1, June 2024
A military gunboat belonging to the Rapid d’intervention Battalions, BIR, have capsized at Idabato high sea during an exchange of gunfire between government forces and the Black Marine. No casualties yet as at the time of this report.
31, May 2024
A New York jury convicted Donald Trump on all charges in his hush money case Thursday in a seismic development barely five months ahead of the election where he seeks to recapture the White House.
The first criminal trial of a former US president ended with the 77-year-old Trump found guilty on each of the 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide a payment meant to silence porn star Stormy Daniels.
Trump — who was released without bail and is all but certain to appeal — initially sat still in the drab Manhattan courtroom, shoulders dipping.
Addressing reporters outside minutes later, though, he branded the result a “disgrace” and “rigged,” vowing that the “real verdict” would come from voters in the November 5 presidential election.
The conviction thrusts the United States into uncharted political territory.
However, it does not bar Trump from his continuing his White House run, even in the unlikely event that Judge Juan Merchan sentences him to prison.
Sentencing was set for July 11 — right before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump is due to receive the party’s formal nomination to face Democratic President Joe Biden in the election.
Biden’s campaign issued a statement saying that the trial showed “no one is above the law.” It added that “the threat Trump poses to our democracy has never been greater.”
The 12-member jury deliberated for more than 11 hours over two days before announcing the unanimous conclusion within a matter of minutes.
Merchan thanked the jurors for completing the “difficult and stressful task.”
Their identities had been kept secret throughout proceedings, a rare practice more often see in cases involving mafia or other violent defendants.
Election conspiracy
Trump was convicted of falsifying business records to reimburse his lawyer, Michael Cohen, for a $130,000 payment to Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election, when her claim to have had sex with him could have proved fatal to his campaign.
The trial featured lengthy testimony from the adult performer, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford and who described to the court in graphic detail what she says was a 2006 sexual encounter with the married Trump.
Prosecutors successfully laid out a case alleging that the hush money and the illegal covering up of the payment was part of a broader crime to prevent voters from knowing about Trump’s behavior.
Trump’s defense attorneys had countered that “trying to influence an election” was simply “democracy” and that the former president did nothing wrong.
Campaigning in courthouse
The trial has distracted Trump from his campaign to unseat Biden.
However, he milked the media attention throughout, with daily speeches in front of the cameras outside the courtroom in which he complained about being a political victim.
Yet after teasing the prospect for weeks, Trump — who denied ever having sex with Daniels at a 2006 celebrity golf tournament — opted not to testify.
Keith Gaddie, a political analyst and professor at Texas Christian University, said the political impact of the shocking events has yet to be determined.
“It probably doesn’t move a lot of votes, but in particular states with particular swing votes, it could matter around the margins. So in particularly tight races, it can tip things back from one direction to the other,” she said.
The Republican, who made his name as a brash real estate mogul before a stunning ascent to the nation’s highest office in the 2016 election, now faces prison or, more likely, probation.
In theory, he could face up to four years in jail for each count of falsifying business records but legal experts said as a first-time offender he is unlikely to go behind bars.
An appeal could take months to complete.
Should he win the presidency he will not be able to pardon himself, given that the case was not brought by the federal government but by the state of New York, where only the governor could clear his name.
Trump also faces federal and state charges of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election won by Biden, and for hoarding secret documents after leaving the White House.
Source: AFP
30, May 2024
Azerbaijan Deputy Minister Mariana Vasileva held talks with Odette Assembe Engoulou, President of the Cameroon National Badminton Federation and Vice-President of the Cameroon National Olympic and Sports Committee.
During the meeting, Mariana Vasileva informed Odette Assembe Engoulou about Azerbaijan’s achievements and recent developments in sports.
At the same time, Elnur Mammadov, Head of the Sports Department at the Ministry, and Ramil Hajiyev, General Secretary of the Azerbaijan Badminton Federation took part in the meeting.
By Miriam Metchane Ewang with files
30, May 2024
Spain’s Parliament voted Thursday to give final approval to a controversial amnesty law for hundreds of Catalan separatists involved in the illegal and unsuccessful 2017 secession bid.
The legislation was backed by Spain’s left-wing coalition government, two Catalan separatist parties, and other smaller parties. It passed by a vote of 177-172 in the lower house with the conservative Popular Party and far-right Vox opposing it.
The amnesty could benefit former Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont, who is a fugitive from Spanish law in Belgium after fleeing his country following the failed Oct. 2017 breakaway bid that he led. It should also help out hundreds more, including former government officials in Barcelona, average citizens who participated in the secession attempt or protests, and some police officers involved in the crackdown on an illegal independence referendum held by Puigdemont’s government.
The passing of the amnesty law, however, does not immediately clear up the legal mess of the separatists.
The law is likely to face legal challenges and will be reviewed by higher courts. It also must be applied by courts on a case-by-case basis. There are experts who question its constitutionality since they say it would create inequality between Spanish citizens by favoring some over others.
Since taking power in 2018, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has focused on reducing tensions in northeast Catalonia and he argues that the amnesty is key to culminating that process.
But the amnesty was also a political necessity for Sánchez, who agreed to the act of pardon when he needed the support of the separatist lawmakers in Madrid to form a new national government in November. It was initially approved by the Parliament’s lower house in March. The Senate, where right-wing parties hold a majority, vetoed it earlier this month, but the lower house pushed it through regardless.
Tensions ran high in the chamber. The vote was by roll call with each lawmaker standing up to vote verbally. An opposition lawmaker shouted “traitor!” at Sánchez after he stood up to vote “yes.”
The Parliament’s session had already taken a nasty turn during the debate when Socialist spokesman Artemi Rallo was interrupted by a lawmaker of Vox, who shouted out several times to call him “sell out” and “corrupt.”
“Europe, Spain and Catalonia have said ‘yes’ to the amnesty, even if you don’t like hearing it,” Rallo shot back. He was referring to the endorsement of the amnesty law by the Council of Europe, a non-European Union institution that promotes human rights.
While the amnesty is popular in Catalonia, even among many unionists, the Popular Party and Vox have led protests against it in Madrid and other cities across the country. There have also been critics of the amnesty within Sánchez’s Socialist party.
Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo tried to shame the Socialists for granting the amnesty in exchange for “seven votes” of Puigdemont’s party that it needed to stay in power. He also warned Sánchez that once it is passed, he should expect little favors from the separatists, whose support is key to keep his fragile government in power.
“This is an exchange of power for privileges and impunity,” Feijóo said.
The long legislative road for the amnesty comes to an end during the runup to European Parliament elections on June 6-9 and when the Socialists are trying to form a government in Catalonia after beating the separatists in regional elections earlier this month.
The parliamentary spokespeople for the Catalan separatist parties had no words of gratitude for Sánchez. Instead, they praised their followers and former leaders who spent time in prison before Sánchez pardoned them and those who left the country like Puigdemont.
“Today truly is a historic day. Today there is no forgiveness. Today a battle has been won in a conflict that has existed for centuries between two nations,” said Míriam Nogueras, of Puigdemont’s Together party.
They also insisted that the next goal for the separatists will be to try to force Sánchez to go back on his pledge to never grant them an authorized referendum on independence.
Gabriel Rufían, lawmaker of the Republican Left of Catalonia, told lawmakers, “Next stop: referendum.”
Source: AP
30, May 2024
FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto’o will be meeting with President Paul Biya in the days ahead, a source at the Presidency of the Republic has hinted.
According to the source in Yaoundé, Eto’o has been summoned to the Unity Palace following an ongoing crisis in Cameroonian football which began to intensify after the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
In April, Sports Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi appointed Marc Brys as the new coach, a decision that did not sit well with Samuel Eto’o. The FECAFOOT president refused to endorse Brys and the staff chosen by the ministry, but made a dramatic u-turn accepting Brys and imposing his own technical, medical, and administrative staff.
Unity Palace is worried that the issue which has brought shame to Cameroon might lead to FIFA jumping in to take a drastic decision.
Etoudi wants to calm things down by talking to Eto’o for him to make some compromises in the interest of the country.
The Francophone CPDM Crime Syndicate understands that as the president of the Cameroon Football Federation, Eto’o’s action may lead to a normalization committee being formed by FIFA.
The source, which elected anonymity, said that President Paul Biya who is respected by Eto’o will personally convince Eto’o to think about the nation and the new generation who are solidly behind Eto’o.
Mr. Biya, the source said, was worried that Eto’o’s appeal to the country’s youth could be a disaster for the country and his ruling party, especially as presidential elections is on the horizon.
It should be recalled that Mr. Eto’o cannot be dismissed by any authority in Cameroon because he is an elected official.
By Rita Akana in Yaoundé
29, May 2024
Francophone lawmakers from about 30 African states are meeting in Cameroon’s capital, Yaounde, to find a solution to the political instability in French-speaking African nations — including a string of recent coups, security threats and popular discontent. The lawmakers say among the solutions to the growing crisis are dialogue, a return to democratic principles and an end to foreign influence.
The 150 lawmakers, members of the African region of the Parliamentary Association of the Francophonie, or APF, say many Francophone African countries have suffered deep political and economic instability and security threats.
Within the past four years several former French colonies in which France continued to wield political influence experienced military coups or takeovers, including Niger, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Gabon and Chad.
The group says besides military takeovers French-speaking African states also have a record of long serving leaders.
Cameroon President Paul Biya has ruled for 41 years. Theodoro Obiang Nguema from neighboring Equatorial Guinea has been in power for about 45 years and Denis Sassou Nguesso has ruled the Republic of Congo for 38 years. Nguesso first came to power in 1979 and served until the 1992 election when he finished third. He took power again as a militia leader after a four-month civil war in 1997 and has been president since then.
Canada-born Francis Drouin is the president of the Parliamentary Association of the Francophonie.
Speaking in Yaounde on Wednesday, Drouin said young people in French-speaking African countries complain that political instability remains high, and civilians are disgruntled because their freedoms are suffocated by long serving leaders and military governments. He said poverty, the absence of democracy and security threats plunge civilians into suffering and misery.
Drouin says the region’s youths yearn for the freedom to participate in decision-making.
Lawmakers attending the conference said Senegal distinguishes itself as an example of democracy after the country’s March 24 presidential elections, in which incumbent President Macky Sall was defeated by 40-year-old Bassirou Faye, whom the lawmakers say is a young man with new perspectives.
The lawmakers say France’s influence on its former African colonies is a source of concern among young leaders who want to take control of their national issues.
Djelassem Donangmbaye Felix is a political analyst and coordinator of A New Day, one of Chad’s opposition political parties. He is critical of the presence of French troops in former French colonies. He spoke to VOA via a messaging app from Chad’s capital N’djamena Wednesday.
Djelassem said French troops present in Africa either protect leaders loyal to France or destabilize governments that stand against France’s overbearing influence. He said that is the reason Chad’s opposition and civil society in December 2023 asked France to immediately withdraw troops who arrived in the central African state after being ordered to depart neighboring Niger by that country’s military junta.
Niger officials accuse France of failing to resolve the security crisis that has killed thousands and displaced millions across Niger.
Djelassem said French troops stationed in Chad have never assisted Chad’s government to fight armed groups and rebels destabilizing the central African state.
France has not responded to the accusation. But in March, Jean-Marie Bockel, French President Emmanuel Macron’s envoy for Africa, said after a meeting with Chad’s President that France will keep its troops in Chad. He said the troops will assist in fighting jihadists in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
Angola and Sao Tome and Principe are attending the conference as observers. The lawmakers say permanent dialogue with military leaders and long serving rulers can pave the way for improved political, economic, social and cultural lives in French- speaking African countries.
Source: VOA
29, May 2024
Belgian football technician Marc Brys has been sacked by the President of the Francophone dominated Cameroon Football Federation some few weeks after his controversial managerial appointment.
Brys signed for Cameroon but tension between the Minister of Sports and the FECAFOOT boss Samuel Eto’o has brought an abrupt end to his spell as manager of the Indomitable Lions.
Brys was replaced by Martin Ndtoungou who has now been tasked with preparing the team for the 2026 World cup qualifiers against Cape Verde and Angola.
FECAFOOT have stated they feel now is the right time to make a change.
By Rita Akana
28, May 2024
A meeting of the Cameroon Football Federation’s Emergency Committee will be held in the next few hours following a missed working session between president Samuel Eto’o and coach Marc Brys. In a press release following the turbulent session at Fecafoot, the Emergency Committee was convened to address the heated exchange between Samuel Eto’o and Marc Brys.
This committee, tasked with making crucial decisions, will determine the next steps for Cameroon’s national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. In Cameroon, all eyes are now on Tsinga, anticipating the outcomes of the Emergency Committee’s meeting.
The ongoing crisis in Cameroonian football began to intensify after the recent Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in Ivory Coast, where the national team’s performance was disappointing. In April, Sports Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi appointed Marc Brys as the new coach, a decision that did not sit well with Samuel Eto’o. The Fecafoot president had initially refused to endorse Brys and the staff chosen by the ministry, ultimately accepting Brys but imposing his own technical, medical, and administrative staff.
The conflict came to a head on May 28, during a meeting at the Fecafoot headquarters. The session, which started with a cordial “welcome home” from Eto’o to Brys, quickly escalated. Eto’o clashed with Cyrille Tollo, the sports minister’s technical advisor, demanding Tollo’s expulsion for interfering with a private discussion. “Call security and throw him out! This is the last time, understood?” Eto’o reportedly exclaimed.
Eto’o then pressured Brys to choose sides, asserting his authority as president and criticizing Brys for perceived mistakes. The tense atmosphere prompted Brys to leave the room, leading Eto’o to call for the Emergency Committee’s intervention.
With the World Cup qualifiers looming, the Federation’s swift action is critical. The football community in Cameroon eagerly awaits the committee’s decisions, which will shape the future of the national team and potentially end the ongoing leadership turmoil.
Source: Africa News
28, May 2024
One student and a police officer were injured on Tuesday after Ambazonia fighters attacked a school in Bamenda the chief city in the Northwest, according to local and security sources.
Amba fighters opened fire in front of the school where students were sitting for a public exam, a local security source said.
“A police officer was shot in the leg and another student was also shot. Students were dispelled. Our brave soldiers are pursuing the terrorists,” the Biya regime source said. The injured student and police officer have been sent to a hospital for treatment.
Separatist fighters in Cameroon’s two Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest frequently kidnap teachers and students. In 2019, they abducted 170 students and their teacher in Kumbo locality of Northwest region.
Since 2017, government forces and separatist fighters have been clashing with each other in the two regions where the separatists want to create an independent nation.
By Queen Besumbu Agbaw
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Another 20TH May, same questions: Can Biya still steady Cameroon? 
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1, June 2024
BEAC initiates new bond issuance to withdraw CFA150bn from banking system 0
On May 27, 2024, the Central Bank of Central African States (BEAC) successfully withdrew CFA41 billion (out of the targeted CFA50 billion) from the CEMAC banking system. This liquidity withdrawal was achieved through the issuance of bonds with a maturity of 28 days, offering a 3.5% return.
This marks the first phase of a series of three operations, with the central bank aiming to withdraw a total of CFA150 billion. Two additional bond issuances, with a maturity of 14 days and a 2.5% return, are scheduled for June 3 and 10, 2024, as per the calendar released by the central bank.
Following the increase in benchmark interest rates, suspension of liquidity injection operations, and intensified weekly liquidity withdrawal operations, BEAC bonds represent the new tool in the central bank’s strategy to deplete bank reserves and restrict access to credit. This move is aimed at reducing the portion of inflation originating from monetary sources within the CEMAC region.
Source: Business in Cameroon