Monthly Archives: June 2026

13, June 2026

US denies visa to Palestine football chief for World Cup attendance ⁰

The president of the Palestinian Football Association says he was denied a visa to enter the United States for the FIFA World Cup, raising concerns over access restrictions for accredited participants attending one of the world’s largest sporting events amid ongoing tensions in West Asia.

Jibril Rajoub said on Saturday that he remains in Mexico City awaiting permission to travel to the US and join other football federation leaders attending the tournament.

Rajoub was present at Thursday’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa, but said he has been unable to enter the US despite being accredited for the World Cup.

He is among several individuals connected to the tournament who have reportedly either been denied visas or are still waiting for approval from US authorities.

“I don’t believe that it’s fair to use or to abuse and deny the right of all footballers all over the world to attend,” Rajoub said.

Although Palestine did not qualify for the World Cup, FIFA traditionally invites the heads of national football associations from around the world to attend the tournament, which the governing body promotes as a celebration of international unity through sport.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously stressed the inclusive nature of the competition.

“Everyone will be welcome in Canada, Mexico, and the United States for the FIFA World Cup next year. We are working exactly for that,” he said last year.

However, reports of visa difficulties involving participants from several countries have cast a shadow over those commitments. According to media reports, a referee from Somalia and a photographer travelling with Iraq’s national team have also faced entry problems.

Last week, the US denied visas to several Iranian national football team officials and staff ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite its duties as one of the hosts of the global event.

Addressing the issue this week, Infantino acknowledged that FIFA had been working to resolve visa-related challenges, but emphasized that the organization could not override the decisions of sovereign governments.

Source: Presstv

13, June 2026

Yaoundé, Abu Dhabi explore new trade and investment framework ⁰

Cameroon and the United Arab Emirates have opened discussions on a new framework aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties.

The initiative was discussed during a meeting in Yaounde on June 10, 2026 between Minister of Trade Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana and Salem Saeed Alsham, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates accredited to Nigeria and Cameroon. The talks focused on expanding economic cooperation and identifying new areas of commercial partnership between the two countries, which have maintained diplomatic relations since 1975.

A key proposal examined during the meeting was the possible conclusion of a Comprehensive Investment Partnership Agreement. The proposed framework would establish legal and institutional mechanisms to facilitate trade, encourage investment flows and provide a structured basis for long-term economic cooperation.

According to figures presented by the Emirati diplomat and relayed by the Ministry of Trade, non-oil trade between Cameroon and the UAE reached US$1.24 billion in 2024, representing a two per cent increase compared with the previous year. Both sides described the performance as encouraging while acknowledging significant scope for further growth in trade and investment.

From Cameroon’s perspective, the discussions focused on attracting investment into value-added industries rather than relying solely on exports of unprocessed commodities. Minister Mbarga Atangana highlighted opportunities in the agro-industrial sector, particularly in the processing of cocoa, palm oil, cotton and coffee.

The minister said the various derivatives produced from these commodities offer investment opportunities for foreign partners, including Emirati investors seeking projects beyond the hydrocarbons sector. The Ministry of Trade reiterated Cameroon’s commitment to creating favourable conditions for foreign investment while expanding commercial partnerships with strategic international markets.

According to information published by the ministry, the UAE’s growing interest in the Cameroonian market reflects the Gulf state’s broader strategy of diversifying its international economic engagement and exploring opportunities beyond the oil and gas sector.

For Cameroon, the discussions are part of wider efforts to attract productive investment capable of supporting industrial development and export diversification. Authorities view foreign direct investment in processing industries as a means of increasing local value addition and strengthening the country’s export base.

Both sides welcomed the prospect of concluding a trade and investment cooperation agreement, describing it as a potential instrument for strengthening economic ties and creating a more predictable framework for future business activity.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepen bilateral economic relations and explore mechanisms that could support increased trade, investment and industrial cooperation between the two countries, according to the Ministry of Trade.

Source: Business in Cameroon

13, June 2026

Southern Cameroons Crisis: 2 gov’t soldiers killed in Ambazonia ambush ⁰

At least two Cameroonian soldiers were killed on Thursday in a separatist ambush in the country’s war-torn English-speaking Northwest region, according to security sources.

The soldiers were stationed at a military outpost in the Belo locality when they were attacked, a military official in the region confirmed.

Ambazonia fighters took the Cameroon government army soldiers by surprise and ambushed them around 2 p.m. on Thursday.

Local media have reported an increase in attacks on civilians and security forces in the region in recent weeks. Since Monday, at least four soldiers and five civilians have been killed in shootings in the region, according to local police reports.

Cameroon’s English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions have been gripped by an armed separatist conflict since 2017, with separatist groups seeking to establish an independent state.

Source: Xinhaunet

13, June 2026

Indomitable Lions: Hervé Renard set to replace David Pagou ⁰

The Cameroonian Football Federation is keen to appoint the French tactician as the new manager of the Indomitable Lions.

The governing body of Cameroonian football, led by Samuel Eto’o, is looking to make changes at the helm of the national team’s coaching staff. Officials are considering replacing David Pagou, who has been in charge since the last Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

However, the Federation is reportedly targeting Hervé Renard. According to local media, the governing body has already made contact with the 57-year-old French tactician. The aim is to convince Hervé Renard to take charge of the Indomitable Lions for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which begin next September.

Hervé Renard has experience of African football. He has managed Zambia, Ivory Coast, Angola and Morocco. He won the Africa Cup of Nations with the Chipolopolo (2012) and the Elephants (2015).

Source: Dailysports

13, June 2026

Biya regime seeks closer ties between universities and employers ⁰

Finding an internship remains a major challenge for many students in Cameroon. While universities graduate thousands of students every year, access to a first professional experience often remains one of the biggest barriers to employment.

In an effort to bridge the gap between academic training and labor market needs, the Ministry of Higher Education signed partnership agreements on June 3 in Yaoundé with the Cameroon Press and Publishing Corporation (Sopecam), Cameroon Telecommunications (Camtel), and the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA).

The agreements are designed to expand access to academic and professional internships for students and recent graduates in sectors considered strategic for the country’s development, including media, telecommunications, and civil aviation. According to the ministry, the partnerships aim to improve graduate employability through skills-based professional experience, support workforce integration, reduce youth unemployment and underemployment, strengthen the practical orientation of university programs, and encourage innovation in key sectors of the economy.

Beyond the signing ceremony, the initiative addresses a long-standing criticism of Cameroon’s higher education system: the disconnect between academic training and the skills employers seek.

Many companies argue that graduates often possess strong theoretical knowledge but lack the practical experience needed to enter the workforce. Under the agreements, students will have the opportunity to work within partner organizations, gain hands-on experience, develop job-ready skills, and better understand the realities of their future professions.

Targeting Fast-Changing Industries

The initiative comes as youth employment remains a major concern for policymakers. Higher education specialists generally view internships as a critical step between university and employment. They help students build professional networks, gain valuable experience, and in some cases secure their first job.

The choice of partners also reflects the government’s desire to steer students toward industries undergoing rapid transformation.

In telecommunications, digitalization is creating demand for skills related to networks, digital services, and cybersecurity. In civil aviation, modernization efforts are opening opportunities in management, safety, and technology-related fields. The media sector is also evolving rapidly as digital platforms reshape how information is produced and consumed.

Higher Education Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo said the partnerships are intended to better prepare students for their professional careers. According to him, the internship programs will provide direct exposure to strategic sectors and allow students to complement classroom learning with practical experience.

The real challenge, however, will be translating these commitments into meaningful opportunities for a large number of young people. For many graduates, access to a first professional experience remains one of the most important factors in securing a place in the job market.

Source: Sbbc

12, June 2026

Yaoundé steps up blood donation drive amid severe shortage ⁰

Ahead of World Blood Donor Day on June 14, Cameroon has renewed efforts to address a severe blood shortage that continues to challenge the country’s healthcare system.

In Yaoundé, the National Blood Transfusion Center (CNTS) has launched a special blood donation campaign with support from the U.S. Embassy in Cameroon. The initiative aims to attract new donors and encourage regular volunteers to continue donating.

The campaign aligns with this year’s global theme: “Give Blood, Give Hope: Together We Save Lives.” Behind the message lies a pressing healthcare need. Hospitals across the country require blood products every day to treat road accident victims, women facing complications during childbirth, children suffering from severe anemia, patients with severe malaria, and people undergoing surgery.

The challenge remains substantial. Cameroon needs about 400,000 units of blood each year to meet national demand. In 2025, the National Blood Transfusion Center collected 186,500 units, up from 147,034 units in 2022. As a result, national blood coverage increased from 37% to 47% over three years. Despite that progress, the country still faces an annual shortfall of more than 200,000 units.

Regional disparities add to the challenge. According to CNTS data, the Center, Littoral, and East regions achieve blood coverage rates of around 60%, while the South, North, and Far North regions remain below 30%. These gaps leave some hospitals more vulnerable to shortages, particularly in areas where blood collection campaigns are less frequent or more difficult to organize.

For blood transfusion specialists, the priority extends beyond increasing donation volumes. They seek to build a culture of voluntary, regular, and unpaid blood donation, which is considered the safest model for maintaining a stable and secure blood supply.

Such an approach also reduces dependence on replacement donations, often requested from patients’ relatives during emergencies.

Blood safety remains another key concern. According to CNTS, the share of blood units showing infectious risk factors declined from 9% in 2024 to 8.1% in 2025. The improvement reflects stronger quality-control procedures, biological screening of donations, staff training, and greater standardization across blood banks.

The campaign in Yaoundé also forms part of a broader framework of health cooperation between Cameroon and the United States. In December 2025, the two countries signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding covering HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and global health security.

With World Blood Donor Day only days away, health authorities hope to turn awareness into action. For Cameroon’s healthcare system, every unit collected helps narrow a still-significant gap between supply and demand. For patients, it can mean the difference between a medical emergency successfully treated and a life lost because blood was unavailable.

Source: Sbbc

12, June 2026

World Cup: Mexico begins process of taking South African jobs ⁰

Mexico delivered a statement in the 2026 World Cup’s opening match, dominating South Africa 2-0 at the Azteca Stadium.

Julian Quinones scored the opening goal of the tournament and veteran striker Raul Jimenez added a second as the co-hosts’ bid for qualification from Group A got off to smooth start.

South Africa meanwhile never looked like spoiling the opening day fiesta, and finished with only nine men after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off.

The Mexican-colored red, green and white smoke from pre-game fireworks had barely dissipated before Quinones fired the hosts into the lead on nine minutes, drilling a low shot through the legs of South Africa’s goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams.

A deafening roar cascaded down from the stands of the Azteca, the footballing cathedral that became the only stadium to host games at three different World Cups.

South Africa coach Hugo Broos had warned his players to be ready for the intimidating atmosphere created by a capacity 80,824 crowd at the imposing concrete arena.

Two red cards

But South Africa’s players looked to have a bad case of stage fright as Mexico’s fans greeted each completed pass with a raucous chorus of “Ole!” in the opening minutes.

Sithole seemed particularly affected, being caught in possession trying to play out of the back for Quinones’ opening goal.

Sithole’s miserable afternoon ended with a 49th minute dismissal after bundling over Mexico’s Brian Gutierrez when clean through on goal.

Mexico rammed home their advantage in the 67th minute, with a fine counter attack culminating in Roberto Alvarado crossing for Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Jimenez to nod home at the far post.

It got worse for South Africa in the 84th minute when Zwane was dismissed after a VAR review for flinging an arm into the face of Alvarado.

There was still time for late drama when Mexican defender Cesar Montes was shown a red card for a clumsy challenge on Khulisa Mudau on the edge of the penalty area.

Source: AFP

12, June 2026

Exam leaks in CPDM Cameroon: A symptom of a deeper corruption crisis ⁰

The recurring problem of examination leaks in Cameroon is often treated as an isolated failure of educational administration. However, many Cameroonians have now opined that these incidents reflect a broader culture of bad governance, lack of accountability and corruption that has developed under the long rule of the 92-year-old President Paul Biya and his CPDM government based in Yaoundé.

For members of the ruling CPDM crime syndicate who do not know, examination leaks undermine the integrity of the country’s education system. The leaks devalue the hard work of honest students, erode public confidence in academic qualifications and create unfair advantages for those with access to privileged networks. Yet such leaks do not occur in a vacuum. They require the involvement or at least the negligence of individuals entrusted with safeguarding examination materials in all the ten regions of Cameroon.

Some commentators contend that the persistence of these scandals points to a deeper governance problem in Yaoundé. When state institutions lack transparency and government officials are rarely held accountable for misconduct, corruption can spread throughout public service establishments. In such an environment, the temptation to exploit confidential examination materials for personal gain becomes greater, while the likelihood of meaningful consequences remains low.

Under President Biya’s administration, opposition figures and civil society groups have frequently raised concerns about corruption, patronage and institutional weakness. They argue that these systemic issues have contributed to declining public trust in state institutions, including the education sector. From this perspective, examination leaks are not merely educational failures but symptoms of broader political and administrative shortcomings.

Supporters of the corrupt Biya regime, however, maintain that examination malpractice is a challenge faced by many countries and should not be attributed solely to national political leadership. They point to efforts by education minister Prof Nalova Lyonga to strengthen security measures, investigate leaks and punish offenders.

Nevertheless, the repeated occurrence of examination leaks raises difficult questions. If anti-corruption measures are effective, why do similar scandals continue to emerge? Why do students and parents repeatedly fear that examination results may be compromised? These concerns suggest that stronger oversight, greater transparency and more robust accountability mechanisms are needed.

Ultimately, restoring confidence in Cameroon’s education system will require more than tightening examination security. It will require building institutions that reward integrity, punish misconduct and operate independently of political influence. Until those broader governance challenges are addressed, examination leaks are likely to remain a troubling reflection of deeper problems within the state.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

11, June 2026

Middle East conflict sends global growth to lowest rate since COVID-19 ⁰

The conflict in the Middle East is expected to slow global growth to the lowest rate since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic amid higher energy prices, steeper inflation, and increased borrowing costs, according to the World Bank Group’s latest Global Economic Prospects report.

Global growth is forecast to slow to 2.5% in 2026, down from 2.9% in 2025. Forecasts for two-thirds of economies have been downgraded relative to January of this year. Global growth is expected to improve to 2.8% in 2027 but will remain 0.4 percentage point below the average during the 2010s. Weak growth in developing economies has stalled progress toward advanced-economy income levels. By 2028, developing economies other than China and India will have collectively experienced nearly a decade of no progress on narrowing their per capita income gap with advanced economies, the report finds.

“Developing countries have faced a series of challenges over the last decade,” said Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group. “The impact differs by country, but the basic test is the same: protect people and preserve stability today, without giving up on growth and jobs tomorrow. In response to the current shock, we are providing liquidity where it is needed now — and we are ready with additional financing, guarantees, and private-sector solutions if pressures deepen. Our job is to help countries steady the ship, keep reforms moving, and emerge stronger on the other side.”

According to the report, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has severely disrupted energy markets, with Brent crude oil prices projected to average $94 a barrel in 2026, 36% above 2025 levels, assuming the worst disruptions abate in July. Fertilizer prices are forecast to increase significantly this year, with knock-on effects for food prices. Together, these pressures are pushing up global inflation, which is expected to rise to 4.0% this year, up substantially from 3.3% in 2025.

Yet downside risks are significant. If energy supply disruptions prove more severe than currently assumed and are accompanied by substantial financial stress, global growth could fall to just 1.3% in 2026, and inflation would rise to 4.4%.

This year, growth in developing economies is expected to drop to a post-pandemic low of 3.6%, down from 4.4% in 2025, before recovering to 4.2% in 2027. Economies in the Gulf that are directly affected by the conflict are expected to take the biggest hit as their growth tumbles from 3.9% in 2025 to close to zero in 2026. The report predicts growth will rebound in these economies—to about 5% in 2027–28—as trade recovers and spending on reconstruction begins.

The World Bank Group is committed to supporting all developing countries as they confront crises. In response to the conflict in the Middle East, it is immediately making up to $50–60 billion available through existing instruments, including $25 billion of pre-arranged financing. This can support social safety nets for the most vulnerable people, boost fiscal capacity, and provide working capital and liquidity support for firms and farms. To date, over 30 countries are actively working with the World Bank Group to enhance readiness and enable a rapid response to the crisis under this response plan. If the conflict and its economic fallout persist, the World Bank Group can scale up its support to $80–100 billion over 15 months. 

South Asia is expected to see the strongest growth of any region in 2026, but even its growth will register a significant slowdown—from 7% in 2025 to 6.3% in 2026, the report finds. Sub-Saharan Africa’s growth is also slowing, with the biggest pressures coming through inflation, including high food prices due to the fertilizer supply shortages and price hikes.

“The conflict has taken a toll on global activity, but every crisis also brings an opportunity,” said Ayhan Kose, the World Bank Group’s Deputy Chief Economist and Director of the Prospects Group. “This moment should be used to strengthen policy frameworks, invest in infrastructure, accelerate business-enabling reforms, and mobilize private capital to support job creation at scale.”

The report’s special-focus chapters examine fiscal challenges in developing economies. About two-thirds of developing economies—and nearly 90% of low-income countries—are commodity exporters. Yet these economies tend to have weaker fiscal positions than other developing economies, as they face more volatile and less diversified revenues. Five years after a positive commodity price shock, much of the revenue windfall is spent, rather than saved to strengthen fiscal positions. To manage commodity price volatility, policy makers should rely on frameworks, such as well-designed fiscal rules and sovereign wealth funds with clear stabilization mandates, alongside improved domestic revenue mobilization and greater economic diversification.

The other chapter explores how rising debt levels are making it harder for countries to respond to crises and invest in long-term development priorities—and driving up borrowing costs in the process. Since 2010, aggregate government debt in developing economies has climbed from under 40% of GDP to over 70%. The analysis finds that the more indebted a country already is, the more sharply its borrowing costs rise with additional debt. The effect is particularly acute in more vulnerable countries. For countries with elevated debt-to-GDP ratios, reducing debt levels can yield meaningful financial rewards: greater fiscal space to invest in infrastructure, health, and education, fueling economic growth and job creation.

11, June 2026

The Holy Father cast flowers in sea in tribute to drowned migrants ⁰

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday condemned “indifference” towards migrants during a visit to Spain’s Canary Islands that symbolised the perils of deadly irregular routes to Europe.

The pontiff cast a bouquet of flowers into the sea in tribute to the thousands who have died trying to reach the Atlantic archipelago, on day six of a trip to Spain that has repeatedly highlighted the plight of migrants.

Leo visited the port of Arguineguin on Gran Canaria island, where he met migrants and those who help them before blessing a cross made from the wood of migrant boats.

“Even today, monsters lurk in these seas: mafias that profit from despair, traffickers who enslave women and children, and those whose indifference allows the poor to be swallowed up by exploitation or forgetfulness,” Leo told a ceremony at the port.

Nearly 1,200 people died or went missing on the route from Africa to the Canary Islands last year, according to the International Organization for Migration, making it one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.

Europe, where governments have toughened their policies in recent years under pressure from the far right, “cannot claim to uphold human dignity while growing accustomed to the Mediterranean and the Atlantic becoming unmarked graves”, added Leo.

Source: France 24