Publisher/Editor: OJONG Steven AYUKOGEM. Tel: (+237) 77 07 27 79. E-mail: themedianpaper@yahoo.com
Sunday, 27 May 2018
Greater Achievements:
Cameroon-Brazil Submarine Cable Link Underway
-The minister of P&T, Minette Libom Li Liken,
launched the Fcfa 200 billion, 6000km long submarine optic fibre project on
Tuesday, 22 May 2018, in the seaside resort town of Kribi.
By Innocent Kum in Yaounde
 |
| P&T Minister, Minette Libom Li- Likeng Launched the Project |
A project to lay 6,000 km of sub-marine optical fiber to
link Kribi in Cameroon and Fortaleza in Brazil, South America, has been
launched.
Posts
and Telecommunication Minister, Minette Libom Li- Likeng launched the project
in the seaside city of Kribi Tuesday, 22 May, in the presence of several
dignitaries including the Equato-Guinean Minister of Transport, Posts and
Telecommunications, Eucario Bacale Angue and the General Manager of Cameroon
Telecommunications, Cametel, David Nkotto Emane.
The
project dubbed “South Atlantic Inter Link, SAIL, that is expected to be
completed by September this year will be the first direct sub-marine optic
fibre link between Africa and South America.
 |
| CAMTEL GM, David Nkoto Emane, could not conceal his joy |
Speaking
at a solemn ceremony to mark the launching, P&T Minister, Minette Libom Li
Likeng, said the project that is now entering its most crucial phase, falls
within the framework of the national Broadband Network 2 program which began in
August 2016.
She said
the South Atlantic Inter Link, SAIL, which is a 6,000 kilometer system to run
from Kribi in Cameroon, to Fortaleza in Brazil, upon realisation, will have a
capacity of 32 Tbit/s and will establish Cameroon as a major transit point for
telecoms traffic between Africa and South America.
Guilty of Terrorism, Rebellion etc:
Mancho Bibixy Slammed 15 Years In Jail
-Six other Anglophone activists also sentenced to between
10 and 15 years
By Ojong Steven Ayukogem in Yaounde
 |
| Many in Cameroon's English-speaking minority have protested against discrimination |
After 16 months of trial, the Yaounde Military Court has
finally found Mancho Bibixy and six others guilty of acts of terrorism,
insurrection, hostility against the homeland, revolution and rebellion against
the state and people of Cameroon. The court has convicted them to varying
prison terms ranging from 10 to 15 years. One of the defendants was acquitted.
The
leader of what is now referred to as the ‘coffin revolution’, Mancho Bibixy,
was sentenced to 15 years in prison, according to the verdict of the presiding
military Judge, Colonel Mrs. Abega Mbezoa epse Eko Eko.
The six others
also sentenced are Tsi Conrad – 15 years, Tha Emile Agwei – 13 years, Tamngwa
Malvin – 13 years, Guingah Valentine – 10 years, Aselecha Martin – 13 years and
Awah Thomas – 11 years.
They
were fined jointly and severally to pay damages amounting to fcfa 64 million to
the court and fcfa 204 million to the civil party.
Other
persons who were also tried together with Mancho and co including Barrister
Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla and Dr. Fontem Neba had since been freed through a
presidential fiat. They are therefore not concerned by the verdict slammed the
seven activists on Friday night.
As War Ravages Meme and Ndian Divisions:
-Soldiers set houses ablaze in Kake I, Small Ekombe as
populations flee
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
Inhabitants of Kumba, chief town of Meme Division have
begun fleeing to safer destinations notably to Mbanga, Loum, Njombe-Penja and
Douala in the Littoral Region as the battle between government soldiers and
armed separatists rages on.
The
evacuation of families starts as clashes between government soldiers and Amba
fighters have become recurrent in nearby neighborhoods, notably Kake I, Kake
II, Diffa and Small Ekombe. The clashes have culminated in the burning of
houses and shops in these countryside localities that are mostly believed to
harbor Amba fighters.
As the
Kumba residents are fleeing, so too are populations displaced from these
war-torn localities emptying into town to seek refuge. Men, women, children,
old mothers and old fathers are now seen straying in street corners in Kumba.
Some are seen going about with bare-feet and with many looking desperate,
helpless and confused.
Some
persons who spoke to this reporter said if the Amba boys can succeed to get as
close as Kake II and Ekombe then Kumba could be their next target. To them the
only way out is to take refuge in other towns.
The
close to one month of deafening gunshots in the villages of Kake I, Kake II and
Diffa in Kumba I Sub-Division, and Small Ekombe in Mbonge Sub-Division has
culminated in the burning of some homes in these villages. The burning started
in Kake II on Thursday when a thick smoke was seen emanating from the village.
Shortly after the smoke, military vehicles were seen speeding accross Kumba
from the direction of Kake II.
Crisis in Elecam:
Abdoulaye Babale Disavowed by Electoral Board
-Board members of Elecam met in session on Friday in
Yaounde and came to the firm conclusion that the DG of elections, Abdoulaye
Babale has committed grievous management errors and no longer merits to keep
his office
By Tanyi Kenneth Musa in Yaounde
 |
Elecam Board President, Enow Abrams Egbe, is not happy
with Abdoulaye Babale’s management style
|
Meeting in Yaounde Saturday for an emergency session
chaired by the Chairman of the Electoral Board, Former Governor Enow Abrams
Egbe, the board members of Elacam observed that the Director General of
Elections has committed serious managerial errors that have created a
deleterious atmosphere in the elections management institution.
In a
press statement issued on Friday 25 May 2018 and signed by the Chairman of the
Electoral Board of Elecam, Governor Enow Abrams Egbe, board members of the
institution observed among others that after a careful exploitation of the
reports issued by board members following their respective missions to the
various branches of Elecam at home and in the diaspora, they have come to the
finding that the situation at Elecam is so unsatisfactory and characterized by
a deleterious atmosphere and a general de-motivation of staffers especially on
the eve of important elections.
The
Board Members noted for instance the repeated absence of the DG of elections at
statutory board meetings convened and chaired by the Board Chairman and aimed
to ensure a harmonious functioning of the institution.
Anglophone Crisis:
UK Parliament Urge Biya to Dialogue
By Innocent Kum in Yaounde
 |
| Theresa May: UK Prime Minister |
Members of parliament in the United Kingdom, UK House of
Common, have urged their government to pressure the Biya regime to engage
dialogue with agitating Anglophones in order to end current socio-political
tensions in the two English-speaking regions of the country.
The
pressure is being mounted by some fifteen MPs from the Conservative, Labour,
Scottish National, Paid Cymu and Democratic Unionist parties.
In the
motion tabled last Wednesday, the lawmakers have condemned violence perpetrated
by security forces in the ongoing Anglophone crisis.
“That this House condemns the violence and
state oppression imposed by the Government of Cameroon in the Anglophone
regions of the country” the MPs said in the motion while highlighting with
regret that over 20,000 refugees from Cameroon have been registered by the
UNHCR in their camps across the border in Nigeria.
They
said “ we acknowledge reports that an estimated 1,000 people have been detained
and 100 people shot for opposing the Government's oppression of the English-speaking
community, notes that the Government of Cameroon responded to peaceful protests
in 2017 by closing borders to the Anglophone regions and deploying the Army's
Rapid Intervention Brigade, further condemns the Government of Cameroon for its
decision to use force and appeals for a peaceful solution to be found, and
calls on the UK Government to press the Government in Cameroon to open talks
with Anglophone leaders.”
Dozens of “Amba Boys”, Innocent Civilians Massacred In Pinyin
By Njodzefe Nestor in B’da
 |
| Over 20 Persons were brutally massacred in Menka-Pinyin in Santa subdivision, by soldiers on Friday |
No
sooner did the massacre occur did conspiracy theorists start to question
whether those killed were innocent civilians or they were actually the
separatist fighters who are believed to have taken residence in the area and
had started recruiting others.
According
to Colonel Didier Badjeck, spokesperson
of the Cameroon Military, they were tipped off to the presence of separatist
rebels in the locality residing in a motel and thus had to swing into action.
He
revealed that a long firefight ensued between the military and the armed
separatists and “several terrorists were neutralized” and a good consignment of
weapons seized from them.
Colonel
Didier Badjeck however kept sealed lips on whether the military killed anybody
but debunked pictures of corpses riddled with gunshot wounds circulating on
social media calling them fake.
A local
of Menka who opted for anonymity revealed to The Median that a group of over
five boys forcefully occupied the Motel in the area on May 23 claiming to be
Amba fighters and after setting up their camp they started recruiting boys from
around the area and some surrounding villages.
K’ba Populations Dancing To Gunshot Tunes
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
 |
| Amba Boys are said to be announcing their presence with regular gunshots by day and by night |
Kumba inhabitants on the evening of Thursday May 17, 2018
ran helter-skelter into different directions following sporadic gunshots that
inundated the town. Gunshots were heard from different areas with some
suggesting it was around the commonwealth avenue and the Mbonge road
neighbourhood.
No one
knew why the shots were fired though some persons suggested the shots that left
many fleeing was from the forces of law and order with intensions of scaring
away persons to their homes. Others indicated it was intended to scare away
those making frantic efforts to disrupt the national day celebrations in Kumba.
At least 50 villages razed in NW & SW.
Limbe I Municipality:
Livanda Village Gets New Chief at Last
By Ticha Melanis in Limbe
 |
| HRH Motia Mathias Paraded by other chiefs |
The people of Livanda village in Limbe I subdivision of
the South West region, have been urged to be law abiding and to collaborate
with the administration by reporting all suspected secessionists and criminals
in their village to the local authorities and forces of law and order.
The DO
of Limbe 1, Seraphin Epalle, was speaking while installing HRH Motia Mathias
Motia as the new traditional ruler of Livanda village. The installation
ceremony took place on Friday, 25 May 2018, at the Livanda community field.
Drawing
from the Cameroon chieftaincy law of 5 July 1977 and decree No 77/245
organizing chiefdoms in Cameroon, the DO said as an auxiliary to the
administration, HRH Motia Mathias Motia has the duty to inform the hierarchy
regularly about all activities taking place in his village. He said no lapses
will be tolerated.
The DO
asked the new chief to take care of his subjects, ensure the preservation of
social peace in Livanda, unite all factions of the population and immediately
set up a traditional council comprising essentially of Bakweri indigenes to
help him manage the affairs of the village.
He
equally urged the new chief to launch a fight against stray animals and
maintain proper hygiene, sanitation and cleanliness in his chiefdom to ensure a
commodious living environment for the population.
Briefs
Compiled by Doh Bertrand Nua in K’ba
Kidnapped Kumba Bailiff Freed
Kidnapped by unknown gunmen along the Kumba-Buea road, in
the morning of Monday 14 May, Eni makia, a Kumba-based bailiff, was later freed
by his abductors after he reportedly paid a ransom of FCFA 1.5 million.
Eni
Makia was kidnapped around the locality of Ediki-Mbalangi on the Kumba-Buea
highway on his way to Buea aboard his vehicle. He was taken to an unknown
destination by the gunmen. News of his abduction spread like bushfire in Kumba
with sources saying his abductors are demanding FCFA 5 million for his release.
After several hours of negotiations, the sum of FCFA 1.5 million was paid to
secure his release, we learned. Eni was released same day at about 6pm.
Police Inspector kidnapped in Konye
In Konye
we gathered that the kidnapped Konye Special Branch Police inspector by name
Ekiti Ewang Christopher was released by his abductors after allegedly paying
ransom worth FCFA 500 000. The released police inspector was spotted in Kumba
few days after his released. A source close to the inspector told reporters
that the police inspector has gone to Mutengene for medical treatment of some
wounds he sustained. It should be recalled he was release by his abductors
Thursday May 10.
SDO Bans Motor Bikes in Dschang
The Anglophone crisis that has crippled activities in the
two Anglophone regions has begun spilling over to neighbouring Francophone
regions of the country. The crisis that has grounded Lebialem Division of the
Southwest is gradually shifting to neighbouring West region. This follows the
ban on the circulation of motorbikes in certain sub-divisions in the West
Region.
The ban
is contained in a prefectoral order signed by the Senior Divisional Officer for
Menoua Division on May 15, 2018. The Menoua Prefect in his order restricts the
circulation of motorbikes in four sub-divisions in his area of command
namely;Fongo-Tongo, Nkong-Ni, Santchou and Dschang sub-divisions.
However,
the same order indicates that bikes in two other sub-divisions; Fokoue’ and
Penka Michel are allowed to work between the hours 5am to 10pm daily. The SDO’s
order follows that of the Divisional Officer of Dschang that restricted the
activities of bars and off-licences from 9pm to an indefinite period of time.
It
should be recalled many administrative officials working in Lebialem Division
have escaped the violent Anglophone crisis and have taken refuge in the some
towns in the West Region. Dschang also arguably place host to some displaced
persons from the affected villages in Lebialem.
False Alarm About Lake Awing Explosion
-Populations Consume huge Quantities of Palm Oil as
Prevention
By Njodzefe Nestor in B’da
 |
| Consume huge Quantities of Palm Oil as Prevention |
Fake reports and rumors of an explosion of Lake Awing
spread through text messaging and social media threw the population of the
North West region and some surrounding regions into shock and pandemonium on
the eve of National Day on May 19, 2018.
The
panic started at about 2am when residents, many who were enjoying their
peaceful sleep, received striking alerts on their cell phones through text
messaging and social media likewise calls that Lake Awing in Santa Sub
Division, Mezam Division had exploded releasing a poisonous gas into the air
and had started suffocating people.
This
fake alert was later relayed through word of mouth and in no time almost the
entire region was up awaiting what will happen in the coming hours. People
across the region were terrified. Many assumed they would die, but however took
necessary precautions to avert it.
A few
people had tweeted and posted Facebook statuses showing the message but no news
stories or official announcements could be found online in the crucial minutes
after it lit up smartphones across the region. When the trickle of social-media
posts became a deluge, the situation only became more baffling.
Go Well Elah Geoffrey Mbong:
Bike Accident Claims Editor of The Sun
By Ticha Melanis in Limbe
 |
| Go well Elah Geoffrey Mbong |
The entire press core in Cameroon and Limbe in particular
is in total shock and despair after the passing away of the editor of the Sun
Newspaper, Elah Geoffrey Mbong, who doubles as the secretary general of CAMASEJ
Limbe chapter.
He
passed away at the early hours of Friday morning at the regional hospital Limbe
after being knocked down by a bike inflicting him with a serious wound at the
back of neck which led to the profuse bleeding. He was coming back from
printing some magazine in Douala.
Report
says the bike rider with no head lamps was running away from security forces as
he was chased for violating the curfew in order. Following investigation made
by the divisional delegate of communication madam olive Ejang and the president
of CAMASEJ Limbe chapter, they found out from the police that there was no
incident of forces chasing bikes at that hour.
The
nurses on duty at the time he was rushed to the hospital said the bike rider
pretended to be in a bad situation but sneaked out of the hospital with the
help of his family members. Reports said he was latter tracked down by the
police.
Posthumous Recognition:
UN to Decorate Three Fallen Cameroonian Peacekeepers
By Innocent Kum in Yaounde
 |
| Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations |
Some Three fallen peacekeepers from Cameroon are among
many others to be honoured at a ceremony at the United Nations, UN headquarters
on June 1.
Three
fallen peacekeepers from Cameroon are among some 127 who will posthumously
receive the Dag Hammarskjold medal.
The
soldiers include Bernard Yannick Ndongo, Wilfred Effogo Mayega, Mathurin Njiki,
who all served with the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in
the Central African Republic, MINUSCA.
Cameroon
is the 18th largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping.
It currently deploys more than 1,100 military
and police personnel to the UN peace operations in the Central African
Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Mali and Sudan.
“Our
peacekeepers – civilian, police, men and women, military personnel – save lives
every day. Today, we honour those who have sacrificed their lives in service to
peace. Their service and sacrifice inspires us to work harder to support a
sustainable peace in some of the world’s most complex and challenging places”
said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations.
Accounts Session:
Limbe I Council Hailed for Dev’t, Accountability
By Ticha Melanis in Limbe
 |
| Limbe 1 Mayor, Mua Ro-Danny, hailed for his dev’t-driven stewardship |
The first ASDO for Fako Bejidi Otto 11 Richard Williams
has applauded Councilors of the Limbe 1 council for their efforts in developing
the Limbe 1 Municipality and patriotism toward the state.
He
hailed the councilors during the first ordinary session of the Limbe 1 council
for 2018 dedicated to the examination of the administrative, management and
store keeper’s report of the 2017 financial year on behalf of the SDO for Fako
Engamba Emmanuel Ledoux. The session took place on Wednesday may 16 at the
Llimbe 1 council hall. He said from the analysis of the draft administrative
accounts reveals an increase in the collection of revenue for the year 2017 as
against the previous year which shows the efforts and hard work of the
councilors.
“I will
like to commend the council for the positive results despite the socio-economic
situation during that period. As you engage the last bend toward the end of
your mandate, your output of the past years will determine the fate of your
team as far as the next mandate is concerned” said the ASDO.
Accounts Session:
Limbe II council Envisages a “New Limbe”
By Ticha Melanis in Limbe
 |
| Councilors of Limbe II Council pose with ASDO in front of council chambers, after examining and adopting 2017 management and stores accounts |
The mayor of Limbe 11 council Duncan A. Molindo says he
will win the 2018 municipal election with his councilors if they put aside
their personal interest and come together as one people to face the political
challenges in the region to realize what he called the “NEW LIMBE”.
“Let us
not look at the period the mayor has served but rather we should look at the
achievements the councilors and mayor have so far realized within their mandate,”
said Mayor Duncan to inhabitants of Limbe11.
He was
speaking on Thursday may 17 at the Limbe 11 council chambers in Mokundange
during a council session to examine and adopt the administrative, management
and stores accounts of the municipality for 2017. He said the accounts are
balanced in revenue and expenditure at the sum of 523,100,000FRS. The accounts
showed a net revenue collection of fcfa 325,626,876 and a total expenditure of
324,055,415FRS giving an excess of 1.571.461FRS.
As for
projects realized in 2017, the mayor mentioned notably the rehabilitation of
the Karata-Botaland road, the construction of a perimeter fence round the land
situate near the Red Cross earmarked for the construction of a conference
center among others.
Accounts session:
Limbe III Council Counts Achievements Amidst Numerous
Challenges
By Ticha Melanis in Limbe
A session of the Limbe III council consecrated for the
examination of the 2017 administrative, management and stores accounts has
taken place with councilors hailing the mayor for landmark achievements.
Addressing
councilors at the council chambers in Bimbia, on 17 May 2018, the mayor, Nkese
Diboti Lumain, called on them to join hands and not only work towards
consolidating the achievements of the last year but to also break new grounds.
He said amidst challenges marked by a precarious economic situation due the
Anglophone crisis, councilors should uphold team spirit and focus on the
council’s objectives.
Mayor
Nkese Dibotti said most of the council’s problems are caused by third parties
notably contractors who fail to execute contracts in time. He also noted the
limited revenue sources in the municipality due to the difficult terrain.
Despite
the challenges, the mayor noted that several measures were taken to boost
revenue collection including institution of boat registration fees, business
license collection and regular tax collection campaigns amongst others. He used
the occasion to extend gratitude to the Limbe government delegate, Motanga
Andrew Monjimba, for his continuous material and financial support to the
council.
In the
accounts presentations the mayor stated that the income situation of fcfa
413,476,966 represents 64% of the 2017 budget forecast which stood at fcfa
647,550,000. A total expenditure of fcfa 409,691,711 was realized, giving a
surplus of revenue over expenditure of fcfa 3,785,255.
MINEPAT Secures FCFA 37bn for Construction of Logone Bridge, Rural Electrification
By Innocent Kum in Yaounde
 |
| Alamine Ousmane Mey |
More than FCFA 37 billion has been mobilized by the
government of Cameroon for the construction of the Logone River Bridge and the
2nd phase of the rural electrification project in the country.
Economy,
Planning and regional development minister, Alamine Ousmane Mey, secured the
funds via three loan agreements signed on behalf of government last Thursday in
Busan, South Korea.
The signing of the loan agreements came on the sidelines
of the 2018 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank.
The
agreements include one loan deal amounting to CFAF 21.86 billion, signed with
the African Development Bank, for the partial financing of the project to build
the bridge over the Logone River in the Far North region and another amounting
to 7.79 billion FCFA, concluded with the African Development Fund which is
intended to partially finance the project to build the bridge over the Logone
River. The third deal was a loan agreement amounting to 7.8 billion FCFA,
signed with the OPEC Fund for International Development, dedicated to the
financing of the rural electrification project Phase II.
Recognition for Honest Hard Work:
K’ba Police Boss Knighted by Paul Biya
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
 |
| Meme SDO decorating the K’ba Police Boss, senior superintendent of police, Wilson Njumenjikang, on behalf of Paul Biya |
The President of the Republic, Paul Biya has honoured the
Commissioner of the Kumba Central Police Station with a medal of valour for his
outstanding role in restoring and maintaining law and order in the Kumba
metropolis. The Head of State’s recognition of Wilson Elong Njumenjikang’s
meritorious work was made public at the Kumba city grandstand, during the
celebration of the 46th National Day, on Sunday, 20th May 2018.
The Senior Superintendent of Police, considered by many
in Kumba as the architect and the brain behind the peace and security that
reigns in the otherwise rough city, was decorated with a medal that raises him
to the dignity of ‘Knight of the Cameroon Order of Merit’.
Decorating
the Police Chief on behalf of the head of state, the SDO for Meme, Chamberlin
Ntou’ou Ndong, said it was in recognition of his devoted services to the state.
He urged him not to relent in his efforts and to do more to merit higher state
distinctions.
A
commentator at the grandstand was of the opinion that the recognition given the
police boss is a beginning of the many good things to come, given the way he
has transformed Kumba from the safe habour for brigands, drug addicts, doki-men
and conmen that it was known to be, to the calm and peaceful city that it has
become. Many say senior superintendent Njumenjikang’s hard work merits him
promotion to the rank of full Commissioner (Commissaire Divisionaire).
Njumenjikang the Peace crusader
Njumenjikang
has all along the ongoing Anglophone crisis stood out tall in the maintenance
of peace despite pockets of demonstrations recorded across the town. The
level-headed police boss is a believer in dialogue as a means towards resolving
crisis. He cautions his collaborators as well as the general public to always
guard against situations that will put them at odds with state
authorities..
War on armed bandits
In less
than three years at the helm of the Kumba Central Police station, Commissioner
Njumenjikang has transformed Kumba into a peace haven to the surprise of many.
With tact and savvy, he has successfully stormed and dismantled the hideouts of
armed bandits in Kumba.
Dreaded
neighbourhoods across Kumba like Kosala and certain parts of Fiango that used
to be no go zones even during the day have become peaceful residential areas
thanks to his ceaseless war against banditry and criminality. The population of
Kumba has acknowledged his good works in stopping day-light attacks on churches
and homes, theft of motorbikes, public harassments and the abuse of drugs
notably tramadol and marijuana.
Relief Assistance:
MP Donates Food to Mbonge & Konye ‘Refugees’ in K’ba
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
The Member of Parliament for Meme West Constituency
(Mbonge and Konye sub-divisions) has to come to the aide of the hunger-stricken
Anglophone refugees littered across the town of Kumba.
Hon.
Atinda Martin Mboni extended his goodwill gesture to the displaced persons
Tuesday 22 May 2018 by donating a consignment of food items to them. The
donation comprising bags of rice and packets of maggi cube targeted mostly
persons displaced from Mbonge and Konye subdivisions. Hon. Atinda also handed
the beneficiaries some money in cash to help them acquire other basic items for
the children and nursing mothers.
Handing
over the donation, the MP, whose constituency happens to be the largest in the
entire country, said he cannot afford to fold his arms and watch his people
suffer. He said despite the slight means put at their disposal by the
government, he is forced to put his hands deep into his pockets just to bring
relief aid to his people, who are arguably the most affected in the ongoing
crisis.
Hon.
Atinda told the “refugees” that the most important thing is for them to praise
God for their lives, as many others have died in the course of the crisis. He
advised then to forget about the mansions they might have left behind in their
respective villages, reassuring them that God has a plan for everyone.
The
teacher-cum-politician told the population that trooped into his residence for
the donations that he will do all within his powers to get the authorities in
Yaounde to find appropriate and long lasting solutions to the crisis.
May 20 Tit-bits
Five minutes march past in Tombel
The national day celebrations were nothing to write home
about in many areas across the restive Northwest and Southwest Regions of the
country. This was as a result of threats from ‘Amba’ hit and run boys who
instilled fear in the minds of inhabitants.
In
Tombel in the Kupe Muanenguba Division, the celebration started at 2pm and
lasted for barely five minutes. This was because of heavy gunfire exchange
between Amba boys and government forces. The gun battle lasted for close to
four hours before giving way for the march past that lasted for barely five
minutes and saw only the military marching.
The
deafening gun battle left many inhabitants of Tombel escaping to the bushes
while others fled to nearby Loum in East Cameroon. The Divisional Officer of
Tombel, Leonard Nyam condemned the shooting and called for peace and a return
to normalcy.
Hitch-free march past in Mundemba, Ndian
Despite the poor turnout of the population for the march
past in Mundemba, the events witnessed any major incidents as was the case in
other parts of the Southwest region. Prior to the D-day on 20th May, the SDO
for Ndian, Fowang Lawrence, had organised a sports walk in the town to
sensitize the population on the need for peace and harmony during the events.
Gender-based Violence Preoccupying in Buea
By Boris Esono in Buea
 |
|
FIDA, Voices for women, LUKMEF pose with participants at
the training workshop in Buea to end VAW
|
Some 30 community based organizations have been educated
on various ways to end gender based violence perpetrated on the girl child. The
training which took place last Thursday May 17 was organized by the
International Federation of Lawyers, FIDA Cameroon, in partnership with LUKMEF
Cameroon, Voices for Women, brought together participants from the Northwest,
West, East and the SWR.
The UN
Declaration on Elimination of Violence against women defines violence against
women as “any act of gender base violence which results in or is likely to
result in physical or sexual harm to women including coercion.
According
to the National President of FIDA Cameroon, Mafor Barrister Gladys MbuyaLuku,
“we are training about 30 CBOs leaders who will intend train about 300 women as
peer leaders to end violence against women and girls”. “Violence against women
and girls is something that even the UNO is fighting against and we have
realized that if we do not collaborate it will be difficult to bring an end to
it”.
She
further added that “those who have been trained should impact knowledge to
other activists so that there will be a chain effect on this fight against
violence on women”. “Breaking the silence is very vital because until you
inform activists, they will not know and find help for their cases”.
“Presently, more women have been coming up and reporting violence against them
which is very good”.
25 Priests and Deacons Ordained at the Holy Family Parish Limbe
By Ticha Melanis in Limbe
 |
| 25 Priests and Deacons ordained in Limbe |
The Bishop of the Diocese of BueaImmmanuelBushuon
Saturday 26, 2018 ordained 13 deacons and 12 priests all missionary sons of
St.Mulumbaat the holy family parish new town Limbe.
The
bishop took his sermon from Isaiah 61:1-3 which talks on the power of God and
the good news for the salvation of believers, the bishop called the newly ordained
priests and deacons to proclaim the word of god with everybody just as Christ
did and to be one with God. He said the new ordained priests and deacons should
be servant to Christians so that they may all make it to heaven.
He
challenge the new priests and deacons to live up to the demands of their new
lives as ordained ones which is to pray, read the word of God, preach the word
and teach the words to everybody without bias. He reminded them that to be
ordained it means you have been chosen by God to do his work and be united with
him in all you do.
Asked
about the unpopular missionary of the celebrant and the fact that majority of
them are Nigerians, the bishop said it is because the missionary is a new one
found in Nigeria and that many bishops around the world are already asking for
assistance from the ordained priests. He said the reason for most of them being
Nigerians is because they are of higher level and have been for training way
longer than Cameroonians in the missionary.
Promoting Excellence in Education:
Limbe 1 Council Awards Scholarships to Outstanding
Students
By Ticha Melanis in Limbe
Some 100 students from different schools across the
nation resident in Limbe have been rewarded for excellence in the 2017/2018
academic year. The scholarship award ceremony took place at the Limbe 1 council
hall, on Friday 25 May 2018.
The
scholarship package valued at over Fcfa 5 million, falls in line with the Limbe
1 council’s project to promote academic excellence among indigenes and
residents of the seaside resort city.
Handing
the scholarship packages to the happy laureates, the Mayor, Ro-Danny Mbua
Mokako, said it is the councils’ own way of supporting children in the
municipality to be excellent in their academic pursuits, especially as they are
the leaders of tomorrow. He cautioned the laureates to make good use of the
money handed to them and if possible use it to prepare for the next academic
year.
Mayor
Ro-Danny equally urged the students to work even harder next year so as to keep
on benefitting from the scholarship award.
He
promised to lobby the councilors and the education committee to consider
increasing the amount given to each student. He invited hardworking students to
apply for the scholarship during every second semester break, reminding them to
attach their report cards with the application. The mayor promised to sustain
the scholarship scheme in-so-long as he remains the Mayor of the council, God
willing.
He added
that this year’s scholarships came early because they are running toward the
end of their mandate and don’t know when the president will convene the
electorate for municipal elections.
Ivory Trafficker Arrested in Bertoua
 |
| Trafficker at the gendarmerie legion in Bertoua following arrest with ivory |
A wildlife trafficker has been arrested for unlawful
possession of ivory tusks and hippo teeth in Bertoua, in the East Region. The
arrest was carried out by wildlife officials of the East Regional Delegation of
Forestry and Wildlife following an investigation into an ivory trafficking
ring in the North and East Regions. The
man was arrested as he attempted to transport the illegal products to an
unknown destination. The operation was carried out in collaboration with the
gendarmerie and with technical assistance from LAGA, a wildlife law enforcement
organization.
The
40-year old was found at the Mandjou neighbourhood in Bertoua with a bag he was
carrying that contained the ivory tusks and hippo teeth. He was immediately
taken to the gendarmerie legion where the bag that had been securely fastened
was emptied of its contents. A total of seven ivory tusks and hippo teeth
rolled out of the bag. According to preliminary investigations, he had bought the
ivory tusks from another trafficker in Ngong a locality some 45 km from Garoua
and travelled to Bertoua with the products.
He was
just about to move to sell the booty when he was stopped by gendarmes. Captain
Alim of the gendarmerie legion in Bertoua declared shortly after the operation
that “according to his [the suspect] declarations, he let us to understand that
a certain Daouda gave him the trophies to sell in the East Region”. The
operation uncovers a trafficking ring that exists between the towns of Bertoua
and Garoua.
2018 Champions League Final:
Real Madrid Stun Liverpool 3-1
 |
| Real Madrid have become the first team to win the European Cup/Champions League in three successive seasons since Bayern Munich between 1974 and 1976. |
Gareth Bale scored one of European football's great goals
to help Real Madrid overcome Liverpool and win their third successive Champions
League title as goalkeeper Loris Karius suffered a personal nightmare.
Bale made his mark on another Champions League final with
a magnificent overhead kick to put Real 2-1 up after 64 minutes.
Liverpool
had already suffered the devastating blow of losing top scorer Mohamed Salah
midway through the first half - with a shoulder injury sustained in a challenge
with Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos - when calamity struck for Karius.
Six
minutes after half-time, the German inexplicably threw the ball against Karim
Benzema, who was not even challenging with urgency, and watched in horror as
the ball rolled behind him into the net.
Liverpool
recovered from the shock to equalise through Sadio Mane before Bale stepped off
the bench to score his wonder goal.
There
was to be no comeback from Liverpool this time and Karius's misery was complete
when he fumbled Bale's hopeful 30-yard shot behind him to seal Real's win.
It
sealed Real's record 13th win in this competition, and their fourth in five
seasons to give coach Zinedine Zidane this third triumph in three years.
For
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, it was disappointment again - he lost his third
successive final since arriving at Anfield, having suffered defeats in the
League Cup and Europa League finals of 2016.
Calamity for hapless Karius
When the
story of this Champions League final is told from a Liverpool perspective, it
will be the tale of Karius' nightmare alongside that of Salah's injury.
The
24-year-old German has been shown huge faith by Klopp, who brought him in from
Mainz and made him first choice ahead of Simon Mignolet.
He has
never fully convinced and on this, the biggest night in Liverpool's recent
history, he had the sort of night to leave you wondering how he will rebuild
his Anfield career.
Karius
inexplicably threw a clearance against Benzema for Real Madrid's opener before
fumbling Bale's speculative, long-range effort into the net to snuff out any
hopes of a comeback.
The
keeper lay flat on the turf at the final whistle, being consoled by Real
Madrid's players before apologising tearfully in front of Liverpool's fans.
Klopp
clearly rates Karius but there are too many holes in his technique. That, along
with his temperament, must be questioned after a complete horror show here in
Kiev.
Salah setback shifted the balance of power
The
whole emphasis of the final shifted as Salah slumped to the turf for a second
time after realising he could not carry on with the shoulder injury sustained
in the tangle with Ramos.
Liverpool
had started well and Real's deep defending hinted at the apprehension they were
felt faced with the attacking trio of Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
As Salah
left the pitch, inconsolable and in tears, even Liverpool's fans were
temporarily hushed and it was clear Real had suddenly been given fresh impetus.
Liverpool,
with the magnificent Mane leading the fight, showed commendable heart but they
had been robbed of their world-class talisman who, before his substitution, had
scored 33% of their goals in all competitions.
It will
be the great unknown as to what might have happened had Salah stayed on but
there is no question his departure was a savage blow to Liverpool and a lift
for Real Madrid.
Ronaldo Drops Hint he may Leave Real After Final Triumph
 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo |
"Right
now we need to enjoy ourselves but in the next few days I'll give an answer to
the fans who have always been by my side. It was beautiful to be at Real
Madrid," the Portugal forward told television network beIN Sports after
the game.
"The
future of any Madrid player is not important, we have just made history."
Karim
Benzema scored Real's opener while substitute Gareth Bale struck twice,
including a sensational overhead kick, to seal a 13th European Cup win overall
and their fourth title in five years after Sadio Mane had equalised for
Liverpool.
Ronaldo,
who is Real's all-time top scorer, was asked to clarify his comments but
continued to give ambiguous answers.
"I
don't have any doubts, it's not important, I have to rest now, go and meet up
with the Portugal team and in the next few weeks (I'll make an
announcement)," he added before he joins up with his country's World Cup
squad for the tournament in Russia.
Monday, 14 May 2018
Interview
Agbor Balla on RFI:
-Ambazonia Independence was precipitated, ill-timed
-Biya created the
Anglophone problem, he cannot be part of the solution
The President of the defunct Consortium of Anglophone
Civil Societies, Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla, who is also the President of the
Fako Lawyers Association , FAKLA and Founder/CEO of Buea-based Centre For Human
Rights And Democracy in Africa, has said that the Biya regime created the
Anglophone crisis, and they are incapable to find solutions to the problem.
Balla says about 1000 Anglophones have been jailed since the unset of the
crisis and that more and more civilians and soldiers are being killed on a
daily basis as the crisis escalates. He says from every indication the Biya
regime is at a loss of solutions to the crisis and only a new regime will
hopefully solve the problem. The widely travelled and free-talking Vice
President of the African Bar Association in charge of Central Africa, who spent
eight months in jail because of his role in organizing and coordinating
Anglophone protests, was guest last week, on Radio France International, RFI’s
program, ‘Spotlight on Africa’. The following are excerpts of the exchange.
**Welcome Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla. What’s the latest on
the jailed Anglophone leaders that were extradited from Nigeria?
 |
| Human Rights Lawyer And President of the outlawed Consortium of Anglophone Civil Societies, Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla, said it all on RFI |
--The latest is that there is no latest in the sense that
we don’t have any information. So far, nobody has seen them; nobody has spoken
to them be it their lawyers or their families. I have been there twice with a
couple of lawyers and we were not allowed to see them.
**Aside the leaders transferred from Nigeria, do you know
how many Anglophones in total are currently in custody?
--There are close to 1000 detained between two maximum
security prisons in Yaounde- The Kondengui Principal Prison where I spent eight
months and the Kondengui Central Prison where Bibixy Mancho, Pen Terrence and
others are being kept. There are others detained at the Gendarmerie
Headquarters, SED, in Yaounde. Others are at the Judicial Police Headquarters
in Yaounde. Then there are about 409 in the Central Prison in Buea, SW region.
Others are scattered in the Bamenda Central Prison and in other prisons in the
country. These are just the ones we can identify. Some have already been tried
and sentenced to various prison terms. Pen Terrence for example was given 12
years, while others had 11 years. Mancho Bibixy and Tsi Conrad were found
guilty of terrorism, secession and group rebellion. Their matter has been a
adjourned to the 24 of May when hopefully the verdict will be pronounced.
**Why do you think you were released from Jail last Year?
--To be sincere and honest with you, we don’t really know
which criteria were used to release myself, Dr. Fontem, Justice Ayah Paul and
about 51 others.
**Do you support the violence carried out by some separatist
groups? They say they are defending the people against crimes carried out by
the Cameroonian security forces.
--It’s a very tricky one for me. I believe in
self-defense; I believe in the right for people to protect themselves and for
people to protect their people. I think the right to self-defense is a
fundamental right. But I don’t agree when you go beyond self-defense and you
start doing things which are out of the law. That is where I have a problem
with the ongoing violence. I think the whole issue of self-defense also stems
from the fact that most of the people I have spoken to and who advocate an
armed struggle justify their position by saying that the government arrests and
kidnaps people arbitrarily and takes them to Yaounde to be detained and tried.
Maybe these guys are trying to protect the people against these arbitrary
actions of the government. So it is quite a tricky balance; people fighting in
self-defense and committing offences at thesame time.
**The violence is quite close to your home. In fact your
family house in Mamfe was attacked. How did this make you feel?
--I felt a bit sad and disappointed because I believe
that for most of my adulthood I have in one way or the other contributed or
fought for our people. I did not start the struggle in 2015 as most people are
wont to believe. Maybe I came to the limelight only in 2015/2016. But I have
been in the struggle all along, since the days of the All Anglophone
Conferences when I was a young boy. So for me who went to jail because of the
struggle and having my dad buried whilst I am in jail, to have our family house
burnt, I don’t think it was fair. But it is not the majority of the people and
that’s why I am not very worried. I believe that in any struggle you have
people who disagree with you. You will always have people who do not reason or
think like you do. But I caution violence, and I keep telling whoever cares to
listen that we can disagree without being disagreeable. True, we have a common
goal to fight; to fight for the right to self determination of our people. But
we must understand that not everybody will think like you.
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