Reaction Mixed as Biya Prepares to Run Again

Biya and wife

There have been mixed reactions in Cameroon following President Paul Biya’s announcement that he will run for re-election. Biya has been president for 36 years and if he wins another mandate he will be 92 years old by the time his term ends.

            The decision by Paul Biya to contest the October 7 presidential poll is dominating political discussions in Cameroon. At the entrance to the University of Yaounde 2 campus, students argue that by choosing to run, the 86-year old has again indicated he wants to be president for life.

            Twenty-four-year-old sociology student Albert Ndze said he is more preoccupied with his studies than an election, but that his wish is for peace to return to troubled areas in Cameroon.

            “What I care is that the person going in should do what we the youths want so that peace can be in the country,” he said.

            Cameroon is dealing with attacks by Boko Haram militants in the north, separatist movements in two English-speaking regions and a spillover of violence from the Central African Republic.

            Biya’s close aide, Jaques Fame Ndongo, said the president is responding to overwhelming calls for him to run.

            He said Biya remains the best choice for Cameroon because he is a legalist who strictly respects republican institutions, is highly engaged for peace to return to troubled spots, and supports the country’s development to become an emerging economy.

            Shortly after the announcement, a coalition of 20 opposition political parties announced support to Biya. One of them, El Hadj Lawan Bako of the United Democratic party, said “active forces of this country have said, ‘Mr. President, we have renewed our confidence in you, be our candidate for this election because you have the experience, you know where the shoe pinches.'”

Anglophone Crisis Stalls PIB Projects in Limbe

By Ticha Melanis in Limbe

Anglophone Crisis Stalls PIB Projects in SW

There has been a marked decrease in the rate of execution of public investment budget PIB projects in Fako division and most parts of the SW region. This was the observation made by members of the Foko divisional participatory follow-up committee for PIB projects in Fako meeting in Limbe on Tuesday 17 July 2018 for their second quarter evaluation meeting for 2018. 

            The committee members noted with dismay the drop in physical execution of public investment projects to 19.23% down from 22.10% at the same period last year. The financial execution rate also dropped to 5% as against 7.22% last year.

Chairing the meeting, the chairperson of the Fako divisional public investment projects follow-up committee, Hon Etombi Gladys noted that the first quarter meeting held in April gave an opportunity for all actors involved to mobilize and define the terms of reference for the implementation and execution of the 2018 budget so as to achieve the goals given by the 2018 financial law.

            She said that during the first quota evaluation, the execution rate stood at 9.34% with a 50% rate of contracts awarded at the level of the divisional tenders’ level.

            Addressing the worries of some people who doubt local development possibilities, she said local development is their daily business, noting that looking forward to better living conditions, communities place their hopes on the good execution of PIB projects for which their common responsibility is engaged.

            Hon Itombi further noted that decree No 2018/366 of 20th June 2018 instituting the public contracts code, states inter alia that municipal authorities are fully responsible for contract award procedures in their communities.

Kumba, Meme Division:

Amba boys Ask Residents to Evacuate Risky Areas

-But SDO says residents should stay put

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

Amba boys have rendered NW and SW almost ungovernable

Hundreds of families resident in Kumba, Chief Town of Meme Division have started fleeing to other regions and towns as a result of worsening Anglophone crisis. The mass exodus of the population follows fear, tension and confusion instilled on population as a result of the constant gun battle that has engulf several neighbourhoods for over a week now.

            As others flee because of the constant gun battle between unknown persons and elements of the military, hundreds of other families have been asked to leave their neighbourhoods and relocate to other areas inorder not to be caught in looming gun battles.Those from Mile one, Ngamlikum, Kosala, Mambanda and Three Corners Fiango have all relocated to other neighbourhoods while others have simply fled to other towns and regions.

            Since news broke out that unknown gunmen have ordered inhabitants to park out from the said areas, hudreds of taxis, motor bikes and persons have been spotted with bags full of household items either heading to motor parks or relocating to other areas.

Kumba City Planner Kidnapped, 5m Demanded as Ransom

-Wife of ESIR officer also kidnapped

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

Unknown gunmen are reportedly demanding FCFA 5 million from the family and work place of kidnapped Kumba City council Town planner in order for him to secure his freedom.

            Epie Nnoko was kidnapped on Tuesday July 17, 2018 at the Mile one neighbourhood in Kumba, we learned. Reports we couldn’t independently confirm have it that Epie Nnoko had escaped his Sustainer Street residence with his family to the family compound of his wife as a result of the constant gun battle that engulfed the area.

2018 Presidential Election:

Cabral Libih Secures 30m Caution, Confirms Candidacy

Cabral Libih has confirmed he will run for president

It is now certain! The candidate who calls himself the Emmanuel Macron of the 2018 Presidential election in Cameroon has finally put together the 30 million fcfa needed as caution for candidates in the election.

            Cabril Libih told CRTV radio yesterday, Wednesday 18 July that he has finally raised the 30 million francs caution thanks to the support of Cameroonians who believe and support him. Cabral confirmed he has paid the money at the Douala General Treasury and has secured the receipt.

            The 36-year-old said he is now finalizing his candidacy application file to submit same at the Littoral Branch of Elecam in Douala before the expiry of the deadline at 12 midnight on Thursday 19 July 2018.

Meme Elecam Braces Up for Successful Presidential Polls

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

The acting Divisional Branch Head of ELECAM in Meme, has urged all the political stakeholders to put their hands on deck towards a peaceful, smooth and successful organisation of the 2018 presidential election in Cameroon.

            Betana Jackson was speaking in an interview he granted The Median newspaper on the state of preparedness of the Kumba ELECAM branch ahead of the October 7 polls at the ELECAM head office in Kumba on Tuesday July 17, 2018.

“I want to say all of us should play our role part; the political parties, the administration, the security, the civil society in order for us to conduct a peaceful, smooth and successful election” Betana stated adding that following the convening of the polls for October 7, the divisional branch has being busy with the distribution of voter’s cards to the potential electors.

Limbe Yields to Ghost Towns Afterall

   

By Ticha Melanis in Limbe

Ghost towns have finally hit Limbe after residents promised some time ago they would never observe it again. Monday 16 July 2018 saw a dramatic turn of events as Limbe denizens witnessed one of the worst ghost towns ever. Shops and offices remained closed for all day; bikes and/or taxi cabs were packed, not to talk of the streets that were completely void of people.

            Many people hold that the ghost town was observed in Limbe because of the attacks by armed men alleged to be "Amba boys" at mile four motor park and at checkpoint where a truck belonging to the Brasseries du Cameroun was set ablaze. The incidents signalled a warning to those who had planned to boycott the ghost town instructions given by the Ambazonians.

            When the Amba hit-and-run fighters attacked parts of the town in the evenings of Friday and Saturday, the whole city was thrown in total chaos. People were seen running helter-skelter going in opposite direction to the sounds of gunshots.