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Algeria announces presidential election candidates despite protesters’ opposition

3, November 2019

Algeria announces presidential election candidates despite protesters’ opposition 0

Five candidates will run in Algeria’s presidential election next month, including two former prime ministers, the head of the election authority said on Saturday, amid mass protests rejecting the vote.

The authorities have repeatedly said the Dec. 12 vote would be the only way to get out of a crisis Algeria been facing since the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April under pressure from protesters.

Candidates for the Dec. 12 election include former prime ministers Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Ali Benflis, former culture minister Azzedddine Mihoubi, former tourism minister Abdelkader Bengrine, and Abdelaziz Belaid, head of the El Mostakbal Movement party.

They were announced by Mohamed Chorfi, head of the election authority.

Twenty-three candidates had applied to the election authority, but most failed to meet requirements which include collecting signatures from 25 of the country’s 48 provinces. Those who were rejected will be allowed to file appeals.

Tens of thousands of protesters have been staging weekly demonstrations to reject the election, saying it will not be fair as some of former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s allies are still in power.

Bouteflika ended his 20-year-rule in April after mass protests broke out on Feb. 22 demanding the removal of the ruling elite and the prosecution of people involved in corruption.

The army is now the main player in Algeria’s politics, and its chief of staff Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaed Salah has vowed transparency and fairness for the Dec. 12 vote.

The authorities also met some protesters’ demands by detaining several former officials including two ex-prime ministers and several prominent businessmen over corruption charges.

Protesters now also demand the departure of the remaining symbols of the old guard including interim president Abdelkader Bensalah and Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui.

Algeria had canceled a presidential vote previously planned for July 4, citing a lack of candidates.

“There will be full transparency in the handling of the presidential election,” Chorfi said.

(REUTERS)

UK: Thousands of Scots rally for independence

3, November 2019

UK: Thousands of Scots rally for independence 0

Thousands rallied in Glasgow on Saturday calling for Scotland to become an independent country, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon telling the crowds that their goal was “within touching distance”.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) leader was the headline speaker at the event in George Square, the first time she has addressed an independence rally since the 2014 referendum campaign, with a crucial general election looming next month.

“Make no mistake, the general election we face now on December 12 is the most important election for Scotland in our lifetimes,” she told the crowds.

“The future of our country is on the line.

“We must come out in our numbers and vote in this election,” she added, insisting that the “prize” of independence was “within touching distance.”

“We must seize that prize,” she urged.

Sturgeon is expected, before Christmas, to formally ask Johnson for a Section 30 order, which would give Scotland’s devolved government permission to stage a referendum.

Supporters waved the St Andrews cross emblazoned with the word “Yes” and Catalan flags in solidarity with the fellow independence campaign.

Others wore kilts and played bagpipes, including one musician who had flames leaping from his instrument.Scotland voted against independence in a 2014 referendum by 55 percent.

But nationalists argue that the 2016 British referendum in favour of Brexit means another independence referendum is necessary — because Scotland voted by 62 percent to stay in the European Union.

Nationalists also argue that some people voted against independence thinking it would guarantee their place inside the EU.

Sturgeon promised supporters on Saturday to “lead you to an independence reference next year”.

“It’s time for Scotland to choose our own future, time for Scotland to be an independent country,” she added.

A small number of pro-Union protesters carrying Union Jack flags staged a counter-demonstration.

(AFP)

UK: Labour leader says Trump benefits from a no-deal Brexit

3, November 2019

UK: Labour leader says Trump benefits from a no-deal Brexit 0

UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has accused US President Donald Trump of meddling in UK politics “to get his friend” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson elected.

Corbyn made the remarks on Saturday in Swindon, a town in southwest England, during his campaign for a general election to be held on December 12.

“Donald Trump is trying to interfere in Britain’s election to get his friend Boris Johnson elected,” Corbyn said on Twitter.

Corbyn added if Trump “isn’t pleased at the prospect of a Labour government being elected in Britain”, then he’s “entitled to his choice,” adding that he’s willing to speak with Trump in order to discuss his stance on climate change policies.

Corbyn’s comments came after Trump told Nigel Farage’s radio show that it would be “so bad” if Corbyn was elected prime minister.

During their conversation, the US leader said, “Corbyn would be so bad for your country. He’d be so bad, he’d take you in such a bad way. He’d take you into such bad places”.

PressTV-UK election campaign begins

Corbyn has promised to leave the European Union with a customs union, trade agreement and dynamic protection if he wins the election.

He further promised to hold a referendum at the end of a three-month period to determine whether Britons want to leave the bloc or not.

Britain was scheduled to leave the EU on October 31. However, the country’s parliamentarians did not approve Johnson’s deal with the bloc, prompting the EU to extend the Brexit deadline.

Johnson then called for a general election.

PressTV-Brexit Party ultimatum an opening for Corbyn

Recent surveys have speculated that after the general election, no single party will hold a majority of seats in parliament.

The Conservatives are projected to fill 35% of seats in parliament after the general election, while the Brexit Party is projected to win 13% of seats, according to a recent YouGov survey.

If the Brexit Party splits the Leave vote, Corbyn could end up as the new prime minister. Mr. Corbyn is hoping to curry support from the Scottish National Party and Liberal Democrats, who may be able to act as a “kingmaker” when the final results come in.

Source: Presstv

Biya regime in downward spiral while Ambazonia resistance multiplying gains

2, November 2019

Biya regime in downward spiral while Ambazonia resistance multiplying gains 0

Ambazonia Vice President Dabney Yerima says the French Cameroun government under the 86 year old Paul Biya is now in a downward spiral following US President Donald Trump’s decision to terminate its eligibility for trade preference benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), as of January 1, 2020, due to persistent gross violations of internationally recognized human rights in Southern Cameroons.

Comrade Dabney Yerima told a cream of reporters late on Friday that it was enormously satisfying for the Ambazonia Interim Government that the US President spoke of persistent human rights violations being committed by Cameroonian security forces. These violations included extrajudicial killings, arbitrary and unlawful detention, and torture of Southern Cameroonians.

Dabney Yerima observed that for three years, the French Cameroun soldiers have not been able to defeat the Ambazonia Self Defense Forces and they are currently stuck. On the contrary, he added, the Southern Cameroons resistance is thriving and actively expanding to pro Yaoundé Southern Cameroons CPDM barons.

Vice President Dabney Yerima also appealed to Washington to play a direct role in the crisis that has rocked the two Cameroons.  Yerima launched a scathing attack on the Yaoundé regime that has created armed militia groups all over the Federal Republic of Ambazonia.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Rugby World Cup: Historic black captain leads South Africa to victory

2, November 2019

Rugby World Cup: Historic black captain leads South Africa to victory 0

Siya Kolisi, became the first black captain of the South African rugby team, the springboks; to lead them to a world cup title.

He led his charges out a the Yokohama International Stadium in Japan where the competition was taking place. In the end, his team thrashed opponents England to win the title for the third time in the country’s history.

The Springboks also join New Zealand as joint-top winners – each with three trophies to their name. South Africa had previously won the trophy in 1995 and 2007.

Throwback photos to when 1995 and 2007 when then presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki received the winning trophy.

South African President Nelson Mandela ® hands over the William Webb Ellis Cup to Springbok captain Francois Pienaar after his team defeated New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final June 24, 1995.

South Africa’s rugby captain John Smith (L) hands their World Cup trophy to President Thabo Mbeki at the Union Building in Pretoria before the Springboks paraded through the streets of Pretoria and Johannesburg October 26,2007.

Match Report

Wingers Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe scored South Africa’s first tries in a World Cup final as the Springboks out-gunned England 32-12 to win the trophy for the third time and reassert the supremacy of the southern hemisphere on Saturday.

Superb game management, set piece dominance, brutal defence and almost flawless place-kicking looked like being enough to see off an England side that had dismantled the double defending champion All Blacks in the semi-finals last week.

Mapimpi has been in prolific form this year, however, and he showed the South Africans can play a bit with ball in hand too when he finished off a try created by his own chip-through in the 66th minute.

Kolbe added the second try eight minutes later, skipping past the tackle of Owen Farrell on the wing and racing away to touch down to the delight of the South Africans in the crowd of 70,103.

Flyhalf Handre Pollard had already given the South Africans a clear lead from six penalties and he added the two conversions to take his match tally to 22.

While tactics were as traditional as the dark green Springbok shirt, the team was far more representative of a multi-racial nation than those of 1995 and 2007 and Siya Kolisi is the first black captain to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.

England came into the match with huge expectations after the New Zealand win but only offered flashes of the brilliant all-pitch game which undid the All Blacks last week.

Head coach Eddie Jones, who was in charge of Australia when England won their only World Cup in 2003, becomes the first coach to lose two finals.

Flyhalf Farrell kicked four penalties for England but they were chasing the match all evening and hanging on doggedly trying to contain the rampant Springboks by the end.

The English suffered a huge blow when prop Kyle Sinckler went off with concussion in the third minute leaving their scrum all but uncompetitive against the Springbok pack.

South Africa made the most of the weakness, winning a string of scrum penalties and building a foundation that enabled their wingers to seal the victory in the last 15 minutes.

The Springboks became the first team to lose a pool match at a World Cup and go on to win it, having lost to the All Blacks in their tournament opener at the same Yokohama International Stadium.

Source: Africa News

Monaco: French Cameroun Foreign Minister meets Armenian counterpart

2, November 2019

Monaco: French Cameroun Foreign Minister meets Armenian counterpart 0

Armenian FM Zohrab Mnatsakanyan had a meeting with Cameroon Foreign Minister Lejeune Mbella Mbella within the 36th Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie in Monaco.

The FMs expressed mutual readiness to work together to enrich the bilateral agenda and make full use of the great potential existing in Armenian-Cameroon relations. The importance of holding consultations between the FMs and activating high-level contacts and mutual visits were highlighted.

The two expressed satisfaction with the cooperation and mutual support established within international structures.

In this context, the partners particularly referred to the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie as an important platform for expanding cooperation in the Francophone region.

The Ministers discussed the results of the 36th Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie, the priorities of the Armenian Presidency and the joint work planned within them.

Source: News Armenia

CPDM Crime Syndicate: Dr Efande John Lyonga is Interim Mayor of Buea

2, November 2019

CPDM Crime Syndicate: Dr Efande John Lyonga is Interim Mayor of Buea 0

Dr. Efande John Lyonga has been appointed interim mayor of the Buea Council for a period of sixty days before a fresh election is held.

He was appointed on Wednesday October 30th by the French Cameroun Senior Divisional Officer of Fako, Emmanuel Ledoux Engamba following the death of Patrick Ekema Esunge on Sunday.

Voted in as second deputy mayor of the council in 2013, he was elevated to first deputy on July 27, 2019 after the late Ekema Patrick masterminded a council session vote of no confidence on Emmanuel Motomby Mbome

The interim mayor will now run the affairs of the council for sixty days before fresh elections will be conducted to get the successor of Patrick Ekema Esunge.

Source: Journal du Cameroun

US: Democrats say impeachment rules for Trump same as they were for Nixon and Clinton

1, November 2019

US: Democrats say impeachment rules for Trump same as they were for Nixon and Clinton 0

After a historic vote in the US House of Representatives that approved rules for the next steps in the impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump, Democrats denied accusations by Republicans that the rules are unfair. 

US Representative Adam Schiff, a Democrat serving for California’s 28th congressional district and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said Thursday the impeachment process rules for Trump are the same as they were for former Presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton.

“The rules are very much the same as they were during the Nixon impeachment, during the Clinton impeachment,” Schiff told “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell.

“All they have to argue is process and even the president has acknowledged that’s a failure.”

The House of Representatives passed a resolution on Thursday to formally proceed with the impeachment inquiry against Trump, ushering in a new phase of the investigation that poses the greatest threat to Trump’s presidency to date.

The lower chamber of Congress, which is controlled by Democrats, passed the measure largely along party lines, 232 to 196, to formalize the process. Only two Democrats, along with all Republicans, voted against the resolution.

Republican members of the House denounced the resolution as a “Soviet-style” nature of the investigation. 

“Maybe in the Soviet Union, you do things like this where only you make the rules, where you reject the ability for the person you’re accusing to even be in the room,” said House Minority Whip Steve Scalise.

Schiff said he’s also concerned about “the president’s threats” to the whistleblower who brought attention to Trump’s call with Ukraine’s leader.

“I’ve made it clear to all the colleagues on our committee that we will not be a part of and we will not permit questioning that is designed to out this whistleblower so that the president can exact political retribution,” Schiff said. “I would hope that members on both sides of the aisle would be speaking out about the need to protect whistleblowers, this one and others.”

Nigerian Immigrant who travelled to the US using a Cameroonian passport tells President Trump to build wall to cut out illegal immigration

1, November 2019

Nigerian Immigrant who travelled to the US using a Cameroonian passport tells President Trump to build wall to cut out illegal immigration 0

A Nigerian immigrant who travelled to the United States of America using a Cameroonian passport has called on President Donald Trump to ‘build the wall’ on the United States-Mexico border in order to keep illegal immigrants from entering the USA.

According to President Trump, Ben Okereke immigrated to the United States when he was 14 years old after facing ‘hardships” in Cameroon.  Okereke who later joined the U.S. Army said that he was opposed to illegal immigration just like President Trump.

While delivering remarks at the Young Black Leadership Summit 2019 on Friday, Trump introduced Okereke who went on to say,

“First of all, Mr President, we would like to thank you for everything that you’ve done for the African American community so far. We thank you for criminal justice reform. We thank you for the lowest black unemployment rate in this country, sir. And finally, most importantly, sir, thank you for saving America and thank you. Finally, sir, thank you for taking down the fake news media, sir.  We want you to build the wall, sir. Frankly, because we don’t oppose immigration — but we oppose illegal immigration. So we want you to come to this country legally if you’re going to come to this country.”

However, Okereke’s remarks did not go down with some Africans, and in particular, Cameroonians after it was erroneously reported on social media that Okereke himself had entered the US illegally.

Okereke, an Igbo from Nigeria is being accused of adding his voice to Trump’s at the expense of other Africans because he is enjoying America but wants to deny other people the same chance that he got.

Death toll in French Cameroun war on Southern Cameroons hits 20,500

1, November 2019

Death toll in French Cameroun war on Southern Cameroons hits 20,500 0

The French Cameroun-led war on Southern Cameroons has killed more than 20,500 people since the Francophone leader Paul Biya declared war on the 30th of November 2017, an Ambazonia Interim Government (IG) database project that tracks La Republique du Cameroun violence in the Federal Republique of Ambazonia has revealed.

The Ambazonia leader President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe earlier made a similar revelation during a conversation with the Paris-based Jeune Afrique, saying that as a result of the on-going genocide in the Southern Cameroons (Ambazonia), an estimated 20,000 people have been killed, over 280 towns and villages have been burnt down, over 120,000 people are seeking refuge in Nigeria and further afield, over 1million people are  internally displaced or living in bushes and over 3,000 persons incarcerated in prisons and detention facilities.

The Southern Cameroons Interim Government also noted that over 4.5. Million Southern Cameroonians are at risk of famine.  The IG report said the well documented statistic has made the Southern Cameroons conflict the deadliest ever since the genocide in Rwanda.

A spokesperson for the exiled Ambazonia Vice President Dabney Yerima was quoted as saying that the post Major National Dialogue period remains the most lethal month, with over 500 reported killed in Menchum, Bui and Bali.

Immediately after his meeting with French President Macron in Lyon, France, French Cameroun head of state President Biya ordered the Francophone dominated army to carryout raids in Mezam, Manyu and Ndian counties.

The Ambazonia Interim Government also said French Cameroun soldiers from Beti-Ewondo and Bulu extractions were directly responsible for more than 19, 000 Southern Cameroons civilian deaths over the past three years.

The IG data which was handed to Vice President Dabney Yerima by the department for Homeland Security last week, covers everything from shelling and ground battles involving elements of the French Cameroun’s Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) and the French Cameroun gendarmerie.

Cameroon Intelligence Report understands that the figures do not include Southern Cameroonians who have died in the humanitarian disasters caused by the Biya war, particularly those living in the bushes.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday wrote to congress about his decision in accordance with section 506A(a)(3)(B) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2466a(a)(3)(B)) to terminate the designation of La Republique du Cameroun as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

“I am taking this step because I have determined that the Government of Cameroon currently engages in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, contravening the eligibility requirements of section 104 of the AGOA” President Trump said.

The Biya war has also taken a heavy toll on Southern Cameroons infrastructure, destroying hospitals, schools, and agro-industrial plants.

France and the Buhari administration in the Federal Republic of Nigeria are the main supporters of the Biya regime with the French government providing Yaounde with money, training and logistical support.

By Asu Isong with additional reporting from Chi Prudence Asong

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