involving approach, emphasizing that none of the regions but the SWR is willing to work as a family. 

The 2009 South West regional executives who are taking over as per the Friday 6th October, 2017, communiqué by the President of the Normalization Committee, Barrister Dieudonne Happi are as follows:

Mbella Moki Charles (President)

Helen Sakwe (Vice President)

Ndumbe Eyoum (SG)

Dionny William (Treasurer)

The President, Senator Mbella, has created a commission which will oversee the impending mini inter pool competitions until the end of the season. The commission is a mixture of the old and incoming experts.

The same process (not necessarily creation of commissions) applies in the six (6) divisions that make up the SWR. For instance the Fako Division which is now under the control of Moore Joseph (President), Lyonga Davidson Nangoh (Secretary General), and Madam Batawi Regina (Treasurer).

Saturday's concertation was attended by the Governor of the SWR, Bernard Okalia Bilai, and the Regional Delegate of Sports and Physical Education for the SWR.

The consultative tour also took place over the weekend in other regional capitals as well as offices in charge of divisional leagues. 

According to Mr Njomo, the 2009 executives are there only for a short while. Their job is mainly to oversee football activities until the season ends.