Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Arnaud Nicolas MAWEL
Published on 2024-04-15 12:00:49
The former goalkeeper of the Indomitable Lions, third-degree chief of the Mouandé village in the Ngambe district, did not attend the burial ceremony of Samuel Eto’o Fils’ father last Saturday.
Since last Saturday afternoon, the topic has been flooding the internet. Joseph Antoine Bell did not attend the burial of David Eto’o, father of Samuel Eto’o Fils, in Ngambè. The ceremony took place just three kilometers from Bell’s home. The former goalkeeper of the Indomitable Lions instead participated in the inauguration of the Bamouns Kings Museum in Foumban, Noun department, West Region. Some internet users interpret this choice as a sign of tension between the President of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o, and Joseph Antoine Bell. Otherwise, how can one understand the absence of a village chief at a major burial ceremony like that of David Eto’o? Many internet users are questioning.
There are two opposing camps on this issue. One camp supports Joseph Antoine Bell. Supporters of this view believe that Joseph Antoine Bell is a patriarch. He does what he believes is best for himself and his life. He is responsible for his actions and especially his choices. Although he is from Mouandé in Ngambe, he is Cameroonian. “He is returning the favor to the royal family in Foumban. He invited former king Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya to a traditional ceremony in Douala. The latter attended in 2019,” says one internet user. Additionally, according to this camp, the sports consultant did not receive an invitation to attend this highly attended ceremony, which is why he went to where he was invited.
In the opposing camp, some internet users believe that Jojo’s behavior is not worthy of a traditional chief according to local traditions. In the local culture, “people are not invited to funerals.” It is a sad event and open to all. For them, Joseph Antoine Bell “is a disappointment”, “his behavior is unworthy”, “his actions call into question his merit”. By this attitude, Joseph Antoine Bell showed “no spirit of transcendence, no spirit of openness. Even if Eto’o did something, you should have gone to his father’s funeral. This gesture would have been a lesson in greatness,” insists one internet user.
In the midst of the two camps, some advocates for reconciliation. They call for reconciliation between Samuel Eto’o and Joseph Antoine Bell, two brothers from the same locality. They also urge everyone to avoid inciting hatred, but to bring the brothers to make peace in times of crisis for the good of the community. This Monday morning, the death of Pierre Emmanuel Djanal, Joseph Antoine Bell’s brother, was announced.
Read the original article(French) on Journal du Cameroun
