For two weeks now, two senior officers of the Cameroon army have been disputing the command of the 11th Battalion of the Marines (11th BAFUMAR) stationed in Campo precisely in the South region. Cameroon Intelligence Report learned that the issue is all about legitimate authority.

It all started in August, when the Commander of the 11^th Marine Battalion, Captain Messomevou was assigned to the Joint Multinational Force combating the Nigerian Islamic sect, Boko Haram in Mora in the Far North region. Captain Petit Meyong was sent from Yaounde to take over command par interim.

Captain Messomevou completed his mission in Mora and was given standing orders to return immediately to Campo and resumed duty as commander. Upon his arrival at Campo, Captain Petit Meyong reportedly brandished a correspondence from his superiors in Yaounde instructing him to pass over command of the 11^th Battalion to him.

Captain Messomevou refused to comply with the demands that came from his kinsman and also presented a document from the supreme military command in Yaounde that ordered him to return to Campo. The misunderstanding on who had the final word in Campo, resulted to threats and division within the Battalion.

Local media reports say the tense situation prompted the administrative authority of the area to put on high alert the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) operating also in Campo. At the time of filing this report, information filtered that the two senior officers were summoned to the army headquarters in Yaoundé to explain this disorderly situation that undermines discipline considered the main strength of armies. No word has been gotten from the youthful Minister Delegate at the Presidency of the Republic in charge of Defence.

Rita Akana with files from Cameroon-info.net