Monthly Archives: February 2026

France, UK involved in assassination of Muammar Gaddafi’s son

6, February 2026

France, UK involved in assassination of Muammar Gaddafi’s son 0

France and the United Kingdom are reportedly involved in the assassination of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the prominent son of former Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi, as he was seen as the man who could reunite Libya after the NATO-backed uprising.

Saif al-Islam was killed by unknown gunmen who stormed his home in the town of Zintan on Tuesday.

Gaddafi’s political team said in a statement that “four masked men” killed him in a “cowardly and treacherous assassination,” adding that he tried to fight off the assailants, who shut off the security cameras at the house “in a desperate attempt to conceal traces of their heinous crimes.”

“Our sources on the ground in Libya told us that they suspect that British intelligence used local proxies to assassinate the man seen by many as the one who could reunite Libya, 15 years after NATO bombed Libya into a failed state during their campaign to kill Muammar Gaddafi,” said British broadcaster and former Press TV presenter Afshin Rattansi.

He also hinted at France’s involvement in the assassination, saying “We also know that France has deep motives in Libya, we know from Wikileaks cables that France wanted a ‘greater share in Libya’s oil production’ in 2011, and [former President Nicolas] Sarkozy was negotiating to reserve as much as 35% of Libya’s oil production.”

According to his remarks, Saif al-Islam was seen by many as “the most likely candidate to win any Presidential election” and unite the country after years of instability, especially as he had support from tribes that originally fought against his father in 2011.

“Watch now as the US, UK, and France start to steamroll ahead with the long-delayed elections in Libya, now that the one leading candidate who would have united Libya, and not followed their orders to allow Libya to be a de facto colony that is perpetually looted for its oil reserves, is now dead.”

Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service’s (SVR) press bureau noted that Saif al-Islam’s assassination came as France has reportedly been preparing “neo-colonial coups d’etat” in Africa and seeking opportunities for “political revenge” on the continent.

The report said the influence of the former colonial power in African countries is waning, as they refused “to serve as puppets of the financial and political oligarchy of French globalists.”

“Whether inspired by the American operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro or imagining himself as the arbiter of the fate of African peoples, [French President Emmanuel] Macron has authorized his special services to launch a plan to eliminate ‘undesirable leaders’ in Africa,” the SVR press bureau added.

Source: Presstv

Cameroon has reached the first 100 days of Biya’s latest term amid ongoing repression

5, February 2026

Cameroon has reached the first 100 days of Biya’s latest term amid ongoing repression 0

Cameroon has reached the first 100 days of President Paul Biya’s latest term in office, but the period has been marked more by political tension than reform.

Geopolitical Analyst, Aaron Nga’mbi described the early months of Biya’s tenure as largely “uneventful” with little progress on domestic reforms or regional policy initiatives.

 Aaron Nga’mbi painted a stark picture of the political climate, highlighting the ongoing repression of opposition figures. Several opposition leaders have fled the country, citing threats to their safety, while supporters of political challengers have reportedly faced arrests, imprisonment, and, in some cases, violence.

“The President, who is nearly 93, seems to be influenced more by those around him than fully steering the country’s future,” Nga’mbi said.

While Western nations, including the United States, have expressed concern over Cameroon’s political trajectory, Nga’mbi criticized the absence of tangible action. Opposition voices have called for targeted sanctions against Biya and senior government officials, arguing that diplomatic statements alone are insufficient to address the country’s deteriorating political environment.

Source: ChannelAfrica

SNH reshuffles leadership, names 5 women to senior roles

5, February 2026

SNH reshuffles leadership, names 5 women to senior roles 0

The National Hydrocarbons Corporation (SNH) has reshuffled its senior management following a Board of Directors meeting held on Dec. 3, 2025. Decisions No. 104 and No. 108, signed on Dec. 10 and Dec. 12, 2025, by the Executive General Manager (ADG), formalize the appointment of six new officials, including five women, according to SNH’s in-house magazine (July–December issue).

First woman appointed Second Advisor to General Management

Nathalie Moudiki (née Ada Engamba) is a central figure in the reshuffle. She has been appointed Second Advisor to the General Management, becoming the first woman to hold the post.

A graduate in business engineering, she has more than 27 years of experience at SNH, which she joined in August 1998. A lawyer by training, she spent most of her career in the Legal Division before being appointed head of the department in June 2019. She will continue in her current responsibilities alongside her new role on the management board.

In another notable appointment, Daniel Olle has been designated Advisor to the General Management while remaining Director of Human Resources.

He holds a master’s degree in business law and joined SNH in 2010 as a lawyer before moving into human resources management. His career path, from head of the personnel department to deputy director and then HR director, reflects a steady internal progression in a strategic position for governance and skills management.

Maintenance, finance and information systems strengthened

The Board of Directors also made several appointments across key operational departments.

Delphine Mai-Awe Domwa, an industrial maintenance and production engineer, has been named Director of Maintenance and Safety. She joined SNH in 2008 and has held a number of technical and managerial roles, notably in the Gas Division and the General Affairs Division. She will also retain her position as second mission officer, which she has held since 2022.

In the Finance Division, Corine Ayayi has been promoted to Finance Director after a 20-year career at SNH. A specialist in savings and financial investments, she has led key departments in treasury, financing and portfolio management.

She will be assisted by Souadatou Labarang, appointed Deputy Finance Director while continuing as head of the treasury and financing department. She holds two Master’s degrees in finance and markets.

In information systems, Ngounou Leugoue (née Moutchi Ngbango Rikia) has been appointed head of the IT Division. A graduate in information systems engineering and decision support, she has led several projects at SNH, particularly within the Maintenance and Safety Division, where she previously held sub-director-level responsibilities.

Internal Procurement Commission mandate renewed

Finally, under decision No. 105 of Dec. 10, 2025, Martial Yannick Djiani Tchuimbou has had his mandate renewed as Secretary of the Internal Procurement Commission (CIPM-SNH) for the period from June 14, 2025, to June 14, 2027.

An electrical engineer with a diploma in Petroleum Data Management, he began his career at the SNH Petroleum Information Center (CIP) as an assistant research officer in the Data Management and Archiving Section. He later became acting head of the Seismic Data Archiving and Management Service in November 2016.

Seven years later, he was appointed deputy director of the CIP in June 2023, while also serving as CIPM-SNH secretary and head of the archiving and data management department. On June 5, 2025, he was promoted to head of the Procurement Unit.

Strengthening female representation

Overall, the reshuffle combines internal promotion, continuity and a reinforced female presence within SNH’s decision-making bodies.

The magazine notes that the appointments echo President Paul Biya’s inaugural address on Nov. 6, 2025, in which he said: “The situation of young people and women will be at the heart of my action throughout this seven-year term. One of the main objectives I have set for myself is to promote better empowerment and better protection of young people and women.”

Minister Adolphe Moudiki, SNH’s Executive General Manager, appointed the six new officials following the board’s resolution, according to the document.

Source: Sbbc

Cameroon sees decline in HIV, women account for most new cases

5, February 2026

Cameroon sees decline in HIV, women account for most new cases 0

Cameroon has recorded further progress in its fight against HIV/AIDS, according to results from the second Cameroon Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (Camphia), released on February 2, by Public Health Minister Malachie Manaouda. Conducted between September 2024 and January 2025, the survey updates key epidemiological indicators and assesses the effectiveness of the national response.

The study estimates annual HIV incidence at 0.15% among people aged 15 to 49, down from 0.24% in 2017. In absolute terms, this corresponds to around 21,000 new infections each year nationwide.

The overall decline, however, conceals a persistent gender gap. Incidence stands at 0.24% among women, compared with just 0.06% among men, meaning women face a risk four times higher. The continued feminization of the epidemic remains one of the main challenges for public health authorities.

More than 500,000 people living with HIV

HIV prevalence among adults aged 15 to 49 is estimated at 2.6%, down from 3.4% in 2017. Across the general population, this represents about 503,000 adults aged 15 and over living with HIV. Gender disparities remain pronounced, with prevalence at 3.6% among women versus 1.6% among men.

Camphia data show that women account for roughly 75% of new infections. The epidemic also displays strong regional contrasts. Prevalence is around 1.5% in the North and Far North regions, but reaches up to 4.6% in the Centre region outside Yaoundé, indicating higher rates beyond major urban centers.

Another key finding relates to viral suppression, a measure of treatment effectiveness. Among people aged 55 and over living with HIV, about 95% have suppressed viral loads, reflecting strong treatment outcomes. Results are less encouraging among younger groups. Viral suppression stands at 53.7% among adolescent girls and young women aged 15 to 24, and 50.4% among men aged 25 to 34.

These gaps point to ongoing challenges in access to care, treatment adherence, and medical follow-up among younger populations, despite their higher exposure risk. The Ministry of Public Health says it plans to intensify community-based testing, with a focus on women, adolescents, and young people identified as the most vulnerable groups.

Authorities link the next phase of the response to broader health system reforms, including the rollout of universal health coverage and stronger engagement with international partners such as the Global Fund and UNDP. Cameroon’s objective remains to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

The National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections for 2021–2023, extended with projections to 2030, aims to accelerate prevention efforts, reduce new infections, eliminate mother-to-child transmission, and improve long-term quality of life for people living with HIV. Achieving these targets will require sustained investment, improved coordination, and deeper community involvement.

Source: Sbbc

Francophone officials tighten controls to curb cocoa exports to Nigeria in the South West

4, February 2026

Francophone officials tighten controls to curb cocoa exports to Nigeria in the South West 0

Cameroon’s National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC) is stepping up efforts to curb illegal cocoa exports to Nigeria, which continue to affect export revenues and sector oversight. On January 13, ONCC Director General Michael Ndoping chaired a high-level consultative meeting in Douala, on the instructions of Trade Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana.

According to the ONCC, the discussions brought together public and private stakeholders, including exporters, customs officials, and administrative authorities. Talks focused on three priorities: strengthening coordination, addressing operational challenges, and improving trade flows between Cameroon and Nigeria. The consultations form part of the implementation of new regulatory texts aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area, aimed at securing cross-border transactions.

The renewed effort comes as Nigeria is accused of siphoning part of Cameroon’s cocoa output, particularly from the Southwest region, through fraudulent imports. Data from Cameroon’s National Institute of Statistics show that Nigeria absorbed CFA41.4 billion worth of informal Cameroonian cocoa in 2024. The issue had already reached a critical level during the 2022–2023 season, when the government officially reported losses of about CFA70 billion due to fraudulent exports to Nigeria.

In response, Mbarga Atangana introduced a precautionary measure during that season, banning cocoa bean exports to the neighboring country. The government then adopted a new marketing system based on tighter controls over land, sea, and air exports, aimed at reducing undeclared outflows and restoring traceability of volumes.

Since then, Nigeria has gradually formalized its purchases. According to the ONCC, it became the leading African importer of Cameroonian cocoa in the 2024–2025 season, buying 2,100 tons. The shift has not eliminated fraud risks but has altered the balance, with part of the flows moving into formal channels while illicit exports persist in border areas.

In this context, the ONCC is accelerating the rollout of the National Unified Cocoa Traceability System. The tool is intended to meet international requirements, including the European Union’s deforestation regulation, while securing volumes exported to neighboring countries.

Source: Sbbc

Epsteingate: Former Prince Andrew moves out of Royal Lodge home

4, February 2026

Epsteingate: Former Prince Andrew moves out of Royal Lodge home 0

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has moved out of his home in Windsor to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

The former prince left Royal Lodge on Monday night and is currently living at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate while his permanent home undergoes renovations.

Buckingham Palace had said the move would happen in early 2026, but the fallout from the latest drop of Jeffrey Epstein files appears to have sped up his departure.

Pressure has been building on Mountbatten-Windsor to give evidence in the US over his relationship with the paedophile financier. He has always denied any wrongdoing.

The Palace announced that he would be moving from Royal Lodge in October, at the same time his title of prince was removed.

The Sandringham Estate is privately owned by the King and he will pay the costs of his brother’s new home. It is believed he will ultimately live at Marsh Farm on the estate.

The Andrew problem has been challenging for the Royal Family and, at times, decisions around how to handle the former prince have seemed slow and ineffective.

His lease of Royal Lodge had become symbolic of the wider problems his relationship with Epstein has caused. It raised questions about privilege, transparency and the use of public money.

It is hoped the move to Sandringham will be a decisive change that keeps Mountbatten-Windsor out of the public eye where possible.

Sources close to the Royal Family also say that although Mountbatten-Windsor’s poor judgement needed sanction, he does remain a member of the family and on a personal level there is a duty of care owed to him, hence the provision of a home in Norfolk funded by the King.

Mountbatten-Windsor, also formerly known as the Duke of York, is expected to return to Windsor over the next few weeks to collect the remainder of his belongings but his permanent base is now officially in Norfolk.

He was last seen in Windsor on Monday, riding on horseback close to his previous home. He was also photographed driving away from Windsor Castle waving at passers by.

The images were poorly received by the Palace.

Source: BBC

Libya: Gaddafi’s son reportedly shot dead

4, February 2026

Libya: Gaddafi’s son reportedly shot dead 0

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of Libya’s former leader Col Muammar Gaddafi, has reportedly been shot dead.

The death of the 53-year-old, who was once widely seen as his father’s heir apparent, was confirmed by the head of his political team on Tuesday, according to the Libyan News Agency.

His lawyer told the AFP news agency a “four-man commando” unit carried out an assassination at his home in the city of Zintan, though it was not clear who may have been behind the attack.

In a competing version of events, his sister told Libyan TV that he had died near the country’s border with Algeria.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was long seen as the most influential and feared figure in the country after his father, who ruled Libya from 1969 until being ousted and killed during an uprising in 2011.

Born in 1972, he played a key role in Libya’s rapprochement with the West from 2000 until the collapse of the Gaddafi regime.

After his father’s removal, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi – who was accused of playing a key role in the brutal repression of anti-government protests – was jailed by a rival militia in the city of Zintan for almost six years.

The International Criminal Court wanted to put him on trial for crimes against humanity for his alleged role in the suppression of opposition protests in 2011.

In 2015, he was given a death sentence in absentia for his role in the crackdown by a court in Tripoli, in the west of the country, where control is in the hands of the UN-backed government.

But he was released by militia in Tobruk, in the east, under an amnesty law two years later.

Since the overthrow of Gaddafi, Libya has been split into areas controlled by various militias and is currently divided between two rival governments.

During his father’s time as leader, he shaped policy and led high-profile negotiations despite having no official role in government, including those which led his father to abandon his nuclear weapons programme.

Such agreements saw international sanctions on the north African country lifted, and some considered Gaddafi a reformist and acceptable face of a changing Libya.

Gaddafi had always denied that he wanted to inherit power from his father, saying the reins of power were “not a farm to inherit”.

However, in 2021 he announced he would run for the presidency in elections which were then postponed indefinitely.

Source: BBC

Southern Cameroons: sharp rise in casualties linked to improvised explosive devices

3, February 2026

Southern Cameroons: sharp rise in casualties linked to improvised explosive devices 0

Cameroon recorded a sharp rise in casualties linked to improvised explosive devices in 2025. Figures released on January 29, 2026, during the 16th session of the National Commission in charge of combating the use of IEDs show that 99 people were affected last year, compared with 19 in 2024, an increase of 421%.

The toll highlights the scale of the threat across the country. The North-West, South-West, and Far North regions accounted for most incidents, with 36, 30, and 33 victims respectively in 2025. The figures include civilians as well as members of the defense and security forces, underlining the indiscriminate nature of these homemade devices.

In the North-West and South-West, insecurity is linked to the sociopolitical crisis that began in late 2016 and escalated into an armed conflict in 2017 between separatist groups and state forces. In the Far North, pressure remains driven by incursions by Boko Haram since Cameroon declared war on the group in 2014. In these areas, IEDs have become “the weapon of choice for terrorist groups,” according to Brigadier General Elokobi Daniel Njock, central director for coordination at the National Gendarmerie.

In response to this trend, the commission, created in 2022 by the Presidency, issued several recommendations. These include strengthening the operational capacities of the defense and security forces through modern equipment for IED detection and neutralization, stepping up national and cross-border coordination, particularly in the Far North, to disrupt explosive supply networks, and improving medical care for the injured as well as psychosocial support for security personnel and affected communities.

Multilateral, bilateral, and subregional partners

In the fight against IEDs, Cameroon relies on multilateral, bilateral, and subregional partnerships. Working with the United Nations system, including the United Nations Mine Action Service, the country says it has obtained an initial UN level 1 certification in IED-related training.

France and the United States also support Cameroon through training and equipment. At the subregional level, engagement includes participation in the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic and the Multinational Joint Task Force against Boko Haram.

Authorities also say the country has a specialized laboratory, dedicated IED neutralization equipment, and trained specialists who are regularly deployed nationwide and in external operations. They stress that countering IEDs is a permanent challenge requiring constant adaptation to armed groups’ tactics, ongoing strengthening of human and material capacities, and greater public awareness of the risks.

Source: Business in Cameroon

Sonara turns to Dangote for funding, fuel supply as debt pressures mount

3, February 2026

Sonara turns to Dangote for funding, fuel supply as debt pressures mount 0

Cameroon’s national oil refinery Sonara has opened discussions with Nigeria’s Dangote Group as it looks for financing and supply solutions to support its long-delayed restart, against the backdrop of a CFA479 billion debt burden.

From January 20 to 23, 2026, a Sonara delegation led by Chief Executive Officer El Hadj Bako Harouna traveled to Lagos to meet members of the management team of the Dangote refinery. The talks focused on potential financial backing and technical support as part of Sonara’s broader recovery strategy.

Sonara said the visit aimed to lay the groundwork for a lasting technical and commercial partnership that would help secure Cameroon’s fuel supply, ensure adequate domestic consumption, and support the country’s push toward energy independence.

Fuel supply and loans at the core of Sonara’s recovery plan

In the short term, Sonara is seeking to negotiate fuel supply arrangements with the Dangote refinery while also exploring the possibility of a loan from the group controlled by Aliko Dangote. These discussions are part of Sonara’s “Parras 24” recovery plan, which targets a return to refining within 24 months and is estimated by the company at CFA291.9 billion.

The first phase of the plan is scheduled for 2026–2027 and focuses on rehabilitating facilities damaged in the 2019 fire that shut down the refinery. Any deeper involvement by Dangote, however, remains tied to progress in restructuring Sonara’s debt, which stands at CFA479 billion and is owed mainly to banks and fuel traders.

Since 2022, debt servicing has been supported by a state-backed mechanism that levies CFA47.8 on every liter of fuel sold at the pump. The measure is intended to stabilize repayments and remains in place pending full implementation of the recovery plan and subsequent modernization phases.

Multiple financiers, BEAC option still on the table

Dangote is not the only potential source of funding. Several lenders and partners have expressed interest in the Sonara file, including the Union of Arab and French Banks, Dutch bank ING, Mauritius Commercial Bank, Cameroon’s National Hydrocarbons Corporation, and the Ariana/RCG consortium.

The Bank of Central African States has also indicated its willingness to step in through its “window B,” which is reserved for refinancing medium-term loans tied to productive investment. The regional central bank has said it could cover up to 60% of Sonara’s financing needs.

In the near term, Dangote’s most immediate role could be as a strategic supplier. With Sonara still offline, Cameroon relies entirely on imports to meet domestic fuel demand. According to the Finance Ministry’s latest economic outlook, the country imported CFA333.7 billion worth of fuels and lubricants in the first half of 2025, representing about 899,000 tons supplied to the local market.

Source: Business in Cameroon

Football: Bamboutos Mbouda arrives at stadium with 8 players, no technical staff

1, February 2026

Football: Bamboutos Mbouda arrives at stadium with 8 players, no technical staff 0

An unusual occurrence in Cameroon’s second division, Elite Two! Bamboutos Mbouda club, which was scheduled to play Avion FC Académie on Saturday, 31 January 2026, in the first round of the 2025-26 season, showed up with only eight players.

The team also arrived without any technical staff. During the match, two of the eight players on the pitch were injured and left their teammates. Bamboutos Mbouda could not continue the match with only six players. As a result, the match was stopped by the officials.

It is now up to the Disciplinary Committee of the Cameroonian Football Federation to decide on the outcome of the match.

Source: Dailysports

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