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War Against Terrorism in SW: Beti Assomo Marshals Troops for Full-Scale Offensive

-The Minister led a joint military and security command mission to Buea and Kumba on Monday 9 November.

By Ayukogem Steven Ojong in Buea & K’ba

Mindef addressing defense, security & administrative heads

“This is not the moment for speech making; it is the time for action.” It was with these poignant notes that the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defense, Beti Assomo, hammered his point, as he gave instructions to heads of defense and security services in Kumba in the South West region on Monday, 9 November.
    “The defense and security forces will continue to do their job, all their job, and nothing but their job,” Beti Assomo said, in a firm and reassuring tone. He noted that the political will is there and nothing will stand on the road of the army getting the expected result against the terrorists in the SW region.
    The Mindef said the perpetrators of the massacre of school children in Fiango, Kumba must be arrested and made to answer to their heinous crimes.
    Wearing a countenance that spoke volumes of the determination of the government to crackdown on the separatist terrorists, Beti Assomo prescribed a speedy and energetic onslaught on the camps and hideouts of the terrorists.
    “I exhort you to speedily and energetically pursue the terrorists and dismantle their camps in the bushes,” Beti Assomo instructed, noting that as the head of the commission to investigate the Saturday 24 October massacre that took place at the Mother Francisca International Bilingual College in Fiango Kumba, he can state with authority that three (3) of the nine (9) terrorists who orchestrated the horrific crime have already been apprehended or neutralized.
  

Representatives of bereaved families comforted by the Mindef

 The Mindef said the six others must be fished out, wherever they are hiding. He said the manhunt for the ‘hit-and-run amba boys, and the bandits who have infiltrated their ranks, has already been intensified.
    He said more troops would be deployed to protect school campuses, as well as teachers and students. This he said is with the view to rekindle the back-to-school momentum that was already gathering steam, until the separatists hoodlums struck in Fiango.
    Beti Assomo used the occasion to once more present the condolences of the head of state to the families of the slain ‘Angels and Heroes’.
    The personalities that accompanied the defense minister for the joint mission spoke volumes of the importance of the mission. They included among others the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Rene Claude Meka; the Director of Central Coordination at the National Gendarmerie, Brig. Gen. Elokobi Daniel Njock; the Director of Public Security at the National Police Force, Commissioner Ewu Ngeme; the Director General of External Research at the Presidency, Commissioner Maxime Eko’o Eko’o, apart from the administrative and defense and security hierarchy of the SW region.
    The Mindef led the joint mission to Kumba not before he had stopped in Buea where he also had a closed door meeting at the SW Governor’s Office with security and defense chiefs of the SW region.
    It should be noted that the joint mission of the Mindef, the high military command and chiefs of security staffs, was on the instructions of the head of state, commander-in-chief of the armed forces. It had as objective to review the operations to restore peace and security, and protect people and property in the SW region.      
 

Douala Military Hospital: Beti Assomo Comforts Soldiers Wounded in Battle

 The Minister of Defence Tuesday visited the Military Hospital in Douala to express his compassion and encourage soldiers wounded in battle in the NW & SW. Minister Beti Assomo was accompanied by a high-powered delegation comprising the Director of Public Security at the DGSN, and the Director General of External Research at the Presidency, DGRE, among several other personalities.

By ASO in Douala

Mindef, Beti Assomo encouraging a wounded soldier

“The Army never abandons its men.” It was on this reassuring note that the Minister of Defense, Joseph Beti Assomo, garnished his message of gratitude and encouragement to soldiers wounded in the line of duty in the NW and SW regions and who are receiving treatment at the Military Hospital in Douala.
    Relaying the comforting words from the head of state, commander-in-chief of the armed forces to the brave soldiers, Beti Assomo congratulated them for their sense of sacrifice and devotion to the service of the nation.
    He reassured the soldiers that all measures would be put in place to ensure their speedy and proper recovery, also stating that serious cases would be referred to better suited medical outfits or evacuated abroad to partner countries for adequate attention.
    It should be noted that the Douala Military Hospital has become a hub for the treatment of soldiers wounded in battle in the ongoing conflict in the NW and SW regions.
    Of the soldiers presently admitted at the hospital, three may be invalid for life, reason why the three were given special attention by Minister Beti Assomo.
    Of the three special cases, one’s situation was most preoccupying especially as he lost his two legs after a military vehicle carrying soldiers stumbled on a land mine in Tinto in Manyu Division of the SW region. Minister Beti Assomo however assured the three men that they would be given the attention they deserve, both in the country or abroad if need be.
    The Mindef used the occasion to extend the congratulations of President Biya to the medical and para-medical personnel of the hospital, noting that they are staking their lives to save other lives. He said the acceptable standard of services offered at the hospital has merited the trust of the wider public who avail themselves there for treatment.
    The Minister’s visit to the hospital marked the end of a two-day joint mission of the military and security command that he led to Buea, Kumba and Douala. The MINDEF’s delegation had among others the Director of Public Security at the DGSN, Commissioner Mrs Ewu Ngeme, and The DGRE, Commissioner Maxime Eko’o Eko’o.
    The joint mission was on the instructions of the head of state, commander-in-chief of the defense and security forces, Paul Biya.

Jubilation in Nso as Sehm Mbinglo Is Freed

 The paramount ruler of Nso in Bui Division of the North West region has been released after spending 6 days in captivity. HRH Sehm Mbinglo II was set free on Tuesday, 10 November 2020, shortly before midday.
    

HRH Sehm Mbinglo II

No ransom was paid to secure the fon’s release, according to the SDO for Ngoketunjia, Haddison Quetong, who said he spoke with the Fon shortly after his release.
    “The Fon was released between 10 and 11 am at the periphery where he was captured alongside Cardinal Tumi. He told me his release was normal and not based on any condition,” the SDO told CRTV.
    “The initial plan was for the Fon to go to Bamenda and have some rest and also do his medical checks, but when news came from Kumbo that hundreds of people had gathered in front of the Palace waiting to welcome the fon, we asked him to first head to Kumba and even greet and reassure his people before returning to Bamenda. But the Fon’s advisers insisted that he goes to Bamenda and spend some during which preparations could be made towards his eventual return to his Palace in Kumbo,” Haddison Quetong said further.
    Uncertainty had gripped the air in Nso when the Fon was not forth coming 5 days after his capture.
    Reports on social media said a serious lockdown was to begin if the Fon was not released by the end of Tuesday.  
    The message accused the ‘Ngwerong’, the higest traditional society in Nso, of collaborating with the separatists to kidnap the Fon.
    Disappointed that the government could not secure the Fon’s release, the people of Nso promised to engage a fierce battle with the separatist fighters if just to get Sehm Mbinglo’s freedom.
    Given that the abduction took place in Baba II, Ngoketunjia division, the people of Nso accused the Baba community of working with separatist fighters to humiliate their Fon and the people of Nso.
    Yet, while performing cleansing rites to prepare the palace for the fon’s return last month, the ‘Nwerong’ denounced Sehm Mbinglo’s involvement in politics. They reckoned that the Fon’s involvement in politics only undermines his role as the custodian of the culture and tradition of the Nso people.
    Fon Sehm Mbinglo II, Christian Cardinal Tumi and others were kidnapped in Baba village on 5 November on their way to Kumbo from Bamenda. Cardinal Tumi was released the following day but the Fon remained in captivity.
    In a video released at the weekend by separatists, the Fon was shown undergoing grilling by the separatists. In an answer to one of the questions, Sehm Mbinglo stood his grounds that he stands for a one and united Cameroon. He however opined that government should first do everything to restore peace before asking children to go to school.

Separatists Set Conditions for Sehm Mbinglo’s Palace Return

 After his kidnapping on Thursday November 5, 2020, the abductors fighting to restore the State of Southern Cameroons, preferred by them as Ambazonia, have set out some rules for the traditional ruler to follow before he returns to his Palace. Cameroon News Agency has obtained an 8 minutes 23 seconds audio from the Bui Warriors Communication department, where a voice declares that the Bui Warriors and Ngoketundjia Restoration Forces have decided to release the Fon of Nso, under certain conditions agreed by the two parties.

Separatists say Sehm Mbinglo cannot return to 

 

 

A source has told CNA that they have released the Fon and asked him to return to Yaoundé.
    The voice read, “After due interrogation, examination, re-examination and cross examination, His Majesty Fon Mbinglo was found guilty as charged…He had been induced into error by some Elites residing in French Cameroon…He agreed to meet the following conditions.”
    That he is going to hands off completely from anything that has to do with politics and French Cameroun. In this regard, the Fon of Nso is going to send a resignation letter to Ambazonians. Resigning from been a candidate in the said Regional elections.
his palace until he meets their conditions

    The Fon will only return to Nso upon fulfilment of this agreement else he might return to Yaoundé or anywhere else in French Cameroon where he could promote French Cameroon interests.
    Upon reoffending the people of Ambazonia, the Fon will be rearrested and penalized by the restoration forces accordingly.
    The Fon agreed to work as untainted, uncorrupted traditional authority for the Nso people, following the footsteps of his own father to regain the lost glory for the Nso people and repair his own damaged integrity.             The integrity damaged by his mingling with French Cameroon politics. Here, he reiterated his position never again to be a politician.
     The Fon has also agreed to on his release, to send a direct message to Mr Paul Biya the President of French Cameroun, to release all our people held as Prisoners in French Cameroon dungeons beginning with President Sisiku Ayuktabe and members of his cabinet abducted by French Cameroon terrorist forces in Nera hotel Abuja Nigeria and all the other Ambazonians held in Cameroon prisons and cells.
     The Fon equally agreed to urge Mr Paul Biya to get into the negotiation table with Ambazonia and end this senseless war declared by him on the Ambazonia people.
 And lastly the Fon of Nso agreed to tell or urge Mr. Paul Biya to stop all colonial activities in Ambazonia starting with the withdrawal of army and administration of occupation.
    “In the light of these, the Bui Warriors working hand in gloves with Ngoketundjia defense council, wish to announce to the Nso people, to national and international opinion as follows. His Royal Highness, Sehm Mbinglo, paramount Fon of Nso has been released by the Ngoketundjia Restoration Forces, he shall be making his triumphant home coming to Nso when the moment shall have been ripped. The Bui Warriors shall be joining the Nso population with open hands to receive his Majesty back home come this appropriate moment.”
    “Finally the Bui Warriors and the Ngoketundjia Restoration Forces hereby sound a loud warning to whosoever and all traditional rulers who venture to do French Cameroon politics on Ambazonia territory or who in anyway try to promote French Cameroon politics of any such on Ambazonia territory…Contrary to legislation and contrary to exigencies of the Ambazonia people…”

 

As Imminent Deportation Looms: Long Nights for Asylum Seekers in USA

 A second group of Cameroonian asylum-seekers are expected to be deported from the U.S. Tuesday, sparking condemnation from rights groups. Activists fear the mostly English-speaking Cameroonians will be prosecuted for alleged involvement in the country's separatist conflict. There are also growing concerns over the fate of the first group of Cameroonian asylum-seekers deported from the U.S. last month.
   

Asylum seekers in USA

 Cameroon media reports say 36 citizens will arrive in Douala from Texas on Tuesday after failed asylum bids in the United States.   
     Rights groups condemned the deportations, the second group of Cameroonian asylum-seekers sent back by the U.S. since October, when 86 were sent back.    
     Ignatius Njowir, secretary general of the Cameroon Center for Peace and the Protection of Human Rights, says the U.S. is putting the mainly anglophone Cameroonians at risk of torture for their alleged links to a rebellion in the country’s west.   
     "It is a pity to see a country like America that the world looks up to as far as democracy is concerned, to see them deporting Cameroonians, Africans knowing fully well what is happening in their countries and what those people have been going through before escaping to America," Njowir said.
     Forty-year-old Cameroonian merchant Yaya Claudine’s younger brother was among the group deported in October.   
     She says he was released but has since gone into hiding, along with others who were freed, for fear of prosecution.   
     "When these people came back, they were held for two weeks.  The government freed some of them on conditions that they were still going to investigate if they (asylum seekers) were in support of separatist fighters.  Then, those that were not free are still there (detained) and then the ones that were freed are living in hiding because they do not know the outcome of the investigation.  We do not even know where some of them are hiding," Claudine said.
     The last time the asylum seekers were seen in public was on October 14, when armed police escorted them from Douala International Airport.  
     A government statement read on state Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV) said some of those deported were freed after being given medical treatment.   
     The statement said others were held for investigation, including three military deserters who would face charges in court.   
     Authorities did not say how many of the asylum-seekers were released, how many were being investigated or for what crimes.   
     Cameroon’s minister delegate to the minister of justice Jean de Dieu Momo denies that any of those deported by the U.S. faced torture.  But he said any Cameroonians who broke the law would face justice.   
     Momo said some Cameroonians in the diaspora, and some who are escaping from their country, have been very hostile and unfair to their nation of origin.  He said while the government is listening to legitimate grievances, it is good for those who commit crimes to face the law.
     Cameroon’s government accuses the diaspora in the U.S. of sponsoring anglophone rebels in the French-speaking-majority-nation’s western regions.   
     The United Nations says more than 3,000 people have been killed in Cameroon’s four-year separatist conflict and half-a-million others displaced.
     The Cameroonians deported in October and on Tuesday entered the U.S last year through South America and Mexico to seek asylum.
     The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has been tightening restrictions on immigrants and asylum seekers.
     U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) says as a policy does not comment on deportations until after they have occurred.

Burial of Slain Kumba School Children: PM Dion Ngute, Others Pay Last Respect to "Fallen Angels"

 By Boris Esono in Kumba
The seven school children killed by armed men in Kumba have been buried. The deceased was interred after a State funeral ceremony presided at by President Biya's special representative to Kumba, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute November 5, 2020, at the Kumba Amusement Park.
    

PM Dion Ngute, others pay last respect to "Fallen Angels

The seven children shot dead by unidentified attackers included Victory Ngameny 11 years; Telma Che Nchangnwi 15 years; Princess Momene Nguemene 11 years; Jenifer Anangim Nju 11 years; Cindy Shienya 14 years; Rhema Nzakame 9 years; and Remmy Monge 11 years.
    The killing of school children at Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy in Kumba drew wide International attention on the crisis which had been ranked by the International Crisis Group among the three most neglected crises in the world.
    My heart bleeds a lot because her death was so tragic,” said Rhema’s weeping mother, Manyi Tita. “My daughter never committed any crime. The only thing she did was go to school for a better future and ... to be a better lady.”
    The outdoor ceremony represented an outpouring of grief but also anger that a conflict between separatist insurgents and the Cameroonian army had spiralled so far that a group of men with rifles could walk into a school and open fire indiscriminately.
    During the state funeral in which the caskets of the fallen school children were draped in the flags of the country, Prime Minister Dion Ngute placed a funeral wreathe sent by the President and wife. Before the official funeral got underway, the PM visited survivors of the attack at the District hospital in Kumba.
    Speaking to the press Prime Minister Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute said: “… to console with the parents of the young students who were killed and also to visit those who were injured in the hospital. The President is extremely saddened by what happened here, and we are as parents also touched by it. The president asked me to come and give solidarity with the people of Kumba and the people of the North West and South West regions who have been going through a lot of adversities throughout this year. We are hopeful that things will come to an end very soon, and the perpetrators will be apprehended. 
    The inter-ministerial delegation featured some six Ministers amongst them the Minister of Health Mamaouda Malachie, Minister of Secondary Education Prof Nalova Lyonga, Minister of Basic Education, Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji, members of both houses of parliament.
    Speaking on behalf of the bereaved families Che Francis Ambe said there is no development in any particular country without education. This as the children were killed simply for going to school. He went on to condemn the killings while praying for peace to return to Kumba.
    In a striking sermon drawn from the book of Luke 16:22, an Apostolic Pastor, whose only name we got as Pastor Ekang, said the Cameroon Government knows how to end the crisis, but has refused to do so. The Pastor emphasised that death is the meeting point for everyone regardless of status.
    The Apostolic Minister, alongside Christian leaders from the Presbyterian, Baptist, Full Gospel and the Islamic faith said it is time for Government to dialogue with her citizens and find solutions to end the crisis.
    "To all the authorities present, we know the solution to our problem. Therefore, it is incumbent on us to sit down and solve the problem in the house… The people suffering more in this crisis are the poor people. They are the ones who are in the bushes. It is the poor who are hiding under the rocks in the forest… and the rich know all that it takes to go to Douala, to go to Yaounde, to go to Bafoussam and sponsor their children,” Pastor Ekang said.
    The emotions were riding high amongst those in attendance. Many were visibly shaken while others could be seen crying, indicative of the fact that the killings of those school children have touched not just the bereaved families but the entire Kumba populace.
    The new City Mayor of Kumba Gregory Mewanu has tagged the killings as Kumba's "September 11". According to him, it is time to give peace a chance. "Our future, our economy, is all dying, and our livelihood is at stake. The perpetrators should give peace a chance. Kumba should be the light others should follow," the Kumba City Mayor Gregory Mewanu said.
    He went on to add that it is time for reconciliation, looking at the fact that the Region has and continues to suffer due to the ongoing crisis. "Kumba stands for love, peace and development," He said. "Kumba stand for Children to go to school."