The drama which took place in Mbankolo, a district of Yaoundé in Cameroon, continues to mark people’s minds. After the deadly ground collapse which took place on October 8, 2023, the families of the victims are still waiting to be able to bury their loved ones. The 29 identified bodies currently remain at the Yaoundé Central Hospital, waiting for the authorities to take the necessary measures.
This landslide was caused by the rupture of an obsolete dike after heavy rains. A hundred-year-old dike, built during the era of German colonization. Ironically, this area was declared non-buildable, and yet homes were built under this dike over the years.
According to Jean-Claude Fogno, member of the Mandela Center International organization, this catastrophe could have been avoided. In fact, cracks had been observed a few weeks earlier, but no action had been taken. It also raises questions about the complicity of state agents, since people have settled illegally in this area.
Faced with this tragic situation, Mandela Center International offers free legal assistance to victims. The organization is building a case and collecting data to potentially take legal action if victims do not receive the necessary reparations.
The Cameroonian State is also called upon to support the victims of Mbankolo. The prefect of the Mfoundi department, Emmanuel Mariel Djikdent, assures that measures are underway to take care of the injured, organize funerals and find rehousing solutions for those who have lost their homes.
In the meantime, the victims’ families are coping as best they can, faced with the loss of their loved ones and the lack of concrete measures from the authorities. The images of the landslide in Mbankolo aroused strong emotion and awareness of the need to strengthen the prevention of natural disasters and the monitoring of dilapidated infrastructure.
It is important to remember that this tragedy must not be forgotten. Civil society and authorities must work together to ensure that victims are fully supported and that measures are taken to prevent such tragedies in the future. Solidarity and action are essential to heal Mbankolo’s wounds and prevent such events from happening again in the future.