Life is gradually returning to normal in Mbengwi, in the department of Momo, after a month-long lockdown imposed by separatist fighters.

At the dawn of Tuesday October 14 2025, life returned to normal in Mbengwi, Momo division just like in the rest of the two English speaking regions that had been subjected to a one month one week period of lockdown to counter school resumption and the presidential election. The lockdown was imposed by separatist fighters.

« It’s been like hell staying indoors doing nothing all this while » said Bih Gladys, an inhabitant in Mbengwi. A sigh of relieve could be noticed on nearly everyone’s face. As early at 5:30am, bikes, cars and pedestrians had taken to the streets to resume economic activities. The general atmosphere soon became like that of life being kissed back into dry bones.

Pupils, students and teachers had started school in the other 8 regions since Monday September 8 but their peers in Mbengwi and the rest of the NW/SW regions only saw the four walls of their classrooms for this 2024/25 academic year at the beginning of this week. Even with that, the aspect of putting on uniforms to school is still farfetched. Anwi Blessing is a class 1 teacher at a primary school in Njembeng. She was excited to be in the classroom to start grooming young Cameroonians on the right path.

Mbon Park, Mile 18 Mbengwi

The turnout however in most primary and secondary schools wasn’t impressive. Parents are seemingly still battling with getting school materials and fees for their kids.

At the Mbon motor park in Mile 18, bikes and cars once more hit the roads into the regional headquarters, Bamenda and back with goods and passengers. Most stores also opened their doors to begin selling the stock they had. Dealers in personable goods cried of enormous losses during the lockdown period. Some businesses that were running on loans, their owners are worried considering that interest has never stopped increasing.

With the declaration of the just ended presidential election results being awaited, there’s still a general atmosphere of uncertainty hovering over the municipality. Many businesses are still sceptical about restocking their shops. Schools and other institutions continue to wonder if they’ll run smoothly. In the midst of these doubts, what many now hold into is hope for better days ahead.

By Fongoh Primus Ayeh