Monthly Archives: March 2026

16, March 2026

Bishop Nkuo says government must protect young Cameroonians from traffickers ⁰

A bishop in Cameroon’s war-torn North West region petitioned the government to act on the alarming number of Cameroonians trapped in human trafficking camps in Nigeria.

Bishop George Nkuo of Kumbo said the Justice and Peace Commission of his diocese has confirmed that over 3,000 Cameroonians are trapped in nine traffickers’ camps in Nigeria.

Speaking to The Tablet shortly after handing over a confidential petition to authorities and consular services in Yaoundé, he said further indicators suggest there could be as many as 40 camps affecting over 7,000 Cameroonians.

Like many parts of Cameroon’s English-speaking North West and South West regions, the Diocese of Kumbo has become accustomed to the phenomenon of human trafficking, but the separatist war afflicting both regions has caused an alarming escalation.

“The most critical factor is the closure of government schools. In Bui Division [the administrative area that covers parts of the diocese] alone, 42,000 children were attending government schools. Now, all those schools are closed. These children have nowhere to go – they are left idle and helpless,” Bishop Nkuo said.

“Traffickers are taking direct advantage of this vulnerability. With children out of school and families struggling, people are luring them away with false promises. They tell the children they will provide them with jobs, an education or a ‘better life’ in a ‘greener pasture’. For a child with no school and no prospects, these offers are dangerously appealing. The situation is spiraling out of control.”

He continued: “Our youth should be in classrooms and not in camps. They should be on farms and in industries, not in bondage. They should be in seminaries, workshops and families, not on exploitation expeditions.”

“The promises made to them are entirely false,” said Isidore Njodzeven, deputy head of the diocese’s Justice and Peace Commission.

“They cannot return home because their documents are taken away upon arrival. They can only make calls at designated times, while those monitoring them create a false sense of normalcy.”

Bishop Nkuo said he has written to the governments of Cameroon and Nigeria, drawing their attention to the trafficking crisis: “We believe they are committed to resolving it.”

He said a more sustainable solution depended not just on bringing an end to the separatist crisis, but also creating the conditions for young people to thrive in Cameroon.

Source: The Tablet

16, March 2026

Ambazonia commander killed in Bafut ⁰

Two separatist fighters, including a commander, were killed when Cameroonian government forces struck their hideout in the country’s war-torn Anglophone Northwest region, local and security sources said on Sunday.

The operation, as confirmed by a military official in the region who requested not to be named, was launched late Saturday in Bafut, a locality in the region.

A key separatist commander who called himself “General Jakaban” was killed in the operation.

“The separatist terrorist general was a coward who attacked civilians and kidnapped them for ransom. He has terrorized people in Bafut for years, killing civilians and soldiers,” the official said.

Cameroon’s army has deployed additional troops to the region, which is expected to welcome the pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, Leo XIV, next month.

Fighting between government forces and separatist fighters has persisted in Cameroon’s two English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions since 2017, when separatists attempted to establish an independent nation in these regions.

Source: Xinhuanet

15, March 2026

Epstein team remnants plotting 9/11-like attack to blame on Tehran ⁰

Iran’s security chief has warned of plots to stage a false flag attack similar to the September 11 attacks and blame it on Iran, saying while the Islamic Republic is firmly punishing the aggressors, it fundamentally opposes such terrorist attacks.

“I’ve heard that the remaining members of Epstein’s network have devised a conspiracy to create an incident similar to 9/11 and blame Iran for it,” Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, wrote in a post on his X account on Sunday.

He made clear that Iran fundamentally opposes such terrorist schemes and has no war with the American people.

According to Larijani, Iran is currently defending itself against the aggression of the United States and Israel. “Of course, in this defense it is acting very strongly and resolutely in order to punish the aggressors,” he added.

The remarks came after the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) roundly dismissed any connection to a series of drone strikes targeting positions in the Saudi capital Riyadh and the energy-rich Eastern Province, urging Saudi authorities to fully investigate their origin.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also clarified that the Iranian Armed Forces “only American bases and interests in the region.”

In an interview with Al-Arabi Al-Jadid, Araghchi speculated that the Israeli regime may have targeted non-military areas in neighboring Arab countries to destroy their relations with Iran.

Source: Presstv

15, March 2026

Ambazonia Interim Gov’t reacts to Pope Leo’s visit ⁰

The Visit of His Holiness the Pope to French Cameroun and Ambazonia

The people of the former British Southern Cameroons, now known as Ambazonia, take note of the visit of His Holiness, the Pope, to French Cameroun and Ambazonia in April this year, at a time when our land has endured nine years of a devastating and unresolved war of genocide.

As Head of the Roman Catholic Church, Sovereign of the Vatican City, and a global moral voice for peace and justice, the Pope carries not only spiritual authority but also a profound responsibility to stand with the oppressed, the suffering, and the voiceless.

Ambazonia holds the Church in deep respect. In our towns and villages, Catholic parishes have long been pillars of faith, education, healthcare, and community life. In times of fear and displacement, some Church leaders have kept the moral value of the church by speaking truth to power and the Church has often been a place of refuge. For this, we remain grateful.

We therefore call upon Roman Catholic faithful across Ambazonia to come out in large numbers to welcome the Holy Father warmly and peacefully. Let them receive him with dignity, and let them tell him their story firsthand. The widows, the orphans, the displaced, the imprisoned, and the silenced must have their voices heard. The Church must keep its moral standard and remain steadfast in truth.

For nine years, Ambazonia has witnessed a war of genocide ongoing, grave human rights violations, destruction of communities, displacement of civilians, and the imprisonment of political leaders and activists. Among those detained are the Nera-10 and many other political prisoners held in the prisons of French Cameroun. Amid this tragedy, the Catholic Church stands as one of the few moral institutions that has courageously attempted to chart a peaceful path toward justice and dialogue.

As far back as 2017, the Bishops of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province proposed a clear and constructive roadmap aimed at ending the escalating violence and opening a pathway for genuine negotiations between the government of French Cameroon and the people of Southern Cameroons (Ambazonia). Their proposal called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, sincere dialogue, and the addressing of the root causes of the crisis. Tragically, this well-intentioned and morally grounded initiative was ignored by the French Cameroun government.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation and the deepening humanitarian catastrophe, the late Cardinal Christian Wiyghan Tumi, a revered servant of God and respected national figure, took an even more courageous step. Determined to ensure that the voice of the people would be heard, Cardinal Tumi spearheaded a broad consultation among the people of Southern Cameroons to determine what they believed to be the most just and permanent solution to the conflict.

Despite numerous obstacles placed in the way of organizing the Anglophone General Conference by the French Cameroun Government, Cardinal Tumi and other religious leaders proceeded to conduct a wide consultation and survey among Ambazonians at home and in the diaspora. The results were clear and unmistakable: the overwhelming majority of respondents expressed their desire for complete independence as the only viable path to lasting peace, dignity, and justice.

This consultation represented one of the most credible and transparent attempts to democratically capture the aspirations of the people during the ongoing conflict. It was an effort grounded in moral authority, consultation, and peaceful resolution rather than violence. Unfortunately, these findings, like the earlier proposals of the Bishops, were largely ignored by the authorities of French Cameroun.

Today, as the war continues to claim innocent lives and devastate communities, it is important to remember that peaceful pathways were offered. The Church provided a moral compass and created opportunities for negotiations. The people themselves expressed their aspirations through consultation. The tragedy of this war of genocide is not only the violence we witness on a daily basis, but also the missed opportunities for peace that could have prevented years of bloodshed. Peace cannot be built on silence or denial. It must be built on truth, justice, and the freely expressed will of the people.

As Ambassador for Peace, the Pope speaks truth to power. We plead with him to address openly the realities of the war in Ambazonia and to call unequivocally for:

1. An immediate cessation of hostilities;

2. The release of the Nera-10 and all political prisoners;

3. Protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law;

4. A genuine, inclusive, and internationally mediated dialogue aimed at a negotiated settlement of the conflict.

The Holy See has historically played important roles in mediation and reconciliation across the world. We believe the Vatican can once again offer its high office as neutral ground for negotiations. We therefore call upon the Holy See to recognize the efforts that were made and to support renewed, credible, and inclusive negotiations that respect the clearly expressed will and dignity of the people of Southern Cameroons/Ambazonia.

Ambazonia stands ready and willing to meet with the Pope at the Vatican in Rome and to engage sincerely in any initiative undertaken by the Vatican to bring about peace, justice, and a sustainable political solution. Our people desire not perpetual conflict, but dignity, security, and the right to determine their future through peaceful means.

This visit can not be ceremonial alone. It must be prophetic. It must be courageous. It must reflect the moral clarity that the world expects from the Chair of Saint Peter.

May truth guide this moment.May justice anchor it.And may peace finally take root in our land.

Dabney Yerima

Vice President the Federal Republic of Ambazonia

14, March 2026

Catholic Men in Cameroon express excitement about envisioned Pope’s visit ⁰

The National President of the Catholic Men Association (CMA) in Cameroon has pledged that members of the association will be “present in every activity” of the April 15–18 planned visit of Pope Leo XIV to the central African country.

In a Thursday, March 12 interview with ACI Africa, Okie Johnson Ndoh said the confirmation of the Pope’s visit has been received with excitement among Catholic men in Cameroon and other members of the group living in the diaspora.

“We received this news with total joy, excitement, and fulfilment. At last, the rumour is confirmed. The Pope is coming,” Mr. Ndoh told ACI Africa.

He added, “The CMA is totally mobilised. We are engaged in every activity, being the fathers of the Church, in our role to assist the Church, the Bishops, the Priests, especially as the Pope comes.”

Mr. Ndoh emphasized that the association is ready to support the Church during the papal visit, noting that Catholic men see themselves as pillars of the Church and leaders within their families and communities.

“Our mobilisation will be total, we will be present in every activity, in every event that the Pope has,” he said.

The Catholic official continued, “CMA will be very present at every single event of the Pope and in every activity that the Church thinks necessary to involve the CMA.”

The CMA President who is also serving as the general coordinator of the papal visit in Cameroon, described his task as a moment of pride for the association.

“I call on all CMA members, wherever you are, to mobilize, and to be behind the Church in every activity that is going on. Be it in Yaoundé, be it in Bamenda, be it in Douala. All of us must be present and show our leading role,” he said.

Mr. Ndoh encouraged Catholic men across Cameroon and abroad to take part in welcoming the Pope, describing the moment as an opportunity to demonstrate humility, service, and commitment to the Church.

He emphasized that the Pope’s visit comes at a time when Cameroon continues to face social and political challenges, and urged Catholics to receive the Pope’s message of peace and reconciliation.

“You know the Pope is coming with a message of peace. He is coming as a messenger of peace,” he said, and added, “All of us must therefore put our hands together to pray in total commitment that this message of peace, love, reconciliation, and forgiveness be received by all.”

Mr. Ndoh noted that members of the association have been praying for peace in Cameroon since 2019, an d expressed optimism that the papal visit would be the height of prayers for peace in the country.

Calling on Catholic men to deepen their prayer life, he added that the papal visit should inspire Cameroonians to forgive one another and rebuild unity.

Meanwhile, preparations are also underway to ensure that the liturgical celebrations during the papal visit reflect both the universal traditions of the Church and the cultural richness of Cameroon.

Fr. Antoine Essomba Fouda, a member of the national liturgical preparation team, told ACI Africa that papal liturgies follow specific canons.

“The papal liturgy obeys the canons of simplicity, sobriety, and solemnity,” Fr. Fouda said, and added, “For the requirements of inculturation, the Church in Cameroon will ensure that this liturgy is inculturated in its gestures, sacred songs, and responses.”

According to the Catholic Priest, choirs and cultural expressions will play a significant role in the celebrations across the three cities that will host the Pope.

He told ACI Africa that in Douala there will be a choir of about 600 people, in Bamenda about 400, and another choir of no less than 200 or 300 people dressed in traditional costumes.

Fr. Fouda emphasized that while the celebrations will highlight Cameroon’s cultural richness, the focus will remain on prayer and worship.

“This liturgy will be festive but at the same time prayerful,” he said, adding that the papal visit in Cameroon should remain “a moment of prayer, elevation and praise to the Lord.”

He also revealed that the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) entrusted him with coordinating preparations with the Vatican’s Office of Liturgical Celebrations.

“The National Episcopal Conference has put me on a mission to meet the Master of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Holy Father, Monsignor Ravelli, so that we can prepare this liturgy,” he said.

Fr. Fouda invited Catholics from across the country to participate in the liturgical celebrations planned in Yaoundé, Bamenda, and Douala.

“I invite all Christians from Cameroon, wherever they are, to come and participate in these liturgical celebrations… for the greatest glory of God and our own sanctification,” he said.

Source: ACI Africa

14, March 2026

Iran says attacks on its islands were launched from UAE, vows to respond ⁰

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says US attacks on two Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf that took place overnight on Saturday originated in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and he warns that Iran will definitely respond.

Araghchi said on Saturday that the US military used populated areas in the UAE to fire on Kharg, an island that houses Iran’s oil‑export terminals, and on Abu Musa, a strategic island at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz.

“Last night they attacked Kharg Island and Abu Musa Island with the artillery‑rocket system HIMARS, which is a short‑range rocket system,” he said.

“They launched these rockets from the soil of our neighbors. It is crystal clear they are using our neighbors’ territory to attack us, and this is absolutely unacceptable.”

The minister said Iranian military forces tracked the attacks, which he said came from Ras Al Khaimah and a location very close to Dubai.

Araghchi added that firing from densely populated areas is a very dangerous practice, and while Iran will definitely respond, it will exercise utmost caution to avoid striking residential buildings.

“What we are doing within the framework of legitimate defense is targeting American bases, facilities, assets and interests, which unfortunately are located in the territories of our neighbors,” he said.

The attacks on Kharg and Abu Musa did not hit Iranian energy facilities but caused losses at military sites on the two islands.

Iran has previously responded to similar attacks and warned that if oil or electricity production facilities are targeted, it will launch massive strikes on all energy facilities in Persian Gulf countries where the United States has interests.

Source: Press TV

14, March 2026

Yaoundé launches XAF 10.4 billion tourism programme to attract more visitors ⁰

Cameroon has launched the execution of its 2026 tourism budget, allocating CFA francs 10.391 billion to modernise infrastructure, promote domestic destinations and strengthen the training of sector operators.

The programme was officially launched on Monday, March 9, in Yaounde by acting Minister of Tourism and Leisure Gabriel Mbairobe, in the presence of officials from the ministry and other government administrations.

According to information presented during the launch, the funds will support the development of tourism infrastructure, expand the promotion of local destinations and encourage the “Made in Cameroon” brand within the tourism industry. Authorities say the initiative aims to stimulate activity in the sector while highlighting the country’s economic potential and strengthening tourism-related industries.

A detailed breakdown of the budget was presented by Abou Hamadou, Director of General Affairs at the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure. It shows that CFA francs 4.654 billion will be dedicated to promoting domestic tourism across the country, while CFA francs 3.2 billion will be used to support inbound tourism and attract more international visitors.

In addition, CFA francs 1.2 billion will be transferred to municipalities to improve tourism promotion and support local initiatives. Cameroon’s regions will receive CFA francs 300 million to strengthen tourism visibility and marketing efforts.

Launching the programme, Mbairobe said the funds should help revitalise Cameroon’s tourism sector and increase the economic value derived from the country’s natural and cultural assets. He noted that the initiative aligns with government policy to support high-potential sectors and promote labour-intensive projects.

The acting minister also stressed the responsibility of public officials involved in implementing the budget, calling for rigorous management of public funds and greater accountability. He urged all stakeholders to mobilise to ensure the programme’s effective execution.

To accelerate implementation, Mbairobe set a target for all public procurement contracts linked to the projects to be launched before April, a timeline intended to ensure rapid execution of the initiatives planned for 2026.

The investment forms part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen tourism’s contribution to economic activity while improving infrastructure and increasing Cameroon’s visibility as a travel destination.

Source: Business in Cameroon

14, March 2026

Biya regime plans CFA40 billion capital increases for state SME Bank ⁰

Cameroon’s Small and Medium Enterprises Bank (BC-PME) may soon receive a significant boost to its equity. Meeting in a multi-year and mixed general assembly on February 26, 2026 in Yaoundé, the institution approved a CFA40 billion capital increase, pending authorization from the Central African Banking Commission (Cobac).

If the operation receives the regulator’s approval, the public bank’s share capital will rise from CFA20 billion to CFA60 billion. The increase will be carried out through the issuance of four million new shares with a nominal value of CFA10,000 each, fully subscribed by the Cameroonian state, which remains the bank’s sole shareholder.

Funds from the import-substitution program

The resources for the recapitalization will come from the Integrated Agropastoral and Fisheries Import Substitution Plan, a public program designed to strengthen domestic production in agriculture, livestock, and fisheries. The funds transferred to BC-PME are intended to finance private economic operators active in these sectors.

The operation also comes as banks in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) adjust to new Cobac regulations requiring a minimum share capital of CFA25 billion for credit institutions in the region. Several banks have already moved to comply with the rule, including Afriland First Bank, which increased its capital to CFA50 billion, BICEC with CFA49 billion, CCA-Bank with CFA29.4 billion, and BGFIBank Cameroon, which also raised its capital to CFA50 billion.

A struggling bank despite its SME mandate

The recapitalization takes place in a challenging context for BC-PME. Launched in 2015 to improve access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises, the public bank has struggled for several years to achieve financial stability.

According to the 2024 Statistical Yearbook on SMEs, the Social Economy, and Crafts, the bank granted only CFA1.95 billion in loans to 85 project promoters, a modest level considering its mandate to support the entrepreneurial sector.

Recent performance figures confirm these difficulties. In 2023, the bank recorded a deficit of CFA1.112 billion. In this context, the injection of new public funds appears aimed at restoring financial flexibility and strengthening the institution’s capacity to finance SMEs, which remain at the core of its mission.

Governance turbulence and strategic repositioning

The bank’s financial difficulties have also been accompanied by management turbulence. In October 2023, the board of directors appointed Amadou Haman, previously deputy managing director, as acting chief executive.

The decision followed sanctions imposed by Cobac against the former chief executive, Agnès Ndoumbe Mandeng. After a disciplinary procedure opened in 2023, the regulator withdrew her banking license and imposed a ten-year ban from working in credit institutions across the CEMAC region.

Beyond the recapitalization, the February 26, 2026 general assembly also approved the bank’s strategic development plan for 2025–2030. The plan outlines a repositioning around its core mandate of financing SMEs, with a particular focus on projects linked to the government’s import-substitution program.

Source: Business in Cameroon

14, March 2026

Hezbollah says ready for long battle as Israel threatens Lebanese infrastructure ⁰

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Friday his group was ready for a long confrontation with Israel, as the latter threatened to make Lebanon pay an “increasing price” in damage to infrastructure.

Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war last week when the Tehran-backed militant group attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.

“We have prepared ourselves for a long confrontation, and God willing, they (Israelis) will be surprised on the battlefield,” Qassem said in his second televised address since the latest war began.

“This is an existential battle, not a limited or simple battle.”

Israel on Friday destroyed a bridge over the Litani River between the towns of Zrariyeh and Tayr Falsay, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency. The river bisects southern Lebanon, from east to west.

In a statement, the Israeli military described the bridge as a “key crossing” for Hezbollah “from northern to southern Lebanon, to build up its power and prepare for combat”.

The attack was the first on Lebanese public infrastructure to be acknowledged by Israel since the start of the Middle East war.

“This is just the beginning and the Lebanese government and the state of Lebanon will pay an increasing price in damage to Lebanese national infrastructure used by Hezbollah terrorists,” Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Friday.

He said Lebanon would suffer “loss of territory — until it fulfils its central commitment of disarming Hezbollah”.

Earlier this week, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun offered to negotiate directly with Israel, but on Friday he said he had not received a response.

The Israeli military bombed several roads in southern Lebanon on Friday, according to the official National News Agency, blocking access from the north of the Litani River and from the Bekaa valley, an eastern area Hezbollah uses to transport weaponry.

The NNA also reported that Israeli shells hit the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon’s Nepalese battalion in the border town of Mays al-Jabal.

Source: AFP

14, March 2026

Minister Beti Assomo says security situation improving in troubled regions ⁰

Cameroon’s security situation in Far North, Northwest and Southwest has improved significantly, authorities said on Friday.

“Normal activities” are returning to the regions, said Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo. “The general security situation is improving and in a significant way.”

He made the remarks while reading a message from President Paul Biya during the graduation ceremony of the 40th batch of the Combined Military Services Academy, Cameroon’s top military school.

He said sustained efforts will continue until the “complete restoration” of peace and stability in the regions.

Cameroon is facing a Boko Haram insurgency in the Far North region and a prolonged armed separatist conflict in the Northwest and Southwest regions.

Source: Xinhuanet