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Special Criminal Court: French lawyers say case against former CRTV GM Amadou Vamoulké baseless

1, June 2021

Special Criminal Court: French lawyers say case against former CRTV GM Amadou Vamoulké baseless 0

Two French lawyers presented evidence to a court in Cameroon yesterday which they said showed the charges against Amadou Vamoulké, the jailed former head of the state-owned national radio and TV broadcaster CRTV, were unfounded and should be dropped.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on the authorities to end the judicial conspiracy against the 71-year-old journalist and release him.

The case has become bogged down in procedure. Amadou Vamoulké has been held for almost five years without trial and this was the 67th hearing, unheard of for a Cameroonian journalist.

French lawyers Benjamin Chouai and Fabrice Epstein, who joined the defence team, presented the Yaoundé court with rulings by four French courts against the accountant selected to audit the accounts of CRTV under Vamoulké’s leadership between 2015 and 2016. The documents disclosed that his French company had been wound up and cast doubt on his legitimacy and eligibility to audit one of the country’s biggest state enterprises.

Up to now, his report has formed the basis for much of the case against Vamoulké, who is accused of misappropriating millions of euros in public funds for the benefit of CRTV.

“These factors show once again that the charges against this journalist are a sham,” Arnaud Froger, the head of RSF’s Africa desk said. “It is further confirmation that the legal aspects of this case are a smokescreen designed to silence the head of a large television station whose independence of mind and professionalism are seen as a threat to some government interests.

Source: RSF

Covidgate: CPDM Crime Syndicate investigates missing $335 million in coronavirus funds

1, June 2021

Covidgate: CPDM Crime Syndicate investigates missing $335 million in coronavirus funds 0

Cameroon rights groups, opposition parties and local media are asking the government to publish its findings after most of a $335 million loan from the IMF could not be accounted for.  At least 15 officials have appeared before commissions of investigation.

 A government statement read on Cameroon state media Monday calls on civilians to remain calm as investigations on missing funds continue.  The statement from government spokesperson Rene Emmanuel Sadi states that justice will take its course.

 The statement comes after Cameroon rights groups and opposition asked the government to explain what happened to about $335 million loaned by the International Monetary Fund to fight COVID-19.

Cameroon says within the past week, 15 ministers have appeared at the audit bench of the Supreme Court and a special criminal tribunal to account for the funds.

Joseph Lavoisier Tsapy is legal adviser to the opposition Social Democratic Front Party and a member of the Cameroon Human Rights League.

Tsapy says the Cameroon Special Criminal Tribunal should have ordered their arrest after the audit bench of the Supreme Court found out that some ministers stole COVID-19 funds. He says the money should have been invested to save lives and assist suffering people. He says he wants to make it clear that government ministers in Cameroon do not have immunity like lawmakers.

In June 2020, SDF lawmakers complained that the awarding of COVID-19 contracts did not respect procurement procedures and gave room for massive corruption. 

Local media like Equinox Radio and TV, Roya FM reported gross cases of embezzlement.

 In one case, the Ministry of Scientific Research received $9 million to produce the drug chloroquine. The ministry instead bought chloroquine amounting to 30 percent of the funds from China.

Other cases involve overbilling and failure to render services or provide supplies after payment.

André Luther Meka speaks for the ruling CPDM party, to which all of the ministers called up for questioning belong.

Meka says Cameroonians should stop asking for ministers to either be punished or to refund COVID-19 funds. He says Cameroon considers all suspects innocent until found guilty by the law courts. He says Cameroon President Paul Biya has a strong political will to punish everyone who has either mismanaged, embezzled or siphoned state money.

Angelbert Lebong is a member of the Cameroon Civil Society. He says President Biya should explain to the Cameroonian people how his government has managed the COVID-19 funds.

He says Biya should for once speak out against embezzlement and publicly condemn his collaborators who have stolen COVID-19 funds. He says Cameroon has more serious life-threatening issues to handle than the heavily publicized receptions Biya gives diplomats in his office.

Last month, Human Rights Watch urged the IMF to ask Cameroon to ensure independent and credible enquiry on the management of COVID-19 funds before approving a third loan.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Cameroon in March 2020, the IMF has approved two emergency loans to the central African state totaling $382 million.

Source: VOA

Father Christopher Eboka: Ambazonia Interim Gov’t says violence by criminal gangs is now unprecedented

1, June 2021

Father Christopher Eboka: Ambazonia Interim Gov’t says violence by criminal gangs is now unprecedented 0

Kidnap of Father Christopher Eboka in the Diocese of Mamfe

Fellow Ambazonians,

On Friday, 21 May 2021, unknown criminals abducted Father Christopher Eboka, a Priest in the Catholic Diocese of Mamfe. The perpetrators have since made contact, demanding a ransom of CFA 10 Million from the Catholic Church. The Interim Government of Ambazonia robustly condemns this reckless and ridiculous act and calls for those involved to release Father Christopher Eboka immediately without preconditions. The Interim Government has been briefed that the population of Mamfe has made a financial proposal to the kidnappers, but the criminals are holding out for more money. The Interim Government takes a strong view against paying ransoms to criminals.

After ten days of intense intelligence gathering and evaluation by Ambazonia Intelligence Services, the Interim Government of Ambazonia can confirm that the perpetrators of this dreadful crime are not associated with any legitimate self-defence group loyal to the Ambazonia cause. Instead, these criminals are profiting from the security vacuum currently in our country. The kidnapping of members of the clergy is unfortunate and unacceptable, which underscores the need for all the factions involved in the conflict to seek ways of reaching a peaceful resolution. Those who kidnap men of God are crossing a dangerous red line, and all God-fearing Southern Cameroonians must condemn this unreservedly.

The clergy in Southern Cameroon has played a significant role since the war in Ambazonia started in November 2017. We must not make enemies from our allies and sympathizers. All those fighting for the freedom of Ambazonia must commit to alleviating the suffering of our people, not organize activities that bring misery upon our communities. Religious institutions are indispensable parts of the Southern Cameroon structure, and any attack on their members and workers is an attack on Ambazonia.

The Interim Government of Ambazonia is committed to confronting and defeating the evil of kidnappings in Ambazonia. All self-defence groups are called upon to collaborate with the Interim Government to root out all rogue elements operating in our country. Our quest for self-determination will succeed if we do the right things. Unfortunately, kidnapping is not consistent with our state values.

Sincerely,

Dabney Yerima,

Vice President,

The Federal Republic of Ambazonia

Gunmen abduct children from Islamic school in central Nigeria

31, May 2021

Gunmen abduct children from Islamic school in central Nigeria 0

Gunmen on Sunday kidnapped scores of children from an Islamic seminary in central Nigeria’s Niger state, police and residents said.

Some 200 children were at the school at the time of the attack, the Niger state government said on Twitter, adding that “an unconfirmed number” were taken.

The abduction came a day after 14 students from a university in northwestern Nigeria were freed after 40 days in captivity.

Niger state police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said the attackers arrived on motorbikes in Tegina town and started shooting indiscriminately, killing one resident and injuring another, before kidnapping the children from the Salihu Tanko Islamic school.

One of the school’s officials, who asked not to be named, said the attackers initially took more than 100 children “but later sent back those they considered too small for them, those between four and 12 years old”.

The state government, in a series of tweets, said the attackers had released 11 of the pupils who were “too small and couldn’t walk” very far.

Armed gangs are terrorising inhabitants in northwest and central Nigeria by looting villages, stealing cattle, and taking people hostage.

Such seizures have become a frequent way for criminals to collect ransoms.

Since December 2020, 730 children and students have been kidnapped, before the attack on Sunday.

On April 20, gunmen known locally as “bandits” stormed Greenfield University in northwestern Nigeria and kidnapped around 20 students, killing a member of the school’s staff in the process.

Five students were executed a few days later to force families and the government to pay a ransom. Fourteen of the students were released on Saturday.

Local press said that the families had paid a ransom totalling 180 million naira ($440,000) for their release.

The criminal gangs maintain camps in the Rugu forest which straddles Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Niger states.

Their motives have been financial with no ideological leanings but there is growing concern they are being infiltrated by jihadists from the northeast waging a 12-year-old insurrection to establish an Islamic state.

Source: AFP

China allows couples to have up to three children

31, May 2021

China allows couples to have up to three children 0

China has relaxed its family planning policy to allow couples to have a maximum of three children after a census showed its population is rapidly ageing, state media Xinhua reported Monday.

For almost 40 years, China enforced a controversial “one-child policy” — one of the strictest family planning regulations worldwide — which was lifted in 2016 due to widespread concerns over an ageing workforce and economic stagnation.

“To actively respond to the ageing of the population … a couple can have three children,” Xinhua said, citing a Monday meeting of China’s elite Politburo leadership committee hosted by President Xi Jinping.

Despite government efforts to encourage childbirths, China’s annual births have continued to plummet to a record low of 12 million in 2020, the National Bureau of Statistics said last month.

China’s fertility rate stands at 1.3 — below the level needed to maintain a stable population, the bureau revealed.

The once-in-a-decade 2020 census results published last month also showed that China’s population grew at its slowest rate since the 1960s, reaching 1.41 billion.

It comes alongside a sharp drop in the number of working-age people, once again raising fears of a looming demographic crisis.

China’s gender balance has also been skewed by decades of the one-child policy, and a traditional social preference for boys which prompted a generation of sex-selective abortions and abandoned baby girls.

(AFP)

France Afrique: Chad accuses the Central African Army of killing six of its soldiers

31, May 2021

France Afrique: Chad accuses the Central African Army of killing six of its soldiers 0

Chad has accused the Central African army of killing six of its soldiers on Sunday, five of whom were “abducted and then executed”, after an attack on a border post in Chadian territory.

The N’Djamena authorities termed this as a “war crime” and vowed to retaliate.

The Central African Republic frequently accused Chad of supporting Central African armed rebel groups in its territory.

The soldiers were killed during a confrontation between Central African soldiers and a militia group by the name Ali Darassa’s Unité pours la Paix en Centrafrique near the border with Chad, according to Chadian Foreign Minister Chérif Mahamat Zene.

“The Central African armed forces attacked the Sourou outpost on Chadian territory on Sunday morning, killing one Chadian soldier, and wounded five and kidnapped five others, who were then executed in Mbang, on the Central African side of the border,” Chadian Foreign Minister Chérif Mahamat Zene said in a statement.

The group has been accused of trying to topple the Central African Republic regime. The border post was being manned by 12 soldiers when the attack occurred at dawn. Authorities from the Central African Republic have not yet commented on the attack. Chad is now calling upon the international community to intervene in this alleged perpetration.

Source: Africa News

Southern Cameroons Crisis: NW Legion Commander says life threatened by Cameroon gov’t soldiers

30, May 2021

Southern Cameroons Crisis: NW Legion Commander says life threatened by Cameroon gov’t soldiers 0

Ever since the war in Southern Cameroons started, Cameroon government soldiers who refused deployment and attempted to escape have remain in detention, awaiting trial. The regime in Yaoundé describes them as cowards but their supporters say they are scapegoats.

The situations in Southern Cameroons have opened a rare window into the Cameroon government military now struggling to combat the Ambazonia uprising. Rebuilding the army has been a major challenge for the 88-year-old President Biya with a defense budget lost to corruption and many low-level soldiers complain about not having received their salary.

Events took another nasty twist recently in Bamenda following the killing of the younger brother of the North West Legion Commander who had accompanied Governor Lele L’Afrique to Bui Division.

Cameroon government army soldiers were caught on camera celebrating and opining that the Legion Commander-a French Cameroonian now understands what death is and how one feels when a loved one is killed.

The Legion Commander recently came under attack from his close associates for repeatedly sending his kid brother only on what some soldiers painted as  “juicy missions” while other soldiers are deployed to the hinterlands even when they have health issues.

The North West Legion Commander has reportedly confirmed that his own life is in danger in Bamenda not from the Ambazonian Restoration Forces but from some disgruntled servicemen.

By our Correspondent

Ambazonia Military Information Operations: First open letter to soldiers of La Republique du Cameroun

30, May 2021

Ambazonia Military Information Operations: First open letter to soldiers of La Republique du Cameroun 0

An Open Letter to the Soldiers of La République du Cameroun from the Ambazonia Independent Secret Service Squad

The Ambazonian Independent Secret Service Squad is a team that was formed 6 months ago. We are all over Ambazonia. We are not influenced by any individual or group. We are patriotic Ambazonian citizens. We support all groups and individuals that advocate for the sovereignty of former British Southern Cameroons. We are not going to tell anyone who exactly we are, what we do, what we have been doing and what we shall do. In the recent days, La République du Cameroun have faced serious blows by some brave Ambazonians. We hail the efforts of these brave Ambazonians. We do not claim responsibility of those very sweet actions. But we support them, and we enjoy the outcome.

Before we address the soldiers of La République du Cameroun, permit us tell Ambazonians that all kidnaps and ransom taking in Ambazonia must stop immediately. Special warning to those criminals in Ndop, those taking ransom between Kumba and Muyuka must immediately stop attacking and threatening Ambazonians. Those guys in Idenau who get into people’s plantations and demand money from them must retreat. The leaders of this struggle must put their acts together; by defending Ambazonians and going after these kidnappers.  If nothing is done by these leaders, we shall intervene, and the outcome will be devastating for those calling themselves leaders. As of now, we are supporting you. Do not let us turn our backs on you.

Let us now address La République du Cameroun

Fellow Soldiers of La République du Cameroun,

Some of you are from French Cameroon while some of you are from Ambazonia. It does not matter to us where you come from. We are all brothers.

The difference between you and Ambazonians is that you are fighting to defend an 88-year-old dictator, his family members, his few friends, and France, while Ambazonians are indirectly fighting to defend you, and to guarantee a better future for you, your children, your family, and your country. Ambazonians are fighting for a better future for our Ambazonian children. A prosperous Ambazonian would lead a way for a prosperous La République du Cameroun as well. We shall be very good neighbours when we regain our freedom.

Dear soldiers of La République du Cameroun!

You are not our enemies. Ambazonians understand that as soldiers, you think you are defending your territory. Unfortunately, you are defending France. You are fighting for France and for Paul Biya who do not care about you. President Emmanuel Macron and President Paul Biya are using you. They are deceiving you. If you do not know, Biya and Macron are laughing at you. They see you all as fools. How can you be sent to go and kill innocent people and you are going?

Fellow brothers in the Cameroun military,

Tell Paul Biya it is over. Tell him you have killed innocent people and you are not ready to kill your brothers just to enrich France. Innocent soldiers have died because of President Biya’s and President Macron’s greed, lies and wickedness.

Fellow brothers and soldiers of La République du Cameroun,

As you know, children have lost their soldier parents who are fighting a senseless war. Many women have lost their soldier husbands in a war that makes no sense. Family members who have nothing to do with this war have lost relatives. You have been fighting to defend Paul Biya who has done nothing for his people in 39 years.

Our brother soldiers

You know soldiers defend a country led by a good President. Your allegiance as soldiers is not to the President, but to the people, and the country. Paul Biya is not a country. Paul Biya is corrupt and wealthy. He is a dictator who practices tribalism and kills anyone whom he dislikes. President Biya has destroyed a beautiful country. He is responsible for all what is happening in Cameroon and with your life.

It is your responsibility as soldiers to defend the people against a bad President. It is time for you to stop the war. It is time for you to end the fighting and drop down your arms. It is time for you to tell the government that you are not going to kill Ambazonians anymore.

To all Cameroonians. If you have a friend, a brother or a sister or a husband or a relative in the Cameroon army, advise them not to go to Ambazonia. They will die. Where are all the Beti soldiers? Why are all the Bulu soldiers hiding away from the war zone? Soldiers from Maroua, Ngaoundéré, Garoua, Adamawa, Yagoua and Kousseri should not fight for Paul Biya and France. Biya and France are responsible for the death of President Ahidjo. Paul Biya has locked up Mister Marafa in Kondengui. You people should stand up for Marafa. You should all stand against President Biya.

To our Bamiléké brothers and sisters,

Biya deceived you and you joined him to fight and kill our people. We Ambazonians protected your fathers of UPC who were being persecuted by France. Look at what Biya has done to Professor Maurice Kamto. You must all join forces with the northerners. Stop fighting for Biya. To the Basas and the Douala people. You must not join Biya. You must stand against Biya because France and Biya only care about Beti and Bulu people. Ambazonians are not your enemies.

Our brother soldiers

Put down your weapons and walk away. If Paul Biya and his generals insist, you know what to do next. Remember that your colleagues who have died at the battlefront were the unlucky ones. You are lucky to still be alive. Do not allow yourselves to end like your colleagues who are no more, and who shall never return to see their family members. This is the biggest opportunity for you. You just need to surrender now. If not, you will soon be a casualty. You will end up like your colleagues who have gone to hell and to return no more. This is the time to say ‘no’ to Yaoundé.

Do not be afraid. Do not be shy. Everything you do in life is a risk. Take the courage and surrender now. Do not go and kill innocent people. You will end up die in a war that makes no sense.

Let President Biya send his children to the war zone. Paul Biya’s children are out of the country enjoying beautiful life. Why are you fighting to defend someone who does not care about you? Biya does not care about you and your children. There are soldiers and government workers who do not have salaries. You are riding ben-sikin after school. All ben-sikin riders and taxi drivers and teachers in La République du Cameroun must stand up. From Maroua, Ngandere to Garoua through Bafoussam to Mbouda and Nkongsamba. You must all rise like one man. You should all join the military and chase out President Biya.

Colonel Bamkoui Emile Joël, Police Chief Superintendent Eko Eko Maxime Léopold and Brigadier General Nka Valère should take note. Go and tell Ferdinand Ngoh and Atanga Nji Paul that you cannot stand this war anymore. Yaounde must listen to you and you must not take orders from Yaounde anymore. Atanga Nji goes around with heavy military protection. Governor Lele L’Afrique and Governor Okala Bilai it is now time for you to leave Ambazonia. Take your colonial Divisional Officers and Senior Divisional Officers away from Ambazonia. The Ambazonia Independent Secret Service Squad does not do propaganda and does not make promises. We act and we do not make claims. That is why we are a Secret Squad. We hope you have understood us.

Our dear brothers in the Cameroun army

Look at Tanzania. Look at the good roads in Rwanda, and the good life people in Rwanda are living. Look at small countries like Botswana and Namibia. Look at the roads in South Africa. The whole of French Africa is useless; made up of useless and corrupt leaders and citizens who think poverty and hardship are normal. Even your own children do not have a good future. Poor roads, no water, bad hospitals, dilapidated school buildings and no jobs are what Biya has offered you in 39 years. What did you do to Paul Biya?

Why are you defending a criminal who hates you? It is time for you to repent. Go and pray to God to save you from this slavery. You are a slave to France. For how long will you keep being slaves? Biya, his family and his ministers have bought houses in Europe and America using your stolen money.

Our dear brothers in the military,

Ambazonians do not hate you. Ambazonians have the right to defend their territory. As you know, we Ambazonians asked Paul Biya for respect and equality. Biya decided to kill us, beat up our teachers and our lawyers, and his soldiers raped our children just to defend Biya. We are fighting back. We shall fight. You will not win this war. Ambazonia will win this war. You will be in your graves when we shall have our sovereignty if you do not surrender. We shall celebrate our victory and your children, mothers, brothers, sisters, and wives will be crying because they will say, you lost your life for nothing.

Our brothers in Cameroun

Why do you treat Biya like a God? Biya is laughing at you all. Biya does not care about you. Biya and Macron see you all as grown-up fools. You were a fool. After five years, you should not be a fool except you want to act like a fool. No amount of killing will stop Ambazonia from fighting back. So, why do you go for a war that you will not win? Do you remember Vietnam? Do you remember Afghanistan? In Syria, they thought they were going to win. They are not winning in Syria. You will not win in Ambazonia.

You should all put down your arms or turn them against the real enemy. The real enemies are Biya, Atanga Nji and France. Soldiers in other countries are living good life without war. You are in Ambazonia killing people who have committed no crime. You will all die in Ambazonia if you stay or go there. 

Our brothers in La Republique du Cameroun

If La République du Cameroun was supposed to win this war, they should have won the war in 2017. You cannot win and you will not win. Paul Biya and the Betis are using you to stay in power. The Bulus and the Betis are enjoying while you are suffering.

 Dear Cameroon soldiers

You must take the courage. Ambazonians do not hate people from Cameroun. We hate your government. And your government does not even treat you well. So, why fight to defend a President who thinks only about himself and his family? If you and all citizens of Cameroon stand against your President, you will have a better life for your children. Instead of Biya to offer you jobs, good health services, good roads, good schools, better electricity supply and portable water, he offers you bread, and sardine and you accept it. 

Do not accept to be fools anymore. Paul Biya cannot be above you all. Mubarak reign came to an end because his soldiers told him it was enough. You should stop defending France. The most useless Africans are those that come from French-speaking African countries. You are all responsible for the poor living conditions of the African people. Africans deserve better. Cameroonians deserve better. Your wife, children, and grandchildren deserve better. Understand this! Biya, Betis, Bulus and Macron are your enemies.

You can make a difference in the lives of your children by turning against the criminals in the Cameroon government. Macron does not have children even. Let Frank and Brenda go and fight for Biya and Macron. Biya is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Let him go to Ambazonia and lead the military as late President Idris Deby of Chad did. We are waiting for Biya in Ambazonia. Tell Biya to go and fight as he is responsible for everything that went wrong in Cameroun and in Ambazonia.

This is the time to tell Biya that you will not go to Ambazonia anymore, and that you are not going to kill your Ambazonian neighbours/brothers.

Dear Soldiers of La République du Cameroun

Your enemies are not in Ambazonia. Your enemies are in Yaoundé and Paris.

Good luck to you and bad luck to Biya and his supporters.

NB: This public message is from the newly created Ambazonia Independent Secret Service Squad

Canada: One dead, four taken to hospital after shooting near Toronto

30, May 2021

Canada: One dead, four taken to hospital after shooting near Toronto 0

Police in the Peel region near Toronto said on Saturday one person was killed and four were transported to hospitals in the Toronto area “in various conditions” after a shooting.

Police said in a statement on Twitter they had no information on suspects in the shooting, adding that the homicide bureau would take over the investigation. There were no further details.

Local reports said the shooting took place inside Chicken Land, a family-run take-out restaurant in a small strip mall.

(Source: Reuters)

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Atanga Nji agents are sending threatening text to Vice President Yerima

30, May 2021

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Atanga Nji agents are sending threatening text to Vice President Yerima 0

A report from the Ambazonia Interim Government says Cameroon government secret service officers working for Minister Paul Atanga Nji have been recently sending threatening text messages to Vice President Dabney Yerima warning him and other members of his war cabinet.

An IG statement that was addressed to Southern Cameroons Self Defense Groups in Ground Zero also pointed out that, Paul Atanga Nji and his French Cameroun gang held that burning the homes of the poor and innocent Ambazonian people will cause the population to discontinue its support to the Southern Cameroons Interim Government.

“From every indication, it is very clear that the Paul Biya-Atanga Nji policy has not worked and the situation in Southern Cameroons is now so tense due to the hostile treatment of Southern Cameroonians by French Cameroun troops and Francophone civil administrators” Vice President Yerima added.

Minister Atanga Nji Boys are attacking civilians and committing crimes in both the Northern and Southern zones of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia while top officials of the Southern Cameroons Interim Government in Europe and the US are receiving regular threatening text over the past two weeks.

The text messages are viewed by many Ambazonian exiles as an attempt to deter Southern Cameroonians from supporting the struggle against the French Cameroun regime in Yaoundé.

Dr Patrick Ayuk, a senior Yerima aide told Cameroon Concord News that he received a threatening text thrice late last week.

“I reported the issue to the Vice President, and then I realized he had it too,” Dr Patrick Ayuk said.

By Asu Vera Eyere

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