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21, July 2026

Biya regime gives ship owner 15 days to clear wreck from Douala Port Channel ⁰

Cameroon has given the owner of the Black Rhino 15 days to remove the container ship from the access channel of the Port of Douala-Bonabéri after it ran aground following a collision earlier this month, as authorities seek to prevent further disruption at the country’s main maritime gateway.

The vessel, which is carrying about 150 containers, has remained stranded in the channel since the accident on the night of July 11-12. Within eight days, the shipowner must submit a final report prepared by its appointed experts, outlining the technical solution selected and a detailed recovery plan.

Specialists from marine salvage firms Wave Group and SMIT have already arrived in Douala. The MSM Dolores, a vessel that could assist in the operation, is also reportedly ready to depart from Bata in Equatorial Guinea.

The recovery plan must detail each stage of the operation, including stabilizing the vessel, removing containers, lifting and towing procedures, refloating operations, safety measures, pollution prevention, and the expected timeline.

If the shipowner fails to submit the plan within the deadline, the government will issue a formal eight-day notice. Should the company still fail to act, the authorities may carry out the operation themselves at the owner’s expense, in accordance with Cameroonian law.

Collision Blocks Part of the Access Channel

The measures were announced after a crisis meeting chaired on July 20 in Douala by Transport Minister Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehe.

The collision occurred during the night of July 11-12 in the port’s navigation channel. It involved the Sea Honor, a Tuvalu-flagged cargo ship leaving the port, and the Cyprus-flagged Black Rhino, which was entering the harbor.

The Black Rhino sustained damage near its bridge and was at risk of sinking. The Port Authority of Douala immediately activated its emergency response team.

The Sea Honor was freed and later towed to an anchorage area for repairs. To prevent it from sinking, the Black Rhino was intentionally grounded alongside the channel’s red buoy line, allowing maritime traffic to continue as much as possible. All 15 crew members were evacuated safely, and no fatalities were reported.

Navigation Restrictions Remain in Place

Although shipping resumed a few hours after the collision, the stranded vessel and its cargo continue to restrict navigation through the channel.

According to preliminary findings from the Port Authority of Douala, a steering failure aboard the Black Rhino may have caused the accident. However, that theory remains subject to the ongoing technical investigation.

The inquiry will determine the exact circumstances of the collision and assess the responsibilities of both vessels, their crews, and any other parties involved in the port maneuvers. Keeping the ship in the channel continues to pose operational risks by reducing maneuvering space, limiting access for some vessels, slowing traffic, increasing waiting times, and raising costs for shipping companies.

Authorities are also monitoring environmental risks, including potential hull damage, fuel leaks, and the possibility of containers falling into the water.

Strategic Trade Route at Stake

The Port of Douala handles most of Cameroon’s maritime trade and serves as the main gateway for cargo bound for Chad and the Central African Republic.

Any prolonged disruption to the navigation channel could therefore affect imports, exports, and supply chains in all three countries. The government’s ultimatum reflects its determination to speed up the recovery while ensuring that the shipowner bears the cost of the operation.

Beyond the immediate response, the accident has also highlighted the operational constraints of the Port of Douala’s busy and physically limited navigation channel, where incidents can quickly disrupt maritime traffic.

For the government, the priority is to remove the vessel as quickly as possible, maintain uninterrupted port operations, and preserve confidence among shipping companies.

Source: Business in Cameroon

21, July 2026

Senegal changes course to back ex-leader Macky Sall as UN chief ⁰

Senegal announced on Monday it was supporting former president Macky Sall in his bid to become the next United Nations secretary-general, changing tack just three days after Sall visited his successor in Dakar.

The government had, until now, declined to back Sall, who was president from 2012 to 2024.

It accuses him of violent political repression that led to dozens of deaths during his last years in office, and of covering up unfavourable economic data.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye came to office in 2024 on a wave of anti-Sall sentiment.

On Friday, Faye met Sall during the latter’s first trip to Dakar since leaving office and moving to Morocco.

Faye’s entourage said Sall was there to update the president on his UN bid.

On Monday, the foreign ministry announced Faye had now decided that Senegal would “lend its full support” to Sall’s candidacy.

He has “instructed the government and entire Senegalese diplomatic network to promote his candidacy among UN member states”, it said.

Sall’s bid is “now that of Senegal” the ministry added, saying it would benefit “Africa and more effective multilateralism”.

Burundi, which holds the rotating African Union presidency, nominated Sall earlier this year to replace outgoing UN leader Antonio Guterres.

But around 20 AU member states, including Senegal, refused to back him.

Sall was welcomed by thousands of supporters when he arrived in Dakar on Friday.

But his visit drew criticism from detractors, who are demanding answers for the dozens of deaths during his time in office.

Source: AFP

21, July 2026

Cameroon Gold Scandal: UAE trade data exposes hidden exports amounting $524 million ⁰

Cameroon is set to launch a nationwide operation on August 1 to recover an estimated 305 billion CFA francs ($524 million) in unpaid taxes from undeclared gold exports after trade data from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) exposed major discrepancies in the country’s official export records.

The operation will target 51 mining companies and 33 previously unidentified mining sites suspected of evading taxes and customs duties between 2023 and 2025, according to the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Technological Development.

The crackdown follows findings in the 2023 Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) report, which revealed that Cameroon officially declared exporting just 22.3 kilograms of gold in 2023.

In contrast, customs data from the UAE—one of the world’s largest gold trading hubs—recorded imports of more than 15 tonnes of gold originating from Cameroon during the same period.

According to the Gold Demand Trends report published by the World Gold Council, gold sales in the United Arab Emirates reached approximately 37.8 tonnes during the first nine months of 2023, making the UAE one of the world’s largest and most active gold trading and retail markets.

The discrepancy has fueled concerns over widespread underreporting, smuggling, and weak oversight in Cameroon’s mining sector, resulting in significant losses in tax and royalty revenues.

Cameroon moves to tighten oversight

The recovery campaign will be led jointly by the National Mining Corporation (SONAMINES), the Directorate General of Taxes, and the Directorate General of Customs.

Authorities will audit mining firms suspected of under-declaring production while investigating mining sites that allegedly operated outside official records. The government aims to recover unpaid royalties, mining taxes, and export duties tied to undeclared gold production over the past three years.

The initiative comes as African governments increasingly seek to boost domestic revenues amid rising debt pressures and tighter global financing conditions.

For Cameroon, the effort represents one of the country’s most ambitious attempts to formalize its gold industry and curb illicit mineral exports.

The case also highlights how international trade data is becoming an important tool in exposing illicit financial flows.

By comparing export declarations with customs records from importing countries such as the UAE, authorities can identify inconsistencies that point to underreported production or informal exports.

Cameroon is not alone in facing the challenge. Gold-producing countries including Ghana, Sudan, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have stepped up efforts in recent years to combat smuggling, strengthen mineral traceability, and improve revenue collection from the mining sector.

If successful, Cameroon’s tax recovery drive could serve as a model for how African governments use cross-border trade data to recover lost revenues and tighten oversight of one of the continent’s most valuable export industries.

Source: Business Insider Africa

21, July 2026

Biya must end the scandal of illegal gold exports ⁰

Our nation is watching one of its most valuable natural resources disappear through the back door. Reports that only 5% of the Cameroon’s gold production passes through government channels paint a very disturbing picture of a sector plagued by fraud, tax evasion and weak enforcement.

Billions of francs that should be funding schools, hospitals, roads and public services are instead enriching Cameroonian and international criminal networks and smugglers.

The fact that so much gold reportedly leaves Cameroon through the Yaounde-Nsimalen and Douala international airports raises serious questions about the effectiveness of customs controls and regulatory oversight. Such large-scale operations cannot continue indefinitely without glaring institutional failures that demand urgent investigation.

The Prime Minister Dion Ngute’s administration has a duty to explain how such an enormous volume of gold escapes legal channels. Parliament, anti-corruption agencies including judicial authorities should conduct an independent and transparent inquiry into the networks facilitating this illicit trade, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found to have abused public office is held accountable.

Many Cameroonians believe that operations of this magnitude could not flourish without protection from influential individuals deep within the presidency of the republic. Whether that belief is justified is precisely why an impartial investigation is essential. If senior officials, security personnel or politically connected figures have enabled or benefited from this illicit trade, they must face the full force of the law. If they have not, a credible investigation is the only way to restore public confidence.

Cameroon’s mineral wealth belongs to its people and not to smugglers, corrupt officials or criminal syndicates. Ending the illegal gold trade requires political courage, transparent governance and an unwavering commitment to accountability. Cameroon deserves nothing less.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Chairman-Editor-In-Chief

20, July 2026

War in Iran: 17 US soldiers killed since end of ceasefire ⁰

A third US soldier has died, this time in Iraq, during what US Central Command called the “controlled detonation” of a downed Iranian drone.

It brings the number of US soldiers killed in fighting to 17. This comes as the war in Iran expands following the fallout of a 60-day ceasefire in early July.

The risk of a wider war in the Middle East is growing after authorities in Bahrain and Kuwait said they intercepted missiles and drones launched from Iran.

Air raid sirens also sounded in Jordan’s capital, Amman, while Israel said it detected Iranian missiles targeting the coastal city of Aqaba.

The escalation comes after the US Embassy in Jordan urged American citizens, in a social media post, to avoid Aqaba’s airport and seaport because of a specific and credible threat.

By Isong Asu in London

20, July 2026

Messi denied dream farewell as Argentina lose World Cup final to Spain ⁰

Lionel Messi could have ended all debate over who is the greatest player of all time by winning another World Cup with Argentina on Sunday, but he was left in tears following Spain’s 1-0 win.

Messi, now 39, dragged the holders to another final, scoring eight goals and also providing two assists in the dramatic late comeback against England in the semi-finals.

But the dream of lifting the trophy again, four years after he inspired Argentina to victory in Qatar, ultimately proved too good to be true.

Ten-man Argentina did not lay a glove on Spain at the MetLife Stadium, and were lucky to survive until the 106th minute, when Ferran Torres finally broke the deadlock.

The blunt South Americans struggled throughout the match and faced a huge challenge when Enzo Fernandez was sent off in stoppage time.

The final passed Messi by, and as he broke down in tears it was easy to think that he might have been much better off bowing out on that glorious night in Doha in 2022.

That victory allowed him to emulate Diego Maradona, who dragged Argentina to glory in 1986. But this time he emulated his legendary predecessor in a different way.

Maradona’s Argentina returned to the final as holders in 1990, only to deliver a dreadful, cynical display in losing 1-0 to West Germany, a game they finished with nine men.

They fouled their way through this game too, appearing to have no tactic other than to try to get under Spain’s skin.

Messi touched the ball only 54 times, with almost half of those coming in extra-time, and never looked like scoring the goal that would allow him to equal Kylian Mbappé’s overall World Cup record tally of 22.

Equalling Cafu

It was hard not to come to the conclusion that he ended up hindering his side once they were down to 10 men – he was left as their lone forward, when in any other circumstances coach Lionel Scaloni would surely have sent on the fresh legs of Lautaro Martinez in attack.

Argentina failed to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, but this was still a momentous day for Messi.

He became only the second player to appear in three World Cup finals, matching the achievement of Brazil great Cafu.

World Cup 2026: Argentine coach in tears after defeat to Spain

Pelé won three World Cups, but did not play in the 1962 final due to injury. Maradona played in two finals.

If Messi does still have any doubters, they may point to the fact that he has now lost two of his finals, with this defeat following the loss to Germany in 2014.

Sunday’s final took place back at the same stadium where he sensationally announced his retirement from international football aged 29 in 2016.

He had won more than 100 caps by then, and was already regarded as one of the greatest players of all time thanks to his achievements with Barcelona.

A game too far

But with Argentina he had already lost three major finals, including the 2014 World Cup final, when he came to the MetLife Stadium for the Copa America Centenario decider against Chile in 2016.

The game ended 0-0, before Messi missed his penalty in the shootout as Argentina lost again.

“For me the national team is over,” he said then.

He went on to enjoy an incredible late career revival with his country, winning the Copa America back-to-back in 2021 and 2024, either side of the 2022 World Cup.

The 2026 tournament in North America felt at first like a victory lap for Messi, as he scored a hat-trick in the opening game against Algeria and the goals kept flowing.

He now has more than 200 caps, and has played a record 34 World Cup games across a joint-record six tournaments.

Surely this will bring the curtain down on his World Cup career, given he will be into his 40s in 2030.

There may, however, be calls for him to keep playing for his country a little longer, especially as he has a contract with Inter Miami until 2028.

It has been a glorious career, but Sunday’s final was a game too far for Messi and Argentina.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

19, July 2026

Spain beat Argentina to win World Cup ⁰

Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game on Sunday as Spain beat 10-man Argentina 1-0 after extra-time to win their second World Cup.

The European champions dominated the match at the MetLife Stadium but struggled to find a breakthrough against the streetwise defending champions.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a string of saves to deny Spain, but the match changed complexion in second-half stoppage-time when midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second yellow card after a reckless tackle on Pau Cubarsi.

Extra-time followed a familiar pattern, with Spain probing for the opening goal against a deep-lying Argentina.

The breakthrough eventually came in the early moments of the second period of extra-time when substitute Torres finished crisply following a brilliant knock-back by Nico Williams.

Luis de la Fuente’s Spain conceded just one goal in seven matches on their way to the final, suffocating opponents with their slick possession game.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina battled their way through the knockout rounds, coming back from the dead against Egypt and recovering from a goal down to beat England in the semi-finals.

Source: AFP

19, July 2026

Lions: Christian Bassogog joins newly promoted Saudi Pro League outfit Al Faisaly ⁰

Cameroon international Christian Bassogog has secured a return to the Saudi Pro League after completing a move to newly promoted side Al Faisaly ahead of the 2026/27 season.

The experienced forward joins Al Faisaly as a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Al-Okhdood Club, where he spent the previous campaign in Saudi Arabia. His arrival is expected to strengthen the club’s attacking options as they prepare for life back in the top flight.

Bassogog arrives with a wealth of experience gained from playing in several leagues across Africa, Europe, and Asia. Renowned for his blistering pace, direct attacking style, and ability to play across the frontline, the Cameroonian is expected to play a key role in Al Faisaly’s bid to establish themselves in the Saudi Pro League following promotion.

The former Indomitable Lions star has been without a club since parting ways with Al-Okhdood, making him one of the notable free agents on the market before Al-Faisaly moved swiftly to secure his services.

His return to the Saudi top flight also provides the veteran attacker with another opportunity to showcase his qualities in one of Asia’s fastest-growing football competitions, which has attracted an increasing number of international stars in recent years.

Bassogog’s extensive experience at both club and international level is expected to prove invaluable for Al Faisaly, particularly as the club seeks stability and survival in a highly competitive league.

Having represented Cameroon on numerous occasions, including at the Africa Cup of Nations, Bassogog brings leadership, versatility, and a winning mentality to a squad eager to make its mark in the upcoming campaign.

Al-Faisaly will be hoping the addition of the seasoned forward provides the attacking firepower needed to compete against some of Saudi Arabia’s strongest clubs, with Bassogog expected to be one of the team’s key figures throughout the season.

Source: Africa Soccer

19, July 2026

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Gunmen kidnap seven passengers on the Bafoussam-Bamenda highway ⁰

Seven passengers were kidnapped in Cameroon’s Northwest region late Saturday, security sources reported Sunday.

The passengers were traveling from the town of Bafoussam, the capital of the West region, to Bamenda, the capital of the Northwest, when armed men intercepted their vehicle.

Family members told local media the abductors are demanding a ransom for their release.

Ransom kidnappings are common in the English-speaking Northwest, where separatists have clashed with government forces in a push for independence.

Police say travelers are frequently targeted by gunmen suspected to be separatist fighters.

Source: Xinhuanet

19, July 2026

Cameroon’s Afriland Bank opens in Central African Republic ⁰

Afriland First Bank, the lender founded by Cameroonian billionaire Paul Fokam Kammogne, has become the first Cameroonian bank to establish itself in the Central African Republic, opening a branch in a market where fewer than one in ten adults holds a bank account.

The bank announced the opening in a statement on July 15, saying the branch has been operational since June. It is capitalised at 2.15 billion CFA francs, about $3.7 million, and is headed by Zavier Ngueutheu, previously manager of Afriland’s branch in the Cameroonian city of Bertoua.

The move follows authorisation granted in December by the Central African Banking Commission, the regional regulator known as COBAC, under a single-licence regime that allows banks licensed in one member state of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community to open branches across the bloc without seeking separate approvals.

The market Afriland is entering is small but largely untapped. Banking assets in the Central African Republic stood at 519.6 billion CFA francs, roughly $907 million, at the end of 2025. The country has about six million people, only four commercial banks, and a banking penetration rate estimated at 7 percent, leaving the overwhelming majority of the population outside the formal financial system.

Afriland has set an ambitious target. The bank aims to capture 10 percent of deposits in the market by 2030, according to projections submitted to the regulator, and intends to focus on local businesses alongside Cameroonian companies already operating in the country. It plans to build out retail banking, corporate banking and digital services.

The scale of the parent bank dwarfs the market it is entering. Afriland First Bank is the largest Cameroonian bank by balance sheet, with total assets of 2.55 trillion CFA francs, about $4.45 billion, at the end of December, alongside 1.95 trillion francs in deposits and 1.667 trillion francs in outstanding loans. Its new Central African branch holds capital equivalent to a fraction of a percent of that balance sheet.

The opening is the first step in a broader regional push. Afriland is preparing to enter Chad before the end of the year and has signalled plans for the Republic of Congo, markets it has targeted for several years but could not easily reach until the regional licensing rules were eased. The bank said its presence in the Central African Republic reflects a determination to support states, industrialists, investors and individuals across the monetary bloc with banking solutions and local expertise.

Fokam has been building toward this for decades. He founded the institution in 1986 as Caisse Commune d’Epargne et d’Investissement, securing its banking licence in July 1987 with initial capital of 300 million CFA francs, and renamed it Afriland First Bank in 2002. Its capital has grown to 50 billion francs. He has written about the resistance he faced from Cameroonian officials in the bank’s earliest days, describing repeated attempts to seek intervention from President Paul Biya to obtain the authorisation he needed.

The group now spans much of the continent. Afriland operates subsidiaries in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Liberia, South Sudan, Sao Tome and Principe, Benin and Zambia, and has held interests in Uganda. The holding company, Afriland First Group, is based in Geneva and chaired by Fokam, a structure that has drawn periodic criticism from the regional central bank.

His influence extends beyond commercial banking. Fokam built a network of self-managed microfinance cooperatives known as MC2, designed to extend financial services into rural Cameroonian communities, a project he has described as the achievement he is proudest of. The group also runs an investment vehicle, Afriland First Holding, launched in Togo in 2022, which structured a roughly 800 billion CFA franc agro-industrial and power project signed with the Central African government and an Indian industrial partner last year.

That project helps explain the timing of the branch opening. Afriland was already involved in arranging large-scale investment in the Central African Republic before it had a banking presence there, and a local branch gives it the ability to service those transactions directly rather than through correspondent arrangements.

The expansion comes as the group rebuilds its footprint in Central Africa. Afriland had retreated to a single Cameroonian subsidiary in the region after Equatorial Guinea’s government bought out its stake in CCEI Bank GE, a transaction valued at about 44.7 million euros that made the state the majority shareholder in that country’s largest bank.

Fokam, now in his seventies, remains chief executive of the bank he founded and is counted among the wealthiest people in Cameroon. The Central African branch is the first tangible result of a regional strategy that has been years in preparation, and its performance against the 2030 deposit target will indicate whether the rest of the plan can follow.

Source: Billionaire.Africa