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14, June 2025

Roman Catholic Priest says Biya and his gang need to face a ‘Tower of Babel’ ⁰

Echoing earlier calls for change by some Cameroonian bishops, a Catholic priest has invoked the Holy Spirit, urging it to bring confusion akin to the biblical “Babel” on the country’s ruling elite.

Father Richard Alphonse Sandjong Yakam, of St. John Paul II Parish in Banengo, in the West Region, used his Pentecost Sunday homily to emphasize that change had become imperative for Cameroon.

He drew a parallel, stating that just as God commissioned the Holy Spirit to sow confusion among those who sought to rival Him by constructing the Tower of Babel, Cameroonians now need to invoke that same Spirit to disrupt the ruling elite whom he accused of state capture.

“The Holy Spirit had confused the language of those who had built the Tower of Babel to compete with God. God sent the Holy Spirit to confuse them, and the Holy Spirit descended and sowed confusion in their language; and they dispersed. We are also praying that this very Spirit should come to our country and sow confusion in the language of those who have taken the country hostage and free this country so that everyone will find their footing, so that every of God’s children should find freedom, peace and wellbeing; so that Cameroon that God placed under the patronage of the Virgin Mary becomes a country in which life is worth living,” the priest said.

He called on the Holy Spirit to make Cameroonians understand that they are capable of overcoming domination.

“May Cameroonians overcome fear. May the Holy Spirit liberate Cameroonians to defeat fear and act like the Apostles, who, after receiving the Holy Spirit, left their hiding places and boldly spoke the truth,” Yakam said.

“The Holy Spirit needs to renew and transform everything. Cameroon needs a new start. Conquering fear means recognizing that we are free children of God. The most important good He has given us is freedom. However, this freedom should not be confused with profligacy or licentiousness,” he said.

“True freedom means living as directed by the Holy Spirit, and He can only lead us in God’s direction. Those who allow themselves to be led by the Holy Spirit are not controlled by their base instincts or desires (the ‘flesh’). Their focus shifts from worldly things to heaven. It is the Spirit who frees us from all burdens—the yoke of slavery, tribalism, nepotism, lies, and embezzlement,” the priest added.

The message from the priest comes just months before the next presidential election. Incumbent President Paul Biya, aged 92, is widely expected to seek re-election after 43 years in power.

Yakam’s remarks add to the voices of Catholic clerics increasingly vocal about the need for a fresh face in the Cameroon Presidency.

While the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Cameroon has not explicitly called on the President to step aside, they have made statements criticising his government for failing to deliver the goods of governance.

On March 28, they issued a pastoral letter defining the qualities required of a president: “Integrity, humility, modesty, and moral leadership qualities.”

The letter stated that the future president must not use his power to “enrich himself” and “must be able to travel throughout the country, visiting each region at least once during his term.” In this way, he will be able to “understand the needs and desires of the Cameroonian people.”

The bishops didn’t mention President Biya, but the condition of travelling the country is something the President can’t clearly do: He isn’t known to have visited many regions in his 43 years in power, and in recent years, is known to have been spending more of his time in his native village, Mvomeka.

Individual bishops in Cameroon have however directly called on Biya not to seek re-election.

Archbishop Samuel Kleda of Douala had said that urging the president to seek re-election was “unrealistic.”

Bishop Barthelemy Yaouda Hourgo of the Catholic Diocese of Yagoua spoke about the frustrations facing Cameroonians and noted that even the devil couldn’t inflict greater pain on the people.

Bishop Emmanuel Abbo of the Catholic Diocese of Ngaoundere expressed dismay at the government’s stifling of dissent, particularly accusing the country’s interior minister of using language that suggests any opposition to President Biya could be dealt with in very violent fashion.

Archbishop Jean Mbarga of Yaoundé was more circumspect, urging the faithful to “assume their responsibilities towards the nation.”

The election will take place in October this year, and although the elections management body ELECAM hasn’t validated any candidatures as yet, a number of Cameroonians have signaled their intentions to run, including Prof. Maurice Kamto of the MRC party, Cabral Libi of the PCRN, and Barrister Akere Muna, who has been endorsed by Univers political party.

President Paul Biya hasn’t declared his candidacy yet, but his supporters have been urging him to seek an eighth term in office.

Source: Crux

12, June 2025

Crises engulf Cameroon in election year ⁰

The humanitarian crisis in Cameroon remains a critical concern, exacerbated by political tensions ahead of the October 2025 presidential elections.

Paul Biya (92), the oldest head of state in the world, is seeking re-election for a position he has occupied since 1982.

The veteran was Prime Minister from 1975.

Apart from the political contest, the humanitarian crisis remains severe, driven by escalating violence and insecurity across the Northwest, Southwest and Far North regions.

Conflict dynamics, including inter-community clashes and intensified activity by non-state armed groups, have exacerbated displacement, disrupted access to health facilities and heightened vulnerabilities for women and girls.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reports that maternal and reproductive health services have been significantly disrupted, leading to increased rates of unassisted childbirth, complications during pregnancy and unmet family planning needs.

“Concurrently, persistent insecurity and limited humanitarian aid have heightened risks of gender-based violence (GBV), further restricting women’s and girls’ access to essential protection and care,” a spokesperson said.

In response, UNFPA has provided sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence services in April 2025, directly benefiting about 8 000 individuals, 83 percent of whom were women and girls.

Funding constraints however pose an urgent risk to ongoing humanitarian efforts, with only 39 percent (about US$3,5 million) of the required $9 million secured as of April 2025.

“Without additional resources, critical reproductive health and GBV services risk severe disruption, threatening the well-being and safety of women and girls across Cameroon,” the UNFPA spokesperson said.

Cameroon, the Central African country of 29 million, is facing resistance from English-speaking communities alleging exclusion by the government dominated by French-speaking officials.

Source: Cajnewsafrica

12, June 2025

Race For Etoudi: ruling CPDM voice concern over violence threats ⁰

The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) party has expressed concern about growing threats of violence and uprising ahead of the presidential election in the Central African country.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Jean Nkuete, secretary-general of the Central Committee of the CPDM, said there are increasing calls from some political leaders “for the preparation of a sacrificial and murderous insurrection” as the country prepares to hold the election in October.

“The CPDM remains attentive and vigilant … and denounces with the utmost energy these behaviors and speeches of intimidation and incitement to hatred and violence,” Nkuete said.

He called for restraint, urging party members and peace-loving Cameroonians to shun violence and remain patriotic.

According to the country’s electoral calendar, presidential candidates will begin to deposit their files for scrutiny next month.

Source: Xinhuanet

12, June 2025

Cameroon ranks third in global Kola Nut production ⁰

Cameroon’s kola nut production has hovered around 48,500 tons annually over the past five years, accounting for 15.4% of global output. This places the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) economic powerhouse as the world’s third-largest kola nut producer, according to Tridge, an agricultural market intelligence and food product trade platform.

Cameroon trails Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, the top two international suppliers of the product. Tridge data indicates that Nigeria, the West African giant, produced 174,100 tonnes in 2022, representing 55.2% of global production. Côte d’Ivoire’s output in 2022 reached 58,640 tonnes, or 18.6% of the world total.

The global top five kola nut producers are completed by two other African nations. Ghana ranks fourth, with a 7.8% market share and 24,643 tonnes produced in 2022. Sierra Leone follows, with 8,450 tonnes during the review period, accounting for 2.7% of the global kola nut market.

Analysts predict that these five market leaders will see increased returns from kola nut cultivation in the coming years due to rising demand. A study published in April 2025 by Cognitive Market Research, cited by Ecofin Agency, estimates the kola nut market to be worth $119 million (approximately 65 billion CFA francs) in 2025. The study projects the market to grow by an average of 3.3% annually through 2033.

This anticipated surge in the global kola nut market is fueled by the diversification of its uses. While traditionally consumed in its raw form across many African countries, market analysts note a growing demand for kola nut in the agri-food industry, cosmetics, and traditional medicine.

Kola nut exports are not explicitly listed in Cameroon’s 2022 and 2023 foreign trade reports, published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS). However, this does not necessarily mean the country has no exports of the product. It is plausible that, similar to other agricultural goods like cotton, cereals, and even cocoa, Cameroonian kola nuts are exported through informal channels to Nigeria, the world’s leading producer. Cameroon shares a long and porous border of approximately 1,500 km with Nigeria.

Despite probable informal exports, as well as local consumption and still-limited artisanal processing, which are the primary uses of kola nut in Cameroon, the forecasted growth in this product presents a significant opportunity for both industry stakeholders and public authorities to better position kola nut on the national and international economic stage.

Source: Business in Cameroon

12, June 2025

Burundi: ruling party wins all seats in parliamentary vote as opposition cries foul ⁰

Burundi’s veteran ruling party won every seat in last week’s parliamentary elections, the electoral commission said Wednesday, in a vote critics and observers say was tainted by irregularities.

“Nationally, the CNDD-FDD came first with 96.51 percent of the vote,” election commission chief Prosper Ntahorwamiye said in a live televised ceremony.

None of the other parties obtained two percent of the votes – the constitutional threshold to sit in the National Assembly – “so all 100 seats go to the CNDD-FDD”, he added.

The final results of last Thursday’s poll are due to be announced by the Constitutional Council on June 20.

Members of the National Congress for Liberty (CNL), the main opposition party which was barred from the vote, alleged multiple and forced voting, as well as “banned access” and the “arbitrary imprisonment” of its observers.

Anicet Niyonkuru, a legislative candidate and leader of the smaller opposition Council of Patriots party, told AFP that voters put pre-filled ballots in the ballot box, calling it “a major fraud that was seen everywhere”.

Olivier Nkurunziza, the leader of the Uprona opposition party which received just 1.38 percent of the vote, said the elections were “rigged”.

The Uprona party “denounces rigged elections”, Nkurunziza told AFP adding: “We have killed democracy.”

He said the CNDD-FDD had won 100 percent of the vote in some districts, with no invalid ballots, abstentions or absentees, despite Uprona fielding at least 50 candidates in each area.

Journalists and voters who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons also told AFP of significant irregularities.

Source: AFP

12, June 2025

242 on board Air India flight to London that crashed after takeoff in Ahmedabad ⁰

An Air India plane with more than 200 people on board crashed near the airport in India’s western city of Ahmedabad, the airline and police officials said on Thursday, without specifying whether there were any fatalities.

The plane was headed to London’s Gatwick airport in the UK, Air India said, while police officers said it crashed in a civilian area near the airport.

The 242 people included 217 adults and 11 children, a source told Reuters. Of them, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, the airline said.

Aviation tracking site Flightradar24 said the plane was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, one of the most modern passenger aircraft in service.

Source: France 24

11, June 2025

Iran says it will target US bases if conflict breaks out over nuclear enrichment ⁰

Iran threatened Wednesday to target US military bases in the region if conflict breaks out, while President Donald Trump said he was “less confident” about reaching a nuclear deal.

Tehran and Washington have held five rounds of talks since April to thrash out a new nuclear deal to replace the 2015 accord that Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has revived his “maximum pressure” campaign on Tehran, backing nuclear diplomacy but warning of military action if it fails.

“All its bases are within our reach, we have access to them, and without hesitation we will target all of them in the host countries,” Iran’s Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said in response to US threats of military action if the talks fail.

“God willing, things won’t reach that point, and the talks will succeed,” the minister said, adding that the US side “will suffer more losses” if it came to conflict.

The United States has multiple bases in the Middle East, with the largest located in Qatar.

Iran and the United States have recently been locked in a diplomatic standoff over Iran’s uranium enrichment, with Tehran defending it as a “non-negotiable” right and Washington calling it as a “red line”.

Trump had previously expressed optimism about the talks, saying during a Gulf tour last month Washington was “getting close” to securing a deal.

But in an interview published Wednesday, Trump said he was “less confident” the United States and Iran could reach a deal, in response to a question on whether he believed he could stop Tehran from enriching uranium.

Source: AFP

11, June 2025

Football: Senegal hands England stunning 3-1 defeat, casting doubt over Tuchel fit ⁰

England slumped to a 3-1 home friendly defeat by Senegal on Tuesday to ramp up the scrutiny on boss Thomas Tuchel one year out from the World Cup.

Goals from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra and Cheikh Sabaly inflicted England’s first ever defeat against African opposition at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground after Harry Kane had given the hosts an early lead.

Tuchel was scathing in his criticism of his side’s dreary display in beating minnows Andorra just 1-0 in World Cup qualifying on Saturday.

The German, who was appointed with the task of ending England’s wait since 1966 for a major tournament win, has now suffered his first defeat in four games in charge.

‘The new Kaiser Chief’: Thomas Tuchel set to be England’s first German manager

“Not good enough. We had moments, but with and without the ball things aren’t clicking, we’re not finding the right tempo,” said England captain Kane.

“We’ve lost that aggressive nature that we had.”

Tuchel responded by making 10 changes, with Kane the only player to retain his place.

It took just seven minutes for the Bayern Munich striker to maintain his record of scoring in every game since Tuchel took charge.

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy should have done better when he could only parry Anthony Gordon’s shot into the path of Kane, who tapped in his 73rd international goal.

Dean Henderson was given a rare chance to impress in the England goal as Jordan Pickford was relegated to the bench.

The Crystal Palace stopper made impressive saves from his club team-mate Sarr and Idrissa Gana Gueye.

But he was helpless when Sarr made the most of a lack of concentration from Kyle Walker to meet Nicolas Jackson’s cross and fire into the bottom corner.

England had never lost to African opposition in 21 previous matches but Senegal had been beaten just once from open play since losing to the Three Lions at the 2022 World Cup.

Diarra was afforded acres of room to run in behind the England defence and slot between the legs of Henderson to put the visitors in front just after the hour mark.

Mendy made amends for his role in the opening goal with fine saves to deny Bukayo Saka and Morgan Gibbs-White a swift equaliser.

England thought they had levelled late on when Jude Bellingham smashed home from a corner.

But the goal was ruled out for a handball by Levi Colwill before the ball broke to the Real Madrid midfielder.

Senegal made the most of that reprieve to seal a famous win in stoppage time when Sabaly rounded off a slick counter-attack.

Boos rained down from the disgruntled home support to leave Tuchel with plenty to ponder before England are next in action in September.

Source: AFP

10, June 2025

Victorine Ako Tambi: What MECA London is all about and why it’s so important ⁰

The Manyu Elements Cultural Association (MECA) London Chapter is not just a passive community, but an active social group that is shaping beliefs and policy towards a single guided vision of Manyu development.

After securing a third mandate as president of MECA London, Lady Victorine Ako Tambi is now an icon that is making Manyu women to assume leadership positions in Manyu traditional associations.

Lady Victorine Ako Tambi has successfully headed MECA London and upheld the order that was laid down by the founding fathers to foster unity, progress and camaraderie among Manyus in the UK and she has recorded a unique impact that Manyus in Britain will enjoy for a very long time.

Many Manyus have opined that Barrack Obama’s mobility from the streets of Chicago to the White House remains the greatest upward movement in human history.

However, Lady Victorine Ako Tambi’s rise from a small restaurant business in Mamfe the chief town in Manyu Division to a senior care coordinator in the UK and the Queen of MECA London is remarkable and must be considered in the same breath. Like Obama, she must understand that being on top will undeniably attract constructive criticism and detractors.

While Obama had his critics and enemies on the right of the political spectrum, she will face hers predominantly from Manyus who are very elitist in their thoughts.

We of the Concord Group congratulate her for a deserving third mandate and we call on her to demonstrate integrity, confidence and a sense of inner calm as she discharges her duties over the next two years.

She must bear in mind that the people of MECA London have demonstrated confidence in her to lead MECA for over seven years because she possesses huge gifts from the Manyu ancestors. She must lead by instilling confidence and uniting the various factions within.

Mrs Ako Tambi now has an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy and the forthcoming Manyu fundraising gala in September 2025 offers her the springboard to do so.

MECA London has contributed in various ways to the construction of heath centers, skills acquisition centers and other facilities in Manyu Division.

By Chi Prudence Asong with additional reporting from Soter Agbaw-Ebai

10, June 2025

Global Economy Set for Weakest Run Since 2008 Outside of Recessions ⁰

Heightened trade tensions and policy uncertainty are expected to drive global growth down this year to its slowest pace since 2008 outside of outright global recessions, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report. The turmoil has resulted in growth forecasts being cut in nearly 70% of all economies—across all regions and income groups.

Global growth is projected to slow to 2.3 percent in 2025, nearly half a percentage point lower than the rate that had been expected at the start of the year. A global recession is not expected. Nevertheless, if forecasts for the next two years materialize, average global growth in the first seven years of the 2020s will be the slowest of any decade since the 1960s.

“Outside of Asia, the developing world is becoming a development-free zone. said Indermit Gill, the World Bank Group’s Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics. “It has been advertising itself for more than a decade. Growth in developing economies has ratcheted down for three decades—from 6 percent annually in the 2000s to 5 percent in the 2010s—to less than 4 percent in the 2020s. That tracks the trajectory of growth in global trade, which has fallen from an average of 5 percent in the 2000s to about 4.5 percent in the 2010s—to less than 3 percent in the 2020s. Investment growth has also slowed, but debt has climbed to record levels.”

Growth is expected to slow in nearly 60 percent of all developing economies this year, averaging 3.8 percent in 2025 before edging up to an average of 3.9 percent over 2026 and 2027. That is more than a percentage point lower than the average of the 2010s. Low-income countries are expected to grow 5.3 percent this year—a downgrade of 0.4 percentage point from the forecast at the start of 2025. Tariff increases and tight labor markets are also exerting upward pressure on global inflation, which, at a projected average of 2.9 percent in 2025, remains above pre-pandemic levels.

Slowing growth will impede developing economies in their efforts to spur job creation, reduce extreme poverty, and close per capita income gaps with advanced economies. Per capita income growth in developing economies is projected to be 2.9 percent in 2025—1.1 percentage points below the average between 2000 and 2019. Assuming developing economies other than China are able to sustain an overall GDP growth of 4 percent—the rate forecast for 2027—it would take them about two decades to return to their pre-pandemic trajectory with respect to economic output.

Global growth could rebound faster than expected if major economies are able to mitigate trade tensions—which would reduce overall policy uncertainty and financial volatility. The analysis finds that if today’s trade disputes were resolved with agreements that halve tariffs relative to their levels in late May, global growth would be 0.2 percentage point stronger on average over the course of 2025 and 2026.

“Emerging-market and developing economies reaped the rewards of trade integration but now find themselves on the frontlines of a global trade conflict,” said M. Ayhan Kose, the World Bank’s Deputy Chief Economist and Director of the Prospects Group. “The smartest way to respond is to redouble efforts on integration with new partners, advance pro-growth reforms, and shore up fiscal resilience to weather the storm. With trade barriers rising and uncertainty mounting, renewed global dialogue and cooperation can chart a more stable and prosperous path forward.”

The report argues that in the face of rising trade barriers, developing economies should seek to liberalize more broadly by pursuing strategic trade and investment partnerships with other economies and diversifying trade—including through regional agreements. Given limited government resources and rising development needs, policymakers should focus on mobilizing domestic revenues, prioritizing fiscal spending for the most vulnerable households, and strengthening fiscal frameworks.

Finally, to accelerate economic growth, countries will need to improve business climates and promote productive employment by equipping workers with the necessary skills and creating the conditions for labor markets to efficiently match workers and firms. Global collaboration will be crucial in supporting the most vulnerable developing economies, including through multilateral interventions, concessional financing, and, for countries embroiled in active conflicts, emergency relief and support.

Source: World Bank