Lebialem
Lebialem is a department of Southwest Province in Cameroon. The department covers an area of 617 km2 and as of 2005 had a total population of 113,736.[1] The capital of the department lies at Menji. Lebialem got its name from the Lebialem Falls, a twin water fall, which means ' a hill from which water drops '. The county is dominated by two ethnic groups, the Mundani to the north and the Bangwa to the south (ba meaning people of), though other ethnic groups exists, the makeup a minority, example the Mbo, Banyangi and Bamiléké.
Lebialem | |
---|---|
Lebialem Lebialem | |
Coordinates: 5°42′47″N 10°03′54″E | |
Country | Cameroon Ambazonia |
Province | Southwest Province |
Capital | Menji |
Area | |
• Total | 238 sq mi (617 km2) |
Population (2005) | |
• Total | 113,736 |
Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
Since the outbreak of the Anglophone Crisis in 2017, much of Lebialem has come under the control of the Red Dragon militia, which were led by Lekeaka Oliver until he was shot dead on July 12, 2022.[2][3] In October 2019, after forcing traditional rulers to flee, Oliver declared himself "Paramount Ruler of Lebialem".[4] As of May 2020, much of Lebialem district is under the control of Oliver and his Red Dragon militia.[5]
Subdivisions
The department is divided administratively into 3 districts and in turn into 17 villages or Fundons.
References
- "Population and Housing Census - Cameroon Data Portal".
- "Cameroon: Death of Reputed Separatist Militia leader Field Marshall Questioned by Army". 14 July 2022.
- Cameroon: ‘Ambazonia General’ killed in Lebialem, Journal du Cameroun, Mar 21, 2019. Accessed Nov 18, 2019.
- Cameroon: Lebialem traditional rulers disown Ambazonia warlord Field Marshal, Journal du Cameroun, Oct 15, 2019. Accessed Oct 15, 2019.
- "Cameroun/Sécurité au NoSo : l'Étau se resserre autour de Field Marshall". 14 May 2020.