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21, February 2019

Chantal Biya Crisis: Paris-based Jeune Afrique comes under attack ⁰

A consortium of French Cameroun media houses have denounced the pan African newspaper Jeune Afrique for fabricating lies against first lady Chantal Biya. Most of the French Cameroun publications that constantly receive bribes from the Yaounde regime recently observed that each year the Paris-based Pan-African magazine attacks one important individual in the Biya regime.

In some of the editorials, the Francophone publications noted that, ignorant of the political realities of Cameroon, Jeune Afrique indicated in a web of lies that it is the first lady Chantal Biya who is running the nation by imposing her kinsmen and women on the head of state.

In addressing the crisis created in Yaounde by Jeune Afrique, Le Journal showered praises on Chantal Biya and pointed out that she remains an icon of the Cameroonian nation. Marie Claire Nnana, who now heads the CPDM government’s daily “Cameroon-Tribune”, stated that accession to power in Cameroon is governed by constitutional rules.

“L’Anecdote” and “L’Epervier” both reported that Jeune Afrique has been recruited by enemies of the Biya regime to destabilise Cameroon. For all these French Cameroun newspapers, Cameroonians are not superficial and know how to avoid the pitfalls.

A Jeune Afrique investigation had revealed that first lady Chantal Biya was positioning her kinsmen and women in leading government departments. Among them, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, Minister Secretary-General of the presidency of the republic, the most powerful member of the Chantal Biya galaxy who was made minister of state on the 4th of January.

There is also Pierre Ismael Bidoung Mkpatt Minister of Sports, (his wife Habissou Bidoung Mkpatt is in the circle of the closest to the first lady) and Oswald Baboke, (originally from the East and not Nanga-Eboko as the wife of the Cameroonian president). Oswald Baboke is the deputy director of the civil cabinet, responsible for the private affairs of the first lady. Baboke is currently one of Cameroon’s most influential leaders.

Last month, a large number of Cameroon government ministers appointed on the 4th of January 2019 traveled to Nanga-Eboko, Chantal Biya’s hometown and stronghold of Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh for a meeting of thanks to the head of state for appointing them into the government.

Rita Akana and Sama Ernest

21, February 2019

Ambazonia Restoration attacks kill 2 in Littoral region ⁰

At least two people were killed in an attack blamed on Ambazonian Restoration Forces in Douala, the country’s economic metropolis. Cameroon government sources hinted that unidentified gunmen staged an attack late on Sunday in the locality of Mombo, (Littoral) bordering the Southwest region.

“Two people were killed in a shooting incident in the night on Sunday in Mombo. The attack was perpetrated by gunmen who came on board motorcycles from the Southwest region “said Samuel Ivaha Diboua, governor of the Littoral region in French Cameroun.

The governor further noted that a massive response from the defense and security forces sent the armed Ambazonia fighters away from the region.

Cameroon Concord News understands this is the second Ambazonian attack inside French Cameroun’s Littoral territory. In July 2018, the gendarmerie post at Penda Mboko, near Mbanga came under attack from Ambazonian fighters.

On the 23^rd of December 2018, Southern Cameroons Restoration Forces in the Northern Zone of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia attacked villages in the Bangourain district, bordering the northwest. More than 80 houses were burned during this attack.

Since the end of October 2016, at least 347,000 people have fled the violence in Southern Cameroons between defense forces and Ambazonia Restoration Forces. The number of Cameroon government forces killed in the fighting by Southern Cameroons Self-Defense groups remains unknown.

By Sama Ernest in Douala

20, February 2019

French Cameroun: Biya and Senate President Niat Cannot Cure Old Age ⁰

French Cameroun political elites including opposition parties in Cameroun are viewing President Paul Biya and Senate President, Marcel Niat’s latest impromptu visits to Europe-Biya to Geneva and Niat to Paris for medical check-ups as a sign that both nonagenarian Francophone leaders can no longer cope and should step down and pave way for some new and energetic blood to take over in French Cameroun.

A cream of French Cameroun political elites have recently opined that President Biya, Senate President Marcel Niat and House Speaker Cavaye Yegue Djibril’s old age issues are costing Cameroun heavily and their frequent visits to Europe for medical care are draining the already dry state coffers because the trio including other barons of the CPDM crime syndicate spends millions of Euros on every trip, and all that money is taken from a country where people are dying from mosquito bites and thousands are being killed in Southern Cameroons.

Cameroon Intelligence Report correspondent in Yaounde said Amadou Ali who moonlighted as Vice Prime Minister in charge of Relations with the Assemblies was forced to leave the cabinet due to a lot of health-related challenges. Martin Belinga Eboutou reportedly left the country for Canada and we gathered from family sources that his time on earth is drawing to a close.

After his 86^th birthday celebration in Mvomeka’a, many French Cameroun CPDM barons were heard murmuring privately that Biya must rest because at 86 – he cannot keep up with the demands of the highest office in the country.

We understand Biya and Niat trips to Europe to seek treatment for their age-related health problems are costing the country millions of dollars. Europe is the most expensive destinations in the world but the ruling CPDM crime syndicate spends the tax payers’ money without any shame.

Speaking after seeing a picture of Senate President Niat on social media and that of President Biya recently, our senior international correspondent Chi Prudence Asong pointed out that old age has no cure and Biya, Niat and Cavaye should realise that and do themselves and Cameroon a favour by retiring now.

“Biya, Niat and Cavaye are not doing anyone a favour at this moment. They are doing Cameroon a major disservice. They have become major national liabilities and we say they should call it a day. Biya’s Beti Ewondo kinsmen and women are looting with passion and he has no control over them that is why they want him to die in office.”

In his 36 years in power, Paul Biya has been spending more time out of the country than in and this is a national security threat because Cameroon can no longer afford to have a commander-in-chief who is always absent.

By Rita Akana and Kingsley Betek in Yaounde

20, February 2019

Cameroon: Football players strike over two-year unpaid dues ⁰

Cameroonian first and second division players have been organizing several strikes over the past few weeks to pressure the country’s FA into settling outstanding payments owed to them since the 2017/2018 season.

Geremi Njitap, the president of the National Syndicate of Footballers in Cameroon (NSFC) and former Indomitable Lions captain, filed a complaint to FIFA on 5 February asking them to intervene and settle the matter.

“We are asking you to take urgent measures to ensure that the salaries and bonuses of the players from 24 clubs should be paid according to their contractual obligations,” FIFA said on Monday in a letter addressed to the Cameroonian FA. The world governing body has set a 4 March date to solve the issue.

The threat has resonated well, with the government allocating 84 million Cameroonian francs as a first tranche for the clubs. Cameroonian clubs rely heavily on allocations from the state, which have been stalled over the past two years, and some sponsorship deals.

According to a letter published by the NSFC on Tuesday, each Ligue 1 club will receive three million while second-division teams will get two million, to be spent exclusively on salaries.

Ghanasoccernet

20, February 2019

4 injured in major Swiss avalanche, no known deaths so far ⁰

A major avalanche has buried skiers on a busy slope of the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, injuring four people, including one whose life is in danger, but there are no known fatalities so far, officials say.

Eight helicopters, 12 dogs, and more than 240 police, rescuers, and soldiers worked to find any more people enveloped in the snow as night fell.

“Rescuers arrived very quickly on the scene. They rescued four injured people, including one whose life is in danger, and three were injured more superficially,” Valais cantonal police commander Christian Varone told a news conference.

“Witnesses told us there could be more people buried under the snow, that is why we are pursuing the search with considerable means.”

He said the avalanche was 840 meters long and 100 meters wide, with 400 meters of heavy snow hitting the piste.

Frederic Favre, head of the Valais department of police and justice, said no one was known to have been killed.

Earlier, the Nouvelliste, a local newspaper, quoted the commune’s president Nicolas Feraud as saying 10 to 12 people were believed to be trapped.

The avalanche, in mid-afternoon, came after a week of warmer temperatures began melting heavy snow. But the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research said the danger for the area had been only at level two on a scale of five on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Catherine Seppey said that an investigation had been opened. “There are two hypotheses. The first is that several skiers set off the avalanche. The second hypothesis is it was a spontaneous avalanche due to climatic conditions, and in that case it will be a question of determining responsibilities and problems of security,” she said.

The site of an avalanche is pictured in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on February 19, 2019. (Photo by Reuters)

Philippe Magistretti, president of the Crans-Montana ski lift company, told Reuters by telephone that army personnel who were in the resort had joined the rescue effort.

“The amount of snow is incredible, two meters deep and 300 meters long. It’s a spring avalanche, which is very compact,” the Nouvelliste quoted one unnamed rescue worker as saying. Rescue dogs had not found anyone during a first search, he added.

The avalanche coincided with school holidays in some cantons, including Geneva, as well as overseas. Britain’s Blackheath High School tweeted that all its students on a ski trip in the area were safe.

The resort is scheduled to host two World Cup women’s races this weekend.

Marius Robyr, in charge of organizing the races, was quoted in Tuesday’s Tribune de Geneve, before the avalanche, as saying there was 1 to 1.5 meters of snow on La Nationale ski piste. He said it was closed to tourists ahead of the practice sessions and downhill and combined races.

“Our only ‘enemy’ is the sun,” he said.

(Source: Reuters)

20, February 2019

The Interim Government of Ambazonia: By the peoples’ will ⁰

Cameroon Concord News Group now has empirical evidence of the unwavering support by an overwhelming majority of Ambazonians for the Interim Government of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia despite the public disagreement between two cabinet members of the Interim Government.

The disagreement which was predictable might not have been entirely of the making of the two key members of the Interim Government Hon Chris Anu the Communication Secretary and Hon Tabenyang, the Treasury Secretary. The public disagreements arose from matters and circumstances which in fairness to both Honourable gentlemen, were beyond their control. Cameroon Concord News Group and indeed most Ambazonians have observed that despite their disagreement, the two cabinet members avoided any misstep which could have threatened the Interim Government. This was the right thing to do. Indeed, governmental discipline, the integrity and confidentiality of governmental action in times of a genocidal war, appeared to have been in the minds of the two Honourable Gentlemen as they delivered measured public statements on the matters, they held strong views about.

The question may be asked, should the matters in controversy have been addressed in public? In normal circumstances, the answer will be in the positive, considering the need for transparency in democratic governance that Ambazonians hope to reinstall in Buea. Should the issues have been brought up now when Ground Zero requires undivided attention? Ambazonians are divided in their answers? Cameroon Concord News Group will not take a position whether it was right or wrong to bring up the problems concerning the treasury and the ABC TV network now. Indeed, the trigger for the public disagreement arose from a meeting which was neither convened by Communications Secretary Hon Chris Anu nor the Treasury Secretary Hon Tabenyang Brado. Yet the public exposure of their hither fore internal cabinet disagreement arose because of this meeting over which they had not control.

One way or the other, the fallout from that meeting was bound to come out considering the matters on the agenda. The fact that persons who were not members of the cabinet were involved in the meeting was bound to bring about friction or aggravate existing frictions. Disagreements are not uncommon in every government. The two governmental portfolios of the IG are sensitive and matters coming within the mandate of each of the departments must entail profound security considerations. The treasury portfolio of the Interim Government cannot be expected to disclose in public or in that meeting which was presided over by the President, His Excellency Sisiku Ayuk Tabe sensitive information relating to overt and covert security operations undertaken for securing the Ambazonia homeland. Cameroon Concord News Group therefore is of the considered opinion that Secretary Tabenyang provided just enough information for the public record, to await the scrutiny of the exchequer through routine governmental procedure if the Interim Government so desires.

Hon. Tabenyang Brado was bound to provide this information not because Hon Chris Anu raised the matter publicly. Far from that! The fact that cabinet level matters came for discussion under unusual circumstances and in a French Cameroun potentially compromised environment, was a potential trigger for these records to become a potential source of controversy in different theatres. Among these are persons who have evinced every attempt to undermine or topple the Interim Government from the very inception. That was an unusual environment and unusual audience to discuss appropriation matters including that relating to the funding of ABC television network.

It may be suggested that the meeting was enlarged to include supposed county heads. But then governmental practice require that appropriation and policy matters are best discussed in the cabinet; in time of war, within the national security council comprising members of the cabinet and certain individuals. Had that occurred, the simmering tensions within the cabinet that existed but had the possibility of containment would not have elicited consequential reactions which the convenors did not anticipate or could not control.

The issues on the table were matters that required wide grass root consultation. A mere vote among participants was never going to be considered binding by the Ambazonia Diaspora and ground zero grassroots. That had the potential to polarize the citizenry on the watch of the President. There is a significant Ambazonia public interest imperative to make far reaching consultations before attempting to take a decision on the proposed endorsement of the ANPN conference and the proposed merger of ABC TV and SCBC.

A governmental communication network is not just about TV appearances. It has significant intelligence and security implications. A government TV or news agency is but the public face of an elaborate cobweb of security and intelligence operations. It is a platform, a conduit and a governmental outreach to multiple complex international relations. No government in time of war will lightly relinquish its sovereignty over its communication policy of which a TV channel and other communication networks are key components. Relying on the social media over which it has no control, will be reckless and humiliating.

Can the meeting which triggered this public disagreement between cabinet departments of the Interim Government be entirely blamed for the contentious outcome that has caused anxiety to many Ambazonians? Had to say! While the meeting was probably ill-conceived, it begs one issue that requires urgent attention by the Interim Government. Cameroon Concord News Group has taken the position that the meeting ought not to be organized from a constraining environment controlled by the enemy. The risk of the enemy generating hurtful intelligence from this meeting, there is a risk that French Cameroun may point to this meeting to discount or challenge the complaints that the condition of detention of the President are inhuman and violates international human rights.

The fact that this meeting occurred may be suggestive of the inexistence of a highly classified mechanism to brief the President on important matters requiring his attention and counsel. The Interim Government must therefore put in place a highly classified and security sensitive mechanism for briefing the President His Excellency Sisiku Ayuk Tabe. In fairness to Hon Chris Anu, he is on record as stating over ABC Television that when and if negotiations or the all-inclusive dialogue with French Cameroun hold, it must be Sisiku Ayuk Tabe who will lead the Ambazonia delegation. He insistently stated that there will not be negotiations or all- inclusive dialogue without the unconditional release of the President, members of the IG in captivity and all Southern Cameroonians/ Ambazonians help in captivity.

These policy statements critically undercut the misstatements of persons of bad faith who are interpreting the public disagreement which are common in democratic governments as undermining His Excellency the President,Sisiku Ayuk Tabe. It was not disaffection that motivated the mission to Nigeria by Hon Chris Anu to declare the battle for the release of the President and members of the Interim Government. It was not disdain or disaffection that motivated his ABC TV statement about the release of His Excellency Ayuk Tabe to lead the Ambazonia negotiating team in any internationally organized all-inclusive dialogue with French Cameroon.

The ongoing public disagreement has provided an opportunity for an overwhelming majority of Ambazonians to reaffirm their support for their Interim Government and the Acting President His Excellency Samuel Sako. In coming to this conclusion, Cameroon Concord News Group analyzed the criticisms laid against His Excellency Samuel Sako by friends, foes and opponents of the Interim Government. The interest of the foes of the Interim Government has been to wish that the public disagreement leads to the collapse of the Interim Government. It is ironic that these anti-Interim Government forces are so desperate to seek the endorsement of the Interim Government which they have publicly professed their determination to overthrow along with the established order.

The criticisms that had merit were brought to the attention of His Excellency the Acting Interim President Samuel Sako and the public at large. An overwhelming majority of Ambazonians considered the criticisms in good faith but nevertheless expressed their support for the Interim Government and the continued leadership of the Acting President His Excellency Samuel Sako. When Cameroon Concord News Group published these expressed wishes of the Ambazonia ground zero and diaspora masses, as expected, power mongers who believed that Cameroon Concord News Group had swept the carpet beneath their feet by bringing the criticisms of the Acting President to the public domain as well as the overwhelming public continued support for his leadership and the Interim Government, expressed bitterness at Cameroon Concords News Groups. Cameroon Concord News Group stands by this balanced, fair and candid statement reflecting the public mode, public interest and the opinion of a majority of Ambazonians.

An overwhelming majority of Ambazonians have expressed the same sentiments regarding the public disagreement between Hon Tabenyang and Hon Chris An. They, consider the disagreement as an internal cabinet matter which they want to see resolved and resolved fast. The subject of disagreement between the two cabinet members should have been resolved without a major disagreement, had a well-designed policy towards the development of the Ambazonia patrimony been designed and implemented. They request that one should be designed with immediate effect. The current direct public appeal for Ambazonians to contribute towards the funding and running of ABC TV would have provided an alternative source of financing. Now that the appeal is ongoing, Cameroon Concord News Group strongly urges Ambazonians to contribute generously. In this age of technology where international diplomatic opinion is informed by serious media communication, the Interim Government of Ambazonia cannot depend on the social media to make a compelling rendition of its strong case to governments and international public opinion.

Some social media activists have developed the use of insults and reckless language to define informed disagreement. Secretary Chris Anu and Secretary Tabenyang have demonstrated to these social media activists that reasonable persons may strongly disagree without rocking the boat and destroying the Interim Government which has wide international and national audiences and has compel reasonable international attention. For this reason, Cameroon Concord News Group calls on His Excellency the Acting President Samuel Sako to quickly take this disagreement out of the public domain and get the two members of the cabinet of the Interim Government to heed to the opinion of Ambazonians and resolve outstanding issues as quickly as possible.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Chairman/Editor-in-Chief

19, February 2019

Southern Cameroons kidnap: 170 students freed ⁰

Cameroonian students and school staff who were kidnapped on Saturday have been freed, the Bishop of Kumbo has told the BBC. A total of 176 people, mostly students, were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen at Saint Augustin’s College in Kumbo, in the North West region of Cameroon.

They were released on Sunday after negotiations. It is the largest school kidnapping in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions since separatist unrest began in 2017.

Human Rights Watch has accused rebel groups of being behind the kidnapping but they have not yet commented. They have said previous abductions were staged by the government to damage their reputation.

The gunmen entered the campus of Saint Augustine’s College Nso on Saturday morning and seized 170 students, two security guards, a teacher and three of his children, the Diocesan Director of Communications said in a statement.

Rev Elvis Nsaikila added that the authorities of the boarding school had requested parents and guardians to take their children back home as soon as possible as “the school has closed down”. The Bishop of Kumbo, Georges Nkuo, confirmed to BBC Afrique that the church officials had negotiated the release of the hostages on the condition that the school would shut.

“If the army had intervened, there would have been deaths,” he said. Saturday’s school attack was not the first in the restive Anglophone North West region.

A similar incident took place in November last year in the regional headquarter, Bamenda, where more than 80 people, including the principal, a teacher, a driver and 79 students, were kidnapped from the Presbyterian Secondary School Nkwen.

The abduction of the school children and staff marked an escalation of the two-year long crisis that has gripped the two English-speaking North West and South West regions.

Militias who want to create an independent state called Ambazonia, began to emerge in 2017 after security forces responded violently to protests calling for English to be used in classrooms and courtrooms in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions. The country is dominated by its French-speaking majority.

The International Crisis Group (ICG) think-tank estimates that around 10 armed separatist groups exist, gaining control of a “significant proportion of rural areas and main roads” in the North-West and South-West regions.

BBC

19, February 2019

Ireland: Paul Uzo- How hopeful is the New Irish Independent candidate of Swords? ⁰

Native and New Irish will all be joining a bandwagon soonest for fear of missing out, and it seems the population of Swords are no different! The Paul Uzo Campaign played on this with their amusing Campaign Flyer that was made public today, the 19^th of February 2019.

Independent candidates have a great reputation among Irish voters and they will certainly make an impact in Swords. Paul Uzo is the New Irish running in Swords and has promised to go above and beyond any set objectives in serving the people of Swords.

The upcoming council elections will provide the people of Swords the needed opportunity to find a way to get local leaders like Paul Uzo to deliver for the community.

The people of Swords love honesty and by extrapolation, councilors with integrity!! Paul Uzo embodies all of that and is telling them exactly what they’re signing up for if they chose to give him their Number 1 Vote.

The people of Swords in Ireland love to be a part of something useful! This explains why Paul Uzo Campaign was built on 6 simple facts:

1-There is mounting concern about the increase of antisocial activity of Youth Gangs in the county.

The people of Swords can rely on Paul to work tirelessly to bridge the Gap between disaffected youth and the community.

2-You are concerned about the rise in burglaries in Swords

Paul Uzo will encourage Community Policing and cooperation with the Gardai

3-What about Jobs?

Some New Irish and Native Irish who have been out of jobs for a period of time feel less confident to go back to work.

Paul will work with our Local Enterprise Office (LEO) and other local bodies to create local employment opportunities and special assistance to the unemployed in seeking out and applying for employment.

4-You need more sporting facilities

Paul will champion the demand for the creation of new sporting facilities in the county for all sporting codes

5-Cohesion

Swords are badly in need of a strong voice in social cohesion. As a great team player Paul Uzo will work on your behalf. Paul will build a stronger bridge to strengthen the relationship between the local council and the general public irrespective of ethnicity by encouraging meaningful engagement with the local community, resident association to include all citizens and immigrants.

6-Show compassion with children with special needs

Paul Uzo will work together with other stake holders to foster more awareness and encourage local bodies and school boards to provide more special needs assistants to ensure those that actually need it are provided and assisted with an education to achieve their full potential.

PAUL UZO NEW IRISH&COMMUNITY ACTIVIST (INDEPENDENT)

Living with his wife and children in Swords, County Dublin for over 14 years, Paul Uzo has always been very active within his local community and with community organisations throughout North County Dublin, serving on many committees.

Paul has a professional background in Retail having studied Financial and Legal Services with Whitehall College and International Sales with Dublin Business School.

Paul has worked in a professional capacity as a Department Manager with the major fast fashion retailer PENNEYS (Primark) for over 12 years. In mid 2018, Paul made the decision to diversify his skill set by changing career and working with those affected by homelessness and in need of emergency accommodation.

Just some of the organisations Paul Uzo has worked with;

*Fingal Public Participation Network

Fingal Public Participation Network (FPPN)-Fingal’s framework for public engagement

*Royal Friends Club Ireland

Royal Friends Club is a community based philanthropic society

*The African Chaplaincy of the Archdiocese of Dublin

Working closely with communities throughout the Diocese of Dublin

*Anambra Irish Professional Association (AIPA)

Professional think-tank highlighting opportunities between Ireland and Anambra State

*Christmas Day Dinner, RDS Dublin

Providing over 3,500 meals on Christmas day for the poor and homeless of Dublin City

Paul is an active member of his Residents Association and with his Community Centre in River Valley Swords. He is also involved with the Tidy Towns and Cleaner Communities initiatives.

Paul has been invited on a number of occasions to speak with parents and communities concerned with the rise in anti-social incidents between rival groups of young people in the Fingal area. Identifying probable causes and developing realistic solutions.

Paul Uzo’s dedication, drive and commitment not to mention his professional and personal experience places him at the higher end of suitability to serve the people of Swords and Fingal.

Looking forward to representing the community of Fingal in a more influential and official capacity in 2019.

Email: info@pauluzo.ie www.PaulUzo.ie

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai in Swords, Ireland

19, February 2019

UK: Corbyn says ‘disappointed’ to see lawmakers quit Labour with Brexit looming ⁰

UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says he is “disappointed” to see lawmakers quit his party at a time that the country needs to stay united as it gets prepared to leave the European Union (EU).

Seven members of Britain’s main opposition party resigned on Monday, citing Labour’s refusal to effectively confront Tory Prime Minister Theresa May’s push to break the country away from the European Union and its failure to address what they called concerns about anti-Semitism.

“I am disappointed that these MPs have felt unable to continue to work together for the Labour policies that inspired millions at the last election and saw us increase our vote by the largest share since 1945,” he wrote on twitter, referring to the party’s performance during last year’s snap General Election.

In June 2018, May felt confident that she could increase her party’s parliamentary majority in an early vote and ultimately minimize the risks of strong opposition against her Brexit deal with the EU.

But her plans missed the mark by a huge margin as Labour, under Corbyn’s leadership, won a considerable number of new seats and took away the Conservative Party’s majority, forcing May to forge an embarrassing alliance with the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to stay in power.

May’s unfortunate gamble came back to haunt her in early January, when a vast majority of MPs, including some Tory and DUP lawmakers, voted down her controversial draft Brexit deal with the EU.

“Labour won people over on a program for the many not the few – redistributing wealth and power, taking vital resources into public ownership, investing in every region and nation, and tackling climate change,” Corbyn reminded the resigned members of his party.

“The Tories are bungling Brexit while Labour has set out a unifying and credible alternative plan. When millions face the misery of Universal Credit, rising crime, homelessness and poverty, now more than ever is the time to bring people together to build a better future for us all,” he added.

Seven members of Britain’s opposition Labour party leave its ranks, citing, what they call, the party’s weak approach towards Brexit and its “failure” to root out “anti-Semitism.”

MPs Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Ann Coffey, Angela Smith, Gavin Shuker, and Mike Gapes announced their decision to split on Monday.

This was the biggest split from Labour since1981, when four senior members quit the party. “This has been a very difficult, painful but necessary decision,” Berger said at a press conference in London. Umunna has been promoting calls for a second referendum after one in 2016, which saw 52 percent of voters back leaving the EU.

Leslie claimed that evidence of Labour’s “betrayal” on Brexit was clear to see. MP John Healy warned that move only benefited May and took attention of her handling of Brexit. He told the quitting MPs that their decision weakened efforts to stop a no-deal Brexit, as May has often threatened to do.

Presstv

19, February 2019

Boko Haram: 35,000 flee Nigeria for Cameroon ⁰

No fewer than 35,000 Nigerians have fled to Cameroon to become refugees in recent weeks following the escalation of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, Médecins Sans Frontières has claimed.

MSF, also called Doctors Without Borders, in a statement said the latest migration followed an increase in violence around Rann in Borno State. According to the statement, many of the Nigerian refugees in the Cameroonian village of Goura urgently need food, shelter and water.

The MSF said it had launched an emergency response to take care of the refugees. The statement quoted MSF’s deputy programme manager for emergencies Dr Silas Moussa as saying, “They (refugees) left on foot very early in the morning — women, children and elderly people.

“When they fled, they had to leave elderly and sick relatives behind. They brought along what possessions they could, but in Goura they have nothing to drink and nowhere to sleep. They have been left to fend for themselves.”

The statement added, “The refugees have been staying in a large, informal camp in Goura since late January. Most are sleeping in the open, even though it is sandstorm season and the temperature drops sharply at night.

“The uncertainty surrounding whether these refugees will be resettled or returned to Nigeria prevents humanitarian assistance from being as complete and effective as it should be.”

The Punch