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Rehabilitation of Molyko stadium:

Cameroonian workers pushed to slavery by Chinese employers

The workers complain of catechist pay, no permanent contracts, no insurance cover, no protective jackets or helmets, and constant threats of dismissal among others.

By Ajongakou Santos in Buea

Cameroonians working for Top International Engineering Corporation Cameroon Ltd-TIEC, the Chinese company contracted by government to rehabilitate the MolykoOmnisports stadium in Buea, are calling on the authorities to intervene and put a stop to the near inhuman treatment they are subjected to by their employers.

                The Cameroonian labourers complain that their conditions of work are not the best and this is in spite of the huge sums the government is paying the Chinese company for the project.

                Complaining bitterly to this reporter, one of the labourers, whose name we are withholding for obvious reasons, listed a number of grievances that they are forced to cope with under the seemingly adamant and cunning Chinese. He said despite the paltry daily stipend of 2500frs that they are paid, the Chinese do not provide them with the clothing, gloves and helmets that they need to protect themselves as they perform the very hard manual work that are assigned to them by the Chinese.

                Our source added that though the Chinese would not enter into any permanent contract with their Cameroonian laborers, they also impose very low pay packages to interested workers; and any attempt to bargain your pay you are shown the door.

Clamour for payment of salaries:

100 Mayors & councilors to march on Senate

By a correspondent in Yaounde

The coordination of Councilors and Mayors of Cameroon (COCIMACAM) has planned a head-on confrontation with Senators currently sojourning in Yaoundé for the March session of parliament.

                According to some mayors and councilors who spoke to The Median on condition of anonymity, 100 members of the coordination have been chosen to travel to Yaounde to confront each of the one hundred (100) Senators before the end of the March 2016 session.

                “Our aim is to call the attention of the senators to our collective plight as elected Mayors and councilors in Cameroon. It is unacceptable that we are yet to get a franc of our salaries despite the law promulgated since 2010 and the presidential decree of 16 September 2015 laying down the modalities for the payment of the salaries,” complained one of the councilors.

                Asked why they are targeting the Senate and not the National Assembly, the councilors and mayors said “we want to remind the senators that they were elected by councilors and mayors, and that we expect them to also support us in pressing on the government to pay befitting monthly salaries to us as is the case in all other African countries.

Cameroon sentences 89 Boko Haram fighters to death

Cameroon has sentenced 89 members of Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram to death, local media report.

                They were convicted on terror charges by a military court for their roles in several attacks in Cameroon's northern region which borders Nigeria.

                Cameroon passed an anti-terror law in 2014 which introduced the death sentence.

This is the first time the death sentenced has been used since that law was passed.

                The 89 are among 850 people arrested in Cameroon on charges connected to Boko Haram.

                Following the death sentences, a local human rights group has called for reforms in Cameroon's justice system.

                Hundreds of people have been killed in a spate of attacks in Cameroon since it joined a regional task force set up to tackle the militants last year. Boko Haram has since 2009, waged an insurgency in northeast Nigeria killing some 20,000 people and displacing more than two million. During 2015, the group intensified its activities across Nigeria’s borders in Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

                Boko Haram militants have been suspected of carrying out suicide bombings particularly in Cameroon’s Far North region.

Help us develop our country and there will be no more bush-falling

Toast proposed by President Paul Biya during the State dinner offered in honour of the visiting Italian President

Mr President of the Italian Republic,

My wife and I are very pleased to welcome you, as well as your daughter Laura MATTARELLA and the delegation accompanying you, to Cameroon. We wish you a warm welcome and a pleasant stay among us.

                We are honoured by your choice of Cameroon as one of the laps of your maiden visit to Africa. That choice bears testimony to the solid friendship ties existing between our two countries, and also reflects their excellent relationship. The talks we have held today and the discussions between our business leaders augur well for the future of our relations.

Cameroon is grateful to you for this mark of interest and offers you its legendary hospitality in this Palace, which symbolizes of the unity of our people.

                Cameroon is a young nation. It is   resolutely pursuing its goal, which is to build a modern, democratic and prosperous State.

                Despite numerous challenges, we are making significant and tangible progress each day, in areas such as promotion of the rule of law, freedoms and protection of human rights.

                Similarly, we are each day striving to lay a solid foundation for real economic development through ambitious projects designed to make Cameroon an emerging country by 2035.

                In this regard, following an arduous structural adjustment period, Cameroon has, for some years now, returned to growth, which stood at 6% in 2015 thanks to the sacrifices made by its sons and daughters, and with the assistance of its partners, among which, Italy.

                I would like to thank your country here and now for its direct and indirect support.

Mr President,

                As you are aware, terrorism is today a major global concern. Cameroon is not spared by it. For over two years now, peace has been under threat in the northern part of our country. We are engaged in a war started by BOKO HARAM, a Nigerian-based horde of terrorists claiming to belong to the Islamic State. Nationals of friendly countries, including Italians, have been victims of this war. Fathers GIANPAOLO MARTA and GIANTONIO ALLEGRINI were abducted sometime ago by these unscrupulous men. We freed them. 

                We are responding strongly to the terrorist atrocities. We are tracking down these assassins and inflicting heavy and multiple losses on them daily with the backing of the Multinational Task Force and that of many friendly countries, including Italy.

                BOKO HARAM terrorists are causing a massive influx of refugees on our territory. Faced with so many distressed people, we are duty bound by human solidarity not to turn away those seeking refuge, and to welcome and share with them the little we have.

Europe and in particular Italy are, mutatis mutandis, currently experiencing a similar situation, having to grapple with an unprecedented migrant crisis.

                I have always believed that any lasting solution to this thorny issue should be based on social morality and human values which I know Italy holds dear.

                Indeed, more than ever before, our world needs greater solidarity.

On the economic front, such solidarity, as I have often said, means the need for shared global prosperity. It is not about some begging for charity and others doling it out sparingly.

It is about progressing together under a solidarity pact, as good partners, willing at all times to conclude mutually beneficial agreements.

Laguintinie scandal:

Andre Mama Fouda should resign

- Honourable Peter William MANDIO, CPDM MP for Mbam and Inoubou

Hon. Peter William MANDIO

Below is why I am asking Cameroonians to be once more dignified, to make a resolute engagement for our country to re-seek its honour which is now ridiculed. When some Cameroonians asked for the resignation of the phlegmatic Mama Fouda, they were called vulgar apprentice sorcerers. But today the call is growing louder and bigger.  

Series of medical negligence

                Within the space of one month, our country has registered revoltingly serious cases of medical negligence. Leading this black series is a sick baby (a little girl of less than one year old) who was attacked by severe anemia. When taken to the Chantal Biya Foundation, the doctor prescribed blood transfusion.

                The parents went and bought blood at the Yaounde Central Hospital. It should be noted that upon arrival, the baby had undergone an HIV test which was negative. The scandal started a few days later when new blood tests conducted on the child after the criminal transfusion revealed that the baby was seropositive. For their part, the parents tested sero-negative and were hale and hearty as revealed by tests carried out on them on the same day.

                The Director of the hospital later asked the parents to be quiet over the scandal against some financial compensation. The doctors of the crime are still walking free. The blood that came from the bank of the Yaounde Central Hospital was contaminated and more scandalously, it showed a false blood group.

                At the Bonassama – Bonaberi Hospital, a young woman died during a surgical operation. The sudden seizure of electricity and the defective state of the generator of this government hospital snuffed life out of this our compatriot.  

Laquintinie hospital tragedy:

Bishops angry over gov’t irresponsibility

Christian Tumi joined other bishops

to condemn the Biya gov’t

Triggered by the Monique Koumateke affair, the prelates of the Douala ecclesiastical province have issued an observation which subtly reveals the inability of the leaders of this country to show a proper sense of responsibility over Cameroonian citizens.

By Tanyi Kenneth Musa in Yaounde

The scandal that took place at the Douala Laquintinie hospital on Saturday, 12 March 2016 was so revolting as not to leave the prelates of the Douala ecclesiastical province indifferent. Last week they came up with a declaration which is in many ways different from the missives and other forms of complaints that Cameroonians are beginning to get used to since Monique Koumateke died tragically and had her belly torn open in front of the maternity of the Laquintinie hospital. Theirs is a balanced and moralizing observation which amongst other things frowns at the irresponsible way in which the government treats Cameroonian citizens.

Laquintinie hospital tragedy:

International press nails Biya regime

Foreign online newspapers see the Monique Koumateke affair as a sign that the Biya regime has arrived at the end of the road

By EssanEkoninyam in Yaounde

The drama that unfolded at the Douala Laquintinie hospital on Saturday, 12 March 2016 is the talk of the day not only in Cameroon. The international press that gleaned detailed reports on as well as horrifying photographs of the tragedy from the social media has picked up the issue and is giving different interpretations to it to show how inherently bad the current regime in power is. In other words, the international press is using the Monique Koumateke affair as a conceit to lambaste President Paul Biya’s close to 34 years in power.

                In an article published in the African edition of Le monde.fr on 15 March, it is said that Public Health minister André Mama Fouda cannot be “audible” in his version of what happened because public authorities have lost credibility in Cameroon. According to this online press organ, most Cameroonians know their ministers as liars and thieves; that is why they see this scandal as revealing how profoundly discredited the political class in Cameroon is, in the first place.

                Le monde.fr goes on to say that the video of Monique Koumateke in front of the closed doors of the maternity of the Laquintinie hospital crystallizes the anger of a people against a regime whose poor management massively destroys human lives every day. Hear the online press organ:

Lessons from Laquintinie tragedy:

Why Biya should lead & not only rule Cameroon

Paul Biya is expected to sanction

his minister of health

No one asked the President to precipitate his return from Switzerland to Yaounde. For someone who did not interrupt his holiday for the death of 200 Cameroonians in the Nsam fire disaster in April 1998, it was unlikely he would really bother for three deaths. Upon arrival in Yaounde, he did not and has still not made any pronouncement on the issue. It was surprising that he also did not receive the Public Health minister as soon as he alighted from his plane at the Nsimalen International Airport. But the unusually long audience he granted the SG of the CPDM party, Jean Kuete, only betrayed where his real preoccupations are

By a syndicated columnist in Yaounde

Monique Koumateke has gone into the annals of history through a forceful delivery in which she lost everything: her life, her twins, and part of her name. The blood that flowed in front of the closed doors of the Laquintiniemartenity streamed with the dignity and humanity of our system of governance. The surgeon suited to the occasion, heroine of despair, whom public authorities transformed into a dismemberer nay desecrator of the human body, brought before our eyes the reflexes of survival that the poor deploy everyday and which the Koumateke drama only captures.

                The images of a caesarean section in the open skies, shocking as they were, prolongs a simple banality for Cameroonians without income, victims of a state which does not know how to provide answers to their basic needs. Their life is either a permanent drama or a daily miracle. At Laquintinie, the miracle did not take place. But what the Koumateke tragedy reveals is the failure of a health system whose repeated scandals builds for it a morbid reputation in which every Cameroonian who frequents hospitals can write a chapter with a pen steeped in the ink of anger. It is the showcasing of the kind of public governance which does not know how to feed the population and no longer prevents them from dying. We can see in it incompetent and cynical power.

Biya’s disturbing silence

                Overwhelmed by the Koumateketrgedy, the Minister of Public Health, André Mama Fouda, still does not know how to come out of the shame that has been chasing him for quite some time now. He is pitifully rocked by a scandal that he neither anticipated nor knows how to manage. Many unfriendly fingers are pointing at President Paul Biya who chose this polytechnic graduate, who had spent all his career at the Maetur to succeed the more competent OlanguenaAwono in the Public Health ministry.

                In Switzerland while the tragedy occurred, President Biya has since not expressed the least direct compassion. The condolence visit paid the Koumateke family by Littoral governor, IvahaDiboua, on behalf of the President, was undoubtedly the governor’s initiative.

                No one asked the President to precipitate his return to Yaounde. For someone who did not interrupt his holiday for the death of 200 Cameroonians in the Nsam fire disaster in April 1998, it unlikely he would really bother for the lives of three Cameroonians. Upon arrival in Yaounde, he did and has still not made any pronouncement on the issue. It is surprising that he did not receive the Public Health minister as he came down from his chartered aeroplane at the Nsimalen International Airport.

                The truth is Cameroonians no longer consider President Biya as the one to whom they could rush when they have difficulties. He persists in his princely silence thereby showing how he is disconnected from the daily management of his country in which he intervenes only to make use of his discretionary rights of nomination. His lengthy discussion with Jean Nkuete at the airport only betrayed where his real preoccupations and priorities are.

Neither guilty nor responsible

                The government version of the story which held that the patient had died, with her twins, before arrival at the Laquintinie hospital, raises more questions than answers. What Mama Fouda failed to understand is that the “surgical” operation on the corpse of Monique Koumateke in front of a maternity whose doors were closed to a family in distress, was a scene that was not supposed to happen in the first place. The minister’s relation of the “facts” frees the Laquintinie hospital from blame; to him, every worker of the hospital was professional and irreproachable. (Perhaps what Mama Fouda should do is to disguise and visit our hospitals to find out if the workers are models – as he claims – or not).

                It is not surprising that the family of Monique Koumateke that accompanied her to the hospital disclaimed Mama Fouda’s version in an extract broadcast on Equinoxe TV.

                Hear the sister of the deceased: “When I got into the maternity I found women sitting and conversing. I told them that my sister was outside; that I don’t know whether she is dead or not, but she is pregnant. I don’t know if it is possible for you to save the children. They remained seated. I went out. When they saw me coming back, they closed the door. The images you are seeing are in front of the closed doors of the maternity.”

                It is thus clear that Mama Fouda, who has still not gone to the Laquintinie hospital, was relating in the press conference what the director of the hospital had told him on phone. In fact, it was naïve for the minister to think that the Laquintinie hospital could produce a report that would implicate its workers. The official version thus incriminated the deceased who was wrong because she was poor, the “surgeon” who tried the gesture of despair to save two lives, and ill luck which only descends on the poor.

Towards Constitutional Revision:

 CPDM MPs to meet tomorrow at Palais des Congres

A meeting of CPDM Senators and Members of National Assembly has been convened for tomorrow Tuesday, 22 March 2016, at the party secretariat situated at the Yaounde Conference Centre. Called by the SG of the Central Committee of the CPDM party, Jean Kuete, the agenda of the meeting was not immediately disclosed, we learnt.

                But a source at the CPDM headquarters told The Median that the meeting has been convened at the instance of the president of the CPDM party, Paul Biya, who wants the CPDM MPs to be briefed on his anticipated election agenda and the inevitable support he needs from them, especially as he would have to change the constitution to make the very risky project to be possible.

                “I was only informed that we have been convened to meet at the party headquarters on Tuesday; but i was not told the reason for the meeting. I however, suspect it has to do with the president’s project to review the constitution and call anticipated presidential elections,” said a CPDM MP who also confirmed the convening of the crucial meeting to us.

Avoiding Laquintnie-like incidents:

K’ba district hospital institutes post-paid services

By DarelNgwa in Kumba

The director of the Kumba district hospital, DrZacksEbongo who doubles as head of the ophthalmology unit has called on Doctors and nurses of the hospital to practice what he calls post-paid services in order to avoid the Monique Koumate-like incident which occurred at the Douala Laquintinie hospital recently.

                He was speaking on Wednesday 16 March 2016 at the conference hall of the hospital while receiving New Year wishes from staff of the hospital. He said no one should be deprived of their right to life because they cannot pay hospital bills immediately. He urged doctors of the hospital to be ready to go to the theatre whenever need be and even when the patients do not have the money to immediately pay for their services. “The hospital administration will know how to collect its debts after the person must have been treated,” Dr. Ebongo said, calling on his colleagues not to relent in their efforts in providing the best medical care to patients who avail themselves at the hospital.

Poverty eradication:

Poultry, fish farmers trained at UB

By Ajongakou Santos in Buea

Fish farmers at UB fish pond

A three-day training workshop for fish and Poultry farmers has ended at the University of Buea. Sponsored by the World Bank through the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development, the workshop was aimed at eradicating poverty and increasing production of fish, pork and poultry in the Southwest and Northwest regions.

                The workshop that ran from 16 to 18 March 2016, started with a visit to the Fish farms of students of the faculty of agriculture at UB. The farmers from the Southwest came mainly from Fako and Meme Divisions. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, Dr. NalovaLyonga explained that another workshop would be organized for residents of other Divisions of the SW.

                The training was mainly in the area of integrating poultry farming with other components of fish farming and also in fish and pig production.

                The National coordinator of the programme in Cameroon, Dr. Pius Mbah explained that the target is to bring about an increase in integrated fish farming techniques alongside poultry production as well as piggery with the aim to reduce poverty through self and gainful employment.

Dilapidating structures:

GTHS Bombe Bakundu begging for gov’t’s intervention

By AtemnkengEvaristus in Kumba

Wooden Structure hosting GTHS Bombe Bakundu

The over 300 students of Government Technical High School, GTHS Bombe Bakundu in Mbonge Sub Division of the South West Region on Wednesday 16 March showcased their technical know-how to the public during the 2016 "Open Door Day". The event that took place under the supervision of the South West Regional and Divisional Delegation of Secondary Education was an occasion for the students to display their technical creativity and output.

Despite the complete lack of classrooms and other basic school infrastructures at the school, the students still proved to the public that they can still contribute to the development of society through technical creations.

Limbe loses big in Boko Haram war

Cpt. Mbene

Three of the five most ranking officers that the Cameroon army has lost in the hands of Boko Haram namely: Lt. Col. BeltusHonoreKwene, Capt. PipwohYari Emmanuel and Capt. Elvis MatuteMbene (he was born and bred in Limbe) were all resident in Limbe before their departure to the war front

By Franklin S Bayen in Limbe

As the nation mourns and honours its most recent dead in the war on Boko Haram, this seaside town, far from the battle front, is possibly shedding more tears than any other town in the country.

                Inside two of the caskets that received military honours last week in a ceremony for fallen soldiers at the military headquarters in Yaounde were the bodies of two residents of the city: Lieutenant Colonel BeltusHonoreKweneEkwele and Captain PipwohYari Emmanuel. They were both officers of the Rapid Reaction Force (BIR).

This is not only because they might well have still been on duty at the BIR base in Limbe at the time they died. Though deployed to the battlefront, their families were still resident in Limbe at the time they met their doom.

                Lt. Col. Kwene, the most ranking officer to perish in the war, was fatally wounded in a landmine explosion on February 14 after safely delivering freed Nigerian hostages across the border.

                Their families, neighbours and friends here are in grief. And this is not the first time.

                When about same time last year, Captain Elvis MatuteMbene perished in a landmine explosion at Limani, in the Far North, his wife, parents, neighbours and childhood friends in Limbe were emotionally shattered. A son of the soil whose father is a quarter head in Limbe, Mbene’s funeral nearly emptied Limbe to Bonjongo (formerly under Limbe administratively) where he was laid to rest.

                Though the bodies of Kwene, 39, andYari, 31, will not be seen by the Limbe population, memorials were held in their honour earlier this week.

Kumba Catholic district now fully-fledged diocese

- Mgr. Agapitus Enuyehnyoh Nfon appointed as pioneer Bishop

By a correspondent in Kumba

Bishop-Agapitus-Enuyehnyoh-Nfon

The Catholic Community of Kumba on 16 March 2016 jumped for joy as their dream of having their own diocese finally came true. The long awaited announcement was made by the Secretary of the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon, Mgr. CosmaAmbrosini amidst over 100 catholic priests of the Buea Diocese and the Christian community of the Sacred Heart Parish FiangoKumba.

                According to the letter from His Holiness Pope Francis creating the new diocese of Kumba, Mgr. AgapitusEnuyehnyohNfon was appointed the pioneer Bishop of the new diocese whose territory covers some 11.431 square kilometres stretching from Meme, Ndian and part of Kupe- Muanenguba divisions.

CBC General Session billed for 29 March

By Njodzefe Nestor in Bamenda

Some members of the steering

Committee at the press conference

Some 2500 delegates and observers from about 1030 Christian Baptist Convention churches in Cameroon are expected at the General Session of the CBC scheduled for 29 March to 2 April 2016 at the Nkwen Baptist Church Bamenda.

The revelation was made on Saturday March 18, 2016 in a press conference granted by the President of the CBC, Joe ChebongkengKalabubse and other members of the steering committee for the organization.

                The session that will hold under the theme “a Church for the Community” from Luke 4:18-19 will feature praise and worship, choral presentation, preaching, prayer, fellowship, fraternal greetings and small group bible study.

                There will also be the grand launching of the CBC development fund, business sessions and most importantly elections of CBC officers and resolutions.

                The Nkwen Baptist Church that will host the event will also coincidentally be celebrating its 70th anniversary in November. 

                It filtered from the press conference that preparations are at an advanced stage for the D-day. The different committees charged with organization according to the leader of the steering committee madam Nyanganji Tina have submitted reports of work done which to her are satisfactory.

                The General session it should be noted is the highest decision making body of the CBC and it is organized once in four years.

Mbengwi celebrates new mortuary, market

By Njodzefe Nestor

There was pomp and fanfare in Mbengwi headquarters of Momo Division of the North West region on 7 March 2015 as the population turned out in their numbers to witness the inauguration of three projects realized by Mbengwi Council and her partners.

                These projects included a Council Mortuary realized by Mbengwi Council and PNDP, a Mortuary Chapel realized by the Council and MECUDA, USA, the rehabilitation of the Mbon Market styled to meet the needs of the municipality sponsored by PNDP, FEICOM and the Council and above all a modern grinder and mixer animal Feed mill with the latest technology funded by the council and the European Union.

                While presenting the projects, the Mayor of Mbengwi Council, Tebe Beatrice noted that “the feed mill factory trigger the growth of livestock farming in Mbengwi Municipality and transform it to a major supplier of pigs and fowls while waste from the accompanying activities will fertilize farms, intensify cropping, thereby improving tremendously our harvest.”

                As for the Mbon Market, she said apart from the aesthetics, it will provide an enabling environment to the business community of Mbengwi.

“Our modern mortuary and a standard chapel reduces the cost of municipal capital flight to neighboring Bamenda on transport fares of the mortal remains of our departed loved ones” observed the Mayor.

                Mayor Tebe noted that the projects realized within their two years of stewardship at the helm of the Mbengwi Council did not without hitches.

                “These two years of our stewardship were colored with severe challenges such as court cases, inherited huge debts, salary arrears of workers, un regularized contracts of some workers, few income generating activities” revealed the mayor.

Three arrested in Ebolowa with 14 ape skulls

Three arrested in Ebolowa

Three wildlife traffickers were arrested on March 16, 2016 following a sting operation carried out by The South Regional Delegation of Forestry and Wildlife working in collaboration with the gendarmerie in Ebolowa. The three aged between 24 and 26 were arrested as they attempted to sell a haul of wildlife products consisting of several apes skulls, some of which were from freshly killed gorillas and chimpanzees.

                One of the traffickers is a suspected big time ivory trafficker and preliminary investigations indicated that he owns several guns which he uses to kill elephants and has been carrying out the illicit business in ivory with one “Alhadji” who comes in from the Briquetterieneighbourhood in Yaounde. It is on the basis of this illicit ivory trade that investigations were launched into his activity and instead of ivory, 8 chimpanzee and 4 gorilla skulls were found in the  possession of the three who were arrested thanks to assistance provided by an NGO called The Last Ape Organisation (LAGA). Each of the three traffickers had their own skulls among the wildlife products seized from them. The other two had joined him to sell their own skulls when they were arrested.

                Inside source say during the period leading to the arrest of the three suspects, one of them had boasted, he kills gorillas or chimpanzees for food and equally does so during his hunting expeditions and this explains why he had a good number of chimpanzee skulls to sell.

The pot calls the kettle black:

AtangaNji preaches morals to Marafa, Mebara and Olanguena

AtangaNji Paul

Below is the full text of Minister AtangaNji’s message to the jailed former senior state officials. The Median Newspaper translated the message for your reading pleasure

For quite some time now, former ministers who have been tried and sentenced for the embezzlement of public funds have developed talents in writing. Amongst the publications of these prisoners, three books have attracted the attention of the national and international political class: “Le Choix de l’action” by MarafaHamidouYaya, “Le Secrétairegénéral de la Présidence de la République: entre mythes, texts etréalité” by Jean Marie AtanganaMebara, and “Mensonges d’état” by UrbainOlanguenaAwono. These writers suited to the occasion have decided to give the public their own versions of facts on the unfolding of their trials and of their arguments with Cameroon law.

                Even if the three prisoners have known different fortunes for not being tried and sentenced for the same crimes, it is surprising to realize that these former high state personalities are claiming to be imprisoned for political reasons and not for crimes of common law. And as if by magic, each of them is claiming to be a senior political figure who has spent his life at the service of the nation.

                Claiming to have a national destiny because one occupied a ministerial position is total absurdity. Such a confusion should be avoided for it is not said anywhere that one should be a member of government to serve one’s country. It is absolute nonsense. The Head of State has never counted only on ministers to win a presidential election or to improve our common wellbeing. In 1983, President Paul Biya declared: “National construction is a vast construction site open to all. No one is left out and no one should leave himself out.”

                Cameroon is a state of law. Only the President of the Republic, H. E. Paul Biya, has a popular mandate coming from the sovereign Cameroonian people. It is for this reason that discretionally, he appoints people to civil and military functions, and can revoke them at any time. The three former members of government sentenced for the embezzlement of public funds turned writers make diatribes with an aim to discredit the government. They should recall that at the time the Head of State decided to appoint them, they had not carried out any service to show that they loved their fatherland.

                MarafaHaidouYaya was appointed secretary of state for Finance and member of the Political Bureau of the CPDM at the age of 40. He became Special Adviser to the Head of State before he was 44 and at 48 he was Minister of State, Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic. At less than 50, he was minister of state in charge of Territorial Administration and Decentralization for 10 years. As for Jean Marie AtanganaMebara, he was appointed Minister of Higher Education before he turned 44, and Minister of State, Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic before he was 48. For his part, UrbainOlanguenaAwono was Secretary of State at the Ministry of Finance at 35. Shortly after, he was dropped from that position. In 1996, the Head of State renewed his confidence in him by appointing him Secretary General at the Ministry of Finance before propelling him to the post of Minister of Public Health in 2001.

                …If it is not because of ungratefulness and bad blood, how on earth can personalities who have served in such sensitive position choose to voice out discussions that they had with the Head of State in the public place? The function of minister imposes an obligation of reserve! No right-thinking man can go against this rule. Each minister works following orientations of the policy defined by the Head of State who remains the only judge of the opportunity. When a disgraced minister claims that he said this or that to the Head of State and that he was not followed up, he is fooling himself. The Head of State is the most informed personality, and for this reason, he has in a given situation he has parameters which no member of government can claim to master.

                From 1990 to 1992, Cameroon went through a delicate period sequel to the introduction of multi party politics and its mistakes. The country went through an era of irresponsible watchwords such as “ghost towns”, “sovereign national conference”, etc. During these difficult years, we saw a young Douala-based economic operator, a senior official in a bank, solemnly offer 100 taxis to Jean Fochivé who was Delegate General for National Security at the time, to neutralize the ghost town operation. We saw Françoise Foning, now of blessed memory, mobilize men and women to reserve a warm welcome for President Biya during his memorable visit to Douala in 1991 during which he declared “Me voicidonc à Douala!” (Here am I in Douala!) We saw businessmen, AlhadjiAbboMohamadou, Fotso Victor, KadjiDeffosso and others invest billions of FCFA for the opening of factories in 1992 whereas the social climate was tense. That is what we call patriotism and love for fatherland. And God knows that the Head of State has always recognized the efforts of those Cameroonians who have distinguished themselves through acts of bravura to support the state and republican institutions.

Prophet Divine court case fires on

By Bah Ita

The case between the People of Cameroon and the Nigerian-born, Muea-Buea based Self-described Major Prophet Divine C. Okafor was last Thursday 17th March 2016 re-adjourned again to Thursday 21st April, 2016 at 11am prompt.

                The over an hour court hearing at the Buea High court chambers last week was presided at by the examining magistrate and President of the High court who after authorizing the reading of the counts that led to the appearance of the said accused prophet in court and following claims advanced by his five-man defense counsel headed by Barrister TanyiMbi Joseph and the civil party counsel championed by Barrister EtabesongNouvelisa, following repeated response by the accused person  of“Not guilty”,  forthe need of sufficient facts, and also bearing on the request from the Defense counsel for the hearing to be held in camera, then rolled that the case should be adjourned to the 21st of April 2016.

                The twenty five counts charged against Major Prophet Divine C. Okafor pursed into repeated sexual harassment, death threats, caressing of lapses of some young girls without their consent, the period of acts reportedly committed stretches across the months of March, April, May, June, July, October of 2015 and others carried out sometime in 2014.

Injuries, doubts plague Broos’ Lions debute

Hugos Broos

The Indomitable Lions face BafanaBafana on March 26, 2016 at the LimbeOmnisport Stadium with HugosBroos’ team depleted due to absences, injuries, suspensions and the problem of choice of which national team to play for.

                This dilemma creates a new dimension to the game as the depth of both teams is tested in a decisive battle.

Cameroon are five points shy of BafanaBafana in Group M of the 2017 Nations Cup qualifiers, and need a win to keep their hopes alive of reaching Gabon next year.

After a promising start, injuries, absences and doubts have taken a toll, but excuses are not what Cameroonians expect from the Belgian tactician right now. However, Hugo Broos has to do without veteran goalkeeper Carlos Kameni who had to undergo knee surgery. He is also without Tottenham Hotspur attacker Clinton N’Jie (injured) and EyongEnoh (injured), Joel Matip who refused to play and Vincent Aboubakar (one match suspension) are all out, leaving Cameroon with holes across their entire squad.

                For the team to competitively challenge to maintain the top spot, plagues of missing players do not suffice.

Meanwhile, there are doubts about the fitness of Schalke midfielder Eric Choupo-Moting and France-based striker Benjamin Moukandjo, who have both been injured in recent weeks.

YayaToure returns for Ivory Coast

YayaToure has ended his self-enforced international break and will play for Ivory Coast in this month's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan.

                Manchester City midfielder Toure's last competitive international was the Nations Cup final in February 2015.

                Bournemouth midfielder Max Gradel, also absent since helping the Elephants win the trophy, is back after injury.

                Newcastle's SeydouDoumbia, Sunderland's LamineKone and Manchester City's Wilfried Bony are also included.

                China-based Gervinho is also in the strong 24-man squad, as is Hertha Berlin striker Salomon Kalou.

                But it is the return of their inspirational captain Toure, 32, that is the biggest boost for Ivory Coast as they continue the defence of the title.

                They sit second in group I on a single point, after being held to a goalless draw by Sierra Leone in Nigeria last September.

Fifa pursuing 'tens of millions' from corrupt officials

Fifa wants to reclaim "tens of millions of dollars" taken illegally by its members and other organisations.

It also says corrupt officials who served on its former executive committee were guilty of selling their votes in World Cup bidding contests.

                Former officials Chuck Blazer, Jack Warner and Jeffrey Webb are among those being sued by Fifa, which has submitted documents to US authorities.

                In total, 41 individuals and entities have been charged in the States.

                Fifa estimates millions of dollars were diverted from the sport illegally through bribery, kickbacks and corrupt schemes carried out by the defendants.

                World football's governing body has been in turmoil since May 2015, when a US investigation exposed widespread corruption at the top of the organisation.

                Now it is attempting to fight back, describing itself as a "victimised institution".

                New Fifa president Gianni Infantino, elected in February, also claimed corrupt officials had "abused positions of trust".

Girl shot dead for refusing to marry cousin

A grieving father is demanding justice for his murdered daughter after she was allegedly shot dead by the man she was ordered to marry.

                The Kurdish dad - known only as Ghazi H - posted a picture of 21-year-old daughter Shilan’s dead body on Facebook after she was killed at a wedding in Germany,

                Ghazi claims that his daughter was killed for refusing to marry her own cousin in an arranged marriage.

He wrote alongside the graphic images: “It is with the deepest sense of loss and pain that I announce the loss of my daughter.

                “She died in a pool of her own blood, as a victim of a treacherous tradition.”

                According to Ghazi, his two brothers - identified as Numan H and Hassan H - had tried to arrange a forced marriage for the Shilan to her cousin Sefin, 22, but she had refused.

Front page

Firing a discordant note to Biya:

Was Mbombo Njoya stage-managed?

For some Cameroonians the Sultan-King of the Bamums said the things he said in his 20 February address in Bafoussam because he truly meant his words. But others are of the view that the speech was stage-managed by President Biya as a way of getting an alternative view of Cameroonians at a time when “the people’s call” is in motion

By Essan Ekoninyam in Yaounde

Paul Biya and Sultan Njoya

The dust raised by the controversial speech that the Sultan-King of the Bamums who is also senator and member of the political bureau of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM, made in Bafoussam on 20 February 2016 has not at all settled. The address made by Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya to his fellow comrades of the ruling party, in his capacity as coordinator of the CPDM in the West region, is still the subject of heated debate and counter arguments in many political, social and even casual circles in Cameroon.

                Many people, especially Anglophones, know that Mbombo Njoya is one who can embarrass his fellow countrymen at anytime, and so believe that the pronouncements he made in Bafoussam truly came from the bottom of his mind. “If he can call the Anglophones of this country ‘les enemies dans la maison’ (enemies in the house) who should go back to their Biafra country if they are not satisfied, then what can stop him from telling CPDM members some simple truths?” a senior Anglophone civil servant questioned when The Median sought his opinion about Mbombo Njoya’s recent declarations.

                Others say the King of the Bamums has no reason to hide his feelings given the high office he holds amongst his people. Ngoupayou Seydou, a businessman who hails from the Noun division, said to this reporter at the weekend: “That man is a king; he’ll die a king. What do you expect from a figure that casts such an image? Do you think he can hesitate to voice out any truth in his mind? Who can sanction a king?

                “I read the papers last week and agreed with some of the things said in them. Firstly, the Sultan is not happy with the appointment of inconsequential people from his division in government. Secondly, he wants Foumban to be elevated to a city council with a government delegate. Thirdly, he had expected to be made the president of the Senate instead of his old rival, Marcel Niat Njifenji. Lastly, he knows his closeness to Marafa Hamidou Yaya is now an open secret and that he is now paying the price for this. Those are the reasons why he was angry and said some of the things he said.”

Destabilization of the CRM by the Presidency of the Republic

Maurice KAMTO

We have verified and confirmed information that some CPDM strategists have resolved to destabilize the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) like they did for other political parties in the 1990s. In this regard, some officials from the Civil cabinet and special command of the Head of State have got in touch with some members of the National Board of the CRM asking for their CVs and pretending that the President of the Republic will soon appoint them to important positions.

                We would like herein to inform both the national and international communities of this miserable and revolting plan of the ruling party in Cameroon, CPDM, to destabilize our party, and maybe some other political parties of the opposition.

Biya’s Life Presidency Agenda:

 

Sen. Musonge hands the SW People’s

call to Governor Okalia Bilai

SW region joins “The People’s Call”

By Ajongakou Santos and Bama Cham in Buea

CPDM militants and elites of the South West Region have called on the Head of State, Paul Biya to run in the 2018 presidential elections. A clarion call by the people of the South West Region to support the candidature of President Paul Biya in the forthcoming presidential elections was made last Saturday, 5 March 2016 at the Buea Independence Square.

                Going by the permanent coordinator of CPDM in the South West, Senator Peter Mafany Musonge, CPDM militants and elite of the South West are happy with their national chairman and president for the great job he is doing, and “we will like him to continue doing that job.”

                According to Mola Musonge, CPDM militants, elite and the living forces of the South West Region are emphatic about their choice.

                “It is a choice that has volcanic proportions, it a choice born out of a volcanic eruption; it is a choice pregnant with fortune, hope and a promising destiny for the entire South West Region. Our choice of Paul Biya is an act of Faith, Love, gratitude and a covenant of its own,” he added.

                Drawn from the six divisions that make up the South West Region, the Clarion call for President Paul Biya to stand in the next presidential elections in 2018 was backed by the fact that President Biya is well known in the South West Region as a believer in human dignity and freedom, an astute crusader and defender of the principles of national unity, and the diplomacy of peace and security.

                The elites also supported President Biya’s candidature because of his effective statesmanship and exemplary diplomatic skill that recovered Bakassi from foreign occupation. They are optimistic therefore that a call for him to stand in the next elections is a way of saying thank you for the strides he has made in areas of peace, security, national unity, social stability and territorial integrity of Cameroon.

Life Presidency Agenda:

Can Parliament stand on Biya’s way?

Political pundits have predicted that the president of the republic will introduce a bill in parliament bearing significant changes in the country’s constitution. And the changes in question will only pave the way for the president to put paid to his life presidency agenda. But the question Cameroonians are asking is: Will the MPs stand on the way of the Lion Man or will they give him another go ahead?

By Ayukogem Steven Ojong in Yaounde

Only Parliament can stand on the way of

President Biya given the paltry opposition we have

Both the upper and lower houses of parliament are expected to begin meeting on Thursday, 10 March 2016 for their first annual session in 2016. Generally, the March session is one in which not much is done by senators and MPs; it is a session in which they come and make some pleasurable noises amongst themselves and enjoy the advantages accruing from their positions as representatives of the people. Besides the renewal of the different bureaus of both houses, their major task during the March session is to examine and adopt government bills.

                However, the monotonies and formalities that are usually witnessed in the Senate and National Assembly during March sessions may give way to some serious work this time around, given the seemingly loaded political agenda of the president of the republic.

                Political analysts say that nothing will stop President Paul Biya from anticipating presidential election and presenting his candidature. At least that is what supporters of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement CPDM party have been demanding from their party chairman of late in their so-called people’s call. The communication secretary of the CPDM, Prof. Jacques Fame Ndongo has also not missed any opportunity to tell Cameroonians that “the elections will be anticipated and that Biya will continue to be the president whether they liked it or not.”

Panic grips Y’de with hint of likely Boko Haram attack

By a correspondent in Yaounde

There are fears Boko Haram terrorists have entered Yaounde

Panic has gripped Cameroon's capital, Yaounde, after a confidential letter from the country's defense minister leaked to social media stating that Boko Haram terrorists had arrived in the city.

                The letter from Joseph Beti Assomo to top military officers called for vigilance and additional deployment of troops to ministerial buildings and public areas, such as markets, churches and schools. Military officials said the leak occurred because of lapses in their information system.

                In light of the information, some residents have decided to lie low. Businesswoman Belinda Tatah said that when she heard Assomo had urged the military to stop a possible terrorist attack in the capital, she decided to avoid all public places and gatherings.

                "You know, if the minister of defense signs a confidential note that there are terrorists in town, any normal human being should be afraid," Tatah said. "That is why I have decided not to go out, because I am too scared."

Anticipated presidential election:

Churchill Monono opens Biya’s campaign with book launch?

The journalist and career diplomat simply fell short of asking attendees of the book launch to come out en masse and vote for President Biya when the time is right. But he strongly insinuated this in many ways.

By Douglas A. Achingale in Yaounde

H.E. Churchill Monono literally gave it

all to Biya in his book

He might not have intended the launch of his new book to be a squealing call for the people of Buea in particular and Fako division in general to vote massively for President Paul Biya in the coming presidential election. But the 1 March 2016 event turned out in various ways to be so. At the launch of “Buea: Capital of the Cameroons (Symbol of the Nation and of Reunification)”, at the Solomon Tandeng Muna Foundation in Yaounde, the pivotal message of the book came out much stronger: that President Biya is unquestionably the light that has shone and is still shining luridly on Buea and Fako division. 

                Speaker after speaker extolled the stupendous writer that Churchill Ewumbue-Monono is for the profundity of the research that gave birth to this work with outstanding artistry. They and the other attendees sided tenaciously with the author in his view that if the headquarters of Fako division has a complete facelift today, it is thanks to the special concern that the President has for its people and, in a broader context, for all Cameroonians.

                Hear part of what Monono highlights in the work about President Biya’s unalloyed determination to render Buea more attractive and conducive: “Fortunately, God gave Cameroon President Biya…Thirty years since President Biya promised to preserve the town’s heritage and to guarantee a better future, Buea has changed significantly. It was upgraded to a sub-division and his government has since created 10 new secondary schools, 8 high schools, 40 primary and nursery schools, a regional hospital and a dozen health centres. The town has also witnessed the construction of roads, low-cost houses and government buildings. The golden jubilee celebrations of Cameroon’s reunification in Buea were therefore in line with President Biya’s pledge to preserve this historic capital’s heritage and guarantee its future…”  

USA Sets up Secret Base in Cameroon

The United States has set up a secret military base in Garoua, Cameroon, to increase monitoring and patrolling operations in Africa, said an online report by The Intercept.

                The base was opened in early February and has currently four Grey Eagles unmanned planes to collect data to share with local active troops in the surroundings of the Lake Chad, said the report.

                Cameroon represents a strategic site for the United States in its so-called struggle against terrorism in West Africa, given the attacks staged by Boko Haram in this region.

Legal conflicts:

Can the Camerounese Supreme Court do justice to Cameroonians?

By Ayah Paul Abine, Advocate-General, Supreme Court

Ayah Paul Abine

It is notoriously repetitive, but we still wish, for emphasis, to begin by recurring to the conspicuous fact that there are two juxtaposed legal systems in Cameroun/Cameroon: the Common Law and the Civil Law. The third arm is the crude gloss over the two systems christened “national laws” by misnomer.

                “By misnomer” because, in reality, both the national substantive and adjective laws in the domain under consideration are but a nefarious pigmentation of the French Civil Law singular lotion…

                The law on the structure and functioning of the Supreme Court is no exception to the general rule. It admits of no contention that it is “national” only insofar as it is relative to jurisdiction ratione loci. But it is beyond doubt that it is the ramification and by-product of the Civil Law system, fastidiously hostile to any influence from the Common Law system.

What is Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya up to?

Dear Editor

 I am an avid reader of your very authoritative and renowned newspaper. In fact, I read every issue of the paper and am particularly pleased with the skill, courage and professionalism with which you handle your news items. There is no gainsaying the fact that thanks to The Median, I have had authentic insights into many important happenings in this country and even out of Cameroon.

                The depth and maturity of your analyses leave me with no doubt that the sources of your information are very dependable. This makes me believe that you can permit me to have a clear understanding of why the Sultan of Bamoun, Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya, recently took a position in the CPDM that has generated so much discussion and argument.

In defiance of court’s ruling:

Doors of Afrique Média will remain sealed- Essoka The Yaounde court of first instance last week ordered the NCC to remove the seals it placed on the doors of the Yaounde office of the pan-African television channel with immediate effect. But the President of the NCC Peter Essoka has said the seals would not be immediately removed because the NCC will appeal the court ruling.

By Tanyi Kenneth Musa in Yaounde

Peter Essoka, President of NCC: Sanction on

 Afrique Media are maintained until... 

At a time many thought the case pitting the National Communication Council, NCC, and Afrique Média television channel that had dragged on for seven long months was finally over, there are indications the matter is far from over.                                              Though the president of the Yaounde court of first instance, Rebecca Grâce Bongueno, last week declared Afrique Media not guilty and ordered that the seals placed on the doors of the Yaounde office of the television station be removed with immediate effect, the president of the NCC Peter Essoka has said the court’s decision would not be immediately applied.

                Essoka says the NCC will appeal the court’s ruling, and this means the execution of the court judgment would be stayed.                                               

                The court had given the possibility to any bailiff who is territorially competent to remove the seals from the doors of Afrique Media, but it is unlikely the seals would be removed given the NCC’s determined stance.