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Northwest Region | |
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.png) Seal | |
 Location of the Northwest Region within Cameroon | |
| Coordinates:6°20′N10°30′E / 6.333°N 10.500°E /6.333; 10.500 | |
| Country | Cameroon |
| Capital | Bamenda |
| Departments | Boyo,Bui,Donga-Mantung,Menchum,Mezam,Momo,Ngo-Ketunjia (Ngoketunjia) |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Adolphe Lele Lafrique |
| • President of the Regional Assembly & Executive Council | Fru Fobuzshi Angwafo III[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 17,300 km2 (6,700 sq mi) |
| Population (2015) | |
• Total | 1,968,578 |
| • Density | 114/km2 (295/sq mi) |
| ISO 3166 code | CM-NW |
| HDI (2022) | 0.560[2] medium ·6th of 10 |
TheNorthwest Region, orNorth-West Region (French:Région du Nord-Ouest) is aregion withspecial status inCameroon. Its capital isBamenda. The Northwest Region was part of theSouthern Cameroons, found in the western highlands of Cameroon. It is bordered to the southwest by theSouthwest Region, to the south by theWest Region, to the east by theAdamawa Region, and to the north byNigeria. VariousAmbazonian nationalist and separatist factions regard the region as being distinct as apolity from Cameroon.[3]
In 1919, the Northwest Region became solely administered by theUnited Kingdom.[5] In 1961, the region joined theCameroon.[6]Ambazonian separatists regard both the North-West and South-West regions as being constituent components of their envisaged breakaway state.[7]
The origins of the region are linked to the settlement of theTikar people who joined theBamoun Kingdom, in the 1700s.[8] In 1884, the region was colonized byGermany under the regime of theprotectorate until 1916 when it became acondominium administered jointly by theUnited Kingdom and theFrance.[9] In 1919, the administration of the North West region, as part ofSouthern Cameroons became solely British. In 1961, the region joinedCameroon as part of the federated state ofWest Cameroon, under the1961 British Cameroons referendum.[6]
At the end of 2017, anAmbazonian separatist movement in the two English-speaking regions of North West andSouth West began a wave of violence affecting soldiers, police, business leaders and workers. Separatist activists are trying in particular to prevent children from returning to school. Between 2016 and 2019, separatists reportedly ransacked, destroyed or burned down more than 174 schools.[10]
The Northwest Region (known before 2008 as the Northwest Province) is the third most populated province in Cameroon. It has one major metropolitan city,Bamenda, with several other smaller towns such asWum,Kumbo,Mbengwi,Ndop,Nkambé,Batibo,Bambui, Bafut andOshie. The province saw an increase in its population from approximately 1.2 million in 1987 to 1.8 million in 2010.[11] The population density of 99.12 people per square kilometer is higher than the national average of 22.6. The provincial urban growth rate is 7.95%, higher than the national average of 5.6%, while the rural growth rate, at 1.16%, is equal to the national rate. In 2001, according to the Statistical Provincial Services of the North-West Province, the population of the province is young, with over 62% of its residents being less than 20 years old. Therefore, the dependency rate in the province is high, particularly in the rural areas.
Like other regions in Cameroon, the Northwest Region is made up of administrative divisions. The province was created in 1972 with five divisions ordepartments:Bui,Donga-Mantung,Menchum,Mezam, andMomo. Today, it has seven divisions, the additions beingBoyo, which was carved out of the Menchum division, andNgo-Ketunjia or Ngoketunjia, split off from the Mezam division. Each division is further subdivided, with thirty-one total subdivisions in the Northwest Province. The basic unit of local government is the council, and there are thirty-two councils in the region.
The Northwest is a stronghold of theSocial Democratic Front (SDF) which is one of the main opposition parties of Cameroon. Some Northwesterners feel completely marginalized by the government. There is also a secessionist movement, the SCNC (Southern Cameroons National Council) whose goal is to secede from Cameroon and form a republic consisting of the English-speaking regions.[clarification needed] Much of the SCNC's influence exists in the Northwest. In 2008, the President of the Republic of Cameroon,Paul Biya, signed decrees abolishing "Provinces" and replacing them with "Regions". The Northwest Province subsequently became the Northwest Region.
As part of theMajor National Dialogue, the region was given a "special status" in December 2019, granting additional rights and responsibilities in relation to economic, health, social, educational, sports and cultural development.[12][13] Under the special status the region has a bicameral Regional Assembly, made up of a 20-member House of Chiefs composed of traditional leaders and a 70-member House of Divisional Representatives nominated by municipal councils. The Regional Assembly appoints a Regional Executive Council.[14] Additional powers over health and education were also granted to municipalities.[15]
The Regional Executive Council is led by the President of the Regional Assembly and includes a vice president, three commissioners, two secretaries and a questor.[14][16]
| Name | Portfolios |
|---|---|
| Fru Fobuzshi Angwafo III | President of the Regional Assembly President of the House of Divisional Representatives President of the Regional Executive Council |
| Fon Yakum Kevin | Vice-president of the Regional Assembly President of the House of Chiefs[17] Vice-president of the Regional Executive Council |
| Awunti Gheunti | Commissioner for Economic Development |
| Fundufe Lydia | Commissioner for Health and Social Development |
| Fri Manjo Rose | Commissioner for Education, Sports and Cultural Development |
| Kalak Mbonteh | Secretary |
| Fon Bahmbi III Mathias Njuh[18] | Secretary |
| Jude Waindim | Questor |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 980,531 | — |
| 1987 | 1,237,348 | +2.14% |
| 2005 | 1,728,953 | +1.88% |
| 2015 | 1,968,578 | +1.31% |
| source:[19] | ||
The Northwest Region has many ethnic groups, including immigrants from other regions and countries. Nigeria is well represented, as it borders the region to both the north and the northwest. The native population comprises a variety of ethnic and linguistic groups. The main ethnic groups are of Tikar origin:Tikari,Widikum,Fulani, andMoghamo. The most widely spoken languages in the province includeMungaka,Limbum, Yamba, spoken by the Yamba people also of the Donga Mantung Division; Bafmen,Oku,Lamnso, Ngemba,Pidgin English,Balikumbat, Papiakum,Moghamo, andNkom. During the colonial period, administrative boundaries were created which cut across ethnic groups and cultures. As a result, parts of some ethnic groups now lie in different divisions and provinces, which is believed to have led to several land conflicts.[citation needed]
In the provinces, the social organization recognizes a chief as its head, also called theFon. The Fons, who in their tribal area may be more influential than the official administrative authorities, are considered the living representative of the tribal ancestors.
The Northwest region has unique attractions, including the second highest mountain inWest Africa,Mount Oku.[citation needed] It is home to birds such as theBannerman's turaco, which is unique to this region. There are also many crater lakes such asLake Oku,Lake Awing, andLake Nyos. The largest remaining mountain forest in the Northwest Region is theKilum-Ijim Forest.Menchum Falls, andAbbi Falls in theMbengwi Division, are also located here.
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