Pope Leo replaces New York’s Cardinal Dolan with Illinois bishop in shake-up of US church

18, December 2025

Pope Leo replaces New York’s Cardinal Dolan with Illinois bishop in shake-up of US church 0

Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of influential New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, a leading figure of the US church’s conservative wing, the Vatican said Thursday.

The first US pope replaced Dolan, who stepped down after reaching the Church’s retirement age of 75, with a little-known 58-year-old bishop from Illinois, Ronald Hicks.

The appointment ends months of speculation about who Leo would pick to follow Dolan, widely regarded as being close to US President Donald Trump.

This is the most important bishop appointment Leo has made since his election to head up the world’s Catholics in May and signals a desire to take a firmer stance on the US administration’s decisions, particularly on human rights.

Hicks shares several similarities with Leo including solidarity with migrants, in contrast with Trump’s zero-tolerance immigration policies.

He spent five years of ministry in El Salvador in Central America, while Leo spent two decades in service in Peru.

Hicks also served shortly after joining the priesthood in 1994 in several parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago, the city where Leo was born.

Dolan, a ruddy-faced extrovert with Irish-American roots, has served in New York since 2009, tackling shrinking Church membership by reaching out to embrace the growing Hispanic population, which is predominantly Catholic.

A theological conservative fiercely opposed to abortion, he oversaw the fallout from a major sexual abuse scandal in the diocese.

Just a couple of weeks ago, the archdiocese announced the creation of a $300 million fund to compensate victims of sexual abuse who had filed complaints against the Church.

At the time, Dolan said that a “series of very difficult financial decisions” were made, including layoffs within the archdiocese and a 10-percent reduction of its operating budget.

Source: AFP

Southern Cameroons Crisis: 3 Biya regime soldiers killed in Ambazonia attacks

18, December 2025

Southern Cameroons Crisis: 3 Biya regime soldiers killed in Ambazonia attacks 0

At least three Cameroonian government soldiers were killed in two separate attacks in the country’s war-torn English-speaking region of Northwest, security sources said Thursday.

Early Wednesday, separatist fighters ambushed government forces at a checkpoint in Binshua locality of the region, killing one soldier, an army official in the region said.

The official said that two other soldiers, who were part of a patrol in Bangshie locality of the region, were killed on the same day when their vehicle stepped on an improvised explosive device.

“We are sending additional troops to the region to secure end-of-year festivities,” said the official, who requested not to be named.

Attacks on civilians and soldiers have intensified in the region since the start of this month, according to security reports by local police.

Since 2017, separatist fighters have been clashing with government forces in a bid to establish an independent nation in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions of Northwest and Southwest.

Source: Xinhuanet

Nigeria apologises over Burkina Faso military flight that saw 11 servicemen detained

18, December 2025

Nigeria apologises over Burkina Faso military flight that saw 11 servicemen detained 0

Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar has formally apologised to Burkina Faso for the unauthorised entry of a Nigerian military jet into Burkinabè airspace, an incident that led to the detention of 11 Nigerian servicemen.

Tuggar’s spokesperson told the BBC that the detained personnel had been released and were due to return to Nigeria, without saying when.

The plane was flying to Portugal when it developed a technical problem and had to land in Burkina Faso, according to the Nigerian Air Force.

The unauthorised landing sparked a diplomatic row with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) made up of Burkina Faso and its neighbours, Mali, and Niger.

In a statement, AES characterised it as an “unfriendly act” and said member states‘ respective air forces had been put on maximum alert and authorised to “neutralise any aircraft” found to violate the confederation’s airspace.

The three AES states, all run by the military, have withdrawn from the West African regional bloc, Ecowas, and moved closer to Russia, while most Ecowas members remain allied to the West.

Tuggar led a delegation to the Burkinabè capital, Ouagadougou, on Wednesday, to discuss the incident with military leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

“There were irregularities concerning the overflight authorisations, which was regrettable, and we apologise for this unfortunate incident,” Tuggar said on national TV.

It remains unclear when the military personnel, said to be in “high spirits”, and the aircraft will return to Nigeria.

According to Nigeria’s foreign ministry, both sides agreed to “sustain regular consultations and pursue practical measures to deepen bilateral cooperation and regional integration”.

Source: BBC

Cameroon eVisa platform flags abnormal bank charges on visa payments

18, December 2025

Cameroon eVisa platform flags abnormal bank charges on visa payments 0

Cameroon’s eVisa platform, Evisacam, has alerted users to abnormal bank debits linked to some transactions carried out during electronic visa applications. The warning was issued in a notice published on December 12, 2025, by the Ministry of External Relations, amid closer monitoring of financial operations on the portal.

According to the official statement, irregularities were detected on the bank accounts of some users following payments made through the platform.

Dedicated claims process for users

To ensure structured and swift handling of complaints, authorities are asking affected users to complete a dedicated form available at https://claim.evisacam.cm. The platform said each case submitted through this channel will be processed promptly in coordination with banking partners, with the aim of restoring affected accounts as quickly as possible.

The move is intended to manage payment incidents more effectively, reassure users, and limit the risk of financial losses for travelers using online card or mobile payment options.

Incident amid ongoing system strengthening

Launched to simplify entry procedures into Cameroon, the eVisa system has become a key part of efforts to modernize consular services. Authorities described the incident as concerning, but said it comes as control mechanisms are being strengthened to protect transaction integrity and the credibility of the platform.

Operational since April 30, 2023, the digital visa issuance system allows foreign nationals to submit applications online through a dedicated platform. It provides a secure digital process, with visa authorization sent by email or SMS, followed by final biometric visa issuance at diplomatic missions or border posts after verification and online payment.

Tool for attractiveness and public revenue

Beyond modernizing entry procedures, the eVisa system is designed to ease migration flows and enhance Cameroon’s appeal to business travelers and tourists. The government also views it as a strategic tool to improve the country’s competitiveness while securing and optimizing public revenue.

In this context, Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute said that as of September 30, 2025, a total of 411,439 paid visas had been issued, generating CFA46.873 billion in revenue for the state. He made the statement during the presentation of the government’s 2026 economic, financial, social, and cultural program to the National Assembly on November 26, 2025.

Source: Business in Cameroon

Football: Panthère du Ndé Wins Cameroon Cup 2025

16, December 2025

Football: Panthère du Ndé Wins Cameroon Cup 2025 0

Panthère sportive du Ndé won the 2025 Cameroon Cup after a penalty shootout victory, prevailing 3–1 following a 1–1 draw in regulation time against Colombe sportive du Dja-et-Lobo. Colombe entered the final as the defending champion after winning the 2024 edition. The match took place at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé. Panthère fielded a compact and disciplined side, while Colombe displayed ambition and determination to retain its title.

As the tightly contested final progressed, composure created the difference. Panthère du Ndé demonstrated greater control and calm during the penalty shootout. Consequently, the club secured the trophy and confirmed its ability to manage pressure during decisive moments of a national final.

Panthère du Ndé had previously lifted the Cameroon Cup in 1988 and 2009. The West Region club therefore claimed the third Cameroon Cup title in its history. This victory ended a 16-year wait for silverware and marked the return of a historic club to the recent honors list of Cameroonian football.

Officials celebrated the victory in the presence of Célestine Ketcha Courtès, Minister of Housing and Urban Development and honorary president of the Ndé club. Her attendance gave official recognition to what observers described as a historic moment for the West Region side. This high-level political presence increased the symbolic significance of the triumph beyond its sporting dimension.

Panthère midfielder Brandon Fopa, aged 22, earned the man-of-the-match award. He received a CFA2 million check in recognition of his influence throughout the match. He controlled midfield play and managed key phases of the contest.

By defeating the defending champion, Panthère du Ndé delivered a victory with strong symbolic value. The club confirmed its return among Cameroon’s leading teams. The third national trophy strengthened the club’s historical record and could enhance its sporting appeal, political support, commercial partnerships, and supporter loyalty.

Source: Business in Cameroon

Fifa brings in new £45 ticket for 2026 World Cup

16, December 2025

Fifa brings in new £45 ticket for 2026 World Cup 0

Fifa has introduced a small number of “more affordable” $60 (£45) tickets for all 104 matches at the 2026 World Cup following criticism of its pricing structure for the tournament.

World football’s governing body says the new ticket price will be available to a certain number of “loyal fans” of the countries that have qualified for the World Cup.

A Fifa official close to discussions said: “We have listened to feedback and this new category is the right thing to do” – adding the decision was unanimous.

Under the previous pricing structure, which the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) call “scandalous”, it would have cost a fan more than £5,000 to follow England at every match to the final.

The £45 ticket falls in the ‘supporter entry tier’, the lowest priced category, and will make up 10% of the allocation for each football association whose team is taking part in a competition being hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

For England and Scotland, this will mean about 400 tickets will be available for £45 for their group matches.

Tom Greatrex, chair of the FSA, called Tuesday’s announcement a “hollow gesture” adding: “What sounds like a climbdown is a cynical attempt to deflect attention while continuing to rip fans off.”

Football Supporters Europe (FSE) said that while it welcomed “Fifa’s seeming recognition of the damage its original plans were to cause, the revisions do not go far enough to reconcile”.

Meetings took place over the weekend and early this week with senior officials in Doha, Qatar, where initial feedback on pricing was discussed.

Having raised fans’ concerns over the cost of tickets with Fifa’s hierarchy before the meeting in Doha, English Football Association insiders privately see the announcement as a step in the right direction.

“The entry tier tickets will be allocated specifically to supporters of qualified teams, with the selection and distribution process managed individually by the participating member associations (PMAs),” said a Fifa statement.

“Each PMA will define its own eligibility criteria and application process. They are requested to ensure that these tickets are specifically allocated to loyal fans who are closely connected to their national teams.

“In total, 50% of each PMA allocation will fall within the most affordable range, namely supporter value tier (40%) and the supporter entry tier (10%). The remaining allocation is split evenly between the supporter standard tier and the supporter premier tier.”

Source: BBC

President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe, top aides to appear before the Supreme Court

15, December 2025

President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe, top aides to appear before the Supreme Court 0

Cameroon is facing renewed political uncertainty weeks after its presidential election, amid reports of mass arrests, deaths linked to protests and mounting concerns over the use of military courts.

Rights groups and local observers say more than a thousand people have been detained following post-election demonstrations across the country. Several fatalities have been reported, while dozens of those arrested have been brought before military tribunals, a move that has drawn criticism from civil society and legal experts.

The unrest comes as attention turns once again to the long-running Anglophone crisis. Ambazonian separatist leader Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe and nine other activists, who have been serving life sentences since 2019, are expected to appear before the Supreme Court on 18 December. Their case has reignited debate over due process, human rights and the handling of political dissent in Cameroon.

The men were convicted on charges including terrorism and secession after being arrested abroad and extradited to Cameroon, a process that has itself been widely contested. Their supporters argue that the sentences reflect a broader pattern of repression rather than a genuine effort to resolve the conflict in the country’s English-speaking regions.

Yaoundé-based political analyst Paul Anchang said the timing of the Supreme Court hearing, set against the backdrop of post-election unrest, highlights the depth of Cameroon’s political challenges.

“This is not simply a question of election-related violence,” Anchang said. “It points to a deeper crisis of governance, where political disagreements are increasingly addressed through arrests and military justice instead of dialogue.”

He warned that continued reliance on security measures risks further destabilising the country.

“Without a serious commitment to political engagement, both on electoral issues and the Anglophone question, tensions are likely to persist,” he added. “Cameroon needs inclusive solutions if it is to move away from this cycle of crisis.”

Source: ChannelAfrica

Pressure mounts on Biya as speculation grows over possible replacement of Ngute

15, December 2025

Pressure mounts on Biya as speculation grows over possible replacement of Ngute 0

As political pressure continues to mount on President Paul Biya, speculation is increasing within political circles that Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute could be replaced as part of a broader strategic recalibration at the executive level.

Observers note that Cameroon is facing a convergence of challenges, including economic strain, ongoing security concerns in parts of the country, and rising social discontent. In this context, attention has turned to the Office of the Prime Minister, which some analysts view as a potential focal point for political adjustment without directly reshaping the presidency.

Prime Minister Ngute, who has been in office since January 2019, has overseen government action during a particularly demanding period, including the management of the Anglophone crisis and efforts to stabilize the economy. However, critics argue that progress on key reforms has been slow, fueling internal and public calls for renewed leadership and a more assertive policy direction.

Sources close to the ruling establishment suggest that any potential replacement would be aimed at signaling responsiveness to domestic and international pressure, while preserving continuity within the governing system. Others caution that changes at the prime ministerial level may have limited impact unless accompanied by deeper structural reforms.

For now, no official statement has been made by the presidency, and Prime Minister Ngute continues to carry out his duties. Nonetheless, the growing intensity of political debate suggests that a cabinet reshuffle, including a possible change at the premiership, remains a scenario being closely watched in the weeks and months ahead.

By Chi Prudence Asong

2025 is the year when Biya’s long rule finally lost its last convincing justification

15, December 2025

2025 is the year when Biya’s long rule finally lost its last convincing justification 0

By any reasonable measure, 2025 stands out as the bleakest year of President Paul Biya’s long tenure. After decades in office, the familiar arguments of stability and experience no longer convince a population grappling with deepening hardship, political fatigue, and a growing sense that the country is simply treading water while the rest of the world moves on.

Economically, the social contract has frayed. Rising living costs, stubborn youth unemployment, and declining purchasing power have turned everyday survival into a political issue. For many Cameroonians, the promise that patience would one day yield prosperity has worn thin. What makes 2025 particularly damning is not just the persistence of these problems, but the absence of a credible, energizing response from the presidency. The state appears reactive rather than visionary, content to manage decline instead of charting renewal.

Politically, 2025 has exposed the limits of a system built around one man. Institutions feel weak, public trust is eroded, and the distance between rulers and ruled has widened. Calls for reform—electoral, constitutional, and administrative—are louder and more mainstream than ever. Yet the government’s answers have been predictable: cautious statements, cosmetic adjustments, and a reliance on security-first thinking. This has only reinforced the perception of a leadership out of ideas.

Social cohesion has also suffered. Long-running crises, particularly in marginalized regions, continue without durable solutions. Dialogue feels episodic, not sincere; peace feels managed, not built. In 2025, the cost of this approach is more visible than ever: frustration has hardened into cynicism, and cynicism into disengagement. A country cannot thrive when large segments of its population feel unheard and unseen.

Perhaps most damaging is the symbolic weight of 2025. After more than four decades in power, President Biya now embodies continuity without progress. What once passed for experience now looks like inertia. The generational gap between the leadership and the majority of citizens has become impossible to ignore, and with it the sense that Cameroon’s future is being postponed indefinitely.

This is why 2025 feels different—and worse. It is not marked by a single catastrophic event, but by the accumulation of unresolved failures and missed opportunities. It is the year when endurance stopped being admirable and started looking like stubbornness. History may well record 2025 as the moment when President Biya’s long rule finally lost its last convincing justification.

By Rita Akana

Yaoundé Bureau Chief

Cameroon Concord News Group

Armed Mbororo tribesmen killed 8 in Southern Cameroons’ new war

15, December 2025

Armed Mbororo tribesmen killed 8 in Southern Cameroons’ new war 0

At least eight people were killed and several others injured in communal clashes in Cameroon’s restive Anglophone region of Northwest, security sources said on Saturday.

The clashes erupted early Friday after gunmen suspected to be armed separatist fighters raided Mbororo community, killing three people, a security source in the region said.

Overnight into Saturday, armed Mbororo tribesmen retaliated by attacking Wowo village of Wimbum tribe, killing five people.

“The Mbororo people assumed that people who attacked them were from Wowo village and invaded the village at night. They searched house to house, especially in the palace, shooting people who resisted. Five people were killed, all of them men,” Festus Njeba, one of the prominent leaders of Wimbum tribe said.

“Our people are in pain. These killings have to stop. Our people must not bear the consequences of an armed struggle,” he added.

Source: Xinhuanet

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