Chieftaincy Crisis: Bangolan Traditional Council Dethrones Fon Chafah Isaac XI
A deepening traditional crisis has rocked Bangolan village in Babessi Subdivision, Ngoketunjia Division of the North West Region, following the reported dethronement of Fon Chafah Isaac XI by the Ngumba, the village’s supreme traditional council.
On February 13, 2026, the Ngumba is said to have pronounced the removal of Fon Chafah Isaac XI from the throne, citing what it described as prolonged abandonment of the palace and alleged acts contrary to Bangolan customs and traditions. The decision has sparked widespread debate within and beyond the fondom, given the Fon’s dual role as a prominent traditional ruler and a serving Senator of the Republic.
Accusations of Abandonment and Desecration
According to members of the Ngumba, the embattled monarch had been largely absent from the village for over a decade, choosing to reside primarily in Yaoundé where he carries out his senatorial duties. The council reportedly accused him of neglecting his traditional responsibilities and distancing himself from the day-to-day affairs of the fondom.
More controversially, the Ngumba alleged that upon his return to Bangolan, the Fon engaged in acts described as the destruction of sacred ancestral objects, reportedly in the name of Christianity. Such actions, the council claims, constituted a grave violation of Bangolan customs and an affront to the spiritual foundations of the community.
Following the announcement, the traditional council declared a seven-week cleansing period, a customary rite intended to purify the land before the enthronement of a new Fon. The move signals the council’s intention to proceed with the succession process despite the high-profile nature of the crisis.
A High-Profile Traditional and Political Figure
Fon Chafah Isaac XI has been a notable figure both in traditional and national political spheres. As Fon of Bangolan, he has presided over one of the recognized fondoms in Ngoketunjia Division. Politically, he serves as a Senator in Cameroon’s Upper House of Parliament and is a member of the Bureau of the Senate. He was reappointed to the Senate in 2023 by President Paul Biya.
Beyond his legislative role, he has previously served as Chairman of the Central Tender Committee (CPPA) and is known as a legal professional.
In July 2024, he hosted the outgoing United States Ambassador to Cameroon, Christopher J. Lamora, at his Yaoundé residence, where he conferred on him the traditional title of Nditet Ntoh (Palace Advisor). He has also been vocal on national issues, particularly calling for peace and respect for the rule of law amid the ongoing Anglophone Crisis.
Uncertain Path Ahead
The reported dethronement has placed Bangolan at the center of a sensitive cultural and political storm. Observers note that the intersection of traditional authority and national political office makes the situation particularly delicate.
As the cleansing period unfolds, attention now turns to whether the dethronement will stand uncontested or whether legal, administrative, or customary interventions may arise. For now, Bangolan remains gripped by uncertainty as the fate of its throne hangs in the balance.
Published on: February 14, 2026