Monday 16 March 2020

Front page


Anglophone Elites React


It Is Sheer Stupidity
 – Bony Dashaco, CEO Dashaco Holdings
Bony Dashaco
If it is not stupidity then I should say it is sheer cowardice for any Anglophone, and a South Westerner for that matter to want to become Speaker of the National Assembly at this time. Does it stem from half education or what? I think it is high time people submerged their selfish interests and put the interests of the nation in front. When you clamour to become president of the National Assembly, how is that going to help Anglophones? The times are very crucial, and we have a capable Prime Minister who has done so much in such a little time, struggling to make things better for Cameroonians and the Anglophones in particular. When some small quantities say they want to become president of the Assembly, I think it is sheer selfishness and foolishness. People should stop chasing the wind because it is not going to work. And if I may ask, why is this coming only when the PM is not coming from Fako? Or is it written somewhere that a PM from the SW should only come from Fako? I think those who are behind this devilish plot should be reminded that President Biya is knowledgeable and experienced enough and he knows what is good for the Anglophones.

Power Succession in Parliament:



An Anglophone To Succeed Cavaye Yeguie As Northerners Clamour for PM Post?

-Press reports last week highlighted alleged manoeuvres by some Anglophone MPs who are said to have ganged up with Northern elite in a plot to oust Cavaye Yegiue from his Glass Palace top seat and replace him with an Anglophone. But analysts say if this happens, it would mean the departure of Dion Ngute from the Star Building. Anglophone political elite have not been indifferent to the development, which has sparked a vast amount of debate and speculation along the corridors of power in the capital city Yaounde. 
Story by Ayukogem Steven Ojong in Yaounde
National Assembly Speaker Cavaye Yegiue
As the National Assembly opened its doors on Tuesday for its first session as of right of the 10th legislature that is, following the legislative elections on 9 February 2020, a gush of speculation immediately swept into the political arena in Yaounde.
                The ongoing speculation is informed perhaps by the fact that the first session as of right of the National Assembly is always dedicated for just two main things viz the validation of the mandates of newly elected MPs, and the putting in place of a new bureau to run the affairs of the NA for the next legislative year.
                Given that the incumbent Speaker of the National Assembly, 80-year-old Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, has occupied the post of Speaker for 28 years (since 1992) that is, after he first entered parliament 50 years ago (Cavaye first entered parliament in 1970 and was one of the questors in 1972), political bookmakers went to work, predicting that the time is ripe for a shake-up in the power arrangement in the glass house, with the possible ouster of the Methuselah of the Assembly, Hon. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, from his coveted seat as House Speaker.
                The speculations in political circles here did not miss the attention of newsrooms in Yaounde, as several local tabloids picked up the subject and immediately sent out their prying reporters on the beat.
                In one of its banner headlines last week, L’Oeil du Sahel, the tabloid that specializes only on issues concerning or affecting the Grand North, reported that political elite of this part of the country have renewed their long time clamour for the Post of PM.
                The paper, edited by Gibai Gatama, reported that the political elite of the Grand North are pressing harder than ever before, for president Biya to hand the PM job to a son of the Grand North, if just to compensate them for the victories that this part of the country has been assuring for the Etoudi palace tenant, in successive multiparty elections, since the advent of pluri-party democracy in Cameroon in the early 1990s.
                L’Oeil du Sahel informed that elite of the Grand North argue that with their over three million registered voters, they have always been the game changer for Biya and the CPDM, in all elections since 1992, and especially at this time when the political tides appear to be turning against the 87-year-old versatile technocrat from Mvomeka, in his erstwhile strongholds in the South.
                Gibai Gatama’s paper notes for instance that in the last presidential election where president Biya harvested slightly over 78% of the total votes cast, the Grand North alone contributed 48%, with the rest of the country contributing just about 30% of the votes.
                The paper notes that in the 9 February twin municipal/legislative election, the Grand North did it again for Biya and the CPDM, winning many councils and parliamentary seats in all three regions of the Grand North.
                As if these are not enough, the ‘voice of the North’’ argues that it was their brother, Ahmadou Ahidjo, who handed the presidency to Biya, and that as they continue to wait patiently for Biya to reciprocate Ahidjo’s good gesture, it behooves the Etoudi Palace Prince to keep the people of the Grand North comfortable, in the meantime, by handing to them at least the PM’s Office, which they reckon as imbued with exorbitant executive powers which they can use to make things happen for their people.
                ‘Nordistes’ argue that the post of Speaker of the National Assembly that Cavaye Yegiue has been keeping for 28 years, does not impact the people of the Northern regions in any way; if anything it only benefits its occupant, Cavaye, and perhaps his family members.
                Northerners say they have endured the ‘ingratitude’ from the CPDM regime for too long and they think it is time for a change, LOeil du Sahel reported further, noting that the patience of the North has been in spite of the crushing poverty that is the daily lot of the huge population of the Grand North.
                It is with these and many other arguments that the Grand North elites are lobbying and mounting untold pressure on President Biya to grant them the Star Building top job, L’Oeil du Sahel affirmed, noting that the lobby this time is so strong and so well-calculated that it may take a miracle for Biya to stay adamant to the request.

Enter Anglophone MPs
                Following the L’Oeil du Sahel teaser, other newspapers joined in the fray. L’Evenement, La Nouvelle Expression and The Gaurdian Post last week also picked up the story, reporting that in their clamour for the post of PM, political elite of the Grand North thought it expedient to co-opt some Anglophone MPs to join in their fight to get Cavaye kicked out of his long-held seat as House Speaker and to make way for an Anglophone to take over the seat so that they (the Northerners) can now lay claim for the PM job.
                The calculation of the Northerners is that in the event of an Anglophone becoming the Speaker of the National Assembly it would be difficult, nay, impossible, for Biya to maintain another Anglophone as PM, the newspapers reported.
                If this happens as planned, then the incumbent PM, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, would simply become the biggest casualty in the ongoing battles for power succession and positioning at the sovereign institutions in the country notably the National Assemby, the Senate and the PM’s Office. Needless to say here that a cabinet reshuffle is expected anytime soon, after the bureau of the Senate and National assembly are constituted.
                In its lead story on Wednesday last week, The Gaurdian Post holds that some top Anglophone MPs have since ganged up with Northern elite, and they have been multiplying nocturnal meetings and fine-tuning strategies and contacting just any person(s) they believe can intercede for them and get President Biya to grant their rather indecent requests.
                Even though The Gaurdian Post did not mention any names in their story, The Median got it on good authority that a powerful Anglophone woman in the out-going bureau of National Assembly was individually cornered by the Northern lobby and she is now working in concert and independently to shore up her chances in Biya’s calculations.
                We learned that the Anglophone postulant for the House Speaker job has been so invigorated by the strong lobby by her Northern partners to the extent that she now cares less whatever consequences could be in wait for her, in the event of their quest for the Glass Palace top job and thus the PM’s Office failing to prosper.

Gov’t Grants Camtel Concession to Compete, Transform Cameroon’s Digital Economy


By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaounde
Camtel DG, Judith Yah Sunday espe Achidi and P & T Minister,  Minette Libom Li Liken 
pose with the concession documents
Government has in accordance with Article 97 of the 2010 electronic communications law granted three concession agreements to Cameroon telecommunications company, Camtel, enabling it to benefit by right operation licences for her activities and corporate purpose.
                The three concession agreements were handed over to Judith Yah Sunday espe Achidi, Director General of Camtel in an official ceremony presided over by Minister Minette Libom Li Likeng of Post and Telecommunications.
                The ceremony which brought together about eight government ministers, took place at the Yaounde Hilton, on Thursday 12 March 2020.
                The agreements include that authorising Camtel to establish and operate a mobile electronic communications network with national coverage open to the public and linked to 2G, 3G and 4G access technologies; to operate a fixed electronic communications network with national coverage open to the public by wire line access and that to operate an electronic communications network including submarine cable landing stations and teleports to satellite networks.
                In her address, Yah Sunday, described the ceremony as historic for the company and thanked President Biya for bestowing in the company and her person the confidence of transforming the country’s digital economy through Camtel.
                She hailed Minister Libom Likeng and Louis Paul Motaze of Finance for their efforts in ensuring that the concessions finally see the light of day after many years. She pledged her renewed commitment to ensure proper delivery of the tasked assigned to Camtel by government.
                While underscoring Camtel’s importance in the infrastructural heritage of electronic communications, Yah Sunday, promised to with the aid of the concession provide Cameroonians with state-of-the-art electronic communications services which will reduce the digital divide existing between urban and rural areas.
                Taking the queue, the Finance Minister, Louis Paul Motaze, revealed the concession agreements comes on the heels of recent degree reorganising the company, adding, that it indicates the importance attached by governments to it. He described Camtel as important and essential in the development of electronic communications in Cameroon and urged staff to uphold vigilance in the management of the company’s affairs and ensure remarkable outing immediately follows the agreements.
                Minister Libom explained that the concession agreements granted Camtel falls in line with global best practices in the sector that has since the late 90s witnessed a wind of change that required performance. This she said led government to strive to reposition the incumbent operator into her position as leader in the electronic communications in the country.
                The granting of the licences to Camtel enables her to officially join competitors in the sector to supply services to the public which will transform the company into a real mobile operator in terms of service quality and at affordable prices. Libom Urge all and sundry to embark on transparent management and ensure proper application of the terms of the licences and boost personnel to effectively play their role as telecom leaders not just in the country but across the sub region.

Election of Senate Bureau:


 Aboubakary Abdoulaye to Replace Niat?

Sources say it may take just a slight push for Biya to confirm the Lamido of Rey Bouba, Aboubakary Abdoulaye, as President of the Senate. Aboubakary is currently the Senior Vice President of the Senate. He assumed the interim and has been representing the Senate ever since the Senate President, Niat Njifendi, took temporal leave to attend to his failing health.
By Ayukogem Steven Ojong in Yaounde


Just a little push from the North, and Biya will confirm Aboubakary Abdoulaye as President of the Upper House of Parliament.
                Currently the Senior Vice President of the Senate, Aboubakary Abdoulaye, assumed the interim ever since the senate President, Marcel Niat Njifendi, took seriously ill and has been away for medical attention.
               
Aboubakary Abdoulaye
With Niat’s condition not improving, the President may just decide to relieve him of his duties to give him adequate time and space to rest and to concentrate on his health concerns.
                If this is the thinking of the head of state, then he would need a suitable candidate to replace Niat at the Senate. Political bookmakers say Aboubakary Abdoulaye may just be catapulted to the Senate top seat. He would thus become not only the second personality of the state but also the heir apparent to the coveted Etoudi Palace.
                A graduate of the prestigious School of Administration and Magistracy, Enam, Aboubakary was Secretary of State for Agriculture before succeeding his late father as the all-powerful Lamido of Rey Bouba.
                Having grown up as a prince, and given his late father’s privilege relations with Ahidjo and then Biya, Aboubakary is not a stranger in the corridors of power. But knowing what has usually befallen those who have manifested ambitions in the past to succeed Biya as President of the republic, the monarch of Rey Bouba has since advised himself to stay timid and self-effacing.
                And this is despite his appointment by Biya as the CPDM boss of the North region that is, after the former boss, Marafa Hamidou Yaya, compromised the trust and confidence that Biya placed on him. Marafa failed to conceal his lust for the highest office on the land. He is now paying the high price for his impatience and inordinate ambition.
                Besides, Lamido Aboubakary is also not unawares of the humiliation that Biya visited on Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, when the latter attempted to move from the National Assembly to the Senate in 2013, in a desperate bid to remain the next of kin of the regime.

Gov’t Dismisses Assassination Attempt on Kamto


Acts of Violence Perpetrated Against a Non-Commissioned Officer of the National Gendarmerie in Garoua – North Region
The Government of the Republic of Cameroon hereby informs the public that on Friday, the 13th of March 2020 at about 1:30pm, a Non Commissioned Officer of the National Gendarmerie serving at the 3rd Gendarmerie Region in Garoua, in the North, was violently molested by supporters of the caemroon Renaissance Movement Party (CRM), members of the delegation of the leader of the said political party, while on transit through the town of Garoua.
                The images relaying these acts of incredible violence exerted against the personnel of the National Defence and Security Forces have been largely disseminated over the social media since the occurrence of this inadmissible incident.
                Without any remorse, talk less of any regrets with regards to the gravity of the act committed, some militants of the said political party have inadvertently tried to justify this assault perpetrated against the personnel of the National Gendarmerie by alleging that the former had tried to undermine the physical integrity of their political party leader.
                In any case, the information crosschecked by competent specialized services confirms in an incontestable manner that the abused staff sergeant and some of his colleagues were regularly assigned on a classic intelligence gathering mission in conformity with the professional usage and prerogatives of rights vested on the law enforcement forces and was not in any way assigned to attempt on the life of the CRM leader.

Kamto Escapes ‘Assassination’ Attempt in North Region

MRC President, Prof. Maurice Kamto

The National President of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement party, CRM Prof Maurice Kamto is said to have survived an assassination attempt after his convoy was almost attacked in Garoua, North region of Cameroon this Friday by two men, one of whom is a gendarme, his party collaborators have said.
According to the testimony of a member of Kamto’s delegation, Apollinaire Oko, South regional CRM President, the convoy left Ngaoundere heading to the Far North region before it was almost attacked in Garoua, North region.
                Reached on phone by Journal du Cameroon, Apollinaire Oko recounts the scene.
                “We were in Garoua, coming from Ngaoundere when two men on a bike approached our convoy and tried to open the door of the vehicle in which Maurice Kamto was.”
                “Supporters and members of the convoy noticed their action and ran after them. The one sitting behind escaped meanwhile the rider was arrested and the pistol discovered on him was seized.” Apollinaire told Journal du Cameroon.

CODE Promises Hard Times for Biya over Alleged Assassination Attempt on Kamto


The very virulent CODE group which has outstripped the BAS in the hunt against Paul Biya and his relatives in the diaspora has firmly condemned what they say was an assassination attempt against Maurice Kamto.
                The CODE (Collective of Democratic and Patriotic Organizations of Cameroonians of the Diaspora) which has vowed to make life unbearable for President Biya in the diaspora, has renewed its commitment to Maurice Kamto in these terms: “The CODE is already ready and awaits only instructions from  Professor MAURICE KAMTO, the president-elect of the people of Cameroon and therefore, God’s elected president.“

CODE statement
                At the time when our country Cameroon is going through one of the darkest periods in its history, with the added bonus of the English-speaking crisis which mourns its thousands of families on a daily basis, certain activists claiming to be from the revolutionary and fighting diaspora, excel more and more in the settling of scores and homeless incriminations.
                This is how the canvas is constantly inflamed by the positions of some well-known agitators, rather of bad quality.
                These lawless men and women, for reasons that reason itself ignores, accuse certain emblematic figures of the revolution of being at the heart of the dramas that occurred in Bamenda in the North West region and in Ngalim, in the Bamboutos department, in the West of our country in full descent into hell, respectively.
                Gathered urgently in Brussels in Belgium, Friday March 13, 2020, we, founding members of the CODE (Collective of Democratic and Patriotic Organizations of Cameroonians in the Diaspora), strongly and firmly condemn these distractions from these troublemakers whose objective unacknowledged is to serve the dictatorial regime embodied by Paul Biya, who has become the number 1 public enemy of his country.
                That Commander Calibri CALIBRO, founder of the BAS and spokesperson for the revolution, Sandy from Boston and Brice Nitcheu, founding member of the CODE, dissociate themselves from this approach which aims only to weaken the Cameroonian revolution in the diaspora and takes witness national and international public opinion.

Ailing Cavaye Djibril Unable to Walk


Supported by two men, the speaker of the National Assembly, the Right Honourable Cavaye Yeguie Djibril has arrived Yaounde from his sick bed in France in a bid to keep his job.
                It was about 8:30pm on Saturday, March 14, 2020 when the Air France flight carrying the Speaker of the National Assembly landed at the Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport.
                Visibly in very bad shape, Cavaye Yeguie Djibril whose body is now a colony of disease was supported by two men to allow him take a seat on board a vehicle amid ovation from some CPDM comedians to his Yaounde residence.
                Cavaye Djibril has been absent since the opening of the session on March 10th  2020 but could make his appearance in the lower house on Monday the 16th of March for a solemn ceremony that could see him reelected as speaker.

Legislative Re-Run:


CPDM Poised to Confirm Its Victory NW
-Philemon Yang & Co begin putting their act together in Bamenda
Philemon Yang has told militants and sympathisers of the party that victory on March 22, 2020 will build a great Cameroon.
               
Former PM, Philemon Yang (R) & Atanga Nji Paul
CPDM campaign bigwigs to the North West have all joined their voices to call on the population to give the governing party a sweeping victory in the forthcoming municipal and parliamentary elections re-run in the region.
In his campaign speech at the Bamenda Congress Hall Thursday, Philemon Yang, head of the regional campaign team of the CPDM to the North West, flanked by Paul Atanga Nji and Adolphe Lele Lafrique and other party officials, cautioned the electorate to make responsible choices, noting that “the choices we make today will define us in future.”
                He went further to call on the people to not vote any political party which is encouraging violence but that all should cast their votes for the CPDM which, he said was the choice of the people of Cameroon, the choice for the future.

Amid Scary Insecurity:


BIRs to Escort All Commuter Buses Going In, Out of B’da
BIR to escort all buses
Travel times between Bamenda and Bafoussam have been restricted in this department.
                Simon Emilie Mooh, the prefect of Mezam has decided to introduce a curfew in his department. The announcement was made this Monday, March 09 through Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV) antenna of the city of Bamenda, capital of the North West region.
                Travelers from Bamenda to Bafoussam are invited to gather at the place called “Custom Junction” from 9 am for morning travelers, and 10 am for those in the evening.
                As for those leaving from Bafoussam for Bamenda, the gathering will be held at a place called “Malazem”. People who travel in the morning will gather there at 6 a.m., while those in the evening will gather there when it is 5 p.m.

Cabral Libii Presents His Vision for Cam.


By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaounde
Cabral Libii
The National President of the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation, CPNR recently elected as Member of Parliament for Nyong and Kelle constituency in the Centre Region has outline some hot issues which to him must be address by lawmakers at the National Assembly.
                Cabral made the outing Tuesday 10 March 2020 shortly after the opening session of the March Parliamentary session. He said Cameroon will advance if the newly elected MPs seriously hammer on issues of the country’s electoral code, the question of dual nationality, the ongoing Anglophone crisis, issues affecting teachers and land reforms.
                The young MP who rose to fame after participating in the 2018 Presidential polls on the ticket of the Universe party expressed the wish to see their works throughout the mandate reflective of the expectations of their electors, adding, that they weren’t given the mandate by their people to come to the Glass House and joke.
                All the issues raised by the Cabral, a rising political force within Cameroon’s political landscape have been considered by many people to be among the most disturbing issues within the country at the moment.

Anglophone Conflict:


Nigerians in B’da Lament Heavy Losses 
By Philo Happi in Bamenda
Prince Otonbong Ituen
Members of the Nigerian community in the restive Northwest Region have lamented losses recorded as a result of the bomb explosion that razed nine shops along the Commercial Avenue and leaving one soldier dead and several others severely injured.
                In a media outing on 10 March 2020, the president of the Nigerian Union, Prince Otonbong Ituen, decried the losses of his people suffered as a result of the unfortunate incident on Women’s Day.
                “The losses recorded by members of our union are enormous. Millions in hard-earned money and merchandize vanished within a short period of time. In fact, the Nigerian community in Bamenda was the hardest hit by the incident which has rendered our stay very uncomfortable,” Otonbong said, reminding the perpetrators of the wicked act of the strong bilateral ties that exist between Cameroon and Nigeria since the 1960s.
                “I want to use this forum to plead and call on the authorities of Cameroon to use every diplomatic measure to ensure a lasting solution to the crisis without which we may continue to suffer,” Otonbong appealed, also lamenting the adverse effects of the weekly ghost towns and lockdowns that have made some of them to be unable to adequately feed their families.

Kumba City Council:


Ngoh Nkelle Voted As City Mayor after 11 Wasted Years
By Ekoko Willies in Kumba
Victor Ngoh Nkelle
Municipal councilors of the three councils that make up Kumba metropolis have recycled Victor Ngoh Nkelle to become the pioneer Kumba City Mayor after serving 11 unproductive years as Government Delegate (he was appointed 9 February 2009).
                The election at the council hall 3 March 2020 saw Ngoh slightly defeating Gregory Mewanu, after a stiff resistance.  Ngoh scored 38 votes from the 75 councilllors that made up the Electoral College while Mewanu came close with 31 votes and Ekoko Muelle scoring 6 votes. He will be assisted by Madam Ebanja Victorine of Kumba III and Sako Macmillan of Kumba II council as 1st and 2nd deputies respectively.
                Prior to the polls, the CPDM Central Committee Permanent Delegation Head, Chief Justice Benjamin Mutanga Itoe brandished an envelope insisting that it was coming from the Central Committee, instructing him to invest on a Candidate.
This move, was not welcome by the councillors who called the attention of the SDO, Chamberlin Ntou’ou Ndong, who called on all to participate in the elections and for anyone to be voted.

Meme Division:


Konye, Mbonge Mayors Sworn-In
By Ekoko Willies in Kumba
Konye mayor, Dr Musima George
Newly elected Mayors of Mbonge and Konye and their deputies have been warned to steer clear rectification of certificates while performing their duties as municipal authorities. The warning was dished out by the President of Kumba Court of 1st Instance, Magistrate Itoe Hannah epse Egbe. She was speaking while presiding over the oath-taking ceremony of the Mayors at the Kumba High Court Friday 13 March 2020.
                She explained to the municipal authorities that it is their duty sign Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates but insisted once a mistake is made after the document is issued, it is no longer within their competence to rectify the errors. She said such competence is then shifted to the automatically to the President of the High Court.

After 10 Days in Captivity:


Kidnapped Konye Council Staff Released At Last
By Ekoko Willies in Kumba
Some kidnapped staff and councillors of Konye council have been release and presented to administrative authorities in Kumba. The 13 persons kidnapped on 25 February 2020 after participating in the election of the Mayor and his deputies were only released during the early hours of 5 March.
                The 4 councillors, 6 workers and 3 drivers were released at state of near starvation. They looked frail and tired. They spent ten days in the den of separatist fighters in the forest. Reports hold that the gunmen demanded FCFA 15 million few days after their kidnap.
                One of the victims told Meme SDO that they were seriously beaten and one of the lady's finger chopped off. Quizzed why they left the council premise without the security escort, one of them, said it was because they left Kumba that faithful morning and went Konye without any problem and so thought the road would still be safe for them to return.

At Swearing-In Ceremony:


New Tiko Mayor Promises Water Supply
By Boris Esono in Tiko
R-L Mayor Chief Peter Ikome Mesoso, Andrew Engange Efite, first Deputy Mayor, Alisa Isa, second Deputy, Mukwele Elimina Ayibe epouse Ngomba, third Deputy and Ikome Valery, fourth Deputy Mayor
“If the water crisis was a ghost, then we will have fasting and prayers to get the ghost leave the people. If it was in the form of a human being, we will catch the person by the neck. One writer said “get the bull by the horn” so we have already taken this water issue by the horn. In less than three months we will start working on the field and digging the pipelines.”
                This was the assurance given by the new Mayor of Tiko, Chief Peter Ikome Mesoso as he and his four Deputies took the oath of office, on 12 March 2020, at the Tiko Court of First Instance.
                “We have prioritized water supply as the most pressing need of our people. There’s also the problem of inter-connecting roads (accessibility). I can state here and now that in no distant future the population of Tiko will start feeling the impact and start harvesting the fruits of our labour because we have already started working,” Mayor Mesoso said.
                Mayor Peter Ikome Mesoso will be assisted by four Deputies - Andrew Engange Efite as first Deputy Mayor, Alisa Isa as second Deputy, Mukwele Elimina Ayibe epouse Ngomba as third Deputy and Ikome Valery Ndisa as fourth Deputy. 
                Presiding over the ceremony, Justice Lilian Enanga Ajorin called on the Mayor and his executives to live up to the pledges they made to the population.
                “You (Mayor) made promises and it should not just be promises. The cries of the population consist of roads, water and social amenities amongst others. If all of you put your hands together, you can achieve some of the issues if not all,” she said.
                “The needs of the population should come first and not yourself. Do not let your people down. They are expecting a lot from these new executive. They are expecting to see a difference which might see you re-elected if they appreciate your efforts and output,” Justice Ajorin added.
                For his part, the State Counsel at the Tiko Court of First Instance, Mba Azem Aurelien-Donald, raised the issue of poor civil status registration in the municipality. According to him, the council executives should exercise caution in the discharge of their duties especially with respect to civil status registration.
                He warned against corruption, undue demands and material influence in the discharge of the services they have been voted to perform. He cited examples like the delivery of fake birth certificates to foreigners who may want to obtain Cameroonian nationality; issuing birth certificates to persons who want to change their age, something which he said is rampant in the Tiko Municipality.

After Election of City Mayor:


Committees Created To Fast-Track Kba’s Dev’t
By Ekoko Willies in Kumba
Five committees have been created at the Kumba City Council with a motive to speedily transform the town into a modern city. The Committees were put in place during a council session Thursday 10 March 2020. The committees were created with the support of the 75 Grand Councils that make up the deliberative arm of the council. Committee heads and members were designated following proposals from the three Councils.

Politician of The Year:


Tumi Hails Cabral Libii As Role Model for the Youths
Cardinal Christian Wiyghan Tumi, Archbishop emeritus of Douala has hailed Cabral Libii for his political strides in so such a short time and age.
                The priest says he sees the future of this country in the likes of the young Member of the National Assembly and National President of the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation, CPNR.
                In what appears to be an epistle for the youth of Cameroon, Cardinal Tumi on Thursday said: “I do not know if the young people who vaguely and unnecessarily spend their time insulting people see what is happening to Cabral Libii. Succession is assured with Cabral Libii. He works and God helps him to move forward. I am particularly impressed.
                “Especially since he stays himself and thinks of Cameroonians who already love him so much. I think he is third in the ranking is already something. This boy has something in him that will help this country and all of Africa in general. Those who are far away will never understand his fight. You have to be there to know that he no longer sleeps.
                “It was during the Grand National Dialogue that I noted the intellectual efficiency of this young leader. He knows how to listen and he has just solutions to the dimensions of the problems. God gives to those who seek and ask in honesty.
                “He and his comrades are there to help Cameroonians. Let them try to be transparent in managing the little they will perceive. Soon or in the years to come, he Cabral will be president here in Cameroon. As for me, I am convinced! Benedictus!”
                Cabral will forever be remembered as founder of “Operation Register 11 million voters” on the electoral lists ahead of this year’s election. He emerged third at the 2018 presidential elections and was recently elected into the National Assembly.
                Born on March 29, 1980 at Ekoamaen – Otele in the Centre Region of Cameroon, Cabral was designated by the UNIVERS as its Presidential candidate in 2018. He would later register his own party after the said elections.

Kumba Women Shun Fear, Celebrate Women’s Day


By Ekoko Willies in Kumba
Women in Kumba shunned separatist imposed ghost town to celebrate the 35th edition of the International Women’s Day I style last 8 March under the theme “Promoting Gender and protecting Women's right by 2030: taking stock of actions undertaken, setting a new course”. The Women clad in their Women's day loin march past in front grandstand were being cheered up by the massive crowd that turn out for the celebration.
                Speaking during the celebration, Enow Ayukanda, Divisional Delegate for Women's Empowerment and the Family said since 2019 Cameroon has developed its own policy which centers on Women's living conditions and legal status.

Y’de Street Vendors Told To Quit Side Walks


By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaoundé
Barely weeks into office as pioneer City Mayor of Yaounde, Luc Messi Atangana, has begun implementing the promises he made to the population shortly after his election. 
                This follows a decision he took to bring order on major streets and curb urban disorder in the country’s political capital especially as the country looks forward to hosting the African Nations Football Championship, CHAN next month. 
                The City Mayor gave road side vendors two days to liberate both sides of the pavement by ten metres or face the law. He issued the warning as he toured some major neighbourhoods of Yaounde, on Wednesday 11 March.
The Capital City Mayor used the tour to sensitize the population on the need to keep the capital city clean at all times.

Selection of School Text Books:


Nalova Lyonga Recommends Transparency
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaounde
Prof. Nalova Lyonga Pauline Egbe
Prof. Nalova Lyonga Pauline Egbe, Minister of Secondary Education, has enjoined members of the National Council for the selection of textbooks to ensure transparency as they evaluate books to be approved for schools nationwide for the next academic year.
                She made the appeal on Monday 9 March 2020 while opening the 18th session of the council.
                “We have adopted a policy of one book so that most of the parents will be able to buy the book, to enable all the students in one class to have the book so that it shouldn’t occur that a student fails because they did not have the book,” Nalova said, adding, that the selected books will not however stop children from using books that are good for their level.
                “We always said that the teachers should ask them to read some very good books, but when it comes to exams, the material should come from one book,” she explained. She called on them to do their job without any influence and warned against bribery and corruption in the course of the session.
                Prof. Marcellin Vounda Etoa, Permanent Secretary of the Commission, said their work will take into consideration the contents of the textbooks presented as well as their scientific aptitude.

Responding to Atanga Nji:


Tibor Nagy Castigates Y’de for Scapegoating NGOs
Hon. Tibor Nagy
Ambassador Tibor Peter Nagy Jr., the United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs has expressed reservations with the recent declarations of Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Atanga Nji Paul regarding the role of Nongovernmental Organisations in the country’s North West and South West Regions.
Atanga Nji in a media outing on 9 March 2020 said Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, International Crisis Group, OCHA, REDHAC and other human rights associations and NGOs are being teleguided to destabilise Cameroon.
                The US diplomat took to twitter Friday, 13 March to state that NGOs are out to help feed and care for the people in need, calling on government to let them do their work according to established humanitarian principals.
                The US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs was apparently taken aback when Minister Atanga Nji said that NGOs have received over FCFA 5 billion from dubious networks within and out of the country to destabilise Cameroon through regularly publishing fabricated information to discredit the efficient management of the crisis in the North West and South West Regions by the government.
                “NGOs help feed and care for people in need, if governments let them do their work according to humanitarian principles. Sad to see Cameroon use NGOs as scapegoats, as recently done by the Minister of Territorial Administration and the Cameroon Rep to Human Rights Council in Geneva,” Nagy said.

Anglophone Conflict:


Separatists Rape, Kill Hostages Before Military Rescue
Cameroon’s military says Anglophone separatists killed four hostages, including a local official, after troops attacked their camp in the western part of the country. The military said it freed five others, but this was after they had been ganged raped by the rebels.
                A young woman recovering at a Cameroon military base in the French-speaking, western town of Bafoussam, confirmed to a reporter that rebel fighters abducted and raped her.   
                Cameroon’s military rescued the 17-year-old, whose name is being withheld to prevent stigma, and four other young women on Tuesday and brought them to the base.
                She said heavily armed anglophone rebels took her on Sunday from a Catholic church in the English-speaking, northwestern town of Mbiame.   
                The separatist fighters took her into the bush, she said, and kept her and several other hostages at a remote camp.
"They accused me of communicating with military men and directing them how to move about and kill amba boys,” the woman said.
                “So, when we reached their camp, we were beaten. When I went there, my friends were already there. We were badly beaten. We slept on the floor. They did not give us any food or water," she added.

Ransom demanded by rebels
                The 17-year-old said the rebels demanded the women’s families pay a ransom of $3,000 each for their release or else they would be killed.
                But Cameroonian troops raided the camp, freeing the five hungry, tired and frayed women, aged 17 to 21.
                Paul Atanga Nji, Cameroon’s territorial administration minister, said the rebels took the women in revenge after troops last week attacked their hideouts and killed several fighters.   
                "These are children who have been kidnapped by the terrorists, abused sexually, raped by the terrorists and, thanks to the professionalism of our defense forces, these children were released,” Nji said. “The children are under medical control. The defense forces are assisting them."

Wildlife Traffickers to Appear in Courts


By a correspondent in Yaounde
Kribi parrots and customs
The court of First Instance of Djoum and that of Mfou will each have the hearings of suspected wildlife traffickers on the 16th and 18th of March respectively. The case on the 16th at Djoum court of First Instance will be its 5th hearing concerning 2 traffickers arrested in December 2017 with 216 elephant tusks and 81 elephant tails aboard the vehicle of a colonel of Cameroon army in Djoum. This new court hearing comes after an insufficient and inappropriate sentence was passed taken into consideration the quantity of wildlife products seized.
                Meanwhile, the court hearing on the 18th of March at the court of First Instance of Mfou will concern a Ghanaian nationality who was arrested in possession of 20 African grey parrots at Kienke. He had previously been arrested in 2015 trying to illegally ship African grey parrot but was released and caught again on March 2017 with a shipment of around 200 parrots that was about to arrive the Nsimalen international airport for export. It’s on this count that he shall appear before the Mfou court of First Instance for a second hearing.

Anglophone Conflict:


Journalists Trapped Between Soldiers & Amba
Dozens of reporters in Cameroon are calling for help after losing their jobs and, in some cases, their homes because of the war between separatist forces and the government.  The reporters say they are constantly attacked or kidnapped for refusing to be propaganda tools for one side or the other.
                Thirty Cameroonian journalists, most of them women from the volatile North West region, have gathered in the capital city Yaounde to discuss the difficulties of reporting from Cameroon's crisis zones.
                Comy Mussa, coordinator of Sisters Speak 237, an NGO that convened the meeting, says she invited the reporters because they need help to continue practicing their profession.
                "They do not have the kind of editorial support they need to tell a good story. We have a space where we provide this type of support and we also help them with sourcing for grants. Occasionally, we help with maybe transportation to go to an area and get a story that needs to be told," she said.
                Mussa said the reporters are victims of brutality and violence and most of them are now poor because they are either out of their job or can no longer work in an environment which is increasingly hostile.
                It's not just female journalists who are experiencing problems. Gilles Yumo of the Guardian Post newspaper said that in February his equipment and other items seized by armed men. He said he cannot even apply for a job because his academic certificates were among the things taken from him.
                "I have had several calls, threats, intimidation from separatist fighters because it is in such a way that nobody wants to see you reporting what is not in their favor, so when they got my documents what they told me is that they are going to get rid of them by burning [them]," Yumo said.
                Freelance journalist Mary Ngwa says she moved from Bamenda to Yaounde due to threats from separatists.

Anti-Ghost Town Crusade:


NW Political Elite Beckoned to Join Soldiers In Campaign
By Ngu Walters Neba in Bamenda
Adolf Lele L’Afrique, NW Governor
NW political elite, religious authorities and well-to-do sons and daughters of the NW region have been challenged to federate forces with the military to fight the weekly anti-ghost town crusade so as to fast-track a return of peace and normalcy in the region.
                Adolf Lele L’Afrique, NW Governor made the call Monday 9 March 2020 shortly after participating in the weekly sports walk initiated early February by Brigadier Generals Nka Valere and Ekongwese Divine Nnoko, Commanders of the 5th Joint military and Gendarmerie region respectively.
                Lele underscored the need for the living forces of the region to join the crusade, saying that with the weekly sports walk the populations send a strong message to the separatists and the entire nation that the region is waxing strong, despite the challenges posed by the separatists.
                He appealed to all and sundry to see the need for them to join hand and put the region on the rails owing to the economic losses recorded in the recent separatist explosion in the region that razed 9 shops, killed one and left several soldiers injured.

Crises Anglophone:


Int’l Community Condemns Separatists’ Ban on Education
Schools in NW & SW have remained closed since four years now
On January 30, armed separatists kidnapped Marie (not her real name), a 19-year-old secondary school student, in Buea, in Cameroon’s Anglophone South-West region. Three days later, they chopped her finger off with a machete. The reason was simply that Marie wanted to go to school.
                Since 2017, armed separatist groups have enforced a boycott of education in the country’s two English-speaking regions, as part of a perverse attempt to pressure the government to get greater political recognition.
                They’ve burned school buildings and kidnapped and assaulted students and teachers for not complying with their demands to keep schools shut. They have used schools as bases, torturing and holding people hostage in and near them.
                “They punished me because they found schoolbooks in my bag,” said Marie. “They wanted to cut a finger of my right hand to prevent me from writing again. I begged them [not to], and then they chopped the forefinger of my left hand.”
                Marie said the separatists also maimed a 19-year-old man who was held with her and also accused of attending school. Both students were released on February 3, after a ransom payment. They have received medical treatment but have not yet returned to school.

Undergoing Treatment in Morocco:


Gov’t Clears Michel Fotso’s Medical Bills, Living Cost
Yves Michel Fotso is receiving medical attention in Morocco
President Biya recently ordered the release of 89 million 917 thousand 374 FCFA to settle a slate and deposit a provision for medical care and hospitalization cost for Yves Michel Fotso son of a French Cameroun billionaire.
                Michel Fotso, sentenced twice to life imprisonment for embezzlement of public funds during his tenure as head of the Cameroon Airlines Company (Camair-Co) is currently receiving treatment in Morocco. He was evacuated to the Arab Kingdom in August 2019.
                According to a leaked document signed by Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, Minister-Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic, Biya directed the recipient, notably the Minister of Finance, to put at the disposal of the defence attaché at the Cameroonian embassy in Rabat (Morocco), the sum of 89 million 917 thousand 374 FCFA to foot Michel Fotso’s medical bills.

New B’da City Mayor Prioritizes Hygiene, Sanitation


By Philo Happi in Bamenda
The crisis in the Northwest Regional capital, Bamenda has over some months prevented workers of the waste disposal company, Hysacam from performing their duty of keeping the town clean, especially after some of their vehicles were burnt and their workers attacked.
                It is against this backdrop that the pioneer City mayor of Bamenda, Paul Achobong Tembeng has embarked on a campaign to clear the streets of dirt in a bid to prevent the outbreak of an epidemic.
                Achobong launched the cleanup exercise Monday 9 March 2020 at the Abangoh neighborhood where the small stream linking Metah Quarters, Ncho and Abangoh neighborhoods were tidied up.
                The City Mayor was accompanied by some grand councilors. They were later joined by some inhabitants of the neighborhoods who appreciated the expedient gesture of the City Mayor and opted to assist him. They came with cutlasses, hoes and spades, and helped to keep the waterway and its surroundings clean. 

Ahead of CHAN 2020:


CAF Team Evaluates Coronavirus Incidence in Cameroon
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaounde
Officials of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, have announced that a team of health experts from their medical committee will be send to Cameroon this weekend to evaluate the health situation of the country following the confirmation of two cases of the deadly Coronavirus in the country.
                The two cases were confirmed by Cameroon’s Public Health Minister, Dr. Manaouda Malachie. A joint press conference was granted to that effect to explain emergency measures put in place by the government to contain the spread of the virus and strengthen screening measures at all the entry and exit points nationwide.
                “Regarding the Total African Nations Championship (CHAN) Cameroon 2020, a delegation from the CAF Medical Committee is scheduled to visit Cameroon from 14-15 March 2020. The purpose of this mission is to assess all the preventive measures taken by the Local Organizing Committee,” partly read CAF’s statement.

Cleanliness Is Godliness:


Limbe Cleaned Up Ahead of CHAN
By Ticha Melanis in Limbe
Fako administration has emphasized on hygiene in Limbe, Buea
In view of the African championship CHAN 2020 that is to take in Cameroon and Limbe chosen as one of the host cities for the games, the SDO for Fako Engamba Emmanuel Ledoux has launched a special clean-up campaign to keep the division clean before the games slated from April 4-25, 2020 commences.
                The launching took place on Thursday March 12, 2020 at the Limbe city council hall. He called on stakeholders in the division especially quarter heads and chiefs to take the exercise very seriously by creating quarter committees to follow up the cleanliness of their quarters.
                The SDO explained that Limbe has always been a clean city and it should stay at that and equally mentioned that the hygienic state of the city is not the best as road side petrol sales point on the rise, abandoned vehicles and building and more. He urged everybody to take up special cleanup campaign to keep the city clean to give the visitor a deserve stay. 

Darkness Befalls SW Ahead of CHAN


By Boris Esono in Buea
For the past days, the population of Buea, Tiko and those in Kumba, all in the South West Region of Cameroon has become accustomed to the noise emanating from generators around these municipalities. These areas have been living under constant power outages.
                The localities at the moment that are affected included: West Coast, Limbe, Ombe Mutengene, Tiko, Missellele, Buea, Ekona, Muyuka, Mbonge, Tombel, Kumba, and their surroundings.
                The blackout started in Buea, chief town of the South West Region in the evening hours of Sunday, March 8. And at the time of this report, the epileptic nature of the electricity supply is still being felt in the Buea municipality. The Worst still, a whole day will pass and the municipality will be in darkness, no light from morning till morning.
                “What kind of thing is this? How can ENEO be seizing lights when we are writing our examinations,” lamented a UB student, who noted: “I have been forced to use candles to read all this while, and it has not been easy for me. My eyes pain each time I use the candle to read in the night. I hope the electricity supplier does something to rectify the situation soon.”
                Another Buea inhabitant wondered: “Is this the vision 2035 our government has been talking about. When there is monopoly over the provision of some necessities, such things are bound to happen. If we had another company charged with providing electricity, ENEO would have stepped up its game knowing there is competition. But they are relaxed because there is not competition.”
                Business premises especially those that need electricity supply to function (documentation, cyber café) have felt the brunt of this power outages. Majority of them do not open their shops or do open with the hope that the light will be brought back. That hope, however, as the day unfolds turns to disappoint as the light is not brought back.
                A message from the electricity company, ENEO Cameroon S.A dated 11 March 2020, indicated that the disruption to the electrical service currently being experienced by its esteemed customers in Fako and Meme Divisions is as a result of an incident that occurred on the transformer of the Limbe Mile 2 substation on Sunday 8, March 2020 at 07:00

35th International Women’s Day:


Over 1500 Military, Civilian Women Fete At Mindef
The women undertook a sports walk on the streets of the capital Yaounde, on 5 March, as part of activities to mark the celebration of the 35th Women’s Day at the Ministry of Defence
By Mercy Neba in Yaounde
Commandant of the 1st Military region, Col. Ayukegba Benedict 
cuts symbolic ribbon to signal the start of the sports walk
Within the framework of activities to mark the 35th International Women’s Day in Cameroon, some over 1500 women undertook a walking exercise along the streets of Yaounde, on Thursday 5 March 2020.
                The sports walk that brought together female military and civilian personnel of the defence and security forces, customs, penitentiary administration and forestry and wildlife, as well as the spouses of authorities and personel of the above-mentioned administrations, was organized by the 1st Military Sector in Yaounde.

Wednesday 11 March 2020

Front page


Gov’t Vehemently Condemns Misinformation by Tele-guided NGOs



 Being a statement by the Minister of Territorial Administration on the activities of Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations and Human Rights Associations in Cameroon.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the media,

Paul Atanga Nji
Against a backdrop of promoting proximity development that meets the aspirations of Cameroonians and which permits them to receive support from of our partners, the Government of Cameroon, through the Ministry of Territorial Administration (MINAT), gives authorisations to NGOs, Civil Society Organisations and Human Rights Associations to legally carry out their activities. These structures have offices or representatives in certain regions of our country. 
                Generally, we feel that NGOs and these associations are in Cameroon for the wellbeing of the population. They give food items to vulnerable people, and give healthcare to people in distress.
                However, it could be difficult to imagine that most of these NGOs based in Africa, especially those operating in conflict zones, have hidden agendas which often have the tendency to destabilize sovereign States and their institutions.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the media,
                The attention of the Minister of Territorial Administration has been drawn to the recurrent manipulations of some NGOs and Human Rights Associations in Cameroon. 
                Under the enlightened leadership of H.E. Paul BIYA, President of the Republic, Head of State, Cameroon is known to be a State of law, free, stable, democratic, one and indivisible.
                The Head of State, does not spare any effort in consolidating peace, stability and national unity as well as strengthening living together among all sociological components of our beloved country.
                By 1982, when H.E. Paul BIYA took office, barely (05) international NGOs, three (03) national NGOs and two (02) Civil Society Organisations were operating in Cameroon.
                Thanks to the law on the freedom of associations adopted by the National Assembly and promulgated into law by the President of the Republic in 1990, Cameroon today counts over 40 international NGOs, several national NGOs, Civil Society Organisations and Human Rights Associations. 
                H.E. Paul BIYA as you can see has opened Cameroon widely to the rest of the world. The government of Cameroon supports NGOs, national and international associations, on condition that they respect the legal provisions put in place.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
                Before I continue, let me remind you of the legal instruments guiding the activities of NGOs, Civil Society Organisations and Human Rights Associations in the country.
                According to Section 4 of Law N°90/53 of 19 December 1990 on the Freedom of Association and I quote:
                Associations built on something else or with an objective contrary to the Constitution, as well as those that will jeopardise the security and territorial integrity, national unity and the Republican form of the State are null and void. End of quotes.
                Concerning NGOs, they are guided by Law N°99/014 of 22 December 1999. Authorisations of NGOs likewise those of associations are issued by the Minister of Territorial Administration who is also vested with the powers to ensure the follow up of these structures.
                In accordance with Section 13 Paragraph 2 of Law N°90/53 of 19 December 1990 and 22 Paragraph 2 of Law N°99/014 of 22 December 1999, the Minister of Territorial Administration can, through an executive order, dissolve all associations or NGOs that derail from their original objectives and whose activities pose a threat to public order and State security. 
                The law equally provides for fines and prison terms to officials of associations and NGOs who go off-track. 

Ladies and Gentlemen of the media,
                It is regrettable that for the past three years of political upheavals in the North West and South West Regions, some NGOs, Civil Society Organisations and Human Rights Organisations have completely derailed from the objectives for which they were authorised by the Minister of Territorial Administration.

                I must underline here that there are some NGOs and associations that have kept to their objectives and respect the laws of the land. We encourage them to continue to be law-abiding.
                However, we have noticed with dismay that many NGOs have clearly revealed themselves as enemies of our country, regularly propagating information that is completely false on the management of crisis by our government in the above-mentioned Regions. Moreover, they have become laboratories of fake reports with the sole objective to tarnish the image of the country’s defence and security forces.
                The Minister of Territorial Administration affirms here that these NGOs have received over 05 billion CFA F from dubious networks within and out of the country to:

1.            Destabilise State Institutions
2.            Regularly publish, through certain media and social media, fabricated information to discredit the efficient management of the crisis in the North West and South West Regions by the government;
3.            Give the impression that Cameroon is not managing internally-displaced persons properly;
4.            Demonstrate by all means that the crisis in the two regions is going from bad to worse;
5.            Show through fake reports that Cameroon army is carrying out acts against the civilian population.
                This is simply unacceptable! These teleguided NGOs and Human Rights Associations must readjust before it becomes too late.
                The government of Cameroon vehemently condemns this irresponsible behaviour of teleguided NGOs, who deliberately minimise the numerous atrocities committed by terrorists in the North West and South West Regions.
                Amongst the teleguided NGOs paid to tarnish the image of Cameroon, publish fake reports against the National defence forces, the Minister of Territorial Administration can cite « Human Rights Watch », « Amnesty International », International Crisis Group, OCHA, REDHAC and others.
                For three years now, Cameroonians can bear testimony of many civilo-military actions in the North West and South West Regions undertaken by our brave defence and security forces.  We have seen defence and security forces giving healthcare to the population, victims of barbaric actions of the terrorists, distributing food items to those in distress and even cleaning the streets of huge garbage that Hysacam would have cleaned if not of threats on their lives and equipment by the terrorists.
                Cameroonians have saluted the efforts of the military and gendarme officials who have gone as far as teaching in some schools in localities where teachers have been brutalised and killed by terrorists.  Curiously, these NGOs are not unaware of these humanitarian activities of our defence and security forces; but because of their hidden agenda, they have decided never to make mention of them in their reports.