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26, May 2026

Biya regime tightens gold mining controls to curb smuggling ⁰

Cameroon announced on May 21 new measures to tighten control over artisanal gold mining, targeting illegal operations, gold smuggling and revenue losses in the sector.

The reforms were unveiled during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute in Yaounde. They include a minimum monthly declaration threshold of five kilogrammes of gold for companies seeking exploitation rights and an environmental hazard tax of CFA 63 million for operators working on more than 21 hectares.

The government said the measures are aimed at improving transparency in gold production, increasing state revenues and strengthening oversight of mining activities.

Interim Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development Fuh Calistus Gentry said illegal mining had created major discrepancies between officially declared production and volumes traced abroad. He said the reforms would help formalise the sector and improve state control over gold exports.

“Illegality represents the gap between what is declared and what is exported. Once restructuring is accepted, it will generate immediate revenue for the State estimated in several hundreds of billions. We are also projecting a minimum increase of three tonnes in the State’s gold reserves every year,” he said.

The minister added that the reforms would strengthen the role of Cameroonians in artisanal mining, while foreign operators would be limited to technical and financial partnerships as provided by law.

Government figures presented during the meeting showed that nearly 200 illegal semi-mechanised mining sites had been identified in the Adamawa and East regions, compared with only 57 officially authorised gold operations. Authorities said the illegal activities had contributed to gold smuggling and major losses in public revenue.

“If 100 companies align with the declaration threshold, projections already point to 10 tonnes being declared. Many companies are already complying, and tax payments are now being enforced,” Fuh Calistus said.

Officials also said mining operators would face stricter environmental restoration obligations under the “polluter pays” principle. Between 2020 and 2026, the government issued 57 environmental conformity certificates for mining and quarry projects.

On labour issues, Minister of Labour and Social Security Grégoire Owona said more than 1,700 enterprise inspections were carried out during the first quarter of 2026, leading to 188 formal notices against employers found in violation of labour regulations.

“Our role is to protect workers against all forms of abuse. We will intensify inspections, continue sensitisation campaigns on workers’ rights and finalise reforms to the Labour Code to strengthen protection mechanisms,” he said.

At the end of the meeting, Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute instructed ministries to strengthen coordination and ensure strict enforcement of the new measures, particularly on illegal mining, environmental compliance and labour protection.

Source: Business in Cameroon

25, May 2026

Pope Leo apologises for Church’s historic role in slavery ⁰

Pope Leo on Monday issued the clearest apology yet from a pontiff for the Catholic Church’s ‌role in slavery, acknowledging both its delay in condemning the practice and its historic involvement in legitimising it.

In a key passage of his first papal encyclical, Leo said the Church had taken centuries to fully recognise “the scourge of slavery” as incompatible with human dignity, calling the legacy “a wound in Christian memory.”

“For this, in the name of the Church, I sincerely ask for ⁠pardon,” he wrote in the wide-ranging manifesto, expressing “deep sorrow” for the suffering endured by enslaved people.

Leo acknowledged that Church authorities had, at times, responded to rulers by regulating and legitimising forms of subjugation, including the enslavement of non-Christians.

He also acknowledged that before that time, in the Middle Ages, ecclesiastical institutions had their own slaves.

He said the Church only reached a “formal, absolute and universal condemnation” of slavery in the 19th century, under Pope Leo XIII, after what the current pope described as a long period of inconsistency in teaching and practice.

PREVIOUS PAPAL STATEMENTS ON SLAVERY

The remarks mark the most ‌explicit ⁠papal admission to date of institutional responsibility, going beyond earlier statements by previous popes that focused on the actions of individual Christians rather than the Vatican itself.

Pope John Paul II, during a 1985 visit to Africa, asked forgiveness from Africans for the suffering caused by “men belonging to Christian nations” in the slave trade.

Leo’s predecessor ⁠Francis condemned the plight of modern-day slaves and formally repudiated papal documents from the 15th century which were used by colonial powers to give legitimacy to their actions, which included slavery.

But such statements stopped short of ⁠directly addressing the role of the papacy, instead framing responsibility in broader terms tied to Christians or historical circumstances.

Leo’s intervention was made in his debut encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas” (Magnificent Humanity), which addresses the ethical ⁠challenges of artificial intelligence and warns of new forms of exploitation linked to the global economy.

Genealogical research published after Leo’s election last year showed that history’s first U.S.-born pope had a diverse ancestry that included both enslaved people and slaveholders.

Source: Reuters

25, May 2026

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Dozens abducted in Bamti ⁰

The weekend turned tense for residents of Bamti in Noni Subdivision, Bui Division, after dozens of civilians were forcefully taken by armed separatist fighters.

Local sources indicate that the incident occurred on Saturday morning, May 23, when the fighters rounded up community members accused of refusing to participate in a road work activity they had imposed on the population.

Among those taken were pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, raising concerns over the conditions in which they are being held.

Residents say the abducted individuals have been asked to pay a sum of 15,000 CFA francs each as a condition for their release, a demand that has left many families in distress.

In several parts of the North West region, such actions have become increasingly frequent, with armed groups enforcing their own rules through intimidation, financial demands and compulsory participation in local initiatives.

As of now, there has been no official communication from administrative or security authorities regarding the incident.

Source: Lebledparle.com

25, May 2026

Iran has no trust in US; frozen assets release red line for any deal ⁰

Iran harbors no optimism toward the United States and views any negotiations through a lens of deep mistrust, an informed source told Tasnim News Agency on Sunday, stressing that even if a preliminary understanding is reached, Tehran will not rely on Washington’s commitments.

“Iran has no goodwill toward America, and the exchange of messages through the Pakistani mediator is constantly conducted with mistrust of the US government,” the source said.

The source added that no final understanding has been achieved so far, and disagreements persist over certain clauses.

“Even if an initial understanding is reached, it does not mean Iran has changed its view of America or that it trusts the current administration to fulfill its obligations,” the source said.

“The Americans have a very bad record in negotiations, which reinforces and entrenches mistrust. Therefore, even if an understanding is reached, Iran will monitor US actions throughout the post‑agreement process. If America breaches its commitments at that stage, Iran will retain its leverage to respond.”

Israeli media report dismissed as false

Another report by Tasnim also rejected an Israeli media report claiming that US officials have said Iran will receive no relief on frozen assets until it begins transferring its enriched uranium stockpiles.

According to Tasnim’s information, such a claim is completely untrue and Iran refuses to link the release of its frozen assets with nuclear material issues.

“Iran insists that part of its frozen assets must be released immediately upon any possible announcement of an understanding, and must be fully accessible to Iran. The bitter past experience of asset releases, which were effectively sabotaged by American procrastination, must not be repeated,” the report said.

The report also stated that Iran has made no commitment regarding the details of the nuclear issue at this stage.

Asset release in the first step has no connection to nuclear material matters.

Moreover, any preliminary understanding must focus exclusively on “ending the war.”

“If the release of frozen assets does not happen, one of Iran’s red lines will have been crossed, and there will be no understanding,” the report emphasized.

The remarks came as US President Donald Trump claimed on Sunday he had told his negotiators not to “rush.”

Source: Presstv

25, May 2026

Atanga Nji’s Samuel Eto’o comment: Cameroon does not need bombastic declarations ⁰

As a chartered member of the ruling CPDM crime syndicate wanted by the Special Criminal Court in Yaoundé, the Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji has every right to dream big for Cameroonian football. Cameroonians are entitled to ambition and Cameroonian football fans are entitled to hope. But asking the President of the Cameroon Football Federation Samuel Eto’o to “give Cameroon two more Africa Cup of Nations titles and a FIFA World Cup semi-final place” is not leadership. It is political theatre wrapped in football romanticism.

Paul Atanga Nji’s statement collapses under the weight of its own absurdity.

Soccer in today’s world is not governed by charisma, nostalgia or individual football legend. It is governed by systems namely: youth development, coaching structures, domestic league investment and sports medicine including governance stability, scouting networks, infrastructure and institutional competence. No football federation president in the world, not even a global icon like Samuel Eto’o can wave a wand and manufacture continental dominance and World Cup semi-finals on command.

To frame Cameroon’s football destiny as the personal responsibility of one man is to fundamentally misunderstand how elite football works in 2026. We of the Concord Group are extremely shocked by Minister Paul Atanga Nji’s low sense of judgment.

Cameroon’s greatest football moments were not created by slogans from corrupt government ministers. The 1990 FIFA World Cup quarter-final run was the product of a golden generation, tactical discipline and an era in which African football was beginning to break psychological barriers. The 2000 and 2002 AFCON triumphs came from a deep reservoir of talent, organization and continuity. Even then, success was difficult, fragile and fiercely contested.

Today, the landscape is even harsher. Morocco reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2022 not because King Mohammed VI publicly demanded it, but because the country spent years building academies, modernizing football administration, investing in facilities and creating a coherent football ecosystem. Senegal’s rise was similarly institutional, not mystical. Egypt’s consistency did not emerge from reckless and tactless ministerial declarations. Serious football nations build patiently.

Cameroon continues to struggle with recurring administrative disputes, inconsistent domestic league structures, coaching instability and tensions between the Minister of Sports and Physical Education and football establishments. Mindful of the current situation, demanding “two more Africa Cup of Nations titles and a FIFA World Cup semi-final” sounds less like a strategic vision and more like a headline designed for applause in Yaoundé.

Even more troubling is the dangerous personalization of Cameroon’s football. Samuel Eto’o is not Cameroon’s entire football machinery. Eto’o is not the youth academies. Eto’o is not the league. Eto’o is not the tactical execution on the pitch. Eto’o is not the ministry of finance. Eto’o is not the infrastructure budget. Elevating one man into both savior and scapegoat is intellectually lazy and politically convenient.

If the Indomitable Lions fail, will Atanga Nji and his gang acknowledge structural dysfunction? Or will they simply recycle blame onto Eto’o?

Cameroon football development cannot continue to operate on plain fiction, superstition and celebrity worship. It requires accountability across government, federation leadership, clubs, coaches, schools and private investment. President Biya and his corrupt cabinet ministers should be talking about pitches, academies, referee standards, grassroots competitions, sports science and transparent governance not casually handing out World Cup semi-final ultimatums as though football were a ring road campaign promise to the people of the North West region.

There is also an arrogance hidden inside the Atanga Nji declaration. Winning the Africa Cup of Nations is extraordinarily difficult. Reaching a World Cup semi-final is historically monumental. Only one African nation has ever done it. To speak about these achievements as obligations rather than aspirations trivializes the scale of the challenge. Cameroon does not need bombastic declarations. It needs seriousness deep within government circles.

Samuel Eto’o should be judged on tangible administrative progress: improving football structures, stabilizing FECAFOOT operations, supporting grassroots football, attracting investment and creating long-term competitiveness. Those are measurable standards. Those are rational expectations.

But demanding “two AFCON trophies and a World Cup semi-final” as though football history can be summoned by political rhetoric is, quite simply, nonsensical nonsense.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

25, May 2026

Senegal parliament speaker El Malick steps down as political crisis deepens ⁰

The speaker of Senegal’s parliament said Sunday he was resigning, two days after his close ally was fired as prime minister, deepening a political crisis in the debt-laden West African country.

The move by speaker El Malick Ndiaye clears the way for sacked premier Ousmane Sonko to run for the post of head of parliament, where his Pastef party holds a strong majority, in a challenge to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

Deputies have been summoned to a full session of the assembly on Tuesday morning to reinstate Sonko as a member of parliament and vote for a new speaker, said an official document published late Sunday.

That could further complicate reform efforts by Faye, who sacked his former ally Sonko on Friday after months of tensions.

Faye owed his presidency in large part to Sonko, who would almost certainly have taken the top job had he not been barred from running in the last presidential election due to a defamation conviction.

Their Pastef party comfortably won the 2024 elections on a promise of a profound political shake-up, vowing to fight corruption and inheriting an economy mired in debt.

Sonko had generated a passionate following among Senegal’s disaffected youth ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Despite Sonko’s popular appeal however, Faye held all the real power as president.

But in recent months, relations had soured between Faye and his one-time mentor. And as the discord between the president and prime minister became increasingly public, their governing alliance crumbled.

Sonko had become vocal in his criticism of his former protégé, accusing Faye of a “failure of leadership” for not backing him against his critics.

He also regularly denounced what he said was the slow pace of legal action for corruption against senior figures in the previous government of former president Macky Sall.

The two also disagreed on the crucial question of how to tackle Senegal’s high debt.

A difficult cohabitation

Hours after Sonko’s dismissal, hundreds of his supporters gathered outside his Dakar home to show their support for him – and it is Sonko who is the uncontested leader of Pastef, with its large parliamentary majority.

Sonko’s departure as premier raised the question of how Faye can govern the country when he cannot be assured of the support of the ruling party.

“One can imagine that it is going to be complicated to cohabit with this majority of the Pastef party in the Assembly,” said Babacar Ndiaye, research director of the West African Think Tank (WATHI).

Faye has to name another prime minister to replace Sonko – and that choice will have to be approved by parliament within three months of his nomination, said Ndiaye.

“If the deputies decide to table a motion of censure or no confidence, they are capable of doing so,” he added.

The president cannot dissolve parliament itself until November – two years after the last parliamentary election.

And a reform of the electoral code approved by parliament a few weeks ago means that Sonko is now eligible to run for the presidency.

That raises the possibility that the two former political allies might at some point run against each other for the top job.

Source: AFP

23, May 2026

Senegal: President Diomaye Faye dismisses Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko ⁰

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has officially ended the functions of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, according to a decree read on national television by the Secretary General of the Presidency.

The announcement, made on Friday evening, brings an immediate end to Sonko’s role as head of government, with the rest of the cabinet expected to continue in a caretaker capacity until a new Prime Minister is appointed.

No official reason was provided at the time of the announcement, although the decision comes after months of growing political tension between the two leaders, who were once close allies and central figures in Senegal’s ruling political movement.

‎The dismissal marks one of the most significant political developments since the pair led the 2024 electoral victory that brought President Faye to power.

Government sources indicate that consultations are expected to begin shortly for the formation of a new cabinet.

Shortly after the announcement, Ousmane Sonko reacted on his official Facebook page, writing:

« Alhamdoulillah. Ce soir je dormirai le cœur léger à la cité Keur Gorgui »

The statement, widely shared online, was interpreted as a calm and reflective response to his dismissal.

Further developments are expected in the coming hours, particularly regarding the appointment of a new Prime Minister.‎

Source: Lebledparle.com

23, May 2026

Biya regime orders telecom operators to block undeclared phones ⁰

Cameroon’s customs authorities have ordered telecom operators MTN Cameroon, Orange Cameroon, and Camtel to block mobile phones and digital devices that were not cleared through customs.

In a letter dated May 18, Customs Director General Fongod Edwin Nuvaga instructed the operators to begin blocking the devices starting May 25, 2026.

The measure applies only to undeclared phones and digital terminals connected to local mobile networks for the first time since April 1, 2026, when the country’s new customs collection system for digital devices took effect. In the letter, the customs administration warned that operators could be held responsible if undeclared devices continue to access local networks.

The instruction comes one month after Finance Minister Louis Paul Motazé warned importers suspected of bypassing the new customs system. In a statement issued April 27, the minister said about 700,000 phones connected to local networks for the first time between April 1 and April 25 without customs clearance.

According to a source within the customs administration, the real number could be even higher.Authorities initially avoided systematic blocking and instead gave importers and users time to regularize their situation without penalties before April 30. Under the new rules, devices introduced illegally after that deadline are now subject to blocking.

The government says the reform is meant to restore control over a segment heavily affected by smuggling and undeclared imports. Authorities also want to increase customs revenue from mobile phones and digital devices, an area where tax collection has collapsed despite rising device imports.

Official figures show customs revenue from phones and digital equipment fell from about CFA2 billion per month in the 2000s to around CFA100 million today, even as the number of devices entering the Cameroonian market continued to increase.

Through the reform, customs authorities now aim to raise at least CFA25 billion in annual revenue from the sector.

Source: Business in Cameroon

23, May 2026

Online Recruitment Scams: Young Cameroonians must be careful! ⁰

Online recruitment is not new in the world but in modern times, it is no longer sure bet. It has been around for some time now, especially following the development of new and innovative technologies but in recent times it has taken a dimension which has become worrisome for many governments in Africa.

These technologies are designed to facilitate things for people around the world, but the forces of darkness are using these technologies for other purposes which are unfortunately unorthodox.

Many young desperate Africans, caught up in the web of unemployment are yet to understand that online recruit has a very dark side which can put an end to their lives if they are not lucky.

Online recruitment is today related to cyber fraud which is a highly organized transnational operation with hubs in countries such as Nigeria, Mali, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

In recent times, young Cameroonians who are desperate for work and better salaries have been looking outwards for greener pastures. In their warp thinking, any pasture out of their country is greener than what they have in Cameroon.

Strangely, things do not always work according to plan. The promise of a better life in some of these West African countries could easily turn into a massive never-ending nightmare.

Some of those unfortunate situations have really occurred to these young Cameroonians. Once, Nigeria and Mali were in the news for online scamming, but today, Côte d’Ivoire is in the spotlight for fake jobs opportunities which are hurting many young Africans.

Many young Africans have had a taste of what awaits those who do not listen to wise counsel. Once they have been convinced that a job has been secured for them, they start doling out huge chunks of money to their future preys who will end up enslaving them.

Once in Abidjan, their passports get seized and they get locked up in parts of the city they don’t know. They get asked to call their family members back home for more money. They also get asked to convince their friends and family members that they are working and that if they come to Abidjan, their lives will change for the better.

In many cases, their greener pastures turn into brown pastures. Some have had to be used as slaves and the experience has been traumatizing for many.

In certain circumstances, Cameroonians who are legally resident in countries such as Côte d’Ivoire have had to step in to help and this could be a costly venture, not just in terms of money. Getting new identification documents for a victim who has escaped from the claws his captors is always a stressful process.

Young Cameroonians have to be careful with some job promises. It is not everything that glitters that is gold. Before jumping into such deals, it is wise to ask the following questions:

If the job is in Abidjan, why are Ivoirians not filling such positions? Do I have the right skills to earn such a huge salary? Can I contact any Cameroonian who is legally living in that country for me to get more information about the opportunity? Why should I be spending money to fill a position I am not so sure about?

These questions can help young Cameroonians to figure out if they are being dragged into something that might cost them their lives. While life could be challenging in Cameroon, it will always be advisable to err on the side of caution.

By our West Africa Correspondent

22, May 2026

Saudi Arabia’s football poster boy: Ronaldo wins title ⁰

It is the ultimate image for the poster boy of football in Saudi Arabia: Cristiano Ronaldo lifting the Saudi Pro League trophy for the first time.

Al-Nassr signed the megastar in December 2022 – after he left Manchester United – to shock the world and thrust the country on to the global sporting stage.

But there has also been some surprise that more than three years later, the 41-year-old had not won a major domestic title.

The wait finally ended on Thursday as Ronaldo scored twice in Al-Nassr’s 4-1 victory over Damac on the final day of the season to see off bitter rivals Al-Hilal and win their first championship title since 2019.

Ronaldo, who recently scored his 100th goal in the Saudi Pro League, has scored 129 times for the club across all competitions – but this was the title he was signed to win.

Figure caption,Ronaldo scores twice as Al-Nassr win Saudi Pro League

The biggest game in the country’s history

It has been quite a journey since Ronaldo’s arrival almost three and a half years ago.

His arrival set the scene for an influx of big-name stars such as Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, Neymar and others to sign for the so-called ‘Big Four’ clubs: Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr in Riyadh, and Jeddah giants Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad.

In the summer of 2023, that quartet was taken over by the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which also owns Newcastle United, though a 70% stake in Al-Hilal was sold in April 2026 to Kingdom Holding Company, a firm run by businessman and Saudi Arabian royal family member Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.

This has been the best season yet.

For a while, there were four teams in the title race with Al-Ahli, fuelled by the goals of Ivan Toney, and Al-Qadsiah, powered by Saudi Arabian oil giants Aramco – and with head coach Brendan Rodgers looking to turn the Big Four into five – slipping away in the final stages.

It left Nassr and Hilal to fight it out, and it always looked likely to rest on their titanic showdown on 12 May – perhaps the biggest league game in the country’s history that was watched, according to the organisers, in over 180 countries.

Viewers were rewarded with a spectacular ending. With Al-Nassr leading 1-0 as the game entered its 97th minute, celebrations had already started among the yellow-clad fans, but then in what was the last action of the game, goalkeeper Bento somehow spilled a simple catch to concede an own goal.

That game ended 1-1 and the title race was still alive, but on Thursday the team convincingly got the job done.

As well as being Al-Nassr’s 11th title, it is an eighth league championship for Ronaldo, following triumphs in England with Manchester United, Spain with Real Madrid and Italy with Juventus.

“Officials in Riyadh will likely see an Al-Nassr triumph as vindication of both Ronaldo’s signing and of the decision to keep the club under PIF ownership,” Simon Chadwick, professor of Afro-Eurasian sport at Emlyon Business School in Paris, told the BBC.

“The league win will also help to confirm the Saudi view that success can be rapidly achieved given the right mix of domestic strategy and overseas acquisition.

“For Al-Nassr, to achieve the iconic status as some of its domestic and Asian rivals, the club must keep on winning and also secure continental titles.”

The title will come as an ever bigger relief to Ronaldo after Al-Nassr surprisingly lost to Japan’s Gamba Osaka in the final of the AFC Champions League Two, Asia’s equivalent of the Europa League, on Saturday.

Fans wave a flag with picture of Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo

Controversy and an uncertain future

The season has not been without controversy.

In February, Ronaldo missed two league games, reportedly amid concerns over how PIF has run the club compared to Al-Hilal. Others, however, believe the league favours him.

Al-Ahli’s Toney and Brazilian winger Galeno are among those who have accused the league of favouring Ronaldo and Al-Nassr.

Ronaldo responded: “I think this is not good for the league. Everyone complains. This is football, this is not a war… but not everything is allowed. I am going to speak at the end of the season because I’ve seen many, many bad things.

“Many players have complained, doing posts on Instagram, on Facebook, speaking about the referees, speaking about the league, speaking about the project. This is not good. This is not the goal of the league.”

The overall Saudi Arabian sports project has come into question of late.

In April, PIF announced it would stop funding LIV Golf at the end of the current season.

In January, the 2029 Winter Asian Games that were due to be held in the country were postponed indefinitely.

It has also been reported that the WTA’s season-ending tennis finals will be leaving Saudi Arabia after its three-year deal with the country ends this year.

In football too, the days when the media was full of rumours and reports about big-name players heading to the Saudi Pro League have gone.

“Ronaldo’s and Al-Nassr’s shared achievement may also bring some much-needed impetus to Saudi Arabian football, which of late has somewhat struggled to sustain the hype and appeal of three years ago,” Chadwick said.

There are still significant signings: Al-Qadsiah paid about £57m for Italian striker Mateo Retegui last summer and Al-Hilal splashed out about £46m on Darwin Nunez.

But, compared to the peak of 2023, there is more focus on bringing in younger players with sell-on value.

According to sources in Riyadh, there are still funds available for the right veteran superstar such as Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian, leaving Liverpool in the summer, is wanted by Al-Ittihad – but only if the price is right.

While Ronaldo’s triumph may be seen by some as vindication for all the spending, it could also be seen as a last hurrah of a bygone era when Saudi Arabian teams spent £700m in a single transfer window.

What happens next is up for debate.

“It is now for all the clubs, the league and the country’s decision-makers to capitalise upon the success that Ronaldo has helped to deliver,” said Chadwick.

For the moment, however, the yellow half of Riyadh and Ronaldo’s global fanbase have much to celebrate.

Source: BBC