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Why It Got To ‘War’:

Nine Capital Sins Francophones Committed Against Anglophones

By Maurice Nguepe

Context:

Maurice Nguepe

On 1st January 1960, French Cameroun comes out of colonization and gains her independence from France.

            During this period, Anglophone Cameroon is still under British rule. The résolution 1352 of the UNO authorises Britain to organise a referendum to either join its Cameroon colonies either to Nigéria or to French Cameroun.

            On 11 February 1961, the said referendum is organized and British Northern Cameroon votes to join Nigéria, while British Southern Cameroon votes to join French Cameroun, now La Republic du Cameroun.

            It was thus two separate states and two different systems that had decided to cohabit.

            Later, the UNO adopts resolution 1608 of 21 April 1961 to end British trusteeship in Southern Cameroons. The resolution also gave the mandate for the holding of a conference to discuss the form and other modalities of the new state.

            The Foumban Conference of 16 to 21 July 1961 was therefore in response and in line with the spirit of this resolution. It fixed the modalities of power sharing. The Constitution which resulted from the conference not only consacrated the birth of a federated state but also sealed its inviolability.

            Two important positions were created to saveguard this federal structure: the posts of President and Vice president of the Federal Republic.

            Two months after the Foumban conference Southern Cameroons gained her independence on 1st October 1961 and immediately became joined to La Republique du Cameroun according to resolution 1608 of the UNO and in respect of the « yes » vote of the 11 February 1961 referendum and the Foumban accords.

The Nine Capital Sins Of Francophones

            1) The Foumban Conference: The first deception of Anglophones by Francophones started at the Foumban Conference with the unilateral debates. Here the UNO that by virtue of the resolution 1608, had to accompany the Anglophones in the negociations to form a new state with French Cameroun, was absent, same for Britain, the former colonial master. On her part, France, the colonial master of French Cameroon, accompanied the delegation led by Ahidjo to Foumban.

            The context of deception and manipulations was thus planted in Foumban, where Ahidjo presented a draft constitution prepared by his French masters. Evidently ill-prepared, the Southern Cameroon delegation only had to read through Ahidjo’s constitution and propose some amendments, most of which were rejected.

3) The Illegal referendum of 1972

            In 1970 Limbe was discovered to have huge petrol deposits. In order to be able to have total control of the black gold, France forces Ahidjo to organize a referendum in 1972 to put an end to the federated structure of the country.

            This other referendum for three reasons was the second deception by Francophones of Anglophones. Firstly i twas organized in utter violation of the federal constitution which talked of the inviolability of the structure of the state; secondly it violated the the terms of the Foumban accords which guaranteed the autonomy of the governments of the two federated states and defined the modalities of power sharing between the two states; then, instead of organizing the referendum only in the Southern Cameroon to measure the acceptability of Anglophones to stay in a unitary and not a federal state, Ahidjo extended the referendum to include the two federated states, with French Cameroon having 80% of the total population of the country. The “yes” vote was therefore resounding and automatic.

            For Anglophones, the proclamation of « yes » amounted to a civilian coup d’etat and signaled the beginning of their annexation by and assimilation by French Cameroon.

3. The suppression of the post of vice-president (1972)

            The first vice-president of the federal republic of Cameroon was John Ngu Foncha (1961-1970), the second was Solomon Tandeng Muna (1970-1972). The post of vice-président of the federal republic made its Anglophone occupants the potential successors to the Presidency after the Francophone president.

            But giving the dissolution of the federal structure through the 1972 referendum, the new unitary constitution suppressed unilaterally and definitely, the function of vice president. So, between 1972 and 1975 there was no institutional provision for the function of second personality of the state. And the Anglophones became forgotten. This was the third capital sin, the third deception by Francophone.

4. The post of Prime Minister in the new constitution (1975-1982)

            In the new post-referendum constitution, the post of Prime Minister was created in 1975 and its occupant became the second personality and sucessor to the president. If the tradition of alternation had to be respected as was dictated in the federal constitution, the post of PM had to go to the Anglophones once the president is Francophone.  But it was handed to another Francophone, Paul Biya. This was the fourh capital sin of Francophones. The two former vice-president, Fonch and Muna saw themselves given respectively the powerless positions of vice-president of the party and president of the national assembly. Anglophones were thus distanced from the leadership of a country that they had joined with love.

5. Paul Biya unilaterally creates the republic of Cameroon (1982-1984)

            After five years as prime minister, Paul Biya had become sufficiently groomed in the tactics of politics and politicking. Ahidjo now peacefully hands the command baton to him. Without passing through a referendum, Paul Biya in 1984 unilaterally modified the constitution and deleted the word united from the name of the country and thus created present day republic of Cameroon. By this singular act, Biya commits the fifth capital sin against Anglophones, the fifth deception, barely two years of taking over power, as if he was handed power only for this reason. That was how Francophones were able to falsify the history of the two Cameroons and eroded the Anglo-saxon heritage of the Anglophones.

            For six years running, John Ngu Foncha tried without success to get Biya to call a franc dialogue between Francophones and Anglophones. Frustrated, he resigned his post as Vice President of the CPDM party and allowed Biya to fully assume responsibility for the new developments in the country. In his resignation letter Foncha wrote: “All through my 40 years of political career, I led the campaigns for the unification of the two Cameroons; I moved from village to village in East Cameroon, at the risk of my life, to calm down the terrorism that was rocking the country….

            During this period i won the confidence of many Cameroonians, and when the first elections were to be organized many requested me to stand against Ahidjo. But I decided to keep the post of vice-president just to avoid unnecessary conflicts and possible bloodshed…. (Today), in my rather exalted capacity as vice-president of our national party, i find it difficult to use my position to influence any political decision of the party and the nation, and this is because my multiple requests to meet the president in audience to talk with him on important issues affecting the state have been systematically frustrated. All memos I wrote and sent to him on important questions of national interest were simply ignored…..i have therefore decided to tender my resignation with effect from today, 9 June 1990.”

Appeasement Time?

Three Lawyers Visit Sesekou Ayuk Tabe & Co at the SED

Sesekou Ayuk Tabe may be brought to the public soon

The news that started like a rumour has finally been confirmed. Lawyers to defend the Chairman of the Interim Government (IG) of Southern Cameroons/Ambazonia, Sesekou Ayuk Tabe Julius, can now visit him at the Gendarmerie Headquarters, SED, in Yaounde.

            Sesekou Ayuk and 46 others were visited by three lawyers on Friday last week, at the SED, it has been confirmed. The lawyers are Barristers Mujem Fombad, Chief Abia Ngute and Louisa Asongwe.

            We could confirm that the three lawyers met and talked with the detainees on several issues but dwelt essentially on their eventual trial which is expected to begin sooner than later.

            Arrested in Abuja, Nigeria on 5 January 2018 as they were holding a meeting ostensibly to discuss the Anglophone struggle, Sesekou and the others were days later, airlifted to Yaounde and kept incommunicado in an unknown ‘prison’. Nobody had seen or had access to them since for six months that they were arrested.

             Their incommunicado detention left many wondering if they were still alive and safe. Not even confirmation by the government spokesman, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, on RFI, months ago, that “all the persons arrested in Nigeria and brought to Cameroon are alive and safe” could convince the supporters of Sesekou that he and his collaborators were safe.

            The confirmation therefore by their lawyers that they actually met and talked with them is not only proof that they are alive but will certainly help to douse the frustration and tension that was since created in the minds of their followers by their incommunicado detention.

Anglophone Crisis:

More Fleeing Refugees find Succor in Kumba

Many more war victims have sought refuge in Kumba

More and more internally displaced persons (IDPs) have continued to flood the streets of Kumba in the Southwest Region. The fleeing populations are victims of renewed hostilities between government forces and separatist fighters in several towns and villages of the SW. The fighting at times culminates in the burning of private homes and whole villages. This has caused many people to flee to safer abodes.

            The suspected presence of separatist fighters on the outskirts of Kumba III that borders with Mbanga in the Littoral Region and Tombel in Kupe Muanenguba, has triggered the influx of many refugies into Kumba, where there is relative calm and better security guarantees.

            Displaced persons and their relatives easily get immersed into the frenzy of the city, while those who cannot find a host have sought safe abode in churches.

In one of the battles against separatists around Mombo, a neighbourhood in Kumba III, a gendarme was feared killed. Security sources said they neutralized separatists who stormed the zone.

Bamenda:

Slow Execution of Social Housing Project Irks Minister

Housing Minister, Jean Claude Mbwentchou

“I am not only disappointed, but very, very disappointed with what I have seen on the field today, most especially, the ongoing construction of low-cost housing at Mile five Nkwen, which is a social scheme to improve on the standard of living of the population. From what I have seen, this project and more cannot be completed before November this year, and as such, I have given firm instructions to all the stakeholders that the project must be realized before 31 March 2019.

            The minister of housing and urban development, Jean Claude Mbwentchou, expressed his indignation over the weekend as he came visiting projects executed and those earmarked for construction and rehabilitation. He said what angered him most, was the fact that he visited the construction site last year and work was going on well, and one year after, realization is at 10 percent only. In other places, realisation is still very low at 20 percent.

            He, therefore, urged Northwest governor and the government delegate to the Bamenda City Council to be very strict in supervising the projects, because, as he put it; “People cannot be spending money leaving Yaounde and coming here spending two or three days and they rush back when work is not progressing.”

            The Minister equally called on the Moroccan company in charge of constructing 100 low-cost houses to ensure that the new deadline is respected, else serious sanctions will be meted against them for breach of contract. To the population of the Northwest region, the minister said without peace there will be no construction of roads and houses. He wondered aloud when the burning of houses will stop.

Response to Violence in NW & SW:

Biya’s Humanitarian Plan Will Change Nothing

– Hon. Joshua Osih, SDF Presidential Candidate

By Tanyi Kenneth Musa in Yaounde

Joshua Osih

Opposition SDF candidate for the 2018 presidential election has said that the urgent humanitarian plan proposed by president Biya as solution to the ongoing hostilities in NW and SW will not work the magic; it will simply not work. According to Osih, not only is plan badly timed it’s huge budget features nowhere in the state budget.

            “It is surprising that they adopt such a plan when Cameroon is on the brink of bankruptcy. What is the more intriguing is that they are talking of a plan with a huge budget even when there is no provision for such a plan in the 2018 state budget.”

            “… Today they want to use the tax payers’ money to try to buy peoples’ consciences; I don’t think it will work,” declared Joshua Osih in an interview on RFI.

            Announcing the humanitarian relief assistance last week, the government talked of a total of 84 soldiers and police officers killed in the ongoing conflict in NW and SW since October 2017. Yaounde also accused armed separatist groups of burning 120 schools and of recruiting child soldiers. This was sharply denied by the self-proclaimed Commander of the Ambazonia Defence Forces, ADF, Cho Ayaba Lucas.

            «It was the Government of Cameroon that declared war on Ambazonians. And we had since warned President Biya that we would defend our people and our territory from external brutality by his regime. So, we owe no excuses to Cameroon if soldiers are killed in the ensuing conflict,” Ayaba said on his facebook page.

            “There are more than 160 000 internally displaced persons due to the activities of government forces, who burn down villages and send combat helicopters to kill civilians. Many families were forcefully displaced by the soldiers,” noted Cho Ayaba.

            He added: « We have identified the schools burnt by government forces. There is the GHS Bamenda for instance that soldiers occupied for weeks and which was burnt in the night. We also know that in some villages civilians set fire on some schools, but these civilians are not members of the ADF which is a responsible force»

Prime Minister Philemon Yang on Wednesday 20 June 2018 announced the Urgent Humanitarian Plan proposed by President Paul Biya to rehabilitate displaced persons and reconstruct destroyed property in NW and SW. He said the plan budgets 12,7 billion francs CFA (about 20 million euros) to be financed by « the state budget, call for national solidarity and contributions from international partners».

            It is believed that by this plan President Paul Biya has realized that the violence in the NW and SW cannot be solved by military force; a change of strategy could be expedient. And this may just be the turning point.

Briefs

Kumba Bailiff Kidnapped

Compiled by Doh Bertrand Nua in K’ba

A Kumba-based bailiff, Ngalame Bwang Romanus, has been kidnapped around Malende along the Kumba-Buea highway. He was kidnapped by unknown gunmen as he was travelling to Kumba from Buea. He had gone to Buea to make burial arrangements for his late father. Driving back to Kumba their bus was stopped by security officers for routine checks before armed separatists surfaced from the bush. The security officers escaped to the bush when the gunmen surfaced, we learned. Ngalame was the only one kidnapped.

Fallout of Anglophone Crisis:

Food Prices Rise Sharply in Kumba Due to Shortage

-There is fear of famine on the horizon

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

Chamberlain Ntou’ou Ndong

The SDO for Meme has raised an alarm about the shortage of food supply and an acute increase in the prices of basic food items and other necessities in Kumba.

            Chamberlain Ntou’ou Ndong made the observation during a meeting he chaired at his office on Friday 22 June 2018.  The meeting brought together municipal authorities in Kumba, heads of security services, representatives of traders associations, market managers, butchers and the Delegates of Livestock and that of Trade and Commerce among several others. 

            The SDO declared that if nothing is done with immediate effect, Kumba risk being hit by famine as the constant road blocks, harassment, kidnappings, arson on trucks, seizure of goods and extortion of huge sums from business persons by the ‘Ambazonia’ forces has forced many farmers and importers to suspend their activities.

            “Innocent business persons are harassed by the ‘Ambazonia’ boys thereby causing untold suffering. About 20 trucks carrying food and other goods have been burnt along the Kumba-Buea highway. One tomato now sells at 100frs in Kumba; domestic gas sells at 15 000frs instead of 6700frs; there is scarcity of petrol and gasoline; a 50 kilogram of rice now sells at 25 000frs up from 14.000frs etc etc,” the SDO observed, calling on all to collaborate with the security forces to fish out suspected ‘Amba’’ elements from neighborhoods.

            He reassured the population of adequate measures to be put in place to curb the food shortage.

That Depressing Amnesty International Report on the Anglophone Crisis

By Ekinneh Agbaw-Ebai*

The alarm bell sounded by Amnesty International on the vicious cycle of violence currently taking place in the Anglophone regions is hardly surprising, coming as it were amidst the grotesque campaign of human savagery and barbarism by murderous nihilistic soldiers, responsible for the brutal killing of hundreds of innocent Anglophones and burning down over 100 villages till date. In its latest report, the London-based human rights group said “security forces have tortured people, fired on crowds and destroyed villages, in a spiral of violence that keeps getting more deadly.” Amnesty said security forces have tortured at least 23 people, including minors to extract confessions, while Ambazonia fighters have killed at least 44 security forces and targeted suspected Anglophone sympathizers ofthe Biya regime. The report is bound to cause consternation within and outside Cameroon with adverse consequences for the army chain of command, including President Biya as commander-in-chief, who risks potential criminal liability for individual or command responsibility for war crimes of murder, torture, extra-judicial executions and enforced disappearances. It is certainly impossible to live down the damning report, but the combative government riposte of dismissing the report as biased;accusing AI of hostility is an unacceptable impudent display of statecraft. Any effort to discredit AI will instead attract global opprobrium against Cameroon, which might inevitably lead to the nation’s military and political leaders being dragged to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague for prosecution.

            Titled: “A turn for the worse: Violence and human rights violations in Anglophone Cameroon,” the reportwhich is based on in-depth interviews with victims and eye-witnesses, and material evidence including satellite images, documents how Anglophones are paying the highest price as violence escalates in the North West and South West regions. The report details a range of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity committed by security forces deployed to counter the Anglophone insurgency. Amnesty particularly noted that: “People in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions are in the grip of a deadly cycle of violence. Security forces have indiscriminately killed, arrested and tortured people during military operations which have also displaced thousands of civilians.”

            According to the report, victims described being blindfolded and severely beaten with sticks, ropes, wires and guns, as well as being electrocuted and burnt with hot water. Some were beaten until they lost consciousness, and Amnesty documented that at least one person died in custody. One man who was arrested on December 13, 2017 in Dadi gave a harrowing account of the torture he suffered: “… They tied our hands behind our backs, gagged us and tied our faces with our towels and shorts, which they tore. They then made us lie in the water, face down for about 45 minutes… During three days, they beat us with shovels, hammers, planks, and cables, kicked us with their boots and poured hot water on us… when I tried to move and shouted, one of them used the cigarette he was smoking to burn me.”

With Amba Forces Now In Control:

Tinto Mayor Cries for Help, Says Upper Bayang is Ungovernable

By Ticha Melanis in Limbe

Tinto Mayor, Chief Bate Epey Robert

The mayor of Tinto municipality in Upper Bayang, Manyu division has said that his municipality has been overrun by Ambazonia Defence Forces and he does not feel secure to stay back and manage the council area. He, just like most of the council staff and other government functionaries working in Tinto have all fled to safer destinations.

            Chief Prof. Bate Epey Robert was speaking Friday, in Limbe, as he emerged from his hideout to attend the councils’ development follow-up meeting dubbed “Performance Basket 2018” organized by PNDP. The event is organized annually to evaluate the progress made by councils in terms of performance, development and projects execution.

            Intriguingly, of the 31 mayors of the SW expected at the meeting in Limbe, only five could attend. The others complained of insecurity in their localities that has made it impossible for them to travel out.

            In a rather pathetic tone, Chief Bate Epey said his municipality and all of Upper Bayang sub-division have been rendered incommodious by the gun battles and hostilities occasioned by separatist Amba fighters. He says his municipality has come to a standstill; the populations and administrators have all fled to safer destinations. Not even the few security officers posted in Tinto have mustered the courage to stay and face the deadly Amba boys, he lamented.

After 4 days of blockage and hostilities:

 Abandoned Corpses Litter Kumba-Buea Highway  

-20 trucks with goods burnt, drivers & cattle herdsmen kidnapped

-Over 1000 bags of Rice, many cows burnt or carted away

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

A military operation on Wednesday June 20, 2018 successfully opened the Kumba-Buea road after it was blocked for four days by ‘Ambazonia’ separatist fighters. Passengers who witnessed the opening revealed that the military spent two and a half hours in the process. The opening comes after series of gun battles and confrontations between the military and elements of the ‘Ambazonia’ fighters that ensued during the four days.

            The security forces were accompanied in the process by the passengers who helped in lifting the huge tree trunks, sand, bricks, stones, sticks, and other items that were used in blocking the road. An effort to open the road by the military on the Tuesday 19 June 2018 did yield much fruit as it was blocked later in the night by the ‘Ambazoniua’ boys.

            The fighting it should be recalled started on Friday June 15, 2018 along the Kumba-Buea road highway axis around the locality of Ekona. It continued through Saturday June 16 right up to Tuesday June 19.

            Separatist fighters mounted road blocks on several spots on the road especially in the locality of Ekona near Buea, Muyuka, Mbalangi, Ediki and Banga. These halted movement, leaving several travellers stranded and frustrated. Many were forced to trek several kilometres to complete the journey while others passed several nights along the road. Others were forced to postpone their trips and business activities in these towns were all grounded.

Solidarity With War Victims:

Littoral Elite Raise Fcfa 11 million for Anglophones

Governor of Littoral, Ivaha Diboua

The sum of eleven million (11.300.000) francs cfa has been collected by elites of the Littoral Region as their contribution to the emergency relief plan ordered by president Biya.

            The collection was done at a fund-raising forum called by the governor of Littoral, Ivaha Diboua. The amount collected is not all to be provided by elites of Littoral. The collection will continue until the 2nd of July, when the total sum collected will be channeled to the management committee headed by the MINADT in Yaounde.

Kumba Police Commissioner Kidnapped

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

Amba fighters have resorted to targeted kidnappings

Kidnapping of elements of security forces and other civilians has continued to inundate the Kumba-Buea highway. The latest of such is the kidnapping of the Special Branch Police Commissioner of Kumba II Sub-Division.

            Ngong James was kidnapped early last week as ‘Ambazonia’ separatist fighters mounted road blocks along the highway. News of his kidnapped spread like bushfire on Tuesday June 19, 2018allong the security corridors in Kumba. A security source revealed to this reporter that the commissioner was kidnapped around the locality of Mbalangi and Bombe Bakundu in the Buea road axis of Mbonge Sub-Division.

            Our source revealed he was returning fromFako Division after spending the weekend with his family. Ngong James was caught up in the road block mounted by ‘Amba’ forces among hundreds of other passengers. It is revealed he was amongst other passengers who defied the road block to trek several kilometres all in an attempt to get to Kumba.

UB Wins Hackathon Yello-Care 2018

Pay on the spot, your child’s school fees in any high school in Cameroon thanks to MTN Mobile Money. This innovative idea of the College of Technology of the University of Buea enabled this institution to occupy the first position of the competition for developers organized by MTN Cameroon from 16 to 17 June 2018 at GICAM in Douala.

            T

The winners with their mentor and MTN Cameroon 

he idea of the team from the South-West is to deploy a platform enabling to pay school fees and other exam charges at the local level in absolute security, on the spot. Their demonstration before the jury illustrated how the solution functions from a website, and notably underscored the capacity of students from the University of Buea to integrate the effective and secure payment via Mobile Money.

            For same competition, the team from the Faculty of Industrial Engineering of the University of Douala came second. Their project: payment of toll gate charges with Mobile Money. An approach which reduces the time spent by drivers at the toll gates throughout the country. Moreover, securitize revenue and ensure its traceability in real time. Another specificity of the project by this Faculty is that, other types of activities can function on their platform.

            The team from the National Advanced School of Posts, Telecommunications and Information and Communication Technologies (SUP’PTIC) occupied the third position with a project on E-commerce.Their candidates proposed a mobile application that enables any client to search a specific article from certain features such as the image or price and search for the merchant, sales venue, distance between the client and merchant as well as pay via MTN Mobile Money.

36 Graduate from AIMS Cameroon, Limbe

By Ticha Melanis in Limbe

36 Graduate from AIMS Cameroon, Limbe

The African institute of mathematical sciences AIMS Cameroon on Wednesday June 20th 2018 graduated the 5th cohort of 36 students (11 females and 25 males) from 15 African countries with a Master's degree in Mathematical sciences after undergoing a 10months intensive program.

            The graduation ceremony took place at the Limbe city council hall under the patronage of the minister of higher education. The minister was represented by the SG of higher education Prof. Wilfred Nyongbet Gabsa who congratulated the graduates for excellence and urge them to be torch bearers and true ambassadors of the institution where ever they find themselves.

             He was enthusiastic as the best graduating student was from Cameroon. He equally congratulated the entire staff of AIMS for their dynamic efforts to make the students succeed through innovative pedagogical approach as well as inviting both national and international Mathematical Guru to lecture students from their expertise and knowledge.

              Wilfred Ngongbet said at this stage of the society, the world is going scientific and thanks to institutions like AIMS, they are making people and students understand that they are living in a mathematical world and he is certain that the training the graduates have received from AIMS will always be at the center stage of the emergence and development of African and the world.

            Speaking during the solemn occasion, the guest speaker Barrister Nico Halle lauded the graduating students on their patience and zeal to succeed during the intensive program.

            He spoke on integrity which is one of the four cardinal principles of the institution. Nico Halle said it is very important now than ever before in the world for everybody to uphold integrity for it is a moral value that can build a nation.

            "If you don't have integrity your training is a waste for education without morality amounts to is merely training clever devils which amounts nothing. We have to realise that African which the most endowed continent of the world is the poorest because we never seek the face of God in solving our problems and we don't use the core values that propel us to succeed in society" said the peace crusader.

            He went further to cite the Anglophone crisis as a case to look at because there is the absence of peace which is an aspect of integrity. He therefore called on the graduates to shun all forms of falsehood and setbacks that will destroy their newly acquired skills which most needed for the development of Africa. "Before doing anything think about your legacy and strive to make a difference," said Nico Halle.

            In his welcome speech, the government delegate to the Limbe city council Andrew Motanga expressed his joy for Limbe having been amongst the selected cities to host AIMS and said it is due to the availability of big companies in the city whose activities are connected to science that goes with mathematics.

Interview: Babies Die of Sickle Cell Yearly.

- Dr. Denis Nsame, Dir. L’be Reg. Hospital

Cameroon on 19 June 2018 commemorated world sickle cell day under the theme "sickle cell and blood donation, a gift for life.” Sickle cell is a chronic inherited disease affecting mostly Africans. Reason why the government of Cameroon is taking all necessary measures to step up its fight and prevention. In the following interview The Median’s Ticha Melanis sought to know from the Director of the Limbe Regional Hospital, Dr. Denis Nsame, the cause, manifestation, incidence and management of the disease in Cameroon.

Dr. Denis Nsame

*What is sickle cell anaemia and how is it contracted?

      Sickle cell is anaemia is a chronic disease and hereditary disease. Hereditary meaning you cannot have it if not from birth. Sickle cell is the malfunction of the hemoglobin (red blood cells). This is because the red blood cells assume a crescent shape instead of the normal disc-shaped. When this happens, the red cells cannot carry oxygen adequately to nearby tissues. This is because with its abnormal crescent shape the diseased red blood cells cannot flow through smaller blood vessels.

*How does one know they have sickle cell anaemia?

      You cannot read on the face that someone has sickle cell. It is a genetic disease transmitted from parents to their children. To be sickle cell patient, it means you have the gen of SS which indicate the parents were carriers either AS and AS or AS and SS. Those suffering from the disease suffer a lot of pains and are generally anaemic because their red blood cell are always destroyed and they are prone to infections since their blood stagnates and allows for any germs to grow causing headache, passage of blood in urine, shortness of breath amongst others.

*How is sickle cell diagnosed?

     Diagnosis is through a blood test. It is done through electrophoresis of the hemoglobin which will indicate if you are AA, AS or SS. If you are AA it means you are normal, AS indicates sickle cell trait while SS indicates you have sickle cell anemia. The result of the test usually takes up to 14 days to come out.

*How can sickle cell be prevented?

        It is advisable for people wishing to get married to carry out a blood test so as to know their status. If a couple is AS/AS there is a 25% chance of them having a sickle cell child. But it is up to them to decide. Doctors are just there to advice and inform them on the risks involved. It is advisable for an AS person to partner with someone who is AA.

*Can the disease be cured?

There is no cure per say but it can be managed. There is bone marrow transplant for children with severe case of the disease but in Cameroon, it is much more refined medically and there is still a lot of research going on. The bone marrow transplant alleviates your condition and reduces the risk of the patient having a crisis. But it won't change your genetic status. If sickle cell patients don't have treatment they may die before the age of 5 because of the complications that come with the disease. If they have good medical follow up, they can bypass this age and live for more than 20 years with less crisis. The crises are more in the younger age.

Anglophone Crisis:

Gendarme Killed, 2 Others Kidnapped in Mutengene

By Boris Esono in Buea

Pandemonium gripped Mutengene as Unknown 

gunmen kill one Gendarme and kidnapped two others

A gendarmerie officer was killed and two others kidnapped by unknown men in Muengene in the SW region, reports said. The incident that occurred last June 21, 2018 has seen a huge military deployment in the area.

             According to reports, unknown gunmen stormed the gendarmerie checkpoint along the Mutengene-Limbe highway requesting the gendarmes to disarm and surrender. Shots were then reported leading to the demise of a gendarmerie officer while his two other colleagues surrendered. They were then taken to an unknown destination.

Few hours later, security forces stormed the streets of Mutengene firing several rounds in the air to displace inhabitants. Many took to their heels in to bushes in search of safety.

            Reports have it that, since unknown gunmen gave an ultimatum for security officials to leave the area, the total number of people killed stands at 2 while 4 have been kidnapped.

            The crisis that has spilled over to certain areas in Fako has caused panic and fear to many who see the crisis only getting worse.

2018 Tree Planting Campaign:

MINFOF Disburses FCFA 69m to Five SW Councils

By Boris Esono in Buea

Governor Okalia Bilai plants a tree to launch the 

2018 Tree Planting Campaign in the SWR

The Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, MINFOF has made available the sum of 69 million FCFA to five councils for the planting of trees in the southwest region. This was during the launching of the 2018 reforestation campaign for the SWR in Buea. The theme this year is “Together let’s fight against climate change by restoring degraded forests”. 

            The councils include: Buea, Tombel, Kumba I and III and Mbonge.

            16 conventions were also signed between the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife and the five councils selected.

            The beneficiaries were divided into two categories: councils benefitting for the first time and those that already had conventions with the MINFOF. The first category received FCFA 5million each for the establishment of 12.5 hectares of tree plantations of five thousand trees each, while the second category got FCFA 7million each to plant 17.5 hectares of five thousand trees each.

            Following statistics from MINFOF, in the last six years the ministry has put at the disposal of councils, NGOs, CIGs a total of 617 million (six hundred and seventeen million) for the planting of 1,850 hectares of tree plantations in the SW.

            To the SW delegate of MINFOF, Isola Dipanda, various measures have been put in place to see to it that the beneficiary councils effectively carry out tree planting in their council areas.

            “This year will not be like past years as there will be serious follow-up of the implementation and execution of the project. The follow up will be done by the respective chiefs of post who will work together with the recipients… Sanctions provided by the Ministry will be applied on those who misuse the funds.”

Messi is Running out of Time to Save Argentina's World Cup

For Lionel Messi, the time is now. Time to score at the World Cup. Time to save Argentina from another crushing disappointment. Time to live up to his reputation as one of the world's best players. Time to end questions about his performance in the biggest games.

            One thing there isn't time for is celebration. Messi turned 31 on Sunday, two days before Tuesday's must-win game against Nigeria.

            Nigeria would advance with a win, and a draw might be enough for the Super Eagles depending on group leader Croatia's result against Iceland.

            Other stars have come through at this World Cup. Messi's great rival, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, has scored four goals. So has Belgium's Romelu Lukaku. Neymar has a goal for Brazil. Toni Kroos scored when Germany desperately needed it.

            The only thing Messi has accumulated after two matches is mounting pressure.

            To leave Russia without even making it past the group stage would be a massive humiliation for Messi. It would also strengthen the impression some fans have of him back home, which is of a maverick genius who goes missing in critical international matches.

            His only medal with Argentina came 10 years ago — at the Summer Olympics — but other than that there have been only demoralizing defeats.

            Messi was kept quiet in the World Cup final four years ago as Argentina lost 1-0 to Germany. Messi also played for Argentina when it lost the Copa America final in 2007 — when he didn't shoulder much blame because of his youth — and in 2015 and 2016.

            After the loss to Chile two years ago, Messi missed a penalty in the shootout and then announced his retirement. But he changed his mind, desperate to make things right by leading Argentina to World Cup success.

            It was Messi's hat trick — in the final qualifying match at Ecuador — that got Argentina to Russia in the first place.

            Considering he will be 35 at the next tournament, this may be his last chance. Tuesday's game, therefore, is make-or-break not just for his country but also for him.

            So far in this tournament, he has missed a penalty — which was poorly taken — in the 1-1 draw against Iceland. Then he had a frustrating game in the 3-0 loss to Croatia. The widely accepted view is that Messi didn't get enough help from his teammates and wasn't getting the ball to his feet quickly enough to trouble the slick Croats.

            It's a convenient argument when applied to most forwards, but Messi is unique and beyond comparison with all current players except Ronaldo.

            He is a five-time Golden Ball winner, a scorer of 552 club goals for Barcelona — not to mention 64 for his country — and dozens of hat tricks.

            If his teammates can't find a way to play to his strengths, Messi should still be good enough to produce at least one moment of magic.

            There were rumors in the Argentine media that beleaguered coach Jorge Sampaoli wouldn't even be on the field against Nigeria after players asked that he be removed.

            Argentina's football association president, Claudio Taipa, put that talk to rest on Sunday, but he didn't provide much clarity about the coach's future. Sampaoli has a contract that runs through the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

            "You have seen the coach and the team training," Tapia told reporters. "It's clear that what you are saying is a lie."

            Tension has been evident at practice, too. Sampaoli gave Messi a birthday greeting on Sunday, kissing his star player on the cheek and patting him on the back. But then there was no further contact between the two.

            On Saturday, most players trained with their heads down, while Sampaoli asked them to run for only a few minutes. He then implored them to "play and have fun as usual."

            While Sampaoli is under huge strain as he fights to save his reputation, Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr faces less pressure.

Cup of Cameroon preliminaries:

EEMSA, Opopo, CUSA Qualify

By Boris Esono in Buea

EEMSA Tiko bracing up for another participation in the Cup of Cameroon

EEMSA of Tiko, Victoria United alias Opopo and Catholic University Sports Academy, CUSA of Buea have booked their tickets for the 32nd edition of the Cup of Cameroon to represent the south west region.

            One of the most formidable clubs this year in the regional championship, Victoria United FC of Limbe alias OPOPO will be hoping to go one step better after they were knocked out last year at the semifinal stage by eventual champions New Stars of Douala.

            In the last round qualifiers, Victoria United booked their tickets by beating Future Soccer Stars Academy 1-0. The goal was scored thanks to Midodo Chiani.  Earlier, Vicoria United had outsmarted archrivals and Limbe base team LIFCA.

            Alongside Victoria United is EEMSA Tiko that eliminated Njalla Quan sports Academy, NQSA on post-match penalty shootout 3 goals to 2. At 90mins, the two sides were deadlocked at 1-all. EEMSA, the boyhood club of current UMS Loum captain, Joel Etogue, represented the region last year but was eliminated by DAC 2000 in the 64th finals.

WORLD CUP - GROUP H: Poland 0-3 Colombia

With two assists in this game, James has been involved 

in 10 of Colombia's past 14 World Cup goals

Radamel Falcao scored his first World Cup goal as Colombia got their tournament in Russia up and running with an impressive victory that ended a lacklustre Poland side's hopes of reaching the last 16.

Yerry Mina nodded in James Rodriguez's cross shortly before half-time to put the South Americans ahead.

            Falcao then broke through in the second half before driving a low strike into the far corner and Juan Cuadrado capped off a fine team performance with an accomplished finish after racing on to James' sublime ball behind the Poland defence.

            It was a much improved performance by Colombia following the disappointing 2-1 defeat by Japan in their Group H opener and will give their fans hope they can at least match their run to the quarter-finals in 2014.

            In contrast, this was another disappointing display by Poland, who lost to Senegal in their group opener.

            Robert Lewandowski, making his World Cup debut in Russia, struggled with a lack of service throughout, the Bayern Munich striker going closest in the final few minutes when a long-range effort was tipped over by David Ospina.

            Poland cannot now catch either Japan or Senegal, who have four points from two games. Colombia have three points and play Senegal on Thursday knowing victory could secure top spot.

            It was four years ago to the day that Colombia thrashed Japan 4-1 to finish top of their group at the 2014 World Cup - a result that made many observers stand up and take notice of the South Americans as contenders.

            They went on to reach the last eight in Brazil, with James scoring six goals to claim the Golden Boot, and in this victory both the team and the player were back to their best after some underwhelming performances over the course of the past four years.

            Injury denied the Bayern Munich star a place in the first XI as Colombia lost their opening group game in Russia 2-1 to Japan but he returned to the starting line-up against Poland and provided the creativity his side so badly lacked in their previous outing.

Honda goal gives Japan a 2-2 draw with Senegal at World Cup

There was a touch of fortune about Sadio Mane's goal but he went on to provide some of Senegal's best moments as they secured what could be a crucial point.

Japan and Senegal remain well placed to reach the knockout stage of the World Cup - and a last-16 date with England or Belgium - after an entertaining draw in Ekaterinburg.

Keisuke Honda came off the bench in the second half and scored in the 78th minute, giving the Japanese a 2-2 draw with Senegal on Sunday at the World Cup.

            The 32-year-old Honda, a former AC Milan forward, became the first Japanese player to score at three World Cups.

            The draw keeps the two teams at the top of Group H ahead of their final matches.

            Sadio Mane gave Senegal the lead in the 11th minute with his first World Cup goal.

            Moussa Wague crossed from the right, but Genki Haraguchi failed to properly clear the ball. Youssouf Sabaly then sent a shot toward goal that Eiji Kawashima was unable to control and Mane tapped it into the net.

            Japan struck back in the 34th minute when Takashi Inui scored with a low shot from inside the area after receiving a pass from Yuto Nagamoto on a quick counterattack. It was Japan's first shot on goal in the match, and it changed the run of play.

England beat Panama 6-1 and look to the World Cup knockout rounds

- As it happened

World Cup 2018: England 6-1 Panama highlights

Harry Kane got a hat-trick, John Stones grabbed a brace and Jesse Lingard played excellently and scored a gorgeous goal as England ran riot

Harry Kane played a captain's role once more with a hat-trick to become the tournament's leading scorer, as England built on their opening victory against Tunisia with an impressive show of ruthlessness and quality.

            John Stones opened the scoring with an early header before Kane added the second with a thunderous penalty after Jesse Lingard had been fouled.

            Lingard added the third in the 36th minute with a brilliant curling effort from 25 yards and, as Panama crumbled, Stones crowned a slick set-piece routine by heading his second and Kane made it 5-0 before half-time with another penalty after he was wrestled to the ground.

Front Page

Cameroon Gov’t Vs Ambassador Barlerin:

Arguments in Defense of the US Ambassador

Rather than castigate the US Ambassador for advising Biya to step down after 36 years in power, Cameroonians should hail Ambassador Barlerin for speaking truth to power. It’s time for Biya to go.

By Ekinneh Agbaw-Ebai, Boston, USA

US Ambassador, Peter Henry Barlerin

If there ever was any doubt about the abysmal level to which governance or leadership in Cameroon has fallen and how small the minds are in very high places, the utterly reckless and bizarre response to the US Ambassador, Peter Henry Barlerin, for advising President Biya to think about his legacy; a move interpreted by Yaoundé as a call for Biya to step down, is a melodrama which speaks to the intemperate desperation of Cameroon’s vampire elite in their quest for Biya to remain in power, and provide cannon fodder for their bare-face corruption and pillage of the nation’s wealth. In a release after an audience with President Biya at the Unity Palace last May 17, the US envoy said: “…the President and I discussed upcoming elections. ‎I suggested to the President that he should be thinking about his legacy and how he wants to be remembered in the history books to be read by generations to come, and proposed that George Washington and Nelson Mandela‎ were excellent models.”

            While lamenting the absence of dialogue which has escalated the Anglophone crisis, Ambassador Barlerin indicted security forces for “targeted killings, detentions without access to legal support, family, or the Red Cross, and burning and looting of villages.”Jolted by self-righteous indignation and a mundane craving to ingratiate themselves to the corridors of power, gaffing, goofing, dilatory goons, masquerading as intellectuals and opinion leaders; including fifth columnists and sundry regime apologists, took to the airwaves to castigate the Ambassador; casting banal, vituperative aspersions on his person and declaring him, persona non-grata.

            The bile and vitriol, including the obnoxious threat by one Banda Kani; who on live TV, said Ambassador Barlerin will return to America in a coffin, is a diplomatic sacrilege that does not edify Cameroon as a nation. Cameroon deserves better.

            The impropriety of inflaming primordial sentiments against a resident ambassador is simply mind-boggling and inexcusable. And never again should it happen! The attacks, like the sycophants behind them, are not only pathetic; they are cheap and only reinforce Cameroon’s image as a banana republic with highly dysfunctional institutions where bizarre things can happen. In the event, the civic callousness by self-seeking morons who plumbed the abyss of diplomatic rascality and drag the nation to a hitherto unprecedented low; did a great disservice to the nation. This is a shame and Cameroonians deserve full explanation for this embarrassment.

            On the face of it, there is nothing the Ambassador said that has not been in the domain of public discourse. Images of arrests, torture, executions and burning of Anglophone villages have gone viral on social media. It also does not require a rocket scientist to figure out that Biya is tired. At 85, Biya is far on the left side of the average age of African Presidents which is 63; that’s pension time, or nearing it, in most countries. Put in context, the European equivalent is 55; which is also the average age of American presidents at their inauguration. Since taking office in 1982, Biya has seen five French presidents including Francois Mitterrand, Jacques Chirac, Nicolas Sarkozy, Francois Hollande and Emmanuel Macron. In the same period, Americans have elected six different presidents – Ronald Reagan, George H Bush, Bill Clinton, George W Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Biya is also Africa’s oldest president and the second longest- serving ruler; behind Equatorial Guinea’s Obiang Nguema, in power for 38 years.