By Andrew Nsoseka
After nearly three decades of a vacant throne, Kung village, in Fungom Subdivision, Menchum Division of Cameroon’s Northwest Region, has a new traditional ruler. His Royal Majesty Fon Tem Sih II was officially enthroned on Wednesday, January 29, 2026, marking the end of a 27-year vacancy following the death of the late Fon Ngong Thomas in 1999.
The historic installation ceremony brought together King Makers, traditional rulers from across Lower Fungom, and representatives of the villages that make up the area. In a strong display of unity, Fons from the 17 villages of Lower Fungom were present to witness the coronation of the new custodian of Kung, a second-class Fondom.
Speaking shortly after his enthronement, HRM Fon Tem Sih II called for unity among traditional authorities as a foundation for development in the region.
“All the Fons of Lower Fungom, 17 villages, they are all present here. What I am pleading to God Almighty is that we, all the Fons, should work together to make Lower Fungom develop and prosper for our children and future generations,” he said.
The newly crowned Fon expressed gratitude to all those who supported his ascension to the throne, invoking divine blessings upon the land.
“I want to thank everyone who assisted me in this coronation. God should bless everyone and bless the land of Lower Fungom, and peace will be our motto. We came for peace and peace will be our motto.”
Fon Tem Sih II, who described himself as part of the younger generation, outlined a leadership vision strongly anchored on youth engagement and community collaboration.
“First of all, you can see that I am a youth. I have to make all my plans with the youth, because the youths are the most powerful people in this our generation now. I will discuss with the youths, the kinsmen and notables and we work together to make this place a beautiful place tomorrow,” he stated.
His message comes at a time when many communities in the Northwest Region continue to grapple with the socio-economic effects of prolonged instability.
Call For Return and Reconstruction
The Fon made a passionate appeal to the sons and daughters of Kung and the wider Lower Fungom area to return home and contribute to rebuilding their communities.
“For more than nine years, we have been in a war zone, but what I witness this short while, I see that places are calm. So the message I want to send out is that everybody from Lower Fungom or from Cameroon should have it in mind that our village is the best place,” he said.
He cautioned against abandoning ancestral roots, stressing the long-term importance of community ties.
Calling on the youth to take responsibility for development, he added: “All the sons and daughters of Kung Village should come back and build Kung and the entire Lower Fungom, Menchum, and the entire Northwest Region, and Cameroon. They have to come back and reboot their villages, because youths are the ones that are supposed to build their communities and I am encouraging them to come back and build their hometowns.”
A New Chapter For Kung
Fon Tem Sih II ascends the throne with the support of his two queens – his first wife from Nso and his second from Kung, symbolising both unity and rootedness within and beyond the Fondom.
His enthronement signals not only the restoration of traditional leadership in Kung after 27 years but also the beginning of a renewed push for peace, unity, and grassroots development in Lower Fungom.