Global Journal of Human Social Science, D: History, Archaeology and Anthroplogy, Volume 23 Issue 3

local control over the people in the western region of Cameroon. The Power of Sultan Njoya had grown to prominence and made his kingdom to exist as though it was ‘a state within a state.’ His dethronement also depicts how an African kingdom and leader can wield power to the point of being a threat or rival to the national government authorities or state. This attitude is imbued in the mind and always it provokes the desire to be liberated from any form of alien oppression or subordination. The fight for secession and independence has often occurred within the ambit of conflicts that impact peace ventures negatively. On the part of Bafut in the North West Region of Cameroon, the German and British colonialists projected the image of the Fon of Bafut to a point that he was more or less a permanent consultant on matters of native administration in his area of jurisdiction. To begin with the Germans, Abumbi I had resisted German rule for 6 years (Niba, 1986:86-101). This was one of the longest resistance faced by the Germans from an African leader. The long resistance also reflects the power and authority an African leader wielded over his state or community. The German explorer, Eugene Zingtgraff (see fig 4a) on his passage in Bafut had earlier remarked that the Fon of Bafut Abumbi I (see fig 4b) was the greatest African despot he has ever seen nor was he to see again (Ngwa, 2011:10). Source: Bafut Customs, P.42 Source: Bafut Customs, P. 36 Fig. 4a: Zingtgraff the German Explorer Fig. 4b: Abumbi I Fon of Bafut Zingtgraff was struck by the punctilious protocol and the regal and potent air exuded by the Fon. Thus, it prompted him to describe the Fon, Gwalem (Abumbi I), as an African despot. Zintgraff had indeed painted the picture of the absolute power of the African leader, and this clearly affirms why it took the Germans such a long time to institute German administration in Bafut. However, Abumbi I was finally captured and dethroned by the Germans. As punishment for his actions and attitude, the Germans exiled him to the coast of Cameroon where he was subjected under hard labour. 1 1 The destination of the Fon on exile is controversial amongst researchers of Bafut origin. While Niba states that Abumbi was exile to In the absence of the Fon, the Germans could not succeed in ruling or administering the Bafut people. According to Niba, a report from the military commander of the Bamenda station had strongly urged the restoration of the Fon as “orderly government in Bafut was impossible without him (Niba, 1995:66; Chilver and Kaberry, 1963: 7-8).” The German authorities accepted the recommendation to bring back the Fon. He was Doual for 1 year, Aletum holds that he was exiled to Bota Island for two years. The fact remains that the Fon was exiled to the coastal area of Cameroon where the Germans established their headquarters or capital. Volume XXIII Issue III Version I 6 ( ) Global Journal of Human Social Science - Year 2023 D © 2023 Global Journals The Concept of ‘States within a State’ Amidst Conflict and Peace Building Ventures in Bafut, Cameroon