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15, February 2019

Of President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe, Acting President Sako and the Ambazonian people 0

A man, blessed with a rich mind, called our editorial desk yesterday to express his frustration at the current direction of the Ambazonian revolution. We feel that as a decent Ambazonian citizen, his concerns were candid. We concur with him that the last few days have been bumpy and challenging in our revolution. Like him, we of Cameroon Concord News Group have found ourselves awake late at night contemplating the unthinkable. We have cursed and questioned our sanities and the reasonableness of many in this struggle. The squabbling amongst our leaders, the irrational recording and circulation of audios and videos intended to soothe our egos not serve the revolution has worried many intensely.

As the hours have gone by since talking to our friend, we have jogged our memories, and concluded that squabbling and disagreements are a fact of human existence. They are nothing new. They are as old as man. Students of history and historians would point at numerous illustrations in the past when individuals with similar goals have turned against each other but later returned to their senses to achieve their common objective. Wherever you have some strong characters and personalities, it’s inevitable that disagreements will ensure. Let’s remind ourselves that it takes strong characters to stand up to tyrants. Isn’t that one of the motivations of this revolution?

After the squabbling amongst ourselves in the Diaspora, the fundamental objective of this struggle remains the liberation of our homeland. Freedom for all our people living in bondage must remain at the forefront of our consciousness. The burning of villages and hospitals back home in Ambazonia, and the senseless murder of innocent civilians by a bloodthirsty regime in Yaoundé must bring us all back to reality. As we remind ourselves just how unwise the last few days have been, let’s all get back to work. As Ambazonians, we have no choice. We get back to work or we perish. We are compelled to look beyond ourselves. We were called into this struggle to liberate and create a new nation; The Federal Republic of Ambazonia.

Our generation will be judged by our descendants and their peers on the success or failure of this struggle. Very few generations during the many years that man has tenanted this planet get the chance to change the course of history. We have a fantastic opportunity. We have demonstrated over the last two years that we can give the rogues in Yaoundé a run for their money.

Cameroon Concord News Group subscribes to the belief that the last few days have been bumpy and challenging but would bring great wisdom disguised in them. The duty of every Ambazonian is to unmask this wisdom and put them towards the success of this struggle.

Sesseskou Asu Isong

Cameroon Concord News Group London UK

Biya Has The Most Luxurious Presidential Car In Africa

15, February 2019

Biya Has The Most Luxurious Presidential Car In Africa 0

Cameroon President, Paul Biya ,has the most luxurious and safest presidential car in Africa . The stretched armored limousine from the German luxury tuner ,Klassen, was first unveiled on May 20, 2018, during the countries national day.

It is based on the Range Rover Autobiography SUV and comes with the highest levels of ballistic protection in level 7 (formerly B6) and level 9 (formerly B7).

The ​tank-like limousine,with number plate PRC, is fitted with stretched rear doors, raised roofs and armored glass-panoramic-roofs – that opens like a convertible car and Kevlar tyres, that keeps it going when shot.

The exclusive interior of the stretched armoured SUV is equipped with luxury partition walls and state-of-the-art technology like an iMac multimedia center with PC/Wi-Fi/CD/DVD, a Bang & Olufsen Sound system and also ambient LED lighting. All relevant functions can be controlled via an iPhone.

Despite the luxuries mentioned above, this millitary grade SUV can withstand any armour piercing incendiary bullets and blasts from DM51 grenade explosions.

No one knows how much the 86 year old President, who has been serving as the President of Cameroon since 6 November 1982, paid for the luxury tank-on-wheels.

But the luxury car definitely cost a fortune to build as Klassen’s customizations doesn’t come cheap. The company revealed last year that it was ready to turn the new Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV, that starts at ₦118m ($325k), to an even more luxurious armoured limousine, for a cool 755m

Culled from Nairaland

French Cameroun: Kamto Rebellion Charge Deepens Crisis

15, February 2019

French Cameroun: Kamto Rebellion Charge Deepens Crisis 0

Cameroon’s main opposition leader, Maurice Kamto, has been charged in a military court with rebellion and other offences, his lawyers have said. The former government minister was arrested in Douala on 28 January after his MRC party organised protests contesting last October’s election result. France says it is “worried” by the charges.

Kamto faces charges including “hostility against the homeland, incitement to insurrection, offense against the president of the republic, destruction of public buildings and goods.” If found guilty, he could face the death penalty, his lawyers said Wednesday.

The opposition leader, who says he was cheated out of the presidency in elections last year, was transferred to a prison in the capital Yaounde during the night by a military court.

Twenty-eight members of his Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) are also on trial for the same charges.

Meanwhile, 100 other supporters were due to appear before the Yaounde military court Wednesday to find out if they too will face a similar fate.

The fact that a military court is the one bringing the charges against Kamto has rattled critics.

Military justice

“How is it that someone who has never carried a weapon against the government, someone who has never called for armed struggle is judged by a military court?” asks François Ndengwe, Chairman of the African Advisory Board.

“Professor Kamto being judged in a military court is an outrage to the people of good will not only in Cameroon but all over the world,” he told RFI.

For Ndengwe, the charges against Kamto illustrate the challenges facing Africa’s justice system, often in the hands of autocratic governments.

“It is impossible to have a fair judgment in Africa,” he comments, blaming this failure on the “interference” of the International Criminal Court in African matters, most recently in the trial of the Ivory Coast’s former president Laurent Gbagbo.

“Africans complained about the ICC trying Laurent Gbagbo but they shouldn’t complain. Africans are not able to judge themselves according to the minimum standards of justice and equity, and this is regrettable,” he said.

On the domestic front, the charges against Kamto risk aggravating the country’s post-electoral crisis.

Restricting democratic space

They are a “clear sign of a new step in the restriction of public liberties that the government of Cameroon has crossed,” explains Hans de Marie, a senior researcher at the International Crisis Group (ICG) in Nairobi.

“The charges could increase tribal and ethnic tension in the country, as well as social tension,” he told RFI. Implicit in de Marie’s remarks is the fear of a potential civil war.

“The anger and bitterness from opposition members and civil society groups is more and more expressing itself along ethnic lines between the Beti tribe of [president] Paul Biya and the Bamyleke tribe of Maurice Kamto,” he comments.

Cameroon is already grappling with unrest in its troubled western Anglophone region after residents there were repressed.

“We know from past experience that it is the restriction of liberties that has triggered the Anglophone crisis,” states de Marie.

Kamto has called for an end to the two-year conflict. The opposition leader and his supporters demonstrated in several cities and towns on the 26 January urging an end to the crisis and for a recount of October’s election result in which he came second.

Bogus charges

It was shortly after this demonstration that Kamto was arrested in the economic capital Douala and how we got to today’s charges.

For human rights lawyer Agbor Nkongho, the charges are all too familiar. “The charges are bogus. These are the same charges that they [the government] brought against me. It’s a way to fight against dissent, repress people, and to perpetuate Mr Biya’s reign as they have been doing for the last 36 years,” he told RFI.

RFI was unable to reach the Cameroonian government for a response, but their position is that Kamto is a an “outlaw” after he defied warnings and declared himself the winner of last October’s election results.

French foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll said Wednesday the government was “worried” by the charges against Kamto and urged Paul Biya to allow the opposition to “express itself freely.”

Risk of conflict

That may not be enough. “We find it very low compared to the gravity of the situation,” says de Marie.

“None of the key partners of Cameroon has clearly condemned the arrest and detention of Kamto or asked firmly the Cameroonian government to release him,” he said.

Rights groups though have condemned the attitude of the Cameroonian government, with Amnesty International saying the arrest of Kamto and his staff signalled an escalating crackdown on the opposition.

“For the sake of peace if not democracy, the international community must act,” argues Hans de Marie. The risk of conflict in a country already affected by Boko Haram attacks and grappling with unrest in the Anglophone regions stands to be high, he concludes.

RFI

Francophone Crisis: Biya regime charges 150 over protests

15, February 2019

Francophone Crisis: Biya regime charges 150 over protests 0

More than 150 people have been charged with “hostility to the homeland” and “insurrection” for their role in anti-government protests in Cameroon, the vice-president of the country’s main opposition party said.

The president of the Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC) opposition party, Maurice Kamto, was among those charged on Wednesday in a crackdown criticised by human rights campaigners.

He and around 150 other people were arrested in late January and have been held for nearly three weeks by police in the capital Yaounde.

They have gone before a judge in groups, starting with Kamto overnight Tuesday to Wednesday. He was charged with “rebellion, insurrection” and “hostility to the country”.

Around twenty of those detained have been released on bail, MRC’s vice-president Emmanuel Simh told AFP.

“Hostility to the country” is punishable by the death penalty in theory, but the penalty has not been carried out in Cameroon for more than 30 years.

Maurice Kamto says he was cheated out of the presidency in last October’s elections, when Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, 86, was re-elected for a seventh term.

Around 200 people were arrested in subsequent protests, the MRC said. Amnesty International said the wave of detentions “signals an escalating crackdown on opposition leaders, human rights defenders and activists.”

AFP

Yaounde: Biya Turns 86; Critics Say It’s Time for Change

15, February 2019

Yaounde: Biya Turns 86; Critics Say It’s Time for Change 0

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya Wednesday celebrated his 86th birthday with supporters organizing lavish parties and opponents calling on him to resign.

Biya is the oldest president in sub-Saharan Africa and one of the longest-serving, but critics say his long rule has put the country in a bad position.

Supporters of Biya wished him a happy birthday Wednesday at a party attended by thousands in the capital, Yaounde.

Fadimatou Iyawa Ousmanou, president of Cameroon’s National Youth Council, said they bussed in Biya’s young supporters from all over the country to show respect and gratitude.

“You can see more than two thousand and five hundred Cameroonian young people that came to celebrate that birthday, and we came here to tell the head of state we are willing to work with him. We are encouraging him for what he is doing for the Cameroonian young people and also to promote our patriotic and civil behavior so that we can help in the building of a peaceful Cameroon,” Ousmanou said.

Young supporters, many bussed in from other parts of the country, mark President Paul Biya's birthday, at Yaounde Conference Center, in Yaounde, Cameroon, Feb 13, 2019.
Young supporters, many bussed in from other parts of the country, mark President Paul Biya’s birthday, at Yaounde Conference Center, in Yaounde, Cameroon, Feb 13, 2019.

While supporters wished Biya divine guidance and a long life, he did not attend the celebration at the Yaounde Conference Center. He organized a private, and reportedly lavish, party at his home village of Mvomeka in southern Cameroon.

While Biya’s supporters celebrated, the opposition Renaissance Movement Party held a protest march in Yaounde calling on Biya to resign and for their leader, Maurice Kamto, to be freed.

Kamto, who claims Biya stole the October 7 presidential election, is under arrest and facing charges including rebellion for protesting the election results.

Thirsty for change

Kamto supporter Clement Metuge said he has known only one leader – Biya – since he was born. He condemned the large birthday celebrations for the president.

“We have constraints economically in Cameroon to deal with Boko Haram, our resources are not even enough for us to manage. All of us are sensitive about the fact that it is not just about his willingness to be in power, it is also about the performance, his age and everything. There is need for change and Cameroonians are thirsty for that change,” Metuge said.

In 2008, Biya revised the constitution to remove presidential term limits. Critics called the move authoritarian and have long accused his government of rigging elections — allegations that officials deny.

Youths sit during celebrations marking President Paul Biya's birthday, at Yaounde Conference Center, in Yaounde, Cameroon, Feb 13, 2019.
Youths sit during celebrations marking President Paul Biya’s birthday, at Yaounde Conference Center, in Yaounde, Cameroon, Feb 13, 2019.

University of Yaounde political analyst Christophe Tiennteu said Biya has ruled with an iron fist for too long. Cameroon, he said, is plunging into an indescribable chaos with incoherent governance and democratic practice. Faced with these challenges, he said, and while craving for change and an end to domination by one man, people are distancing themselves from moves by Biya and his followers that go against Cameroon’s interests.

If something were to happen to the 86-year-old president, said Tiennteu, Cameroon could face a very difficult transition.

While the constitution stipulates new elections if the office of president becomes vacant, Biya is not known to have prepared a successor.

VOA

14, February 2019

Southern Cameroons War: Biya, Atanga Nji behind attack on Kumba Hospital 0

The Southern Cameroons Interim Government has strongly denounced a deadly attack by a regiment of French Cameroun’s Rapid Intervention Battalion, BIR on the Kumba District Hospital, accusing French Cameroun leader President Biya and his Territorial Administration Minister, Paul Atanga Nji of nurturing the Beti Ewondo soldiers behind the attack.

The Southern Cameroons Homeland Security Department said in a statement that the attack that killed 4 Southern Cameroonians and injured dozens betrayed the true image of the genocide led by the Biya Francophone regime, which encourages French speaking Cameroun army soldiers to continue killing innocent Southern Cameroons civilians.

Acting President Ikome Sako and the Secretary of Communications, Chris Anu have both been quoted as saying that the attack on the Kumba Hospital showed that the French Cameroun political leadership was intimidated by the success of the lockdown in Southern Cameroons. The Southern Cameroons Interim Government also observed that these French Cameroun government crimes will not weaken the Ambazonian nation, but will rather increase the power and motivation of the resistance.

An Ambazonian Commander in the Meme County told Cameroon Concord News correspondent in Kumba that the crime has been masterminded and implemented by BIR soldiers deployed to Kumba the chief city in the Meme County. The Ambazonian Interim Government also immediately appealed to Southern Cameroonians particularly those in the Diaspora to keep the financial donations coming, in order for the Interim Government to support the county-by-county defense efforts.

The United States embassy in Yaounde has asked the Biya regime to probe the deadly hospital arson at the Kumba District hospital on Monday. The Embassy reacted to the attack in a February 12 statement stressing that the government must probe, hold perpetrators accountable and also publicly publish results of the said probe.

“We call on the Cameroonian government to conduct a transparent investigation into this crime, to ensure the courts hold the perpetrators accountable, and to make the Cameroonian people aware of its findings,” the statement read in part. We urge both sides in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon to allow unfettered access to humanitarian and healthcare workers, and never to attack hospitals or health centers.”

It is vital to include in this report that General Melingui of the Cameroun army had publicly admitted that forces under his command torched civilian and other protected settlements in the execution of the senseless war. For this admission, he was promptly relieved of his command.  That public admission of responsibility, removed reasonable doubts about the forces torching of civilian and protected settlements as weapons of war targeting civilians and civilian objects.

Short of a similar admission in the Kumba Hospital case, it will take an independent investigation by internationally recognized or certified forensic experts to apportion responsibility for this despicable crime, although going by the prior admission by General Melingui,  the consistent pattern of conduct in which the torching of civilian settlements he admitted ,may provide similar facts evidence to establish criminal responsibility for this and other crimes targeting civilian and other protected settlements.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with files from Sama Ernest and Rita Akana

S. Cameroons War: US says Biya regime must transparently probe deadly hospital fire

14, February 2019

S. Cameroons War: US says Biya regime must transparently probe deadly hospital fire 0

The United States embassy in Cameroon has asked the government to probe a deadly hospital arson that claimed four lives at the Kumba District hospital on Monday.

The Embassy reacted to the attack in a February 12 statement stressing that the government must probe, hold perpetrators accountable and also publicly publish results of the said probe.

“We call on the Cameroonian government to conduct a transparent investigation into this crime, to ensure the courts hold the perpetrators accountable, and to make the Cameroonian people aware of its findings,” the statement read in part. We urge both sides in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon to allow unfettered access to humanitarian and healthcare workers, and never to attack hospitals or health centers.”

There is a raging back and forth over who were responsible for the attack. The government through the South West region’s governor has condemned the attack. Whiles separatist elements operating in the area are usually blamed for such attacks on social service outlets, the army has also been widely reported as carrying out attacks on institutions believed to be serving the separatists. The hospital was serving a large pool of patients given that most smaller health outfits had been closed due to threats by separatists.

General Melingui of the Cameroun army had publicly admitted that forces under his command torched civilian and other protected settlements in the execution of the senseless war. For this admission, he was promptly relieved of his command.  That public admission of responsibility, removed reasonable doubts about the forces torching of civilian and protected settlements as weapons of war targeting civilians and civilian objects.

Short of a similar admission in the Kumba Hospital case, it will take an independent investigation by internationally recognized or certified forensic experts to apportion responsibility for this despicable crime, although going by the prior admission by General Melingui,  the consistent pattern of conduct in which the torching of civilian settlements he admitted ,may provide similar facts evidence to establish criminal responsibility for this and other crimes targeting civilian and other protected settlements.

Full statement from the U.S. Embassy in Cameroon:

The United States condemns the arson attack on Kumba District Hospital, in Southwest Region.  The fire is reported to have resulted in the deaths of several patients and caused considerable damage during the early morning hours of February 11.

We express our deepest condolences to the victims’ families and our admiration for the courageous medical staff.

We call on the Cameroonian government to conduct a transparent investigation into this crime, to ensure the courts hold the perpetrators accountable, and to make the Cameroonian people aware of its findings.

We urge both sides in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon to allow unfettered access to humanitarian and healthcare workers, and never to attack hospitals or health centers.

We appeal to both sides of the Anglophone conflict to forswear further violence and enter into a broad-based dialogue without pre-conditions.

Reported by Africa News and Cameroon Concord News

France says Biya regime must respect Kamto’s legal right to free speech

14, February 2019

France says Biya regime must respect Kamto’s legal right to free speech 0

France has officially reacted to the arrest of Cameroon opposition chief Maurice Kamto and hundreds of his supporters.

The French Foreign Ministry said it was following developments in Cameroon and called on the government to respect the rights of people to freely express their opinions.

“We are concerned at this legal development and are continuing to follow the situation of Mr. Kamto and that of approximately 200 of his supporters who are being held in detention. The Cameroonian opposition, of which Mr. Kamto is a leading figure, must be able to freely express its opinions, in accordance with the law,” a response to Q&A daily press briefing read.

Kamto was on Wednesday charged with rebellion by a military tribunal, his lawyers confirmed to Reuters news agency. One of his lawyers said the charges were political and nothing of a judicial nature.

Another of his lawyers, Emmanuel Simh, told Reuters the charges he faces include: “hostility against the homeland, incitement to insurrection, offence against the president of the republic, destruction of public buildings and goods.”

Twenty-two members of his Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) are also on trial for the same charges, lawyers said.

Kamto was arrested in late January after he led a protest of supporters against the October 2018 presidential polls he claims was rigged. He came a distant second to President Paul Biya.

The police at the time said the gathering was not sanctioned hence his arrest. As to why he was not arraigned before a civil court, Cameroon has in the past few years charged politicians, journalists and suspected separatists to military court over charges relating to subversion and terrorism.

Africa News

14, February 2019

US Air Force agent charged with espionage after allegedly defecting to Iran 0

A US Air Force intelligence specialist has been charged with espionage for allegedly defecting to Iran and revealing sensitive information to Iranian authorities, the Unites States claims.

Tehran has not made any comments about allegations posited in a Wednesday indictment of Monica Elfriede Witt.

She was “indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia for conspiracy to deliver and delivering national defense information to representatives of the Iranian government,” read the indictment. 

“Monica Witt is charged with revealing to the Iranian regime a highly classified intelligence program and the identity of a US Intelligence Officer, all in violation of the law, her solemn oath to protect and defend our country, and the bounds of human decency,” claimed US Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers. View image on Twitter

View image on Twitter

FBI✔@FBI

Monica Elfriede Witt is #wanted by the #FBI for her alleged involvement in criminal activities to include espionage & conspiracy to commit espionage. If you have info concerning Witt, contact your local FBI office or the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. http://ow.ly/Frxd50lk1ZV 1,2094:42 PM – Feb 13, 20191,470 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy

‘Dangers to US intel. professionals’

Four Iranians were also mentioned in the indictment, charged with what was claimed to be “various computer crimes targeting members of the US intelligence community who were Ms. Witt’s former colleagues.”

“This case underscores the dangers to our intelligence professionals and the lengths our adversaries will go to identify them, expose them, target them, and, in a few rare cases, ultimately turn them against the nation they swore to protect.  When our intelligence professionals are targeted or betrayed, the National Security Division will relentlessly pursue justice against the wrong-doers,” Demers claimed.

Executive Assistant Director for National Security Jay Tabb also claimed that the discovery of Witt’s alleged defection took “years of investigative work.”

“The charges unsealed today are the result of years of investigative work by the FBI to uncover Monica Witt’s betrayal of the oath she swore to safeguard America’s intelligence and defense secrets” Tabb claimed. “This case also highlights the FBI’s commitment to disrupting those who engage in malicious cyber activity to undermine our country’s national security. The FBI is grateful to the Department of Treasury and the United States Air Force for their continued partnership and assistance in this case.”

Ever since President Donald Trump appeared in office, the US has been stepping up its anti-Iran policies and propaganda.

Presstv

Nigeria: 15 dead at election rally stampede days ahead of presidential election

14, February 2019

Nigeria: 15 dead at election rally stampede days ahead of presidential election 0

Fifteen people have been killed in a stampede at an election campaign rally held in southern Nigeria in support of President Muhammadu Buhari, hospital officials say.

A hospital spokesman in Rivers state said on Wednesday “a total of 15 bodies were brought in” the day before. Twelve wounded people were also taken to the hospital, he added.

Police earlier gave a toll of four dead and four wounded, while Buhari’s office announced the death of “several” people.

The crush is the latest in similar incidents in Buhari’s campaign rallies. Last Thursday, two people reportedly lost their lives during a crush at a rally in the northeastern state of Taraba.  

On January 21, several people were wounded in the northeastern city of Maiduguri after a platform collapsed during the president’s visit.

According to local media, the stampede happened after Buhari’s campaign speech as the crowd surged towards a partially-locked gate to follow the president.

“Those from behind were pushing and putting pressure on those in front, leading to some persons falling on the ground and being trampled upon,” said a journalist of the Vanguard newspaper.

Rivers state, famous for its oil and gas industry, is a major battlefield between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). There are already claims of vote-rigging attempts.

Five APC members were shot to death during clashes on Sunday with PDP followers near the city of Warri, an oil hub in Delta state.

The incidents come ahead of Saturday’s election in which current president Buhari will seek another term.

PressTV-Nigerian President Buhari to seek second term in 2019

Buhari took the helm in May 2015 after vowing to improve security and intensify crackdown on endemic corruption, but Africa’s top oil producer experienced its first recession in 25 years in 2016, largely caused by low crude prices and militant attacks in the Niger Delta, and its recovery remains fragile.

Presstv

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