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Ahead of 2018 Women’s Day:

Koumfor Barrister Kameni John spoils Baraka women

-Donates Women’s Day Fabrics to over 100 Binshua women in Fako

By Boris Esono in Buea

Koumfor Barrister Kameni John handing women's day fabrics to Binshua Women

Some 100 women of the Binshua community in Nkambe, Donga Mantung Division, resident in the Southwest region have each received a piece of women’s day fabric ahead of Women’s Day celebration on 8 March.

            The donation was done by a notable of the Binshua Palace, Koumfor Barr. Sichui John Kameni, at a solemn ceremony that took place at Mile 14-Dibanda, on Sunday 25 February 2018.

            According to the donor, the Baraki women from Binshua should go out happy and proud on the day set aside to celebrate the woman. They should happily go out and celebrate with their fellow women.

            “I decided to give these beautiful fabrics to my mothers so that they too can go out and celebrate with all the women in the country. I want them to show that they are not only proud of being Binshua women, but proud to be Cameroonians and happy to live together with other Cameroonians irrespective of the places of origin,” said Kumfor Kameni, who added: “I have moved around and realized that no son of Binshua is involved in the violence that is taking place around us. I have realized that the Binshua women in Fako are very disciplined and talented. They are also encouraging their children to be disciplined and to go to school”.

            Kameni indicated further that “the only way to encourage these talented and disciplined women is to make sure that they too enjoy to their full the day that is set aside for them.”

            “It is in this light that I thought I should encourage them, thank them and give a strong push as they are the back bone of our society because if there is discipline at home then there will be discipline on the streets and in the nation”.

            The legal mind who only recently was elevated to the traditional dignity of Koumfor, by the Fon of Binshua, encouraged the women to remain forever patriotic, law abiding, hard working and to go out on that day and enjoy themselves because it is their day.

Demonstration of People Power:

SDF Holds Successful Convention Despite Threats

- Joshua Osih Emerges as 2018 Presidential Candidate, As Fru Ndi Maintains Chairmanship

-Prof. Titus Edzoa, CPDM, Foreign diplomats make impressive Presence

By Njodzefe Nestor in Bamenda

L-R:SDF Nat. Chairman, John Fru Ndi, Presidential candidate Joshua Osih, SG Tsomelu and Special Guest Titus Edzoa

Honorable Joshua Osih Nambangui, 49, has been Elected SDF Flag bearer for the 2018 Presidential Election in Cameroon.

            He was elected in Bamenda during the SDF convention that lasted 3 days at the Bamenda Congress hall that saw over 1800 delegates from the ten regions of Cameroon attending. The delegates braved threats from separatists groups who planned to destabilize the convention.

Joshua Osih won 1021 delegate count as oppose to Hon. Fobi Nchinda with 134. Hon. Mbah Ndam who was one of the contenders decided to step down leaving Hon. Osih and Hon. Fobi to contest.

            Ni John Fru Ndi who stood unopposed was again unanimously acclaimed as the Chairman of the party While Joshua Osih was voted as 1st Vice National Chairman, Paul Tchathuouang as 2nd and Ngo Mahop Scholastique as 3rd.

            As regards Communication, Nkemlemo Denis Chafac was elected National Communication Secretary and will be assisted by Senator Haman Paul, Ngameni Joseph, Henry Kejang of Canal 2 and Grace Ngwafor of Abakwa FM in Bamenda.

            Party Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi, in his policy speech during the opening highlighted some SDF tremendous achievements and regretted the socio-political tension which he said has brought about hate speech, destruction, slow economic activities and brutality in some areas in the Anglophone regions.

            He recognized the frustration of some Cameroonians who now threaten everything including the SDF Convention. Fru Ndi frowned at the personalization of grievances by some. The SDF chieftain boasted that his party remains the voice of reason and an assurance for change needed by Cameroonians. He announced that he will not be part of the competition for a presidential candidate.

            Fru Ndi who has been the party’s candidate in three successive presidential elections said he was leaving the stage for the younger politicians.

            “I will not present my candidature for the Presidential election, I want you to choose who is best to be your flag bearer,” Fru Ndi told delegates.

            The convention at the Bamenda Congress hall featured guests amongst whom were North West Governor, Adolphe Lele Lafrique, Representatives of the US and French Embassies, representative of German Social Democratic Party, Country Representative of Freiderich Hubert Foundation, CPDM Delegation led by deputy scribe, Joseph Owona and former Minister and Secretary General at the Presidency Titus Edzoa.

The Anglophone Crisis, Biya’s Youth Day Address & the Generational Question

To extricate himself from this debacle of denial, Biya must face the painful truth about the nation in crisis and be under no illusion that military force can defeat the Anglophone resistance. And if the president sincerely thinks youths should assume the mantle of leadership, why, at 85 and after 35 years in power is he contesting the 2018 presidential election?

By Ekinneh Agbaw-Ebai*

Across the world, it is the practice of leaders to address their fellow citizens by means of national broadcast, wherein they take stock and make visionary statements about the future direction of the country. President Paul Biya’s traditional youth-day address was disappointing for failing to accurately capture the state of the nation. It was obvious the president wanted to paint a rosy picture over an otherwise gloomy state of affairs, and ended up wasting a golden opportunity to honestly engage with Cameroonian youths, whose future is being mortgaged on the altar of empty grand-standing.“In the decades ahead, you will be our country’s leaders, hence the need for you to be up to the task, by acquiring the necessary skills and experience. However, first, you must understand that the "new world” which is unfolding before our very own eyes could be tougher and more unstable than the old one,” Biya noted. No one is impressed by the hackneyed mantra that youths are tomorrow’s leaders, or that they hold the nation’s future. This is trite and sounds like a broken record. The more serious questions to ask are: what quality of youth? Which future? Biya’s claims were so hollow; his diagnosis of the problems facing youths was pedestrian; his proposed solutions were empty platitudes; indicative of leadership dysfunction and apathetic indifference by the man Cameroonians elected as their president. Little surprise the speech was roundly dismissed as empty rhetoric.

            It is obvious, Biya doesn’t care about youths and his promises have lost credibility with each youth day address. How can youths who have been excluded from any meaningful participation in the running of public affairs by the greed and primordial interests of the president’s generation, be ready to face the challenges in this overly complicated, globalized world? Since this generation of youths are ill-prepared to be tomorrow’s leaders, on which generation should Cameroonians now depend for their political destiny? Is it the generation that succeeds two failed generations? Is it this generation that has been demoralized, abused, instrumentalised; onto whom has not been bequeathed any values and patriotic sense of duty to the fatherland?

            Few will argue that Cameroon is a gerontocracy, where a group of tired old men tottering on the borders of senile decay have taken the country hostage. The four most important personalities of the nation, together, combine for 317 years - Biya (85); Senate President, Niat Njifenji (83); House Speaker, Cavayé Djibril (78); PM Philemon Yang (71). At age 76, Laurent Esso’o has been Minister of Justice, Public Health, Defence, Foreign Affairs, Secretary General at the presidency and is back as Justice Minister. The cabinet is full of octogenarians and septuagenarians who continue to be recycled into different portfolios. Even if their age is no problem, what about the age of their ideas? In the legislature and judiciary, the median age of the top brass is above the official retirement age of 55 years. Tired old men like Nfon Mukete, Achidi Achu, Enow Tanjong, Mafany Musonge, Philemon Yang and others in their generation, ought to have long quit the stage to become elder statesmen who, in tricky times like these, would be consulted for their wisdom and experience. Recently,Biya recycled another bunch of spent forces, all facing creeping senility, to the Constitutional Council.When will these old people retire?

            The other fundamental point about the president’s address is the claim that “the situation in the South-West and North-West Regions is stabilizing.” This is a big, fat lie that fosters apprehension in public consciousness, and raises questions about Biya’s sincerity to address the crisis, beyond mere lip-service. Despite the militarization of Anglophone regions, at least five soldiers were killed in sporadic attacks, a day after Biya spoke - an indication the Anglophone resistance is not about to end just yet. Biya should stop putting a bold face on an appalling situation that has all but passed crisis point.There is no better way to work one’s name into the book of infamy.

            Predictably, Biya blamed falling oil prices for the parlous state of the economy. The truth is that the economic trajectory created by low oil prices was compounded by the absence of fiscal buffers. Instead of saving for the proverbial rainy day when oil prices were high, Cameroon actually increased its debt portfolio to finance conspicuous consumption. The national debt has more than tripled since debt relief under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative in 2006.Besides, huge contracted, undisbursed external loans of FCFA 3.7 trillion (21% of GDP) have become a drainpipe on the treasury. These loan obligations were signed in 2013 but government’s failure to meet the conditionalities stalled disbursement. Over FCFA 12 billionis wasted annually to pay interest on loans that are idle in foreign banks. According to the IMF, China holds the largest share of Cameroon’s undisbursed loans (36%).

            These undisbursed loans hang over the heads of the largely overrated but underachieving economic management team like an albatross. The country is being denied the benefits of counter-cyclical fiscal policy tools of budget and capital spending, needed to reflate the economy; further stifling productivity in real sectors of the economy, like manufacturing. With over 60% of the populace under age 25, and with poverty stagnated at 40%; according to the World Bank, Cameroon is sitting on a power keg, given that the ILO puts youth unemployment at a whopping 75%.The government must diversify the economy and create the enabling environment for the private sector -the engine of economic growth - to attract capital and foreign direct investments and create jobs. The over dependence on dwindling oil revenues and external borrowing that has bloated the national debt is unsustainable. Instead of measures taken to boost job creation, Biya said: “As at 31 December 2017, 473,303 jobs had been identified for youths, exceeding our set target of 400,000.” Whether he was speaking in metaphor, the ludicrous assumption that identifying jobs somehow translates into actual job creation provokes a certain queasiness that betrays Biya and his speech writers as incapable of creative thinking.

Let’s Not Be Stupid!

Are Ghost Towns Helping or Ruining “Ambazonia”?

Ghost Towns have ruined businesses and social life in NW & SW

The SDF National Convention scheduled for the 22nd to the 24th February 2018 in Bamenda, has ended. Ghost towns were imposed for the same period, designed to make nonsense of the SDF Convention. I do not claim to be more perspicacious than most but in my humble opinion, we are being stupid!

            How have the ghost town affected the convention? The delegates met and whatever decisions had to be made were made. So what exactly have we achieved except punish ourselves without in the least affecting he “traitor”? back in the day we had a saying: too much of anything is a disease!

            When ghost towns started, the people decided to sacrifice to signal their dissatisfaction and discontent with a system that was driving them into the ground. The point has long since been made. Children voluntarily decided to stay home from school in a show of solidarity with their teachers who were protesting against what they perceived to be unacceptable conditions of work. Again, the point has long been made. Yet ghost towns continue and children are being deprived of the only thing that assures them of a potentially bright future; all in the name of “the struggle”. The question is how do these activities advance the struggle?

Anglophone Crisis:

Biya Reorganizes the Army as Secessionists Prove Tough

-B’da Now Hosts Military Head Quarters 

Brigadier General Agha Robinson Ndong

The president of the Republic has signed a decree creating a 5th military region in the country with head quarters in Bamenda. The joint military region that controls the Northwest and West Regions was carved out of the 2nd Joint military region that was headquartered in Douala, Littoral Region. The 2nd Military Region before now controlled the Littoral, Southwest, West and Northwest regions.

            The presidential decree signed on Wednesday February 21 splits the former 2nd military region into two. The Southwest and Littoral remains under the 2nd Military Region with headquarters in Douala while the Northwest and West now form the 5th military with HQ in Bamenda.

Anglophone Crisis:

Fru Ndi Blames Biya for ‘Atrocities’

Opposition Leader, Ni John Fru Ndi

Leader of Cameroon’s main opposition party, Social Democratic Front (SDF) Ni John Fru Ndi, has once again waded into the security crisis riling the country’s Anglophone regions. In a letter he addressed to President Paul Biya, the SDF leader denounced what he termed “atrocities” committed in the English-speaking areas of Cameroon by government forces.

            “I must draw your attention to the daily atrocities in this part of our country (English-speaking areas),” Fru Ndi wrote in the letter. “Every day that passes, an innocent Cameroonian dies, a woman loses her husband,” he lamented.

Anglophone Crisis:

Gov’t Deploys More Troops to Fight Armed Separatists

Cameroon government has deployed more troops to it's English speaking regions after another wave of attacks on public buildings and the kidnapping of military and government officials by suspected armed separatists.

            A Cameroon military band plays as hundreds of their colleagues are deployed to the troubled English speaking regions of the central African state. Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo says they should be very professional in executing their duties.

            He says although many soldiers have been killed, the military remains determined to fight and defeat armed separatists who are bent on destroying Cameroon. He says the troops are out to ensure security, public order and the respect of state institutions.

            Assomo did not give the total number of government troops in the English speaking regions, but local media says there are thousands.

            Assomo says the troops were deployed following repeated attacks on government officials, public buildings and schools by suspected armed separatists fighting for what they call the independence of the English from the French speaking regions of Cameroon.

            Cameroon's government says at least 30 soldiers have been killed since armed attacks began in November 2017. Several government officials and soldiers have been kidnapped and their whereabouts are not known.

            Traditional ruler Nangea Mbile, from the southwestern town of Mundemba, says the population is awaiting the arrival of the troops.

Head Teacher who was Abducted and Roasted Buried in K’ba

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

Late Ejolle Patrick, Head Teacher GS Etam I

The mortal remains of the recently abducted, killed and roasted head teacher of Government Primary School Group I, Etam I village, Ejolle Patrick has been buried by family members in Kumba. The burial took place on Thursday February 21, 2018, one day after his lifeless body was found in a bush along the Kumba-Tombel Reunification stretch of road.

            We gathered from investigations that his remains was found in a rubber farm few metres into Etam I village where he was heading for a staff pedagogic meeting on Wednesday February 21. Reports have it that late EjollePartrick was forced off a commercial motorbike he had board on his way to Etam I along the way to an unknown destination into the bush. The assailants are said to have informed Ejolle’s wife through a phone call shortly after his abduction, threatening they might end up killing him.

            In an attempt to search for abducted Ejolle, we learnt from family sources that they only stumbled on his mutilated and burnt remains in the bush. It was revealed that Ejolle’s corpse was discovered alongside that of another person whose identity we couldn’t confirm.

Abuja, Nigeria:

Woman Persecuted for Housing “Ambazonians”

The Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria is set to hear a suit on March 2, filed by Mrs Augustine Winifred, challenging her arrest and detention by authorities.

Winifred, a Taraba State indigene was arrested for allegedly accommodating Cameroonian refugees, her lawyer Femi Falana says.

            Falana hopes the court declares her detention at the police head quarters in Abuja illegal and frees her immediately.

            The human rights lawyer will also be seeking to an order to force the Nigerian police to release four Naturalised Nigerias from Cameroon who are Dr John Ojong Okongho, Nsoh Nabowah Bih, ThankGod Genesis and Nasiru Bah.

            The four were transferred to the police while 47 other persons arrested were handed over to Cameroonian authorities where they have been held incommunicado.

            According to Abdul Oroh, who has been providing legal support for the detainees, ”two out of the five in custody are among the 12 leaders of the group the Nigerian government arrested last month.”

Four Years After Leaving Jail:

Michel Atangana Recalls his 17yrs Ordeal

Michel Atangana may be physically free, but like his country, he remains shackled in many ways.

Michel Thierry Atangana spent 17 years in jail in Cameroon based on false accusations.

Michel Thierry Atangana is not a household name, but perhaps he should be. He is a hero and testament to the always fragile but irrepressible human spirit.

            Tomorrow, 24 February, marks the four-year anniversary of his release from a maximum-security prison in Cameroon, following a decree issued by President Paul Biya several days prior. In total, Atangana spent 17 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit, much of it in solitary confinement, in a dingy cell where he was subject to routine state-sanctioned torture, and much of it falling outside local and international headlines.

The “official” charge was that Michel had “embezzled public funds”. He was arrested without warrant following false accusations by public officials in Cameroon and, by any measure, exposed to an entirely farcical legal proceeding that took place in an overnight session without the assistance of counsel and without the chance to respond to the charges.

President Biya’s one-man rule

            Many familiar with the case agree that Atangana’s detention was due to his alleged support for a well-known political leader who intended to challenge Biya, the man who has ruled Cameroon since 1982 (and effectively since 1975 when he was Prime Minister). Cameroon’s courts have a long-standing reputation of being used as a tool of political retribution and score settling. That fact remains to this day, as does Biya, who ranks among the world’s longest-ruling leaders. Of late, his government has been increasingly accused of massive human rights violations, elevating Cameroon to crisis level in need of a coordinated global response, according to several international NGOs.

            The personal tragedy that befell Atangana is indicative of a broader trend of repression, brazen disregard for democratic rights, and a seeming disdain for the principles of equality and justice. These transgressions have pervaded Cameroon over the past several decades – and are arguably getting worse – under Biya’s one-man rule. Moreover, with elections fast approaching this year, many fear a continued downward spiral as the president stands ready to run for a successive seventh term.

            Due to the flagrantly egregious nature of Atangana’s case, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, in August 2013, found that his imprisonment was arbitrary and called for his immediate and unconditional release. Cameroon’s government refused to heed this communication.

            The UN Working Group also recommended an independent investigation to identify those responsible for the actions taken against Atangana and that they be punished in accordance with domestic law and international legal norms. The report declared that Atangana should be awarded financial damages “for the harm caused by being deprived of personal liberty”.

            To this day, Atangana has yet to receive justice. His legal case continues to hang in the balance by an intransigent regime more committed to holding onto power and stifling dissent than ensuring justice and accountability. What is more, as a successful businessman, Atangana’s persecution scared off local and international investors, depressing Cameroon’s economy that has long required revitalisation.

Konye Sub-Division:

Gunmen Abduct Ikiliwindi Chief, Two Other Traditional Council Members

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

Unknown gunmen are reported to have abducted the tradional custodian of the people of Ikiliwindi village in Konye Sub-Division, Meme Division in the Southwest Region. Reports have it that Chief Mbele Collins was abducted to an unknown destination in the evening hours of Tuesday February 20, 2018 in his palace.

            We gathered that he was whisked away shortly after chairing a conclave with members of his traditional council on that same day. In the same development, on the early hours of Wednesday February 21, news went viral on the abduction of his traditional council chairman and the secretary of the council.

            The news of their disappearance to unknown places is said to have created a lot of panic in the entire village as many youths began searching for the three personalities in various bushes. A source told this reporter that the abduction of the Chief and the two other council members has cause mass exodus of villagers to nearby bushes and villages.

            “Many youths especially boys are running away from the village for fear of military retaliation and brutality. Some are running to nebouring Konye and others heading to Mambanda in Kumba III Sub-Division” our Ikiliwindi source revealed through a telephone interview in a hideout.

Interview

We Advocate Change Through Civic Participation Not Through Street Violence

 - Ndasi Elvis Nukam, President Mandela Fellows Cameroon

**Tell us briefly what you invited 500 youth leaders to discuss in Yaounde today.

Ndasi Elvis Nukam, President Mandela Fellows Cameroon

--We invited the youth leaders to listen to edifying discussions from informed and knowledgeable panelists on the various themes for discussion which all centre on the main theme: youth engagement in Promoting Peace through Dialogue and Social entrepreneurship. The discussions will proceed through breakout sessions that is, those who are interested in business and entrepreneurship will be in one hall, those for public management in another hall and those for leadership in a third hall. The discussions will be interactive. At the end of the day we will do an evaluation to be sure that the youths truly had an impact from the discussions.

**You are the Cameroon President of Mandela Washington Fellows; who are Mandela Washington Fellows and what do they do?

-Mandela Washington Fellows are young Cameroonians that were selected from among thousands of applicants to undergo a six-weeks training in leadership, business and entrepreneurship in several Universities across the US. During the training they had the opportunity of meeting with different institutions that are doing works that are similar to their training. This gave them the opportunity to build connections before returning to their countries and see how they can use the knowledge gained to create an impact in their communities. Also you have the Yali Leadership Fellows who also did a similar training like the Mandela Fellows. But their training was here in Africa, in Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria.

Yali Impact Symposium:

Gov’t Boycotts Peace Promotion Event in Y’de

A symposium bringing together over 500 youth leaders in Yaounde to talk peace and entrepreneurship was boycotted by the government, even though the event was placed under the patronage of the Prime Minister and attended by the US Ambassador.

By Mercy Neba in Yaounde

Over 500 Youth Leaders Attended The 2nd Edition of The Yali Impact Symposium

The US Ambassador to Cameroon was embarrassed as the government boycotted a meeting of youth leaders in Yaounde on Saturday 17 February 2018, The Median has learnt.

            No government official was present to preside over the opening of the Yali Impact Symposium that brought together over 500 youth leaders at the Yaounde Conference Centre to talk peace promotion and development, organizers of the event have regretted.

            According to the main organizer of the event, Ndasi Elvis Nukam, who is the Cameroon president of Mandela Washington Fellows and former National Youth President of the NUDP party, he had gotten assurances that the minister of Youth Affairs would represent the PM at the event, at the express authorization of the former. But not only did the Youth Affairs Minister failed to mark his presence at the popularly attended symposium, he also did not send somebody to deputize for him.

            The absence of somebody to fill the government bench at the symposium was a big embarrassment to the organizers especially as they had told the US Ambassador that the PM had assigned somebody to represent him at the event.

            This reporter could eavesdrop from a distance as the organizers and participants were grumbling and cursing the government for the evident “irresponsibility and sheer negligence”.

Cameroon Seeks More Women Participation In Politics

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde meets with women leaders at the Hotel Pullman for lunch, Jan. 9, 2016 in Douala, Cameroon.

Political parties in Cameroon have set an ambitious goal ahead of this year’s polls — to put women in at least 30 percent of elected offices.

            An all-female orchestra plays as 300 women selected from associations around Cameroon campaign in markets, universities and popular spots in the capital, asking women to register to vote.

            Twenty-nine-year-old fish seller Clarisse Kongnyuy says she agreed to register because the women convinced her that with hard work, she might even one day be on the ballot.

            “We can be able to do what a man can do, to be given posts that the world thinks that is only for men," she said. "There are women who are mechanics. There are women who are driving Caterpillars and all the like, but at first they thought that that was just the job of a man. The problem is that some of the women are not pushful. They are like sleeping."

            Cameroon will be having a series of important elections this year — local, parliamentary and presidential.

            Political parties, including the main opposition SDF and the ruling CPDM, have taken public commitments to achieve a U.N.-established benchmark of at least 30 percent female representation. The government has echoed that commitment, calling on parties to put forth an adequate number of female candidates.

Court to Try Gendarmerie Colonel Over Ivory Trafficking

Ivory found in a Colonel’s car.

The Djoum state counsel handling the matter against two arrested for trafficking in 216 ivory tusks has requested the court to summon a gendarmerie colonel during the next court hearing scheduled for March 6, 2017.

The case which is to be heard for the third time was brought to court by wildlife officials who arrested two people in the town following the seizure of 216 ivory tusks and 81 elephant tails from his car on December 11, 2017.The two were charged with illegal possession and commercialization of parts of protected wildlife species. The colonel whose car contained the ivory was ferried to Yaounde with the ivory tusks that was handed over to the Ministry of Forestry and wildlife.

            Following the arrest of the two that included the driver and a suspected ivory trafficker who were transporting the contraband, wildlife officials immediately set to ensure the judicial process of prosecuting the traffickers was followed according the law governing the sector considering the links to a high level gendarmerie official. Wildlife law enforcement body support LAGA is providing technical assistance to officials handling the case.

            Some reports indicate the colonel has a big case to answer in the matter and conservationists are deeply concerned with the presence of a military vehicle in yet another wildlife trafficking case.  In 2014, at a control post in Nsimalen 185 ivory tusks were seized from another military vehicle.  There is growing concern on this state of affairs as the military looks intimidating for wildlife officials to prosecute in cases which nevertheless fall within their jurisdiction.

CSOs, Traditional Authorities Schooled on Gender Base Violence

By Boris Esono and Yollande Mbombe in Buea

Workshop Participants sharing ideas on how to curb GBV

A 2-day symposium on building community level agenda to end violence against women and girls in Cameroon last February 24 ended on the campus of Pan African Institute for Development- West Africa, PAID-WA with officials resolving to intensify the fight against violence against women and girls.

            The event organized by the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Foundation, LUKMEF in collaboration with PAID-WA brought together a host of civil society organizations, NGOs, traditional authorities, lawyers, police officers from across the south west region, and the regional delegate of women’s affairs, Judith Moffa.

According to the focal person Juliana Acha, the project is geared towards bringing out measures to eliminate violence on women and girls and enhancing people who provide structures for victims of violence. “We are also working to enhance the quality of services, structures and individuals provide when they are supporting victims of violence”.

            She further added that the role of the first line response to survivors of Violence against Women/Girls cannot be over emphasized. “The various officials present are at the front line of response as a client can met them at anytime, even at home and they should be able to create a first line response. With an enabling environment, the client may be able to disclose the problems they have and the violence experience so that they can receive adequate services and at the same time the perpetrators will be brought to book”.

Poachers Kill Elephants, Eco-Guards in North Cameroon

Cameroon says a wave of attacks by armed elephant poachers has killed at least eight soldiers and rangers in a northern national park. The poachers killed elephants too, further shrinking the population of the increasingly endangered animals.

            A decomposing carcass of an elephant without its tusks lies in Cameroon's Bouba Ndjida national park some 17 kilometers from the border with Chad.

            Forest ranger Lamza Abdoulahi says two of his colleagues were killed less than a week ago by heavily armed poachers. It was just one of several attacks within the past month.

            The ranger, Abdoulahi, said the poachers invaded Cameroon through its northern border with Chad, killed so many elephants and people who tried to resist and then escaped across the border before military reinforcement could come.

            He said the rangers' old weapons, like the rusty rifle he carries, are no match for the poaching gangs. Village self-defense groups protecting the park have just machetes and spears.

            Jean Abate, governor of the north region of Cameroon where Bouba Ndjida is located, said eight soldiers and forest rangers as well as several members of village self-defense groups have been killed.

Man City win Carabao Cup but dream about

Champions League

- Alan Shearer analysis

Manchester City's Carabao Cup triumph was the third time they  have won the competition since 2014

Pep Guardiola has his first trophy at Manchester City in the bag - and it will not be the last piece of silverware they will win this season.

Right from the start, City's 3-0 win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final was never in doubt. They were better in every position, looked much sharper and their attitude was spot on too.

            It was an important game for City because it came straight after their shock FA Cup defeat by League One side Wigan.

I expected to see a reaction from them following that result - and that is exactly what happened. There was no hangover whatsoever and they fully deserved their victory at Wembley.

Now it just a question of what else they will win.

            City can no longer complete the Quadruple, of course, but they can still do the Treble of Premier League, League Cup and Champions League, which would be an incredible achievement.

            Can they do it? I still think it is unlikely - but they have given themselves a great chance.

            How to turn an excellent season into an unbelievable one

            With 37 wins and only three defeats in their 43 games so far in 2017-18, City could not really have done much better than they have done so far.

            They have been in magnificent form for the past seven months - it is the end of February and that Wigan game was their first real setback of the campaign.

            City had a blip against the Latics, but it was the sort of thing that can happen to any team in the FA Cup - against a side who defended heroically, helped by an amazing atmosphere at DW Stadium.

            It was a day on which nothing went right for Guardiola's side, but there was never any suggestion that there would be any kind of collapse after that loss.

            They were completely dominant against Arsenal and thoroughly deserved their win, which could have been by a bigger margin than 3-0.

            City are 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League and the title is as good as in the bag. At most, they only need to win six of their remaining 11 games to become champions.

            By doing that they would emulate the Premier League and League Cup double they managed under Manuel Pellegrini in 2014, which would be impressive enough.

But they would turn an excellent season into an unbelievable one if they were to win the Champions League as well.

            Only two English teams have ever done a Treble combining the European Cup or Champions League, the league title and a domestic cup in a single season - Liverpool in 1984 and Manchester United in 1999.

            That shows how just hard it is to do. As good as City have been, and as strong as their squad is, it will be a big ask for them to join that elite list.

Senatorial 2018:

CPDM Dumps Achidi Achu, JB Ndeh, Awanga

The Central Committee of the CPDM has flushed out former Prime Minister's candidature for the March 25, 2018 Senatorial elections. Senator Achidi Achu was dropped from the list of contenders though he submitted a list and was also heading one of the CPDM lists from the North West Region.  According to a source linked to the central committee of the CPDM, the heavyweights who were also dropped included JB Ndeh, Senator Awanga Zacharia, Senator Walang Akwo David  and Ngafeeson Emmanuel. The greatest losers will however be Achidi Achu, Walang David and Awanga Zacharie, former senators who will not go back to the senate except maybe through appointment.

            The question as to who will be appointed from the North West Region has been rife. The political elite who attempted to contest but their aspirations were short-circuited are all positioning for appointments.

            Of the 10 senators to come from the North West, seven will be elected while three will be appointed. The candidates who were endorsed by the CPDM Central Committee include:

Congratulations Chairman Fru Ndi & Osih Joshua!

By Felix Teche Nyamusa

Hon. Joshua Osih & John Fru Ndi

I was not part of my party SDF 22 -24 February 2018 elective ordinary and extra- ordinary conventions in solidarity with protest by Cameroonians who are being killed, maimed, made refugees preferring dialogue before any meaningful business. However congratulations to John Fru Ndi election as SDF national chair and Hon. Joshua Osih’s as SDF presidential aspirant for the 2018 presidential race – nonetheless dialogue to reconcile the worries of Cameroonians – Anglophones and francophone’s which include the former British southern Cameroons question, national electoral laws, separation of powers, good governance and the rule of law should be tackled before any further activity(activities) including next month’s so called senatorial and forth coming polls.

       The reorganized executives of the entire party and her presidential aspirant should follow a path which will bring together not only SDF adherents but the entire Cameroon. Of late predominantly Anglophone Cameroonians have been killed, maimed, incarcerated made to escape their homes because of the insensitivity of the Biya/CPDM regime to their cry against marginalization. Anglophone Cameroon in majority has now resolved to break away from integral Cameroon as a last resort which is constitutionally founded! Our constitution true to that of international organization that Cameroon is signatory to like the international human rights and United Nations prescribe what the Anglophones are on now -  that the leadership that refuses listening to her citizens  , a leadership that prefers dictatorship instead of good governance and the role of  law should be overthrown by any means. By history of their reunification, the Anglophone or francophone component of contemporary Cameroon reserve the right to self determination – “Anglophones” now want restoration of the independence she got from the 1961plebiscite by joining the francophone state.

       I join many an SDF member and Cameroonian to think that one of the requirement for peace here is a return to a two states federal Cameroon but if any component of present day Cameroon rejects this, then only the offer of good governance and not military might can hold them back!

Front Page

For Saying Truth To Power:

CPDM Conseillers Toxiques Want Nfon Mukete Hanged 

The remarks of the eldest senator in Cameroon, Nfon Victor Mukete, in an interview with French weekly Newsmagazine, Jeune Afrique (No 2980 of 18-24 Feb. 2018), have been (mis)interpreted by some local news editors to mean the centenarian is criticizing the head of state. But what did Chief Mukete say to Jeune Afrique that regime apologists consider as so tickling to president Biya?

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

Chief Victor E. Mukete, Paramount Ruler of the Bafaws and Dean of the Cameroon Senate, has been stigmatized as an enemy of the CPDM regime because of his ‘frank and sincere’ remarks on the Anglophone Crisis.

Chief Mukete is known for his frank, unwavering and unrepentant position on the ongoing crisis in Anglophone Cameroon. In an interview with French Weekly Magazine, Jeune Afrique, Senator Nfon V.E Mukete has once again reaffirmed his stance on the burning and disturbing problem.

            Though the interview was conducted about one year ago and published only on Monday 18 February 2018, it still has the relevance and force of argument as if it was done only yesterday.

            But some apologists of the CPDM regime, perhaps for self-seeking reasons, have refused to look into the veracity and pertinence of the very salient and eye-opening remarks of the centenarian paramount chief of the Bafaw people of the SW region (Nfon Mukete will turn 100 in Novenber). These conseillers toxiques of the regime have hastened to tag Chief Mukete as an enemy of the regime, who is sparing no opportunity to criticize president Biya and his policies.

            But commentators say these newspaper editors fail to understand that at 85, president Biya is wise enough and he knows only too well that the centenarian Nfon V. E. Mukete can only serve as a living encyclopedia of Cameroon history, and his informed, objective and of course, experienced opinions, especially on issues of national interest should be taken not only seriously but also in good faith.

            These critics of Nfon Mukete’s also failed to read meaning in the veteran statesman’s remark, when he used the opportunity of the interview to thank president Biya for, once again, giving him the opportunity to contribute in nation building by making him Senator. They failed to read into the Nfon’s craving to meet president Biya and share his mind with him especially on the Anglophone crisis.

Destiny or Instance of Marginalization?

Career Frustrations of Anglophone ENAM Graduates

Retired Civil Administrator, Azibo Joseph Tizie has observed that most, if not all his Francophone classmates at Enam have been Ministers, GMs, SGs, Governors, SDOs etc with some still occupying big positions in the present government. But Azibo notes that none of the few Anglophones in that batch has ever had the opportunity to also serve in these high offices. 

Mr. Azibo recalled some of his Enam mates including Louis Paul Motaze; Nganou Njoumessi; Beti Assomo Joseph; Jules Marcelin Njaga; Abakar Ahamat; Oumarou Denis; Sali Dairou; Ako’o Akouafane; Gambo Haman; Kouambo Adrien; etc. He asked: “Who among these big names is an Anglophone?”

By Ojong Steven Ayukogem in Yaounde

Retired senior administrator, Azibo Joseph. Will Biya recall him for a bigger job?

As the Anglophone crisis continues to rear its ugly head, occasioning sporadic violence that has consumed hundreds of innocent civilian and military lives and rendered thousands homeless, with thousands others dying of starvation and disease, The Median caught up with a retired senior administrator, Azibo Joseph Tizie, and sought to know from him the cause for the ‘deep frustration’ that has driven the Anglophones so unrepentantly angry and violent.

            Though Mr. Azibo accepted to respond to us, he however, said he would talk only about his personal experience as a former senior administrator in the public service but not about other Anglophone issues and sectors. He said his experience could just be a microcosm of the bigger problem faced by most Anglophones in Cameroon and which is the root cause of the present crisis in the NW and SW regions of the country. 

            Mr. Azibo recounted to us the frustrations that were his lot during his chequered career as a senior civil administrator in Cameroon and how his frustrations are even the more now that he is on retirement.

            He observed for example that most of his Francophone course mates at Enam are either ministers, GMs, Governors, SGs today or have once occupied one of these offices in the past. But the veteran civil administrator at once noted that neither he nor any of the few Anglophones that left Enam together with him was ever considered for such high offices by the powers that be.

            Azibo says he keeps asking, to this day, why his Francophone classmates at Enam were so lucky and/or brilliant in their careers as to be raised to the skies, while he and his Anglophone batch mates from the same school have never been given the opportunity to also serve in such exalted capacities.

Insecurity in NW and SW:

Security reports have hinted of imminent attacks by Ambazonia ‘odesh’ fighters

Govt Steps up Security as Secessionists Plan Attack on Ekok & Mungo Bridge

The government has ordered military chiefs to tighten security at the Ekok border town, and in the rest of the NW and SW, as information has filtered that Odeshi fighters are planning to attack Ekok and create their base there.

            A security alert message from the national gendarmerie headquarters to security chiefs in the NW and SW, urged the latter to take urgent measures to protect persons and property in Ekok and the rest of the two regions.

            The message that was circulated on social media talked of a planned attack on Ekok by secessionists, who want to make the border town their military base.

            It announced security reinforcements especially as the secessionists were also said to be targeting banks and the Mungo Bridge.

            Government has also stepped up army patrols along the Cameroon-Nigeria border and imposed a nighttime curfew in the two English-speaking regions to prevent deadly attacks by secessionists.

Anglophone Hostilities:

Sen. Otte Mofa has sounded the alarm about a brewing civil war

CPDM Diehard Warns of Brewing Civil War

Senator Otte Andrew Mofa has predicted that the ongoing crisis in the Northwest and South West Regions of the country could degenerate to a civil war if the situation is not properly handled.

            Otte Andrew expressed his fear in Kumba, on Monday, 12 January 2018, during a chat with Media practitioners.

            “When we start losing loved ones, enmity, frustration and anger grows and from this so many things can happen; like vengeance, hatred, destructions and even the outbreak of civil war,” Otte warned.

            The Senator called for an end to violence and for peace to return to the once peaceful and vibrant Mbonge Sub-Division in Meme Division in other to prevent the outbreak of a civil war.

            “I am praying that the peace loving people of Mbonge should come back to their senses. Violence should stop and farming should start again,” Otte said, adding: “We are approaching the farming season and most of the lands have not been prepared.             Those who are working on the roads have suddenly stopped working; most of the transporters are not functioning. Very soon, people will die of hunger in this division.”

            He continued: “It is very sad for a hardworking people who don’t depend on government for anything, people who struggle to send their children to school from farming, people who all throughout their lives have depended on farming, to suddenly abandon their source of livelihood. I want them to go back to their villages, the chiefs should return peacefully to their villages, control their villages so that life can return to normalcy,” Senator Otte added.

Insecurity in NW and SW:

Medical Doctor Shot in B’da

A young physician in Bamenda in the North West region, Dr Veh Dinga-Nyoh of PMI Nkwen, was shot on the back on Monday morning on her way to work by a gendarme officer. 

            Dr Veh Dinga-Nyoh was shot on the lower part of the back on the right side. We understand she was in a taxi heading to work this morning when the gendarme opened fire for yet unknown reasons. Dr Veh was alone in the taxi with the driver who was not hurt.

Senatorial Elections:

Prof. Kofele Kale Heads SDF List in SW

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

Prof. Kofele Kale

Ahead of the forthcoming Senatorial elections build for March 25, 2018, Cameroon’s frontline opposition Social Democratic Front, SDF, party in the Southwest Region have made known their intentions to grab all the seven spaces reserved for the senators of the region.

            The intention of the SDF party in the region was made known by the Regional Chairman of the party, Martin Forcha Ndobengang, in a press conference on Tuesday February 20, 2018 at the Kumba II council in Kumba while presenting a 14 man crack team headed by Prof. Ndiva Kofele Kale, SDF shadow cabinet Minister of Justice.

            “The SDF party after a lot of consideration has come out with a list for the Senatorial election. It is good that the people of Southwest Region from the ongoing Anglophone crisis already know the realities on the ground as concerns the role played by the SDF party” Ndobegang told reporters.

            He indicated that it is as a result of the poor representation given the people of the southwest that he has decided to shun boycott calls and embark on the elections to oust the CPDM “…as Regional Chairman of the Southwest, I have received calls from two camps; those calling for boycott and those asking for a decent list to be presented to represent the Southwest and avoid the CPDM from taking over all the seats and continue not representating the people” Ndobenganf indicated. 

            The SDF political flag bearer revealed that after consultations from all the District Chairpersons in the Region they have compiled a list comprising; three Lawyers, three Mayors, two former Mayors who are teachers by profession, one housewife, one nurse and four teachers. He added the list was not just constituted base on party politics but base on those they think will put up a strong fight for the Anglophone crisis.

Let’s fight from within

            The chairman indicated the best way for the SDF to get the Anglophone curse through is to grab the Senatorial seats and fight from within. “Cameroon is still Cameroon with the government and so it will only be people from within that will fight for the Anglophones. If not of the National Assembly, Parliamentarians won’t have sing and blew whistles to fight for the people and if not of the Assembly no one would have known Wirba Joseph.

             It is on this that he calls for a massive vote for the SDF Senators for them to penetrate the system from within and push for the crisis. “It is good we fight from all the corners but it is also good we fight from within” Ndobengang said adding that when elected SDF Senators will have immunity to fight internally and externally unlike their hand clapper brothers of the CPDM. The SDF regional boss indicated that following the forthcoming elections in the national territory the southwest should put a team that can best present her interest reason why they are up with their 14 man crack team.

Senatorial 2018:

NW CPDM Presents Four Lists

Rt. Hon. Simon Achidi

28 contenders are said to have finalized their documents and submitted to the Regional Coordination of the CPDM in the North West Region. The 28 aspiring CPDM contenders according to what we gathered have formed four lists.

            Sources say the Rt. Hon. Simon Achidi Achu (incumbent senator) is heading a list of mostly incumbents. On the other hand Regina Mundi (member of the CPDM political bureau is also heading another list while JB Ndeh (General Manager of MIDENO) is leading the third list.

            In the mad rush, the youths were not left out. Dr. Ndonwie Peter constituted a list of young men and woman who have vowed to flush out the old guards from the senate. The list by the CPDM youths according to a hint is being encouraged by Dr. Nick Ngwanyam and others.

Anglophone Crisis:

Gendarme & Two Civilians Killed in Nguti

-Chief’s Palace burnt down in Etam I, Tombel

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

A student Gendarme has been reported dead in Babensi I village in Nguti Sub-Division along the Kumba-Mamfe road. Reports from Nguti have it that the student Gendarme was shot on Sunday February 18, 2018 at about 2pm at a mixed control checkpoint.

            Residents of Babensi say the incident was around the Catholic Church in the locality. We gathered that the Gendarme officer was killed and his eyes mutilated after serious gun exchange with separatist fighters loyal to the Ambazonia struggle.

            After several inquiries, we learnt that in the course of retaliating and resisting the Amba separatists fighters, a stray bullet from one of the soldiers killed a civilian whose name we couldn’t immediately get. Also, we gathered there was heavy military deployment that stormed the area and launch a man hunt of the separatist.

            We also got information from Nguti froma colleague indicating the Divisional Officer of Nguti Sub-Division, Meke-Eba Michel Serge had instructed the military not to carry out any brutality on innocent civilians. To the DO, the assailants are not residents on the Sub-Division and so it will be unwise for the military to react on innocent denizens. He instead urged all and sundry in the sub-division to collaborate with the security officers to denounce suspicious persons in their areas.

            Despite the instructions of the DO, we learnt Gendarmerie officers shot and killed an innocent civilian whose names we only got as Prof for attempting to trespass in front of their office during the day. The shooting we gathered comes days after a ban was placed by the Gendarmes on the poplation not to trespass at the road between the Nguti Elecam office passing through the Gendarmerie post to the DO’s office. Our Nguti sources indicated the young man was brutally shot for insisting to visit the DO’s office using the said road.