Cameroon Political Story: Memories of an Authentic Eye Witness

Chapter Seventeen - Rudolf Douala Manga, a National Hero

235  Chapter Seventeen Rudolf Douala Manga, a National Hero I wonder how many Cameroonians know who have been our true national heroes, apart from those on whom some local newspapers naively shower (through parochial tribal patriotism) such, often undeserved, honour and title. In my dive into this Cameroon political story, I believe I have found one such hero in the name of Rudolf Douala Manga Bell who was born in Douala in 1872 and died there on 8th August, 1914. Yes, let us weigh the circumstances surrounding his undeserved death, against the honest testimony of those by his side the day he made peace with his maker. After that, I shall leave it to the honest reader to pass such judgment as he may deem fit, on whether to engrave his name or not in our nation’s scroll of fame. Rudolf of the Royal Bell clan dynasty in Douala was son of Manga Ndoumbe, and grandson of the famous Ndoumbe Lobe. His father, Manga Ndoumbe was educated in Britain as an economist. However, in 1891 despite his father’s English training, Rudolf was sent to Germany to study social sciences at Aalen High School (Wurttemberg) and later law, at the University of Bonn. In 1896, Rudolf Manga returned to Douala and joined the colonial administration as a jurist for three years. In December of that year, he married Emma Engome Dayas with whom he had six children. He remained a Christian and monogamous, though a chief, to the end. 236  King Rudolf Douala Manga Bell (1872 -1914) Executed by the Germans 8th August 1914, Declared National Hero by Cameroon in 1985 In 1897, King Bell Ndoumbe Lobe died and was succeeded by Manga Ndoumbe. Rudolf later left his job in the administration to become a very trusted counsellor and manager of the family estates. This was a period of friction between the colonial administrators and the local population, The height of the differences saw the transfer of the country’s headquarters from Douala to Buea in 1902 by Governor Von Puttkamer (in service since 1895). In July 1902, Rudolf Douala Manga accompanied his father, Manga Ndoumbe, to Germany to protest against the excesses of the local colonial authorities. They were met there in August by King Akwa and his son. The king of Deido, Jim Ekwalla, was also part of the delegation. They returned without any tangible results from Germany, while the authority of Puttkamer was only reinforced. He was recalled in 1906, not for the peoples’ accusations against him, but rather as a result of some sordid story concerning passports. Theodore Seitz became Governor. 237  Adolf Ngosso Din King Rudolf Bell’s envoy to Germany in 1914. Was arrested in Berlin and later executed along with his King, 8th August 1914 In 1908, Manga Ndoumbe died and was succeeded by his son, our Rudolf Douala Manga. In a grand ceremony, in Douala, he was installed as the Senior Chief of the Bell clan (a function introduced by the colonial administration). In 1910, Governor Theodore Seitz decided in favour of a town planning project presented by the Chief of District Douala, Herrmann Rohm. This project involved the expropriation of some of the traditional land of the Douala, to be made a European reservation. The area was to be separated from the indigenous location by a buffer zone of one kilometre. This project which, the Douala contended, contradicted their 1884 treaty with the Germans was rejected by the people. In the controversy that ensued Rudolf Douala Manga stood out a pillar of defence of the people’s rights and cause, against the hostile acts of the Germans. On 30th January 1913, events took a precipitate turn when Douala Manga and the people were served the decree enforcing the expropriation. On the 7th of February, in the name of all the chiefs of Douala, Rudolf Douala Manga sent a protest to the Reichstag (German parliament) followed; on the 20th , by a communication addressed to Governor Theodore Seitz. The expropriation was hotly contested. 238  Though pressed by Herrmann Rohm, the District Chief of Douala, King Rudolf Douala Manga stood his ground in his continued opposition to the project. On the 4th of August 1913, he was removed from his function as Senior Chief. In September, the Secretary of State for German colonies visited Douala and confirmed the unpopular expropriation in a public statement. In December, German officials, accompanied by armed...