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11, October 2018

“Genuine and sustainable solutions to the Southern Cameroons crisis can only be found at the negotiating table” ⁰

Dr. Joachim Arrey, a Canada-based writer, journalist, political analyst and translator, has been one of the many people around the world who have been calling for dialogue as a means to address the Southern Cameroons crisis. A native of the Southwest region of Cameroon, Dr. Arrey holds that genuine and sustainable solutions to the destructive crisis can only be found at the negotiating table. While in the UK recently, he took time off his tight schedule to visit the Cameroon Concord News Group’s (CCNG) global headquarters where he spoke with Group Chairman, Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai, on the goings-on in Cameroon. It was a pleasure chatting with him. Read…

Cameroon Concord News: Thanks for visiting us. A lot has been going on in Southern Cameroons and things appear to only get worse by the day. What do you think can be done to put an end to the reckless killing of young men and women in Southern Cameroons?

Dr Arrey: I have been following what is happening in our part of the country very closely. Things are not looking great out there. Our people are dying and it beats my imagination that we have not yet understood that all wars find their solutions at the negotiating table. There is no price for who can kill more people. Both parties must understand this. Let’s not let our emotions drive us to ridiculous extents. I have been urging both parties to head to the negotiating table and I still stand by that. The government has to find a way to bring these killings to an end. We are losing our human resources and this will come back to bite us some day. The financial resources we are using to buy arms could be diverted to real development projects that can create jobs for our youths. We have to be strategic in our thinking and we must learn from the mistakes of other people.

Cameroon Concord News: But the Yaounde government is not listening to any calls for an inclusive dialogue. What do you expect the oppressed people of Southern Cameroons to do?

Dr Arrey: Self-defense is a legitimate right of every citizen recognized under international law, but this does not imply that we cannot talk peace around a negotiating table during war time. A lot of atrocities have already been committed and I feel really bad that a small protest by teachers and lawyers has been allowed to spill out of proportion. The gory images coming out of Southern Cameroons tell me that there are huge war crimes being committed by both sides. What both parties must understand is that at the end of the fighting, all these atrocities will be investigated and those who will be found guilty of gross human rights violations and war crimes will have to pay the price. I would like to use this opportunity to call on the government of Cameroon to reconsider some of its decisions. The truth is that military action will not give it the fast solution it needs. Southern Cameroonians have expressed genuine grievances and I think it is only proper for the government to listen to calls for an inclusive dialogue that will help to lay this matter to rest. The world has evolved and the days when military brutality was considered a weapon of choice to address national issues have long gone. We have to be in and of this world and this requires us to adopt approaches that other civilized nations have used to deal with their minorities.

Cameroon Concord News: You have always talked of federalism and you always point out that Canada holds an effective solution to our problem. Can you explain this to our readers?

Dr Arrey: Thanks for granting me the opportunity to discuss this particular point with your readers. I have always held that a well-structured federal system will spare Cameroon the type of crisis it is going through at this moment. The world has changed and the people want to take ownership of their own issues. They want to take control of their lives and this can only happen if a federal system is brought to our country. The current crisis in Southern Cameroons is a direct consequence of the over-centralization that has taken place over the last five decades. The development and management of any country in the world is always a work in progress and for that work to progress by leaps and bounds, there must be dialogue at all times. Cameroonian leaders must stop thinking that the top-bottom approach that has worked in the past will work in modern times. If we have to avoid situations like the current one that is tearing the country apart, we must adopt new and innovative approaches that will guarantee us peace and progress. No country develops when there are perceptions of injustice, nepotism, discrimination and marginalization.

This therefore brings me to the role Canada can play to help us out of this pretty mess. I have profound respect for the Canadian political system. It is a federal system that has brought peace to this great nation that has been the envy of the world for decades. It is a country that does not talk, but it acts. Its federal system grants the provinces autonomy over certain issues that could result in conflicts if not well managed. Let us not forget that Canada also has a minority – a French-speaking minority – Quebec – that has a totally different culture from the rest of the country.

The federal government has yielded a lot of ground to this province so as to bring peace to the country. The bright and praise-worthy management of the country by past and present Canadian prime ministers like Lester B. Pearson, Pierre Elliot Trudeau, Brian Mulroney, Jean Chretien, Paul Martin, Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau has helped to put Canada in the spotlight for all the right reasons. Cameroon should seek to find out how Canada pulled this off to the extent that it has become one of the best countries in the world to raise a family. The country’s bilingual nature should advise our leaders that we could have something in common with Canada. It never hurts to borrow from those who have posted great results.

Cameroon Concord News: You sound so informed and experienced. Will you be ready to go back home to give a helping hand if called upon, especially regarding the Southern Cameroons crisis?

Dr Arrey: I am already preparing my retirement and I have made up my mind to return to Cameroon, especially to my native Ossing where I believe I have a lot to offer. I don’t need to be called up by anybody for me to return to Cameroon. There is a lot to be done out there and I think I will be more than happy to serve the people of my small city and division. I have a lot of experience in many areas and I am willing to share that experience with anybody who seeks to have a share of it. It is just but normal for me to give back to my people who were there for me during my hour of need.

I also have my father’s cocoa and coffee plantations to take care of. Those are the plantations that helped to give me the education that has taken me to all the nooks and crannies of the world. As for writing and politics, these two elements run in my blood. I will always be there to write in order to inform Cameroonians and to analyze political situations for many people to gain a better understanding of what is happening in their country. That is what nature wants me to do and that is one of the many things I will be doing upon retirement.

Cameroon Concord News: Still on politics, I understand it runs in the family. I have been reliably advised that your daughter who lives in Canada is already in politics. Is that true?

Dr Arrey: My daughter has chosen a different path in life. At the tender age of 14 she told me she wanted to be in politics and that she wanted to fight for immigrants after having noticed my own frustrations in life. I cannot but admire and appreciate her for understanding my pain. She immediately joined the Liberal party of Canada where she has been making her modest contribution. She has been participating in elections in Canada, not as a candidate, but a worker for her party. She is still in university and she must achieve all her academic dreams before becoming an active political player. I cannot but wish her the best and will always give her my entire support whenever she needs it.

Cameroon Concord News: What do you make of the political drama that is playing out in the nation’s capital at this time?

Dr Arrey: Cameroon is really going through a tough moment in its history. Boko Haram is still an active threat in the north, Southern Cameroons is still boiling and seeing what is almost bursting out of the ground in Yaounde gives me goose bumps. I sincerely hope that the truth will prevail. I really want the people’s choice to be respected so that we can have peace. If the authorities do not respect the will of the people, they should be ready to deal with the consequences. I have always said that Cameroon is a ticking time bomb and that if care is not taken, it could blow up one day and this will mean killing lots of people and destabilizing the entire sub-region. I want peace to prevail, but seeing what is already happening in Yaounde, I know we are in for tough times.

Professor Kamto has already declared that the people have given him a mandate which he must defend at all cost and that already sounds like he is preparing for a big fight. This, he says, is based on the results his party has. The government and the ruling party are struggling to prove that he is wrong and they are saying that only the constitutional council has the right to announce election results. I am on the sidelines and waiting for the official announcement. I only hope it will come to help Cameroonians live in peace. If things go the other way, then our country will have to deal with a huge crisis. I pray for the best for my beloved country. I just want my fellow Cameroonians to live in peace. This will surely require a change in the way the government has been running the show.

Cameroon Concord News: Thank you, Dr. Arrey, for sharing your perspective with us. We hope you will find more time to visit us in the days and months ahead.

Dr. Arrey: The pleasure is mine. You have been doing a great job and I hope I will continue to read your inspiring and informative editorials.

11, October 2018

SOBA UK 2018 Convention – a touch of class and style ⁰

“Uplifting” is the word that sums up the convention of the Sasse Old Boys Association in the United Kingdom (SOBA UK) that took place last on the 22nd of September 2018. It held at the magnificent Hilton at St. George’s Park, Burton-upon-Trent, England and the Home of England national sports teams.

The two-day event was hosted under the theme “Together We Succeed” to which the community responded and raised funds for refugees of the crisis in Cameroon and to show strength in unity. A number of diverse community groups and alumni association showed up in support, including OPSA UK (the UK alumni of Our Lady of Lourdes College, Cameroon), ExSSA UK (the UK alumni of Saker Baptist College, Cameroon) , CamDoc UK (Cameroon Doctors UK), BOBA UK (the UK alumni of Cameroon Protestant College, Bali), WCA (The West Cameroon Association Think Tank), CF (Cameroon Forum) community group and SOBA Ireland.

The SOBA UK President Mr. Ayuk Akoh-Arrey thanked the guests for their fantastic turn out and expressed gratitude on behalf of the association and their intent to continue to develop the brand and to deliver more value to members of the of Cameroonian UK community. He also thanked the sponsors and Hilton staff and entertainers for all their hard work.

This year’s convention was by far the best in recent memories. We have collated our top nine most special moments from the Soban convention.

An exciting Friday night 21 September

Not bad from a lowly association of ex-students from St. Joseph’s College all the way in Cameroon, the alumni association staged a heartwarming event as guests congregated at at St George’s Park, Home of England National Teams, set in several acres of national parkland. The 2-mile drive from the gates to the hotel is an impressive show of beautiful parks and modern sporting facilities. The hotel itself, owned by the English Football Association, is modern and well designed to deliver premier league standard facilities to England football stars, past and present, and guests alike.

We know SOBA UK has been upping its game but more than 100 punters on Friday night is a feat. Friday night was as exciting as Saturday night as scores of guests checked-in and the Hilton lobby was buzzing with relaxed re-union excitement as people took photos. Some of the guys from SOBA UK Events management team were seen hustling banners whilst other guests checked in as some discussed over wine and champagne after long journeys from Scotland, Europe and other parts of the UK. An open SOBA UK management meeting held around midnight with 37 Sobans in attendance to chip in ideas for the day ahead.

There is so much sporting history at St. George’s Park

The choice of venue really underscored SOBA UK’s intentions to fast track the development of the brand to greater heights and deliver more value to members of the Cameroonian community.

On Saturday 22nd September, around 12pm, the SOBA UK Secretary General John Bawak proclaimed at the Annual General Meeting that he was sitting in the same seat as the England National football team manager for his press conferences. Where Mr. Southgate managed to transpire a winning spirit into the young English team that reached the last 4 at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Sobans did not witness any magical powers as John chaired the Annual General Meeting, supported by the President Mr. Ayuk Akoh-Arrey and Vice President Mr. Bime Lafon . However, it was an inspiration walking through the corridors of this distinguished venue with English football greats plastered all over the walls. The technology in the meeting hall was modern and the AGM, the real business end of SOBA UK’s activities, delivered the goods that will see the brand step up another notch.

SOBA UK set new patrons on a mission

A new look and talented group of patrons were appointed by the Convention Assembly to take on the important role of helping to safeguard the good name of the association as ambassadors. Patrons are honorary positions that are awarded to persons who have been outstanding in their efforts and contribution to the business of SOBA UK. The whole Assembly applauded with unanimous acceptance to confirm the new patrons and wished them every success in their roles –the new patrons are Joseph Foncha (Class of 1962), Cyril Alima (Class 1973), AshuAkoachere (Class 1978), Maximus Ewane (Class 1979), Francis Shupo (Class 1980), and Thompson Egbe (Class 1982).

Oh, the Sacred SOBA UK blazer

18:00 at Sir Bobby Robson Executive Ballroom was time for the champagne soiree, when the guys started walking out with embroidered blazers, we knew we were in for a treat. The blazer was impressive, traditional navy blue, 100% pure new wool, mid weight, tailored by British designer and retailing at £280. But of-course the Sobans got a good deal from a group discount. The word is that if you are an ex-student looking to elevate yourself to ambassador status then blazers can still be purchased. The blazers and uniform attire worn by the Sobans spoke a 1000-words about the unflinching commitment to belong and express themselves. This unique identity of the Sobans drew in the 300 guests as they sang their Anthem and Sasse Song with composed music from Synergy Musical Band and artists.

The “Together We Succeed” community fundraiser

In a year in which Anglophone Cameroon has been rampaged with violence, displacement of hundreds of thousands of Anglophones in Cameroon and significant loss of lives, the hashtags #TogetherWeSucceed #SOBAUKConvention lambasted social media as the event streamed live on Facebook capturing the atmosphere for guests at home.

Later in the gala, the convention turned to the serious theme as the fantastic duo Security and Counter Terrorism expert Mr. David Otto and UK Businessman and WCA Think Tank Moderator Mr Richard Nfor, led the community fundraiser. This is the first of its kind which puts SOBA UK at the heart of the community to enable funds to be raised for community initiatives by members of the community.

A minute’s silence was respected in memory of those who have died as part of the crisis. Both hosts then proceeded to chair a fundraiser that generated just under £6000 in just 30 minutes to support the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) and the humanitarian support Bishop Nkea of Mamfe diocese. Donations to this cause were received from CamDoc UK, WCA, SOBA UK Patrons, OPSA UK, SOBA Ireland, the SOBA UK President and many other guests including anonymous donors. A full report on the donations and support will be produced jointly by SOBA UK and Fundraisers in order to inform the guests.

Awards in appreciation of excellence and dedication

In an unprecedented turn of events, immediately after the Sasse Song and anthems led by the Synergy Music Band, Mr. Chrys Chikere and Dr. Humphrey led a series of surprise awards in appreciation of the association’s executive team by its members for the great service that they have given to SOBA UK and building of the brand.

Much of the community had witnessed nasty press articles and letters with fabricated allegations against the highly respected SOBA UK executive. These articles were largely purported by a small splinter group of Sobans who have sadly orchestrated various libelous activities and have chosen a wrong path in SOBA. Their approach has been rejected by the SOBA UK General Assembly and the UK community at large.

The initiative in the evening was a heartwarming recognition by SOBA UK’s members and ‘icing on the cake’ to the AGM resolutions as members awarded their executive team individual awards with inscriptions “for a meritorious service to SOBA UK”. Well done boys!

Other awards presented by Dr. Montio Morgan of CamDoc UK – “2018 Best Supporter of SOBA UK Award” handed to Bernard & Sylvia Ntamack and “2018’s Most Engaged Soban” was awarded to Atem Akoh-Arrey for his stellar work on the SOBA UK blazers project.

The Community Representations

“We’ve got to do this again” retorted Cynthia Asuagbor, representative from EXSSA UK as she took the mic and insisted on leading a grander entrance dance by the ladies of EXSSA UK. EXSSA UK made their presence felt and showed support for SOBA UK.

OPSA UK represented by Miss Queenta Fombon announced their presence. CamDocs (Cameroon Doctors) was represented by their chairperson, Dr. Montio Morgan. WCA was represented by Mr. Richard Nfor. BOBA UK was represented by Mr. Moma Awah. SOBA Ireland was represented by Mr. Stephen Njonguo. These groups stood shoulder to shoulder with SOBA UK as they have always done. Other overseas guests included Mr. Edwin Ndoko and Mr. Jean Jacques Tayou from SOBA America.

The coolness and class, music & dance acts

All through the night, in Masterchef-esque fashion, Karen Eban, co-MC for the night announced the dishes “Ladies and gentlemen you are having a smoked salmon with a cream cheese topping and a prawn” as starters were ushered out by the Hilton kitchen staff. Many thanks to the kitchen staff at Hilton St George’s Park, for the wonderful dishes served with delicious teas and coffee to finish off the meals.

SOBA UK Sponsors also weighed in on large screens to engage the guests. CEO of SellamQuick, Leo Fonfe and Founder of Vic’s Kitchen, Victoria Dioh provided snippets of their businesses. Karen Eban confirmed that Vic’s Kitchen pepper source were supplied on all tables.

There were also jokes from Mr. Likambi and dance performance by JBanks.

The Synergy Music Band‘s light Makossa and soulful music had filled the airwaves as guests took to their seats for almost thirty minutes before the MC’s Kun Galega and Karen Eban’s grand entrances and through the night until Deejay Eko took over the dance section at midnight.

Sunday barbecue and retreat

Some guests took an early morning swim after a night of hard partying. For those who missed breakfast, a mouthwatering barbecue was served around 1pm as other guests strolled and enjoyed the grounds around St. George’s Park. An international football game between the England and Croatian under 21 teams was taking place at the main stadium at St George’s Park,as some guests departed, whilst Mr Likambi stole the SOBA UK President and Vice President for a 30mins interview to reflect on the Convention success and the state of SOBA UK.

Culled from SOBA UK

11, October 2018

Crying over spilt milk: Atanga Nji says “Scoring a goal is not winning the match” ⁰

Cameroon’s interior minister Paul Atanga Nji warned on Tuesday that “scoring a goal” is not “winning the match” after an opposition leader used a football metaphor to claim victory in presidential polls.

Maurice Kamto, candidate of the Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC) party, said on Monday he “was charged with taking a penalty, I took it, and I scored”, proclaiming himself victor of weekend polls.

He gave no evidence for his claim.

Sunday’s vote, at which Kamto headed a partial opposition coalition, was marked by violence in restive anglophone regions, low turnout and difficulties staging the ballot in the conflict-torn areas.

“Even if you score a penalty, you don’t necessarily win the match at the end,” Atanga Nji told AFP, adding that Kamto’s announcement was a “non-event”.

By law each polling station must submit its results, after verification by the Elecam electoral commission, to the Constitutional Court which is responsible for announcing the final, official tally within 15 days of the vote.

But a raft of unofficial results from Cameroon’s almost 25,000 polling stations have already begun to circulate on social media.

News 24

11, October 2018

Cameroon has a tense, long wait for election results as social media claims unverified winners ⁰

Over the last two years, Cameroon’s government has gained a poor reputation for being repressive when it comes to internet freedoms. It’s had one of the longest-running intermittent internet shutdowns on record of 230 days between January 2017 and March 2018 as it tried to prevent political activists in the English-speaking regions of the country from using social media platforms to share information or organize.

Because of this reputation, many watchers expected the government would again block the internet in the run-up to a highly contentious election in which the president, Paul Biya, 85, is looking to extend his 36-year rule by another seven years.

But the government has left the internet alone—for now. Internet usage has been shaky at times, but it has by and large stayed on. High-profile pressure from internet rights organizations like Access Now and Internet Without Borders has, so far, helped to dissuade the government from disrupting connectivity like other Africa countries have done during elections.

Yet, that has brought a different challenge for the government.

Voting, which took place on Sunday (Oct. 7), was mainly straightforward and peaceful, though not for the conflict-ridden Anglophone regions, where gunfire and other incidents were recorded in Kumba, Buea and Bamenda.

Although normal life in most of Cameroon resumed on Monday, anxiety remains high as there is now a long wait for results. It is expected to take up to 15 days from election day on Oct. 7 before official results are announced. The problem with that is Cameroonian social media channels on Facebook and WhatsApp have been flooded with unverified voting numbers from local polling stations. Most of the voting trends shared favor opposition candidates and there are fears the information which is spreading rapidly will likely spark some sort of official government backlash.

It also taps into a concern the government had shown a few weeks ago when it claimed it was working with Facebook to help combat so called “fake news” and misinformation spreading on social media.

Peter Essoka, president of Cameroon’s National Communication Council (NCC) criticized people sharing unverified result trends. He said only the Constitutional Council has the mandate to proclaim results. As the unverified results go viral, Paul Atanga Nji, minister of territorial administration, has warned that no one should substitute the Constitutional Council which alone has the power to declare the winner of Sunday’s poll. “Any form of challenge to the verdict of the polls other than the constitutional legal means will not be tolerated,” Atanga Nji said.

But some have not taken the warning of the government officials seriously, making the country experience scenes of electoral confusion that have become something of a hallmark of recent African elections, with opposition candidates claiming early victories ahead of official results.

Maurice Kamto, one of the presidential candidates, who was backed at the eleventh hour by another candidate, Akere Muna, claimed victory on Monday ( Oct. 8). At a press conference in the capital Yaounde, Kamto called on the “outgoing president to organize a peaceful way to transfer power.”

Maurice Kamto, a presidential candidate of Renaissance Movement (MRC)

This self-declaration of victory, without evidence, has raised fears that the deteriorating security situation in the country could worsen.

Statistics by the electoral commission — Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) — show that 6.6 million voters were registered in the country and 19,356 in the diaspora, though Cameroon has well over 18 million potential voters. Some of the registered voters were disenfranchised.

Culled from Quartz

11, October 2018

Two Candidates Claim Victory in French Cameroun Vote ⁰

Authorities in Cameroon are appealing for calm after hundreds of youths marched through the streets of Yaounde, celebrating what they called the victory of their candidate, Maurice Kamtos, in Sunday’s presidential election. No results have been released yet from the election, in which eight candidates challenged longtime President Paul Biya.

Hundreds of young people demonstrating in the streets of the capital sing songs urging President Paul Biya to step down. They sing that they believe their candidate, Maurice Kamto of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement Party, won Sunday’s presidential election.

Maurice Kamto, leader of the Cameroonian opposition party Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC) addresses supporters during a campaign rally for the upcoming presidential electionsin Yaounde, Sept. 30, 2018.

The demonstration began after Kamto declared victory in the polls, without giving any election results.

The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement organized a news briefing that was broadcast live on state TV to counter the declaration made by Kamto.

Party Central Committee Secretary-General Jean Nkuete said Kamto exploited the naivete of the youths and sent them into the streets in an effort to win power at all costs.

Nkuete accused Kamto of breaking the law by announcing that he won the election.

“We express our surprise, our indignation and worry in the face of such irresponsible declaration that has no foundation. They are doing this in a bid to cause an uprising of the population to defend an imaginary victory,” he said.

Kamto is not the only candidate claiming victory. Cabral Libii of the opposition Universe Party announced he is leading the vote count.

Opposition candidate Cabral Libii voting in Efoulan school, Yaounde third district.

Opposition candidate Garga Haman of the Alliance for Democracy and Development says two candidates want to create social unrest to oust President Paul Biya, who has led Cameroon for 36 years.

“Those two candidates are in a hurry to go to Etoudi [to be president]. Not yet my dear friends, not yet. Let us wait for the decision of the constitutional council. There is no reason to go on to the streets. Do not exploit the mentality of the youths,” he said.

Cameroon’s electoral code states election results are proclaimed by the Constitutional Council 15 days after the polls. It forbids the early publication of results.

Cameroonian President Paul Biya casts his ballot while his wife Chantal Biya watches at a polling station during the presidential election in Yaounde, Cameroon, Oct. 7, 2018.

Government spokesman Issa Tchiroma says sanctions are being prepared for Kamto, Libii and anyone who takes it upon himself to publish results.

An election worker counts votes during the presidential election in Yaounde, Cameroon, Oct. 7, 2018.

“There is a threat, a threat at home. It is unwise to describe the measures which are already taken and which will be implemented in case any need be [arises], but I invite you as a citizen and lover of your nation to stand against this horrible statement. Measures will be taken. What are they, well, by the efficiency you will notice that they are already taken,” said Tchiroma.

Sunday’s poll was marred by low turnout, especially in the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions where armed separatists fighting for independence had vowed the polls will not take place.

Despite the turmoil, Biya, one of Africa’s longest serving leaders, is expected to win in the face of a deeply divided opposition.

Culled from the VOA

11, October 2018

Yaounde: Tension mounts as ELECAM seeks to doctor results ⁰

Tension is mounting in Yaounde as supporters of Prof. Maurice Kamto suspect the election-organizing body is working behind closed doors to doctor the results. Mr. Kamto’s team yesterday held a press conference in which it deplored the government’s tactics aimed at falsifying elections and fomenting violence in the country.

The press conference, which was delivered by Prof. Kamto’s spokesperson, Olivier Nissack, was a moment for Mr. Nissack to state his party’s commitment to legality while at the same time underscoring the fact that MRC would defend its victory which is based on the results sheets available to them.

Meanwhile, Kamto’s treasurer, Okala Ebode, and another member of his strategy team, Engelbert du Bon Datchoua, have been kidnapped and taken to an unknown destination.

Many observers are wondering if Prof Kamto would be kept under house arrest just to ensure he does not achieve his objective. This was the same tactic that was used after the 1992 presidential election.

The government is on edge and it is using all intimidation tactics in the books to preempt a popular uprising. Yesterday, the city of Yaounde was full of riot police, a means the government wants to prove that it has the right muscles to scare even the most courageous adversary.

The government seems to have been cornered. The crises it has created in the regions over the last 25 years seem to be migrating like a huge dangerous storm to Yaounde, the nation’s capital. A miscalculation on its part could plunge the country into a long bitter civil war that might result in thousands of deaths and huge property destruction.

The government is already spreading the fake idea that in the event of any conflict in most of the country’s towns and cities, the losers will be the Bamilekes, a huge and hardworking ethnic group that controls the country’s economy.

The government hopes that using such a scare tactic will discourage the people who have brought Prof. Kamto his victory. But this lie is not cutting ice with the youths and rich Bamileke business owners who are sick and tired of the government’s corruption and inefficiency.

In 1992, the government which is also the ruling party, popularly known as a crime syndicate, robbed the opposition of its victory when the SDF candidate, John Fru Ndi, beat Mr. Biya by a wide margin, but the Supreme Court, acting in lieu of the Constitutional Council, handed the victory to Mr. Biya who immediately imposed a state of emergency in the Northwest region just to cage Mr. Fru Ndi.

Even the National Democratic Institute (NDI), an American not-for-profit organization that monitors elections, had recognized the numerous irregularities that had characterized and marred the 1992 poll.

The government might have succeeded in 1992, but it will have to deal with a different beast this time around. Mr. Fru Ndi had been called a bookseller just to belittle him and break him down, but this time around, their strategy is not going to work.

Prof. Kamto is a globally respected legal expert who will not be intimidated and bullied into submission. He has the following and has the potential to make East Cameroon ungovernable.

Despite government threats, Prof. Kamto and his team are simply going about their business without paying any attention to the sideshow staged by the military and the police under the supervision of the overzealous territorial administration minister, Atanga Nji.

Prof. Kamto is expected in Douala on Thursday where he will hold a press conference at the residence of former Bar President, Yondo Black. He will be accompanied by Akere Muna, another legal heavy weight who is hell-bent on bringing real political change to Cameroon.

The press conference will be coming at a time when there are hints of a move by Douala chiefs to manipulate youths to demonstrate against Prof. Kamto, a ploy hatched by the beleaguered regime to contain any political violence that might erupt after the release of the fake election results

Prof. Kamto is expected to raise important issues like the Anglophone crisis at a time when Ayuk Tabe will be appearing in court in Yaounde for trial and the gimmicks the government is playing to rob the people of their victory.

While the government is working over time to come up with more sinister plans to hoodwink the population into abandoning Prof. Kamto and into frustrating any plan the opposition might be hatching, Prof. Kamto and his team are calm and unfazed, as they have already won the hearts and minds of Cameroonians who are sick and tired of a regime that has been conducting itself like a mafia.

Cameroonians are determined this time around and they will be filing the streets on the day the results will be released. The military will be confronted just like Southern Cameroonians have done in the two English-speaking regions of the country.

The country is already awash with weapons and it will be a lot easier to cut Mr. Biya’s army to normal proportions. Southern Cameroonian fighters have already demystified the military and every Cameroonian now holds that he can face up to a military that is corrupt and divided.

The fighting in the regions is gradually spreading to the nation’s economic and political capitals and the government is scared that the election results might usher in a situation that might be hard for it to handle.

The signs are not good. Mr. Biya and his men have overplayed their luck and hands. The end may be near. The government might want to tread carefully in order to avoid a situation that might result in the population chasing cabinet ministers and the president in the streets like bunch of common criminals.

It is clear that in the event of any street fighting, Mr. Biya’s ethnic group will pay a huge price. The Betis account for less than 10% of the country’s population, but account for more than 70% of the top positions in government and the military. This has been a source of frustration to other Cameroonians, many of whom have simply decided to leave the country to seek greener pastures abroad.

Cameroonians are frustrated and many, especially the youths, hold that their fate is worse than death and they are prepared to fight a government they hold has imposed itself on them for 36 years. The regime’s dismal economic record and its poor management of the Anglophone crisis are coming back to bite it where it hurts the most.

After more than 36 years in power, Mr Paul Biya, the country’s president and the ruling party’s presidential candidate has run the country’s economy aground. He has been using the country’s treasury as his personal ATM. He spends most of his time abroad where he lavishes state funds.

His wife’s shopping and lavish lifestyle can only be compared to that of Marie Antoinette, the last French Queen, who together with her husband, Louis XVI, abused the French to the extent that a French revolution was orchestrated in 1789.

Regarding unemployment, the country is witnessing the highest unemployment rates on the continent. Cameroonians have been reduced to beggars in their own country. Today, to have a job, young men and women have to either pay the employers or have sex with their future bosses.

Homosexuality is on the rise and many young men now see it as a sure path to securing a job. The system has dehumanized its own citizens and this is a huge source of stress and frustration for many young Cameroonians who do not know where to turn to.

Regarding healthcare, the country’s hospitals have been reduced to consultation clinics while the road network has become a sure death trap.

There is still time for the government to understand that its tricks will not always produce the desired results. It must understand that Cameroonians are more determined today than in 1992. With a strong Diaspora and social media, it is possible for many things to be exposed.

Prof. Kamto is the man of the moment. This is his time. It will be wise to recognize this so as to do the right thing to avoid a bloodbath that might destabilize the entire sub-region.

Prof. Kamto has already stretched a hand of friendship to Mr. Biya and his family. It will be wise to accept this gesture in order to end up in history books as a hero and an elder statesman, instead of insisting on playing tricks just to end up as a common criminal at 86.

Americans had already foreseen this ugly situation and they had, through their ambassador in Yaounde, advised Mr. Biya to think about his legacy. But their advice fell on deaf ears. Will Prof. Kamto’s wise counsel also go unheeded? The ball is in Mr. Biya’s court.

By Kingsley Betek and Sama Ernest in Yaounde.

10, October 2018

Cameroon’s Presidential Poll: Kamto to hold Press Conference ⁰

Cameroon’s President-elect, Maurice Kamto, is scheduled to hold a press conference at 2:30PM Cameroon time in the nation’s capital.

Mr. Kamto is expected to reiterate that he is the winner of the election and that the country’s election-organizing body and the constitutional council are doing everything in their power to rob the population of its victory.

Mr. Kamto who is a legal expert and a Professor of law believes in legality and will be waiting for the constitutional council to confirm him as Cameroon’s next president.

Meanwhile, as the dust raised by Prof. Kamto’s announcement about his victory in the October 7 presidential poll settles, it is slowly emerging that the country’s president, Paul Biya, is slowly showing some signs of flexibility about his retirement.

A source close to the Yaounde strong man has hinted Cameroon Concord News Group that international pressure on the 86 year-old dictator for him to accept the honorable exit proposed by Prof. Kamto has increased over the last two days following the historic announcement that might change the country’s history.

America and other Western countries, excluding France, are working hard to ensure that real political alternation is a reality in a country that has known only two presidents since independence in 1960. Western countries want to ensure that Cameroon is spared a disaster that many other African countries have experienced.

The negotiators are drawing Mr. Biya’s attention to the fact that if he refused to accept the verdict of the ballot boxes, millions of Cameroonians might take to the streets and this could result in a bloodbath that may see his ethnic group paying a huge price as it has been the greatest beneficiary of the strong man’s corruption and nepotism.

They are tactfully and skillfully advising the Yaounde strong man that he could become a hero and a globally respected statesman if you played a key role in the peaceful transfer of power in Cameroon.

Mr. Biya is also being made to understand that if he continued to be in power, the conflict in the English-speaking regions would continue and more lives would be lost.

It should be noted that the real results of the poll are now available on the Cameroon Concord News Group’s website. The results have been sent by a source that has elected anonymity.

It is gradually emerging that Prof. Kamto is the true winner of Sunday’s presidential election.

The unimpeachable source at the election-organizing body, ELECAM, who has elected anonymity, has just sent the results to the Cameroon Concord News Group. The source says that ELECAM officials are divided on how to proceed.

Some want the results to be doctored while others argue that the real results should be published as received. There is confusion going on at ELECAM as government ministers keep on calling the election body.

By Kingsley Betek

10, October 2018

Kamto’s victory is gradually being confirmed by ELECAM ⁰

It is gradually emerging that Prof. Kamto is the true winner of Sunday’s presidential election.

An unimpeachable source at the election-organizing body, ELECAM, who has elected anonymity, has just sent the results to the Cameroon Concord News Group. The source says that ELECAM officials are divided on how to proceed.

Some want the results to be doctored while others argue that the real results should be published as received.

There is confusion going on at ELECAM as government ministers keep on calling the election body.

See below full results as received and compiled by ELECAM.

Statistics and vote percentages across the 10 regions:

.1- ADAMAWA Region

-Maurice Kamto 54%

-Paul Biya 23%

Joshua Osih 10%

2- CENTER Region

-Paul Biya 41%

-Maurice Kamto 38%

-Joshua Osih 12%

3- EAST Region

-Maurice Kamto 46%

-Paul Biya 31%

-Joshua Osih 20%

4- FAR NORTH Region

-Maurice Kamto 55%

-Joshua Osih 27%

-Paul Biya 9%

5- LITTORAL Region

-Maurice Kamto 39%

-Joshua Osih 33%

-Cabral Libih 19%

6- NORTH WEST Region

-Joshua Osih 37%

-Maurice Kamto 34%

-Akere Muna 17%

7- NORTH Region

-Maurice Kamto 44%

-Joshua Osih 25%

-Paul Biya 18%

8- WEST Region

Marice Kamto 59%

Paul Biya 19%

Joshua Osih 15%

9-SOUTH Region

Paul Biya 51%

Maurice Kamto 27%

Cabral Libii 10%

10-SOUTH WEST Region

-Joshua Osih 37%

-Maurice Kamto 32%

-Akere Muna 12%

10, October 2018

The autocrat and the ballot box: Transparency International says ‘We have no observers in Cameroon’ ⁰

Transparency International has disowned a report broadcast on Cameroon’s national television that said it’s observatory team monitoring presidential elections had approved the management of the electoral process.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the global anti-corruption body said it had not deployed an election observer mission in Cameroon. It described the television report by Cameroon TV as ‘false and untrue’.

“The individuals shown in the report have no affiliation with Transparency International,” said Patricia Moreira, Managing Director of Transparency International.

In the report broadcast on Monday, the purported observers described the October 7 election as ‘credible, fair and sincere’.

‘‘Everybody did their job. They took it very seriously. The election management process was extremely good,’‘ said one of the observers, Nurit Greenger, who is reportedly from the United States.

Transparency International, which has a chapter in Cameroon, said it had ‘established a reporting mechanism to be sued by the general public to report possible irregularities’.

‘‘At this critical time for democracy in Cameroon, Transparency International…urges all parties in politics and media to act responsibly and with integrity in their communications around the election and its results,’‘ concluded the statement.

Source: Africa News

10, October 2018

CPDM crime syndicate exposed over fake election observer report ⁰

Cameroon radio and television, CRTV, the state broadcaster has been exposed by international rights group Transparency International, TI, over a report that the group’s observer team had ‘blessed’ the conduct of the October 7 presidential polls.

CRTV shared a video that purported to have observers with TI but the group in a press statement said it had not sent a team to observe the polls. CRTV like Cameroon Tribune are used to perpetrate crimes against Southern Cameroonians far worse than the holocaust. They are instruments of mass mobilization through falsehood, corruption of the popular conscience and the deification of the 85 year old dictator who has finally destroyed the tribal tolerance miraculously put in place by the late President Ahidjo. CRTV was and is the conduit through which egregious violations and crimes of unimaginable magnitude are perpetrated against British Southern Cameroonians.

It is the conduit through which fraud is celebrated and the flames of the North West/ South West divide are fanned. It remains the voice of hate, sycophancy and intimidation. The question one may ask, is, who benefits from these crimes? The answer points to Paul Biya.

“Transparency International confirms that it has no international election observation mission in Cameroon. A recent television report featuring individuals described as working for Transparency International is false and untrue,” a statement read.

It is the most significant development surrounding the polls since opposition candidate Maurice Kamto declared that he had won a clear mandate from the people.

The former Biya minister had been dismissed by the government describing his move as irresponsible and illegal. Kamto’s coalition ally, Akere Muna, is a former TI top official. He resigned to contest the presidential polls but entered an alliance with Kamto less than 24-hours to the vote.

Voting closed in Cameroon in Sunday evening and counting of ballots started in earnest. Main opposition Social Democratic Front, SDF, vowed to police the counting and results declaration process.

But it is the declaration of victory by Maurice Kamto, a former Biya minister that has thrown the process into a state of shock. Kamto who led a two-party alliance involving famed lawyer Akere Muna said the goal of his party had been reached.

A summary of the issues he raised in his victory speech is as follows: Cameroonians have chosen to go down a historic path by voting out the incumbent. He has won a clear mandate and he is ready to defend firmly. Called on Paul Biya to make transition arrangement to avert needless post-poll crisis. His supporters can remain joyful and proud of the achievement.

The government reacted to the development with a series of controversial press conferences in Yaounde alluding to electoral laws which suggest that it is an offence to declare oneself winner of the elections. A point that had been stressed by government in the run up to the vote.

A section of the Electoral System stipulates that the President of the Republic is elected for a seven-year term by universal suffrage and by direct, equal and secret ballot.

According to the Cameroon electoral code, the president is elected by a single-round majority ballot and the candidate having obtained the majority of the votes cast shall be declared elected.

It also states that election will not be complete until Cameroon’s Supreme Court rules on requests for annulment and announces the results.

Cameroonians voted on Sunday (October 7) in a key presidential election which could end or extend the 36-year rule of President Paul Biya, one of Africa’s longest serving leaders.

Reuters and CAMCORDNEWS