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Turkey and the Syrian crisis: Consistently inconsistent

10, August 2016

Turkey and the Syrian crisis: Consistently inconsistent 0

Turkey says its views are concurrent with those of Russia regarding the need for a political solution to the crisis in Syria. Speaking to the state-run Anadolu Agency on Wednesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also said Ankara and Moscow were of similar opinions concerning the need for a ceasefire in Syria and the provision of humanitarian aid to the civilians affected by the conflict there.

The comments come even as Turkey and Russia have been supporting opposing sides in the conflict in Syria. While Russia has stressed the need to support the legitimate Syrian government, Turkey has been offering support to the anti-Damascus militants.

Despite that difference, Turkey has recently been surprisingly gravitating toward Russia. A standoff in November last year plunged the two countries’ relations into turmoil. Back then, the Turkish military shot down a Russian fighter jet as it was conducting operations over Syria. One of the two pilots of the Russian Sukhoi Su-24M was killed by anti-Damascus militants on the ground after parachuting out of the targeted jet.

Following a failed coup in Turkey in July this year, Turkish officials, who had previously defended the downing of the Russian jet, distanced themselves from the incident, saying that the bomber aircraft had been targeted by military personnel who later took part in the putsch attempt against Ankara.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a press conference in Konstantinovsky Palace outside Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 9, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

Most recently, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan traveled to Russia, where he discussed the Syrian conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In his Wednesday’s remarks, Cavusoglu said a Turkish delegation, including Foreign Ministry, military, and defense officials, will travel to Russia for follow-up talks on the same day.

Observers also speculate that the Turkish overtures to Russia are coming at a time when Ankara is finding itself increasingly at odds with Western countries in the wake of the coup.

Western countries, particularly those of the European Union (EU), say Turkey is being too heavy-handed in its crackdown on putschists. Cavusoglu seemed to dismiss such speculation on Wednesday, however, saying his country’s rapprochement with Russia was not meant as a message to the West.

He did say, though, that support for EU membership had fallen in Turkey because of what he said was the bloc’s sympathetic attitude toward those who carried out the coup attempt. The EU is making serious mistakes in its response to the coup, the Turkish minister said, adding that if the West “loses” Turkey, it will be because of its own mistakes, not Ankara’s good ties with Russia, China or the Islamic world.

Presstv

Cameroon: 3 members of the same family killed in Foumbot

10, August 2016

Cameroon: 3 members of the same family killed in Foumbot 0

The population of Foumbot in the West Region of Cameroon is still to recover from the shock surrounding the death of three members of the same Family. They were discovered dead on the 8th of August 2016 in the morning at their residence.

The three included a 27 year old nursing mother Kamatcha Nicole Armand, her six months old baby boy, and her 10 year old niece. Her husband 29 year old Yannick Wanji was found unconscious and rushed to the Bafoussam Regional Hospital where he is currently receiving intensive treatment.

Security forces are yet to establish what actually caused the sad incident but some eye witnesses have opined that they must have inhaled toxic gas coming out of a stand by generator in their home. The generator was switched on due to power failure. However, others have related the death to food poisoning. The remains of the three have been moved to the Bafoussam Regional Hospital for an autopsy.

CRTV

 

Iran: Supreme Leader says Tehran will never back down from distancing itself from the US

9, August 2016

Iran: Supreme Leader says Tehran will never back down from distancing itself from the US 0

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran will never back down from distancing itself from the United States. “Keeping a distance from the head of the arrogant movement i.e. the US is one of the most important definitive principles of the great founder of the Islamic Republic (the late Imam Khomeini) and there is no room for any compromise or negligence in this regard,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with Iran’s Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi and other senior personnel of the ministry on Tuesday.

Ayatollah Khamenei hailed the relentless efforts of the ministry, describing it as a “very important and crucial bastion” and “the wakeful and observant eye of the Islamic establishment.” “The Intelligence Ministry is the hard shell of the Islamic establishment and should never become vulnerable,” the Leader added. The Leader further called for the presence and operation of the ministry anywhere suspected of becoming a hideout for the enemy to deal a blow to the Islamic Republic.

Ayatollah Khamenei also said the survival and victory of the Islamic Revolution are tied to maintaining faith, adding, “The failure of the global arrogance against the Islamic establishment, despite massive and varied plots and methods that they have deployed since the first day against the [Islamic] Revolution, could not have been possible without the support of faith.”

The Leader stated that any move to weaken the faith of the Iranian people and officials would be treason and added, “The defensive force that has sustained the country throughout all these years has been the power of faith and if this strong and efficient weapon is undermined, it will lead to many plights.”

 

Presstv

Biya appoints administrators to the Kribi Port and the so-called National Football Academy

9, August 2016

Biya appoints administrators to the Kribi Port and the so-called National Football Academy 0

President Biya signed two decrees on Monday, August 8, 2016 appointing administrators to the Kribi International sea port and the National Football Academy (ANAFOOT), created six years ago by him but which is yet to go operational.

For the Kribi port, Biya appointed eleven CPDM loyalists for a three term which is renewable once. The president of the republic however failed to announce the Chairman of the Board.

The same was true with the so-called ANAFOOT. The decree appointed ten pro Biya comedians for a three years term renewable once.

By Ebong Kingsley

Biya signs decree changing format of most identification documents in Cameroon

9, August 2016

Biya signs decree changing format of most identification documents in Cameroon 0

President Paul Biya has signed various decrees indicating a change in the format of most official identification documents in Cameroon.

According to the decrees, National Identity Cards, Residence Permits, Refugee Cards, Entry Visas and Retirement Cards for officials of the National Security will all have a single identification number and not multiple numbers as has been the case in the past.

The documents will also have a sim card allocated to them. The move is aimed at modernizing the system and ensuring security.

CRTV

Cameroon security forces warns of regular armed robbery on the Douala-Yaounde highway

9, August 2016

Cameroon security forces warns of regular armed robbery on the Douala-Yaounde highway 0

Armed robbery is now rampant on the Douala-Yaoundé highway, Cameroon security sources have warned. The highway robbers operate between Edea and Pouma, two localities in the Department of Sanaga Maritime deep within the Littoral region.

Cameroon security services announced that the armed men usually plead with drivers of vehicles to stop pretending to be potential travellers who need assistance. Sometimes they are accompanied by women and children, revealed the gendarmerie company commander in Edea.

Once they commit the crime, they take refuge in a forest precisely at Ebombe village, cited as the most dangerous place along the Douala-Yaounde highway. Last weekend, road bandits robbed an entire bus and many personal vehicles.

By Rita Akana

Chad: The butcher of N’Djamena sworn-in for another 5 years term

8, August 2016

Chad: The butcher of N’Djamena sworn-in for another 5 years term 0

21 cannon shots were fired Monday in N’Djamena, at the inauguration ceremony of President Idriss Deby for a fifth term as head of the country. The head of the Chadian government was sworn in before the Constitutional Council for a new mandate. Idriss Deby, 64, has ruled Chad for over 25 years and was re-elected in the first round of voting on April the 10th with 59.92% of votes. The inauguration this Monday, August 8, has handed the Chadian dictator another five years term.

Fifteen Heads of State and Government made the trip to N’Djamena for the occasion. They included Rwandan Paul Kagame, Sudan’s Omar Hassan al-Bashir, Niger’s Mamadou Issoufou, the Mauritanian Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, Egyptian Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi, the Ugandan Yoweri Museveni, Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari , Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, Guinea’s Alpha Conde, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of Mali, Burkina Faso’s Roch Christian Kaboré, the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Benin Patrice Talon and the Congolese Kabila. President Paul Biya of Cameroon whose country is engaged in the war against Boko Haram with the republic of Chad was conspicuously absence.

The day before the inauguration, a Chadian youth was shot dead in an anti-President Deby demonstration. During his speech, Idriss Deby announced a continuation of the military reform and the preservation of peace and security.

By Chi Prudence Asong

Mayor Ekema calls on Buea holiday job seekers to demonstrate high sense of duty consciousness, punctuality

8, August 2016

Mayor Ekema calls on Buea holiday job seekers to demonstrate high sense of duty consciousness, punctuality 0

The over 200 newly recruited holiday job seekers of the Buea council annual holiday jobs programme have been told to uphold high moral rectitude and civic responsibility in the execution of their duties. Mayor Ekema Patrick Esunge addressed the temporal council workers on Friday August 5th, 2016 and urged them to be law abiding and respect the terms and specifications stated within the context of the 2016 Buea council annual holiday jobs. The forum provided a unique opportunity for the participants to have a one and one exchanges with the kingpin of the Buea municipality and examined possible ways to render the one month period less tedious.

The mayor of Buea called on the group who are predominantly students to be committed, respectful and above all improved on the sanitary state of the city. Ewily William, a UB student, on behalf of the group requested for rain coats so as to be able to cope with torrential down pour of rain. Another speaker was Njei Sandrine, a UB student of the Department of English, who requested the mayor to give her an insight into her job description.

Mola Ekema encouraged the holiday job seekers to demonstrate a high sense of punctuality and duty consciousness and reminded them that they were future leaders of the Buea municipality. The over one hour meeting was attended by deputy mayors and some staff of the Buea council.

By Cham Victor Bama

South West Chiefs Conference: Bakweri chiefs at daggers-drawn positions to replace Chief Mukete

8, August 2016

South West Chiefs Conference: Bakweri chiefs at daggers-drawn positions to replace Chief Mukete 0

The South West Chiefs Conference has agreed to hold elections soonest to get a new leader to run the affairs of the association. The Bantu, semi Bantu and Tikar traditional authorities announced the decision on Wednesday August 3rd 2016 following an executive committee meeting that held in Buea the capital of the South West region.

The men with divine power revealed that the chief who will succeed Nfon V.E.Mukete will be known on September the 16th and 17th 2016. Cameroon Concord News understand the custodians of tradition from across the South West region will converged in Buea not only to elect a new president but also renew the mandate of other members of the executive committee for the next two years.However, a hue and cry has erupted deep within the Fako Chiefs Conference on who to replace Chief V.E.Mukete.

The president of the Fako Chiefs Conference, HRH Mokoto Njie, told newsmen in Buea that all was now set for SWECC to get a new leadership. Chief Mokoto Njie hinted that whatever happens in September, the winner will be a Fako citizen. Correspondingly, Chief David Molinge of Muea-Buea was quoted as saying the choice of Chief Njombe Johnson Njoke would weaken the credibility of the chiefs as he is unfit and low profile for the witty SWECC presidency. Chief Molinge even suggested that another candidate could well represent Fako in order to raise the reputation and credibility of the union to commendable standards.

We gathered that Chief Njombe Johnson also did launch a vicious attack on Chief Molinge describing him as being incompetent, not decent and an ordinary third class chief. The new SWECC management would have a daunting task to cleanse the chieftaincy sector off charlatans and restore the lost credibility and nobility deserved by royal institutions.

The same is true for the North West Fon’s Union that has been unable to replace its current leadership over claims of constitutional amendment. Fon Teche Njei who also moonlights as a Senator, is still the strongman at the helm of NOWEFU.

By Cham Victor Bama

Cameroon Under 17 beats the Arambi Stars of Kenya 7-0

7, August 2016

Cameroon Under 17 beats the Arambi Stars of Kenya 7-0 0

Cameroon under 17 Indomitable Lions have thrashed the Arambi stars of Kenya 7 goals to nil in a match counting for the second round of qualification for the 12th edition of the Africa Cup of Nation 2017 in Madagascar.

The encounter was staged in Limbe in the South West region today.

The cadets will now travel on the 20th of August to Nairobi Kenya for a return leg. Kenya will need to score eight goals to qualify. Lets hope they have a new Ambrose Ayoyi.

By Chi Prudence Asong

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