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21, July 2017

UK: Labour leader more popular than Prime Minister May ⁰

A new poll shows that British Prime Minister Theresa May’s approval rating has hit a record low, with opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn overtaking her for the first time. According to the survey compiled by Ipsos MORI for the London Evening Standard newspaper, only 34 percent of respondents said they approve of May’s leadership, while 59 percent expressed their disapproval with her minority government.

This is the lowest approval rating ever recorded for any modern-day prime minister immediately after an election. The poll also revealed that 44 percent of adults are satisfied with Labour leader Corbyn, only one percentage point less than those who are dissatisfied. Over one thousand adults across the UK participated in the poll.

“The turnaround in Mrs. May’s ratings is unprecedented in our previous data on prime ministers – from a historic high at the start of the campaign to a historic low just one month after an election, while also seeing her position among her own party supporters weakening and Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign surge continuing,” said Head of political research at Ipsos MORI Gideon Skinner.

“Having said that, she still has the edge as most capable PM among over 35s,” Skinner added. May’s rating has plummeted over a number of her policies, including social care and school funding. May’s Conservatives were enjoying a record surge in April in the polls when she opportunistically called for a snap election in hopes of getting an increased majority that could have strengthened her position before going into two years of intense negotiations with the European Union about Britain’s departure from the bloc.

However, May’s election gamble spectacularly backfired. British on June 8 voters dealt her a devastating blow, wiping out her parliamentary majority and throwing the country into political turmoil. Corbyn’s Labour, meanwhile, picked up dozens of seats. According to another poll released earlier this month, the Labour Party took an eight-point lead over the Conservative Party. The YouGov poll put Labour on 46 percent and the Conservatives on 38 percent.

Source: Presstv

20, July 2017

Clashes between herdsmen, farmers kill 33 in Nigeria ⁰

At least 33 people have been killed in clashes between cattle herders and farmers in Nigeria’s northern Kaduna state, a police chief says. Two days of violence between herders and farmers erupted on Sunday in Kajuru village, 50 kilometers outside the city of Kaduna, state police commissioner Agyole Abeh told AFP on Thursday.

“A total of 33 people were killed in the violence between Fulani herdsmen and farmers,” said Abeh. “The violence started when some villagers attacked a young Fulani man and his father, which led to the death of the young man after he was admitted in hospital.” The victim’s kinsmen gathered from nearby settlements and launched a reprisal attack on the village, killing six men, said Abeh.

In response, the youth from the farming communities “mobilized and went into the bush attacking and burning Fulani settlements they could find”, he added. “Our men were contacted but before they could deploy, the attackers had killed 26 people, mostly women and children and injured several others.”

Security personnel have since been deployed to the area to maintain peace. Nigeria’s Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has ordered reinforcements in Kaduna state following the clashes. He condemned what he said were the “needless deaths” and expressed frustration with the security challenges in southern Kaduna.

In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, Osinbajo promised to ensure that the “perpetrators of these dastardly acts” would be identified and brought to justice. Southern Kaduna has seen a spate of deadly clashes between the predominantly Christian farmers and Muslim Fulani herders, a historically nomadic people who graze their cattle on the land.

Originally, the clashes were over land and water rights disputes. But ethnicity and religion have been playing a larger role in the conflict after post-election violence in 2011 that saw hundreds of Muslims killed and forced to flee the area.

Without a national strategy in place to address the conflict, tensions between herdsmen and farmers have not subsided, and tit-for-tat killings have become common. Experts blame a heavy-handed, militarized response by the government, and incendiary comments from political and religious leaders for fanning the flames of animosity.

(Source: AFP)

20, July 2017

Bishop Bala Affair: Biya makes financial donations to angry groups, traditional rulers ⁰

President Paul Biya has given financial compensation to the disgruntled fishermen and traditional rulers who contributed in the search and retrieval of the body of the Late Bishop of Bafia, Bishop Jean Marie Benoit Bala.

The financial package was handed over to the population by the Governor of the Centre Region, Naseri Paul Bea at the Ebebda Council hall. The Governor said the Head of State appreciated the contributions from notables and fishermen and his gesture was to encourage them.

The population of Ebebda worked with military personnel of the Navy and the Fire Fighting corp. for three days and nights in search of the body of the prelate who had gone missing.

The body was eventually found several kilometers from the bridge and pulled off to the shore where it was identified by authorities of the Catholic Church.

Source: CRTV

20, July 2017

Yaounde: International War College graduates 62 students ⁰

The flags of 21 countries in Africa, Europe and America were hoisted at the courtyard of the International War College Simbock Yaoundé to mark the end of 11 months of war training. The senior military officers received lectures in strategic and operational planning, geopolitics and how to command joint military and multinational forces.

The 12th batch composed of 62 senior military officers is the highest in number ever trained in one session since the establishment of the institution. The Commander of the Institution, Major General Esaïe Ngambo referred to the trainees as fine grains in the domains of conception and elaboration, analysis and decision making at strategic level within national and multinational armies.

Each laureate received an attestation (War College Certificate) and insignias of the institution, on Wednesday the 19th July 2017, during a ceremony presided over by the Secretary of state in the Ministry of Defense in charge of the National Gendarmerie, Jean Baptiste Bokam. The Gendarmerie boss challenged the officers to use the newly acquired knowledge to end conflicts and fight against terrorism in Africa.

A keynote presentation from one of the trainees on the theme “What Development Model for Africa” focused on the need for African countries to think beyond national boundaries and set common development agenda based on the 2060 vision of the African Union. The graduation ceremony was also occasion to pay tribute to some 34 Cameroon soldiers who went missing after their ship wrecked off the coast of Dibunsha in the South West region.

Major General Esaïe Ngambo regretted the loss and announced that one of the victims of the accident, Lieutenant Colonel Moussa who was leading the troops received training from the War College in 2016. The French government which is a key partner with the war college was represented by Ambassador Gilles Thibault who congratulated the trainees and pledged continuous French support in the areas of training and logistics essential to continental security.

Source: CRTV

20, July 2017

Trump picks Peter Henry Barlerin to be US Ambassador to Cameroon ⁰

President Donald Trump has replace Michael Stephen Hoza as US ambassador to Cameroon. The decision nominating Peter Henry Barlerin as the new US ambassador was made public on July the 18th 2017.

Trump’s decision comes at a time when the US diplomatic mission in Cameroon is badly in need of a decent man to run its affair. The new American ambassador is a senior Foreign Service officer and deputy secretary in the African Affairs Bureau in the US State Department.

Peter Henry Barlerin served as Director of Economic and Regional Affairs in the Africa Bureau of the US State Department and in that capacity participated in the 14th International Forum of the African Growth Opportunity Act (Agoa) in Libreville, Gabon.

The new US diplomat in Yaoundé knows Africa very well. He had worked in Bamako, Mali, as part of the Kimberley process, whose mission was to prevent the illicit exploitation of diamonds.

By Chi Prudence Asong
Cameroon Concord News

20, July 2017

African Development Bank to fund rail line linking Ngaoundere and N’jamena ⁰

The Government of Cameroon and that of Chad have signed an aide-memoire with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to extend the railway network linking Ngaoundere in Cameroon and Djamena in Chad. Cameroon’s Minister of Transport, Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo’o chaired the signing ceremony on the 18th of July 2017. The document is in relation to feasibility studies carried out ahead of the construction of the railway linking both cities.

The general manager of Cooperation and Regional Integration, Charles Assamba Ongondo who signed on behalf of Cameroon explained that the three signatories had earlier on, in consultation with the Cameroon – Chad Railway Commission, agreed to carry out studies for the railway. He observed that the board of AfDB will examine the file and decide if they will provide the finances.

For his part, Minister Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo’o opined that the aide-memoire shall be presented in the next board meeting of the Cameroon – Chad Railway Commission. The railway extension is expected to cover a distance of 900km. The project will be financed to the tune of close to 5000 billion CFAF. This will add up to the transport networks linking up Cameroon and Chad.

Source: CRTV

20, July 2017

2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Cameroon reaffirms readiness to host despite concerns ⁰

Cameroon’s Sports Minister has said that the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations will go ahead in the country despite concerns over the pace of preparations. Recent reports suggest that stadium construction is behind schedule while Cameroon also faces economic problems.

“Despite security concerns, social and economic crises, the government and President Paul Biya are totally engaged to do everything for the Nations Cup to go ahead,” said Ismael Bidoung. In the wake of concerns aired about Cameroon’s readiness, North African nations Algeria and Morocco have recently put themselves forward as back-up options for the finals.

Bidoung said that group games will take place in five cities, with Limbe having been added to the four venues mentioned in Cameroon’s original bid: Bafoussam, Douala, Garoua and the capital Yaounde. However, more venues are needed for the teams’ training – some of which were already used when Cameroon hosted the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations last year.

“Of the 32 stadia required for the 2019 Nations Cup, the 11 that served for the 2016 Women Africa Cup of Nations are ready and functional,” said Bidoung. “For the 21 other stadia, 14 are under rehabilitation and 7 are still to be constructed.” Cameroon are the reigning African champions, having beaten Egypt in February’s final in Gabon.

Source: Vanguard

20, July 2017

Amnesty says Boko Haram suspects tortured in Cameroon ⁰

Suspected Boko Haram fighters have been “brutally tortured” by security forces in Cameroon, a rights group says. Amnesty International said in a report that the suspects, including women and children, were beaten, water-boarded and forced into stress positions.

The cases allegedly happened between 2013 and 2017, and dozens of detainees died as a result, it added. Cameroon’s government has not commented. Boko Haram frequently carries out attacks in the country.

The Islamist group, based in neighbouring Nigeria, has killed more than 1,500 civilians in Cameroon since 2014, and abducted many others, Amnesty said. Victims described a least 24 methods of torture at more than 20 different sites, the report said.

In one of those places, it said, there was the presence of US and French military personnel. There was no evidence that foreign forces were involved, but Amnesty urged both countries to investigate the allegations. The report added that people suspected of supporting the militants were often being detained without evidence.

Source: BBC

19, July 2017

Decision to revamp Africa Cup of Nations within the next 48 hours ⁰

The Africa Cup of Nations could be revamped – handing European clubs a boost in the process. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have proposed moving the tournament to the summer, outside of the regular European leagues season, as well as expanding their biannual tournament to 24 teams.

The competition, which currently takes place during January and February, denied Everton of Idrissa Gueye last season, with the midfielder representing Senegal.

With new signing Henry Onyekuru recently capped by Nigeria, as well as Yannick Bolasie a full international for DR Congo, any rule change would help the Blues and many other English clubs in the 2018/19 season. The next tournament is set to run between January 12 and February 3 in 2019, taking place in Cameroon.

“From a sporting perspective, it will allow more opportunity for footballers across the continent,” said Nigerian Football Federation president Amaju Pinnock, who is also a CAF executive committee member.

“It will increase revenue for CAF and we can triple our income. It will also force more infrastructure development.” A decision could be made within the next 48 hours.

Source: Liverpoolecho

19, July 2017

Rabat: Format and timing of the Africa Cup of Nations up for discussion ⁰

The format and timing of the Africa Cup of Nations is up for discussion as a two-day symposium on the future of the continental game has got under way in the Moroccan capital, Rabat.

“That is the first thing to talk about – we can’t get away from it,” said Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Ahmad in his opening address. The Nations Cup’s timing in January and February has long been a source of conflict for clubs in Europe, where many Africans play.

European clubs have long been angered by losing players during a crucial stage of the season to the Nations Cup, which sparks a club v country row every two years. Compounding the clubs’ concerns is the fact that their players often come back fatigued from Africa’s flagship sporting event.

Ahead of this year’s Nations Cup in Gabon, an unprecedented number of players turned down call-ups to stay with their clubs. This included seven Cameroonians who refused to turn out for the team that eventually won the title.

The finals could also be boosted from 16 teams to 24 – while a less likely switch is for the tournament to take place every four, rather than two, years.

Source: BBC