Monthly Archives: August 2022

French Cameroun: Nurse killed in Boko Haram attack in Far North

7, August 2022

French Cameroun: Nurse killed in Boko Haram attack in Far North 0

Militants of the Boko Haram group have killed a health worker in Cameroon’s Far North region, according to local and security sources.

The militants attacked a small medical store of the nurse overnight into Saturday in Tchika locality of the region, killing him and making away with some medical products, an army official in the region familiar with the attack told Xinhua.

The militants, who had targeted health workers for abduction in the region in the past, probably failed to kidnap him and decided to kill him, the officer who asked not to be named said.

Locals said, the deceased provided basic vital medical assistance to the community.

Cameroon army is stepping up offensives against the group following repeated attacks on civilians by the militants.

On Thursday, the army killed six militants in a repelled attack in Nguetchewe locality of the region, according to security reports.

Source: Xinhuanet

FECAFOOT says Premier League forward Mbeumo to play for the Indomitable Lions

7, August 2022

FECAFOOT says Premier League forward Mbeumo to play for the Indomitable Lions 0

Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) said on Friday that Premier League outfit Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo has switched allegiance from France to Cameroon.

Mbeumo’s decision came after “extensive discussions” with FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o, the FECAFOOT said in a statement.

“I’m impatient to begin this new adventure,” Mbeumo said in a tweet.

Mbeumo has made 10 appearances for France at the youth level and the FECAFOOT must obtain clearance from the FIFA to permit him to play for the Indomitable Lions.

FECAFOOT officials said they were confident such clearance will be quick to permit Mbeumo to feature for Cameroon at the World Cup in Qatar.

Source: Xinhaunet

Biya regime says 200 dead in 10 months after resurgence of cholera

7, August 2022

Biya regime says 200 dead in 10 months after resurgence of cholera 0

A resurgence of cholera has killed 200 people since October 2021 in Cameroon, where more than 10,300 cases of the disease have been reported, the health minister said on Thursday (August 4).

Cholera, an acute diarrhoeal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated, periodically appears in Cameroon, a central African country with a population of more than 25 million.

Since the start of the cholera epidemic in late October 2021, 200 people have died out of a total of 10,322 cases, Cameroon’s health minister, Manaouda Malachie, announced in a tweet.

Five of Cameroon’s ten regions, including the Littoral, which includes the economic capital Douala, and the Centre region, which includes the capital Yaoundé, are affected by the epidemic, according to the health minister.

“Beware!!! Let us observe hygiene measures,” Malachie urged.

The previous outbreak of cholera killed 66 people in Cameroon between January and August 2020.

In early 2021, the WHO estimated that there were 1.3 to 4 million cases of cholera and 21,000 to 143,000 deaths from the disease worldwide each year.

Source: AFP

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Yerima calls for release of President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe and his top aides

6, August 2022

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Yerima calls for release of President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe and his top aides 0

The Vice President of the Ambazonia Interim Government Dabney Yerima has sent an indirect message to French Cameroun authorities, calling on them to free the leader of the Ambazonian nation President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe and his top aides known as the NERA 10.

In a phone conversation with an opposition MP from the Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters party in South Africa on Friday morning, Comrade Dabney Yerima followed up on the fate of all Southern Cameroons detainees in French Cameroun including the Ambazonian leader asking the South African opposition MP to help to convey the Ambazonia Interim Government’s call for the release of all Southern Cameroons citizens in French Cameroun jails.

The Francophone dominated army and the National Gendarmerie have arrested hundreds of Southern Cameroonians since 2016 on lame and ridiculous charges such as taking part in anti government protest or having images of the Southern Cameroons war in mobile phones.

During the Friday phone conversation, Vice President Dabney Yerima also thanked the MP for the support Southern Cameroonians were getting in South Africa.

This comes as the Ambazonia Interim Government continues to build solid relations with political parties in the Southern Africa region.

Elsewhere in the conversation, the Ambazonian leader pointed to the deliberate silence being maintained by the African Union on the deteriorating situation in Southern Cameroons.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Southern Cameroons Crisis: IG condemns Yaoundé’s brutal attack on Batibo

6, August 2022

Southern Cameroons Crisis: IG condemns Yaoundé’s brutal attack on Batibo 0

The Ambazonia Interim Government has strongly condemned the brutal attack of the Biya Francophone regime on Batibo in the North West and the killing of innocent Southern Cameroons civilians including women and children, saying the people of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia and Southern Cameroons Self Defense groups have the right to respond to any French Cameroun terrorist moves.

“It is the right of all Southern Cameroons resistance groups to act and defend the homeland in the face of the aggression and terrorist moves of the Biya French Cameroun regime,” Vice President Dabney Yerima said on Thursday.

The Southern Cameroons exiled leader added that the French Cameroun regime’s new wave of military operations across the Southern Cameroons remains a criminal, adventurous and provocative move.

Vice President Dabney Yerima emphasized that the Biya and his Beti Ewondo criminal gang in Yaounde will sooner or later shoulder full responsibility for the crime and the consequences of its aggression on the Federal Republic of Ambazonia.

Dabney Yerima urged the UN, the European Union and international organizations such as the Commonwealth to fulfill their legal, moral and human responsibility to defend the oppressed Ambazonian people and condemn the French Cameroun regime’s terrorist moves.

Yerima furthered that the international community should also take measures to stop the continuation of such crimes by the Yaoundé regime, which is the main factor behind instability and insecurity in the two Cameroons.

By Isong Asu with files from Chi Prudence Asong

Dion Ngute says life gradually returning to normal in war-torn Southern Cameroons

5, August 2022

Dion Ngute says life gradually returning to normal in war-torn Southern Cameroons 0

Cameroon’s Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute said Thursday that peace and stability are gradually returning to the country’s Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest that have been ravaged by over five years of armed separatist conflict.

“Schools in most of our towns and main suburbs have gone operational. We have also observed so many cultural jamborees. Fresh vegetables, fresh groundnuts and other food products from the Northwest which had completely disappeared from the market have returned. This clearly shows that many of the farmers in those regions are beginning to feel more comfortable, more confident in going to their farms,” Ngute said in the capital Yaoundé during a meeting to evaluate strides made since a national dialogue was held in 2019 to find solutions to the conflict.

He said economic activities have resumed, many of the major roads were now passable and separatist fighters were dropping their arms to join disarmament and reintegration centers in the regions.

“This shows that life is steadily returning to normalcy and we must together work to consolidate this,” Ngute added.

Separatist fighters have been clashing with government forces since 2017 in a bid to create an independent nation in the two English-speaking regions.

Source: Xinhuanet

Douala: Bomb explosion injures several people in Central Market

5, August 2022

Douala: Bomb explosion injures several people in Central Market 0

A homemade bomb was detonated in the Central Market area of Douala Aug. 4. There have been reports of injuries, but authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number. The blast comes two days after security officials issued warnings of a possible attack. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Heightened security is likely around the site of the blast over the coming hours. Authorities may seek to close roads as they continue their investigation, resulting in localized transport and business disruptions.

Source: Crisis24

French Cameroun: Three militants killed as Francophone dominated army repels Boko Haram attack

5, August 2022

French Cameroun: Three militants killed as Francophone dominated army repels Boko Haram attack 0

At least three militants of the Boko Haram group were killed early Thursday after they attempted to attack a military outpost in Cameroon’s Far North region, according to local and security sources.

The attack took place in Nguetchewe locality of the region.

The heavily armed militants ambushed and attacked troops and after several hours, troops repelled them killing three on the spot, an army officer in the region who asked not to be named told Xinhua.

The military was pursuing the rest of the assailants, the officer said.

Boko Haram has killed over 2,000 people since it launched offensives in the region in 2004, according to security reports and local NGOs.

Source: Xinhuanet

Letter to Samuel Eto’o on the creation of a football hall of fame in Cameroon

5, August 2022

Letter to Samuel Eto’o on the creation of a football hall of fame in Cameroon 0

Dear Mr. Eto’o,

This is to propose to you the creation of a Football Hall of Fame in Cameroon which will not only immortalize our football heroes and history but will also highlight the role some of our great footballers like you played in bringing joy and glory to our country.

Your name recognition and your convening power can help mobilize resources for this project. The proposal, if well-developed, could also go a long way in helping FECAFOOT to put the spotlight on those whose sacrifice and determination made Cameroonians proud.

I have been reading the stories of some of our greatest footballers and I strongly hold that such a rich history could be well-documented and marketed to young Cameroonians who may be interested in football or who may just want to know those who played for their country in the past. Seeing those faces on TV and other information platforms could remind many that some of our football heroes are still around, and that we are eternally grateful and indebted to them. 

Many Cameroonians have heard about Mbappe Samuel, Jean Moukoko (de Confiance) Toko Jean Pierre, Roger Milla, Mbida Gregoire, Kunde Emmanuel, Jean Manga Onguene and others who brought glory to our country, but as the years expire, many of these glorious stories also disappear just like our heroes of yesteryears. 

The notion of a Hall of Fame is purely American, but it could be copied and adapted to our context. This Hall of Fame could be a massive structure with sub-components such as conference centers, exhibition centers, a hotel, and archives where researchers can have up-to-date information on Cameroon’s football history.

Cameroon is a nation wherein the beautiful game is adored and anything regarding this game, which is more of a religion, can help to create jobs and opportunities for our youths who are so passionate about this game. The organization of an event such as “The Night of the Greats” will help to bring together some of our football living legends who have been forgotten for decades.

Such an event should also bring together advertisers, politicians and businesspeople who may see the event as a place for them to be in the spotlight which should, of course, come with a huge price tag. The spotlight is never cheap and FECAFOOT can use it to make money which could be invested in footballing activities across the country. 

FECAFOOT can put together a team of fine writers whose job will be to update documents and other information platforms relating to our football greats and heroes. This proposal could be a money spinner if well-developed and it could also bring a lot of hope to our youths whose love for the beautiful game is immeasurable.

Financial independence should be FECAFOOT’s long-term goal and events and proposals like this one should help the country’s football governing body to find new and innovative ways of achieving that independence.

I stand by for any details you may require to develop this idea.

Sincerely,

Joachim Arrey

arreyjoachim@hotmail.com

When God Refuses to Speak: Random Thoughts of a Simple Christian- In Memoriam, Fr. Didimus Nformi

4, August 2022

When God Refuses to Speak: Random Thoughts of a Simple Christian- In Memoriam, Fr. Didimus Nformi 0

Tuesday July 19 began like any other day in Boston. After the usual early morning standing appointment with God, I embarked on the chores of the day, mainly, academic work. Around mid-morning. Everything changed. The news came that Fr. Didimus Nformi YOMBO was no more! He had died in a ghastly accident on his way to Buea, after procuring his study visa at the US Embassy in Yaoundé. At first, I thought it wasn’t true. This could not be true. He was supposed to be in Boston in August. Everything was ready for him to begin his graduate studies at Boston College. How could this be?

I met Didimus while attending a wedding in Buea in January of this year, and again in February, after the Ratzinger Conference at CATUC, Bamenda, when we stopped over in Buea on our way to the airport to visit with Bishop Bibi. He came across as very welcoming, humble and unassuming, eager to make a visitor feel at home. And I remember saying to him while leaving Small Soppo, see you in Boston and hope that you study Ratzinger when you come to Boston College! He smiled. I guess that was a mortal’s wish! After all, I am just a man, limited by finitude. A creature. It was never to be! How could I have known! Boston was never to be enriched by the presence of Didimus, a young priest, gone too soon, I would say, and under very painful circumstances.

I spent much of the day in the chapel, just staring at Jesus in the Tabernacle. Praying the breviary felt dry. No emotions. No words could express anything. Just staring at the Tabernacle was all one could do, in utter shock. I asked Jesus countless times: Why, Lord? What does this mean? What value is his death to you? Did you think of this young man’s mother? And many other questions. It was a Job-like experience, and like Job, I am not sure the Lord answered me. Perhaps I was talking to myself and not to Him. But I was in His presence. He was there. He is always there, present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. How could He not be there? He has been a Prisoner of the Tabernacle for over 2000 years. How could you be, Jesus, and you allow such a thing to happen to a young priest of yours? Why place such a promising future before him, and then not give him the opportunity to pursue it? Why show David that he is going to become king, only to leave him as a shepherd for the rest of his life? Does not Scripture say that hope deferred makes the heart sick? (Proverbs 13:12). Are you really there, Jesus, and yet are allowing such pain in the world?

At one point, my thoughts went to the question of the non-existence of God in the Summa of Aquinas. Two objections stand out supporting the non-existence of God, for Aquinas: divine omnipotence (God is all powerful), and divine omnibenevolence (God is all good). If God is all powerful and all good and yet, there is evil in the world, then we are left with a scenario of two alternatives: either God is all powerful and yet not all good because he allows for evil to inflict the world; or, God is all good but not all powerful, again, because of God’s inability to stamp out evil in the world. And the dilemma that Aquinas raises is captured by Dostoevsky The Grand Inquisitor in more stark terms: Ivan rejects or rebels against God, attempting to persuade his believing brother Alyosha, that God’s ordering of creation and Christ’s redemption are basically ineffective, based on a simple premise: God has been unable to free the world of suffering, pain and evil. Aquinas’ resolution of the impasse between Divine omnipotence and omnibenevolence leaves Ivan unpersuaded.

My thoughts further pondered Vatican II’s description of death in the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Gaudium et Spes: it is when faced with death that the human being is most caught up in doubt. Human beings are tormented by the thought of their ceasing to be, and rightfully so (Gaudium et Spes, 18). And there is an underlining reason for the fear of death, as Ratzinger points out in his treatment of Eschatology, namely, the state of incommunicability regarding the foundation of human existence, that is, love. In death, we are unable to respond to love. We enter into a state of aloneness. And this, to Ratzinger, accounts for the excruciating pain that characterizes death.

Caught up in these thoughts, it occurred to me that though I had spent a good deal of time in the silence of the chapel, God wasn’t going to provide an explanation to me regarding the painful passing of Didimus. Perhaps like Job, even if God spoke, He was going to bully me into silence by posing questions that a finite mind like mine wouldn’t be able to answer. Or maybe God’s silence was his speech. He had done it before. This was not the first time that God was staying silent in the face of death. He did same one Friday afternoon on a hill outside Jerusalem called Calvary. And history is repleted with examples of God staying silent when one would have loved him to say a word. I think of the death of my own sisters, late twenty and early thirty in age, two years apart. God stayed silent. And other sufferings over the years, such as when a young child dies! Or when a young child is suffering from so much pain, hospitalized! God appears to always stay silent when we would need him to speak. Again, could God’s silence be God’s speech? Or maybe God knows that speech in such circumstances cannot resolve anything.

Perhaps the best God can do in the situation of the tragic death of Didimus is just God’s presence. He had promised in the revelation of His Sacred Name to Israel – Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh (Exodus 3:14) – I will be with you in the manner in which I will be with you. Perhaps Buber and Levinas were right after all: the Tetragrammaton was not, in the first place, about being, ontology or metaphysics. It was about presence: God will be present with Israel. God will be present with us, in life and in death. And precisely that presence, even if He does not speak, leaves the possibility for hope open. God is present, even when God does not speak. I am not alone. And so, God is presence, because God is being. That is the Ratzingerian synthesis: being and presence are not antithetical.

Like Job and like Jesus, we end where we began: God has refused to speak. God has refused to answer. God has refused to take the witness stand to provide me an explanation for why Didimus had to go so soon in such a painful way. And yet God is not nothing. God is there. Perhaps, with Newman, I could only console myself with these thoughts: “God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work (…) Therefore, I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am. I can never be thrown away” (St. John Henry Newman). We must learn to live with God’s silence. May the soul of Didimus, priest of God, rest in the peace of the Silent God, Amen. May he pray for us who are still on the way. See you, Fr Didimus, in the heavenly Boston College. We will discuss theology there, with Augustine, Aquinas, Bonaventure, and other great minds, not leaving out your patron saint, St. Didimus the Blind (c. 318 – 398), Dean of the Theological School of Alexandria, disciple of Origen of Alexandria.

By Fr Maurice Agbaw-Ebai

1 2 3