About soter

Posts by :

11, October 2017

Arrest warrants issued for Southern Cameroons activists in the UK ⁰

A top French Cameroun judge in Yaounde has issued arrest warrants for the organizers of the massive Southern Cameroons protest that held recently in London precisely at Holland Park. The Biya Francophone regime says Southern Cameroonians in the UK and the USA were responsible for the controversial independence day celebration on October 1 that claimed the lives of dozens of British Southern Cameroons citizens.

A French Cameroun Supreme Court spokesperson told Cameroon Concord News on Wednesday that the warrants had been issued for Barrister Alex Ndive, Kum Engelbert, Tua Fesse Fesse and Kongeh Joseph Wab. We gathered the kangaroo court ruled that the four Southern Cameroonians organized the demonstrations in front of the Cameroon embassy in London in contravention of a ruling by the nation’s higher judicial council which had found the activities of the Southern Cameroons Ambazonia Governing Council unconstitutional and banned its activities.

The Francophone dominated government said on Monday that it has evidence from mobile phone operators that implicates the Cameroon Concord News UK bureau chief, Chi Prudence Asong and Tua Fesse Fesse in the happenings in Buea and Bamenda. The development came a day after 10 Southern Cameroons citizens arrived the Douala International airport from the US and were detained by plain cloth police officers.

The so-called French Cameroun government spokesman and Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakary said that the independence day celebration was ruthlessly crushed and severely dealt with by troops loyal to the Biya regime. Human Rights groups including Amnesty International say more than a hundred people were killed.

Sesekou Ayuk Tabe, the head of the Southern Cameroons Governing Council noted that the the October 1 celebration has opened a new chapter in British Southern Cameroons history. During a recent interview in London, Chairman Ayuk Tabe said the Southern Cameroons Governing Council is not seeking confrontation with the French Cameroon government but reiterated the governing council’s position that there was an urgent need for a Southern Cameroons army.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai, CCN

11, October 2017

Kenya: Parliament passes controversial election law ⁰

The Kenyan parliament has passed an amendment to the country’s electoral laws under which a presidential candidate would automatically win a re-run vote if the other one drops out of the race.

The amendment, which had been proposed by the ruling party, was passed on Wednesday, a day after the country’s opposition leader said he was withdrawing from the “unfair” race.

Once incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta signs the law, it will take immediate effect, according to parliamentary spokesman Martin Mutua.

The controversial law was harshly criticized by opposition lawmakers, who had boycotted the vote on Wednesday.

Last month, Kenya’s Supreme Court ordered a repeat presidential race to be held on October 26 between Odinga and Kenyatta. It annulled the result of an earlier poll, on August 8, after finding “irregularities.” Kenyatta had been declared the winner of that election.

Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga waves to supporters as he leaves the Supreme Court in Nairobi on September 1, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Odinga, however, announced his withdrawal from the new election on Tuesday, saying the electoral commission must be changed. He claimed that the contest could not be free and fair.

He also added that there were indications that the upcoming repeat election would be worse than the previous one.

Odinga’s coalition party called for the new election to be cancelled as a result of his withdrawal. But Kenyatta said that they have “no problem going back to election. We are sure we will get more votes than the last time.”

“We are also telling him it is the people’s right to choose their leader. It is their sovereign right to choose their leader of choice,” said the incumbent president.

Meanwhile, thousands of people rallied through the capital, Nairobi, calling for changes at the electoral board. Kenyan police fired teargas to disperse the demonstrators.

Police also used tear gas against opposition supporters, who had gathered in Kisumu, an Odinga stronghold in the country’s west, on Wednesday.

Witnesses said the crowd had refused to disperse after being addressed by the county governor, Reuters reported.

The supporters of Kenyan opposition rally in the capital, Nairobi, October 11, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)

In another development on Wednesday, Kenya’s High Court ruled that a minor opposition candidate, Ekuru Aukot — who had also ran in the August presidential election — could take part in this month’s re-run vote.

Justice John Mativo said he did not see any reason for Aukot to be barred from participating in the repeat election.

Auko, however, said that he had doubts about standing. He won about 27,000 votes of the more than 15 million cast in the August vote.

Source: Presstv

11, October 2017

Oil and Gas: Tower prepares for 2018 drilling in Cameroon ⁰

Tower Resources plc (the “Company” or “Tower” (TRP.L, TRP LN)), the AIM-listed oil and gas company with a focus on Africa, is pleased to provide an update on the status of the Thali block in Cameroon.

Following a Technical Committee Meeting and Operating Committee Meeting between Tower, the Cameroon Ministry of Mines, Industry & Technological Development (“MINMIDT”) and the Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures (“SNH”) held in Douala on 3 October 2017, Tower, MINMIDT and SNH have agreed on the following next steps in support of the PSC work commitments:

To conduct reprocessing of the existing 3D seismic data and conduct specific specialist studies such as attribute analysis, including AVO and pore pressure prediction, and coherency cubes on that data;
To continue with the geological and geophysical interpretations, using that reprocessed data, to refine and high-grade the prospect inventory on the Thali PSC block, to mature the drillable prospects;
To investigate rig availability with appropriate technical specifications; and
Based on this work, Tower aims to provide SNH with a prospect inventory and prioritisation during Q2 2018, and will agree with SNH a location for the first new well on the block.

In respect of acquisition of new seismic data on the block, Tower, will continue to search for a suitable seismic contractor; it being understood that the actual acquisition of new data may need to be deferred.

The budget for the planned work activities for 2017 and 2018 has been agreed. Tower, SNH and MINMIDT have agreed to meet in six months to evaluate the progress of the operations. Based on this progress the parties may contemplate an eventual extension of the initial period of the Exploration Phase to allow the fulfilment of all contractual obligations for the period.

Jeremy Asher, Chairman & CEO, commented:

“We are very pleased to have confirmed our next steps on the Thali license, including the reprocessing of existing 3D data, with a view to finalising priorities for drilling in 2018. We are also grateful to SNH and MINMIDT for their flexibility and support. By deferring the acquisition of new 3D data in favour of reprocessing existing 3D data we can save time and money in the near term, and move faster towards sourcing a rig in the currently depressed rig market. This not only accelerates our progress towards a well, but also makes the cost of our work programme over the coming year much more affordable, even taking into consideration the last portion of the signature bonus which is now falling due. With contingent Oil-In-Place estimated at 39 million barrels (Pmean, gross) already discovered on the block, we are keen to take advantage of the low cost of rigs in the current market and to begin drilling to reach a commercial scale for development of this high-quality near-field block as soon as possible.”

Source: Oil and Gas News

11, October 2017

17 dead, 180 missing as massive wildfires ravage parts of California ⁰

At least 17 people have been killed in California due to wildfires which have so far damaged over 2,000 residences and other buildings, authorities say.

Fires have been raging in multiple counties as of Tuesday, charring more than 115,000 acres of land and forcing nearly 20,000 residents to evacuate.

The biggest fires were reported from Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties, where flames were sweeping through the lush, picturesque landscape. Just in Sonoma and Napa, the Tubbs and Atlas fires have burned 52,000 acres of land.

The remains of fire damaged homes after an out of control wildfire moved through the area, October 9, 2017, in Glen Ellen, California. (Getty Images)

In Anaheim, fires schorched an estimated 6,000 acres and wreaked havoc on at least 24 homes and businesses.

At least 183 people have been unaccouted for since Sunday when the fires first broke out, according to one official in Sonoma County where at least 11 people died of fire-related injuries.

St. Joseph Health said nearly 170 patients have been treated for burns and smoke inhalation in Sonoma County.

High winds and dry conditions have exacerbated the situation, and according to Cal Fire, strong winds led to “extreme rates of spread and volatile burning conditions.”

A fuel truck sits in a stag in area as the Nuns Fire burns in the hills behind it on October 10, 2017, in Kenwood, California. (Photo by AFP)

Sonoma County Sgt. Spencer Crum said Tuesday, “The night before this, we had 60 mph winds, which is the reason why you have such devastation here.”

At least 3,000 residents were forced to leave the area in and around Anaheim, with officials saying that over 5,000 structures were being threatened by the flames.

“We always thought the alert system would give us time, but there was no notice, no warning,” said Maureen Grinnell, 77, who lived in the hills north of Napa. “I was watching a movie with my 19-year-old granddaughter and I smelled smoke, and I looked out the window to see flames approaching.”

Officials have been forced to evacuate even some hospitals due to flames which were engulfing certain areas. Also, residents living in surrounding counties, which were under threat, have also been ordered to flee their homes.

Source: Presstv

11, October 2017

Tchiroma makes a mockery of Southern Cameroonians again!! Says secession has no place in Cameroon ⁰

Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the so-called Cameroon government spokesman and Minister of Communication has said that secession will never see the light of day in Cameroon. The French Cameroun political elite known for his role in the 1984 April 6^th Coup against President Biya and for his anti Beti Ewondo statements also observed that the Biya Francophone government has satisfied the demands of Southern Cameroonians and added that each time a concession is made, “the seccessionists raise new conditions.”

Tchiroma was speaking during a visit to the headquarters of La Meteo, a pro Biya regime newspaper based in Yaounde on Tuesday the 10^th of October 2017. The controversial cabinet minister whose health has been failing of recent, acknowledged that Cameroon was indeed at crossroads but secession has no place in the country.

Exactly one year ago, the anglophone crisis sparked off in Southern Cameroons basically from demands made by anglophone lawyers and teachers which ultimately metamorphosized into demands for federalism and later secession by the peoples of Southern Cameroons. The Francophone dominated government in Yaounde has reported an uneasy calm lately within these regions after the riots of October 1.

By Rita Akana, CCN

10, October 2017

Police surround Catalan parliament ahead of declaration of independence ⁰

Police forces in the Spanish city of Barcelona have surrounded the regional parliament compound hours ahead of a potential declaration of independence of Catalonia.

The Mossos d’Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police force, said on its Twitter page on Tuesday that security measures were imposed around the park where the parliament is located as there was the risk that opponents and supporters of Catalonia’s independence campaign could approach the area during a planned session in which regional leaders may declare Catalonia’s independence from Spain.

“For security reasons, Parc de la Ciutadella is closed to the public today,” said the short statement, without elaborating.

Several blue police vans were parked outside of the parliament building while metal barriers were set up at the entrance to the park.

A police spokesman said authorities hoped to “prevent any situation that would put pressure on parliamentary activity.”

“We are trying to avoid these situations, both on the part of pro-unity protesters as well as by groups of radical separatists,” he said.

The spokesman added that “a group of people forced their way into the park and threw objects against the parliament building” on Sunday, when hundreds of thousands of people staged a massive rally in Barcelona against the independence drive.

The photo shows a demonstration in Barcelona called by “Societat Civil Catalans” (Catalan Civil Society) to support the unity of Spain, October 8, 2017. (AFP photo)

Separatist organizations in Catalonia have called on supporters of independence to gather in front of the parliament “to support and defend the declaration of independence.”

The calls come as Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont could finally declare independence during the Tuesday parliamentary session, more than a week after a controversial referendum in which around 90 percent from a population of 2.3 million voters, less than half of those eligible to vote in Catalonia, endorsed the independence campaign. The vote came amid some unprecedented tensions on the streets as more than 900 people were injured in clashes with the police.

The Spanish government in Madrid has labeled the entire process of seeking referendum in Catalonia as illegal, including the referendum and the Tuesday vote in the regional parliament.

The political crisis, the most serious for Spain in nearly four decades, have hugely affected the economically-vibrant Catalonia, as major companies and banks have either moved their headquarters out of Barcelona or have announced plans to do so if regional leaders declare independence.

Source: Presstv

10, October 2017

President Biya’s health deteriorating ⁰

Cameroon Intelligence Report sources have revealed that 4 heads of state were scheduled to visit Yaoundé in the last eight months and have meetings with President Biya, yet these visits have been perpetually annulled.

Our sources further pointed out that the main reason for the cancellation of these visits was the state of Biya’s health that has been deteriorating. Among the heads of state who decided to cancel their visits to Cameroon were the Ivorian President Ouattara, President Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo Brazzaville, President Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea and the Head of State of Niger Republic.

Etoudi has also reportedly stopped a lobbying process for a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Cameroon. However a number of world leaders have visited Cameroon, mainly African presidents including the head of the Republic of Chad, Idris Deby and the Senegalese President.

Biya also met the CEO of the African Development Bank as well as the Italian Head of State recently in Yaoundé. French Cameroon political commentators have said that Biya’s continued stay in power despite his ailing health is proof that Paris and the Francophone dominated military leadership is working on finding an alternative which would appease all the political parties including Southern Cameroonians.

Biya assumed the presidency on November 6th 1982 and has been re-elected uncountable times following the staging of numerous counterfeit presidential elections and his supporters are preparing for another mandate in the 2018 elections.

Biya has made constitutional amendments that grant him the right to run for successive presidential terms, after the previous text of the Constitution limited the number of covenants to only two.

Biya was last seen at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York. He remained in a five star Intercontinental Hotel in Swiss from where he is receiving treatment for prostate cancer. We gathered he has lost his ability to speak. The state of his health has prompted some key figures within his ruling CPDM party to demand he step down but these calls have been unanswered.

Source: Cameroon Intelligence Report

10, October 2017

The great SOBA:UK alumni association for rock star ex-students ⁰

With excitement building amongst Sobans in the UK around the 2017 Annual Residential Convention slated from the 10th to the 12th of November in Rugby, it seems the leadership team headed by Ayuk Akoh-Arrey and his executive and event management teams, have ticked all the boxes on the to do list, and is satisfied with the preparations.

The Association wants to continue to deliver on its theme of “Building A Stronger Community”. Festivities, which include the SOBA:UK’s AGM and ceremonies, will kick off formally at 11am on the 11th of November at Dunchurch Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Rugby Road, Dunchurch.

Pre-SOBA:UK events across the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland are in full swing. These include media networking sessions, Sobans interactions with sponsors and local communities and dry runs of programs for the big day. During their address on Saturday the 11th of November, the SOBA:UK leadership team will highlight what has been achieved by so far since their recent election in the 2017 executive elections. The AGM involves members discussing SOBA:UK priorities and programmes for the year ahead, amongst many topics this year, extensions to the existing welfare structure to further support Sobans in various challenging situations in the UK, as well as new new proposals to partner with SOBA America in 2018 in giving back to the alma mater and encouraging academic and extra-curricular achievement in Sasse College.

Cameroon Concord News sought to discover how SOBA:UK has come to occupy the number one spot of Cameroon alumni associations in the UK. “It has taken a simple recipe – sustained effort and commitment by many Sobans. Ever since Ayuk Akoh-Arrey became president in 2014, with his background in financial services, he has sought to make the association financially strong. ” said Eko Ngwashi of the events management team.

SOBA:UK Convention 2017 Sponsor

Call us now for property investment options in Cameroon. Quote reference SOBA014. http://optionsinternational.net/cameroon

In 2014 SOBA:UK set a vision

A number of volunteers organized themselves into six strategic teams to drive growth. “We were poised to set a long term plan to compete with the likes of the Eton college alumni at this meeting” says Secretary General John Bawak. “We believed the UK association deserved to boast of a big bank account and such a vibrant community that Sobans would feel comfortable talking about SOBA:UK at their places of work. That is the moment the SOBA:UK brand became crucial”.

SOBA:UK at a long term vision meeting in 2014 to identify a model for their community of volunteers

Photographer: Alex Quest

What’s more, the potential for various members to take part in this growth by working in projects to drive the vision. This is how SOBA:UK gets people to participate in projects and activities that create the dynamic association that it is. The Charity and Welfare team establishes and reviews systems for Sobans in need. The events management team undertakes strategic leadership in planning and executing all their events. A Liasons team is responsible for liasing with the executive team and Sobans and also with the wider Cameroonian community. A business and systems team manages offline and online coordination of the association, meanwhile a publicity and marketing team carries out the marketing. Newly elected Vice Secretary General Usamatu Babangida said “It is an easy association to join, it only requires to pay membership and there is so much work to keep you busy”.

The Welfare Team on road trip to Scotland in 2017 in support of a bereaved Soban family in Nov 2015

Cameroon Concord News understands that a welfare scheme has paid over £16,000 to bereaved Sobans since 2006 when the first bereavement was issued. “Our bereavement scheme works not just because we pay out but because Sobans show up and see the families of those who are bereaved” says Financial Secretary, Batey Tako. SOBA:UK members have been known to make long road trips to be with the families of bereaved Sobans at their time of need. This extra-ordinary commitment towards each other is reciprocated in SOBA:UK events where hundreds of guests turn out in support of the association. The Welfare Team has also made over £17,500 in payouts to projects in Sasse over the last 10 years.

The Events management team boasts of three of the association’s most successful conventions in 2014, 2015 and 2016, which have seen sponsors of the likes of Lycamobile, Turkish Airways, SellamQuick.com, some other big businesses and media partners in Vox Africa, which won Channel of the Year at the African Pride Awards.

SOBA:UK Convention 2017 Sponsor

Stress free shipping to Cameroon from the UK

Visit https://tamangwashipping.com and quote reference SOBA014 for Christmas discounts

The SOBA:UK Residential Convention is the highlight of the summerfor many Cameroonians in the UK. Cameroon Concord News gathered that due to levels of demand, preparations include tight security for the guests, the media and members of the public, both inside and outside Dunchurch Park Hotel. SOBA:UK’s Event Management team for 2017 has also authorized a “Book-Early And Get Up to £60 off” discount [www.sobaintheuk.org] to purchase a table for 10 people, with additional discounts for registered members.

Cameroon Concord News understands that the AGM is the forum where Sobans with any grievances or suggestions can attend and put their issues so that continuous structural improvements can be achieved within SOBA:UK. The president was quoted as saying that members who have genuine grievances are encouraged to attend the official AGM in 11 November, and put those to the General Assembly for deliberation. SOBA:UK we understand is financially very strong providing a good base to support its membership, which is at the heart of the Association.

Many other Sobans all over UK are also hard at work to ensure that people participate in activities and for the event to be a success as it was in 2016. As such, they have provided even greater public access to all SOBA proceedings. Sobans in other parts of the world and Cameroon who prefer to follow the event in the comfort of their homes can tune in towww.cameroonconcordnews.com for updates. The SOBA:UK convention will also be broadcast live on www.cameroonintelligencereport.com. The ceremony will also be covered by accredited journalists from various local and international media houses.

“We are confident that this greater access will allow more Sobans to hear directly from President Ayuk Akoh-Arrey about their association and about issues that concern them” noted Alfred Bate Bawak, a senior SOBA in the Midlands.

SOBA:UK Convention 2017 Sponsor

By Chi Prudence Asong with files from Soter Agbaw-Ebai

Cameroon Concord News Group

10, October 2017

US Army to ‘increase’ missions after losses in Niger, top general says ⁰

The United States Army’s top officer says it is likely to “increase” its train, advise and assist (TAA) missions after the death of four soldiers in Niger by developing a new unit, he describes as “similar to special forces,” that are “not special Forces.”

General Mark Milley made the comments at the Association of the army’s annual meeting in Washington on Monday, not long after four special operations commandos were ambushed to death by militants in the Western African country of Niger.

The army’s chief of staff did not mention who was responsible for the attack although he asserted that the US military does know the group.

“We are training, advising and assisting indigenous armies all over the world,” Milley stated. “And I anticipate and expect that’ll increase, not decrease, in years to come.”

Two other Green Berets were injured on the October 4 ambush near the Nigerien capital Niamey by militants said to be linked with the Daesh Takfiri group in Iraq and Syria.

“It is a dangerous mission, TAA missions around the world. It depends on where you are at,” Milley said, announcing that a new unit is being developed for such missions.

General Mark Milley, the chief of staff of the US Army, speaks at the National Press Club, July 27, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by AFP)

It will be made up of six “Security Force Assistance Brigades,” which will include 500 non-commissioned and senior officers with “Ranger-like standards.”

“They will look and act, in many ways, and be trained similar to Special Forces, but they are not Special Forces,” Milley asserted.

US Special Forces soldiers of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) assault a simulated enemy bunker during pre-deployment training in Nevada, March 2006. (Photo via US Army)

The US Africa Command “is reviewing very closely the security procedures that they are using for these teams that are there in Africa,” he added.

The US military leaders are expanding Washington’s military presence, arguing that they need to be able to act more quickly against purported enemies amid vows by President Donald Trump to defeat the Daesh terrorists.

The US and some of its regional allies are themselves implicated in support for the Takfiri terrorists.

Culled from Presstv

9, October 2017

2 UN peacekeepers killed, 12 injured in DR Congo ⁰

Ugandan rebels have attacked two military bases in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), killing two United Nations peacekeepers and injuring a dozen others.

The UN mission in Congo, known as MONUSCO, said the casualties occurred during two simultaneous attacks early on Monday, when soldiers were battling the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group along the main road leading from North Kivu province’s Beni territory to the Uganda border.

The UN did not specify the nationality of the dead soldiers or the injured.

“This region has seen more than enough violence already,” the mission chief, Maman Sidikou, said in a statement, adding that MONUSCO would “strongly” respond to threats by armed groups.

A Congolese army spokesman in the region, Mak Hazukay, also confirmed the report and later said the bases housed Tanzanian peacekeepers who formed part of an intervention brigade with a mandate to conduct offensive operations against the rebel group.

The assault came a day after the ADF militants killed at least 30 civilians by slitting their throats and took another 19 hostages near the city of Beni.

The recent fighting is a fresh outbreak of violence for a region plagued by ethnic tensions and massacres that killed more than 800 people between 2014 and 2016.

The Allied Democratic Forces-National Army for the Liberation of Uganda (ADF-NALU) rebel group, which was founded in Uganda in 1995 and later moved to Congo, is believed to have roughly 400 members and has been accused of committing serious human rights violations, including recruiting child soldiers and rape.

ADF-NALU and dozens of other armed groups have been active in eastern Congo since the 1996-2003 Congo wars.

The Congolese army, joined by UN troops, is on the offensive against the rebel group which is blamed for more than two decades of violence that has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes.

Source: Presstv