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After shutting down internet services in Southern Cameroons, Biya gives green light for low cost housing in La Republique

23, February 2017

After shutting down internet services in Southern Cameroons, Biya gives green light for low cost housing in La Republique 1

The Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Louis Paul Motaze of La Republique du Cameroun has been accorded the green light by President Biya to sign loan agreements with some foreign banks for the construction of low cost houses, Cameroun Tribune reports. The Minister therefore has to sign a funding loan agreement amounting to about FCFA 14.104 billion with Banque Intesa Sanpaolo SPA. The money will serve to finance studies for the construction project of 10,000 low cost houses in Yaounde and its environs, construction of pioneer 1,000 houses as well as the construction of an industrial base. In another decree signed the same Friday, February 17, 2017, the 84 year old dictator empowered the Economy Planning and Regional Development Minister to sign a financing loan agreement with Banque  Intesa Sanpaolo SPA  amounting to about FCFA 101.024 billion.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Jean Claude Mbwentchou in a typical CPDM style said the decrees of the Head of State marked a decisive turning point in the housing sector. He said improvement in quality and quantity is envisaged in the housing sector considering that the decrees also spell out the construction of an industrial base where materials for the construction of the houses and other related equipment will be manufactured. The low cost houses, Minister Mbwentchou specified will be constructed by an Italian company, PIZZAROTTI.

As for the land where the houses and industrial base will be constructed, he said, the Minister of State Property, Survey and Land Tenure has already allocated some areas land and others are awaited. He said the two decrees of the Head of State concerns phase I of the project that comprises of all studies, construction of the industrial base and the pioneer 1,000 houses. Mr Mbwentchou disclosed that will Mbankomo at the outskirt of Yaounde will benefit.

Cameroon Tribune

US: 55% of Americans disapprove of Trump

23, February 2017

US: 55% of Americans disapprove of Trump 0

US President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped to a new low at 38 percent, a new poll shows. According to the Quinnipiac University survey released on Wednesday, only 38 percent of Americans approve of the New York billionaire, while 55 percent disapprove of him. The poll also indicated a strong partisan divide, with 83 percent of Republicans backing him and 91 percent of Democrats opposing him.

A previous version of the poll showed a 41 percent support for the Republican president and a 51 percent disapproval rating. The 17-point difference in the latest survey means the new president’s “popularity is sinking like a rock,” according to Tim Malloy, the assistant director of the poll.

“He gets slammed on honesty, empathy, level headedness and the ability to unite. And two of his strong points, leadership and intelligence, are sinking to new lows. This is a terrible survey one month in,” Malloy added.

According to a RealClearPolitics average of recent polls, the real estate tycoon enjoys a 44.5 percent support for his job performance, while he is disapproved by 50.5 percent others. The most conservative poll considered in the average is conducted by Rasmussen Reports, which shows a 51 percent approval and a 49 percent disapproval rating for the commander-in-chief.

Presstv

CAF Presidential Election: Nigeria not backing Issa Hayatou

23, February 2017

CAF Presidential Election: Nigeria not backing Issa Hayatou 0

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has spoken out against the candidacy of Issa Hayatou, the current president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).  The President of the Nigerian FA, Amaju Pinnick revealed that the Federal Republic of Nigeria was against Issa Hayatou standing  for an eighth successive term.

Amaju Pinnick has also declared his support for Ahmad Ahmad, the president of the Madagascar Football Federation who is the only opponent of the outgoing President of the Confederation of African Football.

Pinnick said in an interview with the BBC that Ahmad is “courageous” for defying Hayatou. In his choice to support a candidacy other than that of the current chairman of the African football body, the chairman of the NFF opined that CAF needs a “new generation” of leadership.

By Chi Prudence Asong

Anglophone Crisis: Massive ghost town welcomes Indomitable Lions in Bamenda

22, February 2017

Anglophone Crisis: Massive ghost town welcomes Indomitable Lions in Bamenda 0

A massive ghost town operation has greeted the caravan traveling with the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in the Bamenda province of West Cameroon. The population responded to calls made by the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium to boycott the elements of rape, extra judicial killings and arbitrary arrest coming with the coveted trophy won during the 31st edition of Africa Cup of Nations football tournament on February 5, 2017 in Libreville in Gabon.

After spending a successful day in Bafoussam, capital of the Western Region in French Cameroun, the Francophone delegation arrived Bamenda and met their waterloo as they were received by trees and stones including buildings. Cameroon Concord News understands the same treatment awaits the Lions in the Buea province.

Biya and his Francophone Beti Ewondo regime no longer have the luxury of using football to resolve political issues.  “No one can be dissatisfied with the crowning of the indomitable Lions in Gabon. This team has given back to all Cameroonians, their lost pride. But Paul Biya and his regime are using this coronation of the national team to try to make them forget the crisis in Southern Cameroons,” noted an operations manager for the Consortium in Bamenda.

After Bamenda, the caravan is expected tomorrow Thursday in Douala and Friday, February 24, 2017 in Buea, the capital city of the Southern Cameroons paralyzed for about four months by anti La Republique strikes.

By Rita Akana

Amnesty International condemns the excessive use of force in Southern Cameroons

22, February 2017

Amnesty International condemns the excessive use of force in Southern Cameroons 0

Amnesty International has condemned the excessive use of military force in Southern Cameroons by soldiers loyal to the Biya Francophone regime. In its 2016/2017 annual report, the international human rights organization also denounced the numerous violations of freedom of expression in the two Anglophone Regions of Cameroon.

At the end of October, lawyers, pupils and teachers from Anglophone regions of Cameroon went on strike to protest against what they considered to be a marginalization of the Anglophone minority. Demonstrations took place in several towns in the South West and North West of the country, such as Bamenda, Kumba and Buea.

“Cameroon’s security forces arbitrarily arrested demonstrators and used excessive force to disperse them. For example, on 8 December, they killed four people by firing live ammunition at a demonstration in Bamenda, in the North West of the country, “Amnesty International said.

The organization also accused the Yaounde regime of orchestrating numerous abuses on militants of the Nigerian Islamic sect, Boko Haram detained in Cameroon including torture, deaths in detention and enforced disappearances, violation of freedom of expression, association and assembly , unfair trials, impunity, prison conditions, and the lack of respect for the rights of refugees and migrants.

Amnesty also observed that Boko Haram carried out at least 150 attacks, including 22 suicide attacks, which killed at least 260 civilians. The civilian population living around Lake Chad was targeted in a systematic way, the respectable body revealed.

By Sonne Peter

Amnesty International says Trump taking humanity to ‘darkest’ times

22, February 2017

Amnesty International says Trump taking humanity to ‘darkest’ times 0

Amnesty International has censured US President Donald Trump for adopting a “poisonous” rhetoric that “dehumanizes” entire communities and sets the stage for “angrier and more divisive politics” in the world.

In a statement upon the release of its annual human rights assessment, Amnesty said Wednesday that the divisive rhetoric used by people like the new American president led to an unprecedented spike in hate crimes last year.

“2016 was the year when the cynical use of ‘us vs. them’ narratives of blame, hate and fear took on a global prominence to a level not seen since the 1930s. Too many politicians are answering legitimate economic and security fears with a poisonous and divisive manipulation of identity politics in an attempt to win votes,” said Salil Shetty, Amnesty’s secretary general.

Specifically naming Trump and a number of other world leaders, Shetty charged that self-proclaimed “anti-establishment” politicians are “wielding a toxic agenda that hounds, scapegoats and dehumanizes entire groups of people.”

Demonstrators protest President Donald Trump’s racist policies in Chicago, Illinois, February 21, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Since taking office on January 20, Trump has signed a number of executive orders aimed at curbing immigration into the US, openly blaming Muslims and Latin Americans for the lack of security in the country.

On January 27, the former reality TV star authorized an entry ban against people from seven Muslim countries and halted refugee admissions for three months. Syrian refugee admissions were indefinitely suspended under the ban, which has been halted upon a federal judge’s order.

Trump has also signed a directive to begin the construction of a controversial wall on the border with Mexico, while hiring thousands of new enforcement agents to carry out more deportation raids.

During his campaign run, Trump promised to deport the 11 million undocumented immigrants that are currently residing in the country. He also threatened to withdraw funding from states that harbor illegal immigrants.

Presstv

Giant lie about Eseka train disaster: Name of Roman Catholic priest not on list of victims

22, February 2017

Giant lie about Eseka train disaster: Name of Roman Catholic priest not on list of victims 0

The name of the Italian Roman Catholic priest, Carlo Girola who died in the Eseka train accident is not on the list published by the regime in Yaounde. Relatives of the deceased priest also believe that Camrail and the ruling CPDM crime syndicate are maintaining a kind of vagueness on the number of victims and dividing the families so that they cannot meet and form a bloc to challenge the government.

The announcement of the death of Father Carlo Girola, Parish priest of Oyom-Abang in Yaounde, had caused consternation among the parishioners. Four months after the tragedy, the members of Oyom-Abang community say they do not understand the attitude of the Government. The Roman Catholics of this community say they are shocked by the will of the authorities to keep a blur around the drama. According to them, no official information has been disclosed regarding the progress of the investigation.

Rev. Father Angeel, the current Parish priest was quoted as saying that “We can see that the government is maintaining a deliberate silence so that the grieving families forget that an investigation was commissioned.” Father Angeel further added that “We do not understand how a government reported 78 deaths, but when we identified the body of our brother, he was numbered 121. And when we went to Camrail with the death certificate, we were surprised to find that his name was not on the list of victims.”

According to Rev. Father Angeel, the greatest regret today is mostly the fact of not having recovered the personal belongings of Father Carlo Girola. “He was the accountant of our community and he had his laptop on him that contained all the financial data of the community.” “However, a few days after the tragedy, I called the DO of Eséka whom I know well and he made me understand that the personal belongings of the victims were kept in a train station in Eséka. But until today, we have no news.”

 “We are not asking the Government, let alone Camrail, to give us any money. For even if they were to give us fifteen millions, it would be nothing compared to our brother whom we have lost. The only thing we want is that the truth be said and that such a tragedy does not happen again, “he says.

By Sama Ernest

Supreme Court to discuss Anglophone Lawyers, Lord Justice Ayah in traditional opening ceremony

22, February 2017

Supreme Court to discuss Anglophone Lawyers, Lord Justice Ayah in traditional opening ceremony 1

The arbitrary arrest of the Chairman of the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium, Barrister Agbor Felix Nkongho and Lord Justice Ayah Paul Abine including the demands of the Anglophone lawyers and the Penal Code adopted during the parliamentary session of June 2016 will certainly be on the menu as judges of the Supreme Court prepare to meet today Wednesday.

The event which is the traditional solemn opening ceremony of the judicial year will have a completely different twist this 2017 notably the adoption of the Penal Code and the continued grumbling of lawyers in Southern Cameroons. As regards the Penal Code, the CPDM crime syndicate crafted new items that introduce alternative penalties to imprisonment, criminal liability of legal persons, and penalization of adultery. Cat calls had greeted some aspects in the new law on the immunity of members of the government and the penalization of offenses on public demonstrations, press offenses, as well as adultery.

As for the situation in the English-speaking part of the country, the matter has become more intractable over the failure of the regime to address the demands earlier made by Anglophone lawyers for a better consideration of the Common Law principles in judicial practices. The Southern Cameroons legal practitioners had indeed called for the establishment of a specialized section in the Supreme Court to examine appeals from West Cameroon and the lawyers also wished that a particular branch be created at the National School of Administration and Judiciary, ENAM for the magistrates of Common Law. These demands were met with a stone wall erected by the Francophone political elites who described Anglophones as ‘rats’ not fit to be part of the state of Cameroon.

The solemn hearing of the Supreme Court next Wednesday takes place in accordance with the provisions of article 33, paragraph 1 of Law No. 2006/016 of 29 December 2006 on the organization and functioning of the Supreme Court. At the beginning of each judicial year and not later than February 28, the Supreme Court shall hold a solemn reopening hearing.

By Rita Akana

Zimbabwe: Oldest practicing leader turns 93, Announces plan to run for 2018 election

21, February 2017

Zimbabwe: Oldest practicing leader turns 93, Announces plan to run for 2018 election 0

President Robert Mugabe, the oldest practicing leader in the world has celebrated his 93rd birthday today Tuesday the 21st of February 2017 and intends to remain in office until his 99th birthday. Mugabe blew his 93 candles this Tuesday at a ceremony limited to his ministers and closest collaborators.

At 93, the President does not intend to withdraw from power and plans to run for the 2018 presidential election. Interviewed by the pro-government newspaper The Herald on the nationalist policy of the new US President Donald Trump, “America to Americans,” Mugabe said he was in full agreement with the nationalist policy of his American counterpart, Donald Trump. “When it comes to Donald Trump and his nationalist ideas” America to the Americans, “I agree,” he said

Targeted for years by US sanctions, Mugabe also said that it was necessary to give a chance to Donald Trump who may even review the sanctions against Zimbabwe. It is vital to include in this report that Robert Mugabe had on the occasion of his 92nd birthday served to his guests’ elephant meat, buffalo, antelope and a huge cake of 92 kilos. Total cost of the festivities, according to the press was 800,000 dollars.

By Chi Prudence Asong

South West Chiefs Deputy Secretary says decision to ban Limbe conference unwise and unfortunate

21, February 2017

South West Chiefs Deputy Secretary says decision to ban Limbe conference unwise and unfortunate 1

The South West Chiefs Conference, SWECC have raised a finger protesting a decision taken by the Francophone Senior Divisional Officer for Fako, Zang III banning the Elective General Assembly of the association. SDO Zang claimed he made the decision after receiving complaints from the Fako Chiefs. The South West traditional rulers were expected to hold a historic forum from Friday the 17th -Saturday 18th of February 2017 at the Limbe City Council hall. The civil administrator cited social tension and security threats as main reasons for the ban.

The Deputy Secretary General of SWECC, His Royal Highness Chief Robinson Tanyi on behalf of the outgoing President Senator Nfon VE Mukete observed that the ban was ill-advised, unwise and an unfortunate situation. Chief Tanyi Robinson pointed out that SWECC is made up of persons of value and honor including Senators, Parliamentarians, senior administrators, army Generals among others all of whom are men of exceptional standing and quality and ally to the Yaoundé regime. The much respected Upper Banyang Chief further noted that the custodians of the South West tradition have never breached the peace of the nation nor participated in public disorder of any kind that can jeopardize the security apparatus of the state.

Cameroun Info.Net reported that while averring to respect the ban, the chiefs in a statement said, “Article 11 cited in the letter on the election of officers is an internal affair that calls for no interpretation and influence from non members and public officials. You only need to read it well and with goodwill to understand it hasn’t the interpretation given and if at all it does supersede the Fako statutes referred to.”

The South West Chief’s conference is suffering from a deadlock witnessed within Fako Chiefs conference which is expected to produce a single candidate to represent the division. While the people of Buea think that it is time to choose a president, those from Limbe think otherwise. Other faction thinks that HRH Chief Njombe Johnson of Wokaka village presented as candidate is too young and not fit to ran the body.

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