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Biya’s Health: What Yaoundé’s recent silence means for Cameroonians

18, October 2024

Biya’s Health: What Yaoundé’s recent silence means for Cameroonians 0

The Francophone dominated regime in Yaoundé seems to be caught in a dilemma on how to respond to the current Biya health situation in Geneva, which could be a reason why after making public so many uncoordinated press releases and even cancelled a special prayer session, has refrained from commenting on the issue in the last few days.

In recent weeks, the Biya regime has been demonstrating that an Anglophone as prime minister is just window dressing as several Francophone cabinet ministers have been ramping up the development and airing funny press releases including launching a barrage of attacks on the media and citizens for discussing President Biya’s health.

But Yaoundé has refrained from additional press releases on the 91-year-old Biya for a week now.

It was widely anticipated that the so-called Anglophone Prime Minister Chief Dr Dion Ngute would stage a government action to assure Cameroonians that all is well with the dying leader.

Other than calling for prayers and issuing commentaries and statements through its state media condemning the television channels that announced the demise of the president including banning public discussions on the president’s health, Biya’s men are now maintaining a kind of silence of the lamb.

Yaoundé seems to be caught in a dilemma and has yet to decide on what to tell the Cameroonian people in response to the poor health condition of President Paul Biya in Geneva.

Vice President Dabney Yerima of the Southern Cameroons-Ambazonia Interim Government says the regime in Yaoundé seems to be calculating what steps it should take next.

Dabney Yerima added, “Or, the fact that Yaoundé has already been told that Biya is now a thing of the past could be another reason why it’s been silent for the last week.”

This week’s silence does not mean that Yaoundé will give up its lies on Biya’s health. But the regime’s propaganda that Biya is healthy and doing well in Geneva has now been stopped, due to the fact that it is not achieving anything.

No announcement has been made about Biya’s aborted return or the reasons. But this latest development has heightened doubts about the president’s condition, after September and October saw him cancel his participation in the United Nations General Assembly, the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) summit and the meeting on sustainable development in Hamburg, Germany.

Faced with rumours of the president’s death spread by a television channel close to the Ambazonian separatists and widely reported on social networks, Etoudi and the Star Buildings were forced to make a public statement on 8 October, explaining that the head of state was continuing his stay in Switzerland, was in perfect health and would return to Cameroon “in the very near future”.

Today is Friday 18 October 2024 and President Biya is still not in Yaounde. Cameroonians are now wondering aloud “how near is this very near future.”

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

African Development Bank: Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade named Senior Vice President

9, October 2024

African Development Bank: Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade named Senior Vice President 0

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has appointed Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, née Ndongo-Seh, as its new Senior Vice President, effective retroactively from October 4, 2024. A Cameroonian by origin, she previously served as the Acting Vice President for Regional Development, Integration, and Service Delivery at the AfDB since 2022.

During her tenure, Akin-Olugbade played a key role in promoting regional economic integration, mobilizing resources, and developing innovative financial solutions. She managed a $9 billion portfolio for West Africa and provided leadership in challenging environments like the Sahel region. Her efforts involved working closely with governments and the private sector to drive development.

“Marie Laure is a highly experienced, committed, and effective manager of teams, who brings extensive knowledge of the African Development Bank, its rules, processes and systems, and a well-proven capacity to deliver on bank-wide operations while ensuring team cohesion,” said AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina. He expressed confidence that her leadership would bring renewed energy to the bank’s management team.

With 32 years of experience in capital markets, asset management, and debt policy, Akin-Olugbade is known for her results-driven approach. In her new role, she emphasized her commitment to increasing the bank’s impact across its member countries. “I am deeply honored by the trust and confidence that President Adesina has placed in me. I look forward to working closely with the president, senior leadership team, our Boards of Directors and staff to enhance the Bank’s impact and effectiveness in delivering programs that benefit our regional member countries,” she said.

Akin-Olugbade holds a master’s degree in applied economics from Paris-Dauphine University and a higher diploma in management from Panthéon-Sorbonne University. She joined the AfDB in 1991 and has held several key roles, including Country Office Manager for Ghana in 2010, where she managed a $1 billion portfolio.

She replaces South African Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala, who stepped down to run for AfDB presidency in 2025.

Source: Business in Cameroon

CPDM government ministers offer reassurances on Biya’s health

8, October 2024

CPDM government ministers offer reassurances on Biya’s health 0

Ministers Fame Ndongo and Gregoire Owona have reassured Cameroonians about the health of President Paul Biya, 91, and expressed anger at those who announced the demise of the ailing dictator, Cameroon Radio and Television reported on Tuesday after Prime Minister Dion Ngute reportedly cancelled the weekly cabinet meeting.

Cameroon Concord News reported that President Paul Biya had a prostate operation and the dictator is bedridden at the Percy Army Training Hospital known in French as the Hôpital National D’instruction Des Armées Percy located at 2 Rue Lieutenant Raoul, Batamy, 92140 Clamart, France.

Biya has been in power since 1982 and his Francophone dominated government has for years sought to quell speculation over his health.

Last week the presidency disclosed that he was sick and undergoing medical treatment in Paris or Geneva but no one deep within government circle is saying whether he has recovered.

Paul Biya has not been seen in public since leaving Beijing on 8 September after attending the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC).

His time as head of state has been marked by empty ambitious social and economic programs largely managed by corrupt political elites from his Beti-Bulu tribal extraction, many of whom are trying to position themselves as Cameroon’s next head of state.

For 42 years, Biya has also overseen an intense crackdown on dissent that analysts say has helped him consolidate power.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

FIFA bans Samuel Eto’o from Cameroon games for six months

30, September 2024

FIFA bans Samuel Eto’o from Cameroon games for six months 0

Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), has been handed a six-month ban from attending any international matches involving Cameroon by FIFA’s disciplinary panel.

The former Barcelona and Chelsea striker’s sanction comes after violations of two articles from FIFA’s disciplinary code during the Under-20 Women’s World Cup last-16 match between Cameroon and Brazil on 11 September, where Cameroon lost 3-1 after extra time.

FIFA cited breaches related to offensive behaviour, misconduct, and violations of fair play principles during the match in Bogota, Colombia, which Eto’o attended. The 43-year-old is now barred from attending all matches involving Cameroon’s national men’s and women’s teams, across all age groups.

The ban took immediate effect, and Eto’o has been informed of the decision, leaving him unable to attend Cameroon’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games against Kenya in October.

This is not Eto’o’s first disciplinary issue. In July, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) fined him $200,000 for breaching ethics rules after signing a contract to be an ambassador for betting company 1XBET. While Eto’o’s legal team is appealing the CAF ruling, his controversies as Fecafoot president have continued.

Since his election in 2021, Eto’o has faced criticism from within Cameroon’s football circles, with accusations of irregularities at Fecafoot, and one former teammate labelling him a dictator due to his leadership style.

Source:  Sports News

8 passport officers arrested in Zimbabwe over dodgy documents issued to 4 Cameroonians

24, September 2024

8 passport officers arrested in Zimbabwe over dodgy documents issued to 4 Cameroonians 0

Police have arrested eight employees of the Registrar General’s department at the passport office in Harare after four Cameroonian nationals were intercepted at Beitbridge trying to enter South Africa using freshly issued Zimbabwean passports.

Romeo Shonhiwa, 44, of Eastview Phase 2 in Harare, Marrian Roman, 40, of Glaudina Park, ​Lackmore Chinokokora, 34, of Eastview Phase 4, Grace Kapungu, 35, of Glen View 1, Chiedza Hlomani, 34, of Marlbereign​, Maureen Natasha Munemo, 32, of Glen View 1, Tanaka Magaya, 28, of Sunningdale 3, and Edith Moto, 38, of Ruwa have been charged with criminal abuse of office as public officers for their roles in the issuing of the passports.

The arrests came after four citizens of Cameroon were arrested at Beitbridge with newly issued Zimbabwean passports indicating Shona names, although none of the four could speak the language.

The four suspects who are charged with fraud identified on the passports as Emile Chingwaru of Matare Village under Chief Magonde in Mount Darwin; Christiana Mhereyenyoka of Arcadia Village in Mount Darwin; Yvette Maini of New Pfura in Mount Darwin and Marvel Chimbwanda also of Mount Darwin.

Police investigations have established that the four Cameroonians were first issued with birth certificates in Mount Darwin, before they went to the registry office at Market Square in Harare where they claimed to have lost their identity documents in order to obtain replacements.

On September 17, they went to the passport office in Harare where they each paid $170 for an ordinary passport.

The passports, which should typically take seven days, were printed and collected just two days later on September 19.

Police now believe a racket involving officials from the Registrar General’s office and cleaners took large sums of cash from the four Cameroonians to facilitate the corrupt issuance of the passports.

Two general hands Neria Sombi and Trymore Chipanga, employed by Andivest, have also been spoken to by police after a review of CCTV showed them taking the suspects through the entire passport application processes.

The video footage, according to police, also shows Accused 7, Tanaka Magaya, being handed money by a woman also suspected to be part of the racket.

The Cameroonians have told investigators they paid US$1,500 each for the passports.

Police say the suspects said they intended to use the passports to enter South Africa from where they would seek passage to the United Kingdom.

Source: Zimlive

Archbishop Nkea on How Synod on Synodality Evolved from Pastoral to “more academic, intellectual topic”

28, August 2024

Archbishop Nkea on How Synod on Synodality Evolved from Pastoral to “more academic, intellectual topic” 0

The Synod on Synodality, which started off as a pastoral issue, bringing on board every baptized member of the Church, has now become a “theoretical” topic for intellectuals, the Archbishop of Cameroon’s Catholic Archdiocese of Bamenda has observed.

In his presentation at the August 23 session of the ongoing weekly synodal palavers, Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya explored the various ways in which the ongoing multi-year Synod on Synodality, which Pope Francis extended to 2024, with the first phase, 4-29 October 2023, having concluded with a 42-page summary report, has evolved.

“Synodality has undergone an evolution from the time it was conceived through the time it was put out as a subject for the next synod up to where we are now,” Archbishop Nkea said at the event that the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) organized in collaboration with the Conference of Major Superiors of Africa and Madagascar (COMSAM).

He noted, “Synodality, which stood out as a pastoral topic, is becoming a more academic and intellectual topic.”

According to the Cameroonian Catholic Archbishop, synodality started as a means of gathering the people of God and getting everyone to participate in the life of the Church both in governance and in the preaching of the Gospel.

He said that along the way, he had noticed people move from discussions of inclusion and participation of every Christian in the life of the Church to “very fundamental theological discussions.”

Synodal conversations at present, he said, are theological in nature and “rise far above just the Christians and the Baptized participating in the life of the Church.”

“We started with participation, communion and mission, and these were just simple tools to get every baptized individual involved in the life and the governance of the Church,” the Archbishop of Bamenda, who also serves as President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) said.

“We are beginning to push down the three words that define synodality for us: participation, mission and communion. And we are beginning to move to more theological conversations,” the vocal Catholic Archbishop said, and expressed concern that the Synodal conversations are evolving in a way that “is taking us away from the more practical realm to the theoretical realm.”

The August 23 African palaver, which brought together African theologians, Clergy, women and men Religious, and Laity was organized under the theme, “Theological criteria and synodal methodologies as a basis for shared discernment of controversial doctrinal, pastoral and ethical issues.”

Source: aciafrica

91-year old Biya to seek eighth term in 2025 presidential election

24, August 2024

91-year old Biya to seek eighth term in 2025 presidential election 0

Cameroon’s long-serving President, Paul Biya, is reportedly set to run for an eighth term in the 2025 Presidential Election.

This was confirmed by the founder of the Foreign Press Association Africa, Kennedy Wandera, on Thursday, who cited a report from News media, The EastAfrican.

The report read, “Cameroon is due to hold its next presidential election in 2025, longtime President Paul Biya will be 93. He has confirmed that he will contest.”

At 91 years old, Biya is one of the world’s oldest and longest-serving leaders, having held the presidency since 1982. Before ascending to the highest office, Biya served as the country’s Prime Minister for seven years, from 1975 to 1982, under then-President Ahmadou Ahidjo.

In a controversial move, Biya recently postponed the country’s Parliamentary and Municipal elections until 2026, citing security concerns in the Anglophone regions, where a separatist conflict has been raging since 2016.

The conflict, which began as protests against perceived marginalisation by the Francophone-dominated government, has since escalated into a full-blown insurgency, with armed groups calling for the independence of the English-speaking North West and South West regions.

Biya’s time in power has been marked by a combination of political stability and growing discontent, with his administration often criticised for authoritarian practices, including the suppression of opposition parties, restrictions on press freedom, and the use of security forces to maintain control. Despite these challenges, Biya has managed to maintain a tight grip on power, winning a series of elections that critics argue were marred by fraud and irregularities.

Source: Arise TV

CPDM Crime Syndicate: Camwater partners with Labogenie to upgrade water infrastructure

20, August 2024

CPDM Crime Syndicate: Camwater partners with Labogenie to upgrade water infrastructure 0

Cameroon Water Utilities Corporation (Camwater) signed a technical assistance agreement with the National Civil Engineering Laboratory (Labogenie) on Friday, August 16, 2024, in Yaoundé.

Camwater, the public company managing Cameroon’s potable water treatment and distribution network, aims to leverage Labogenie’s expertise in designing and strengthening hydraulic infrastructure.

Under the agreement, Labogenie will conduct geotechnical studies to assess soil conditions and determine the optimal foundation design for water infrastructure projects. The laboratory will also oversee work on all Camwater projects, including the rehabilitation, maintenance, and construction of water treatment plants, pumping stations, and distribution networks.

“This partnership marks a new phase in the development of our activities. Camwater, whose mission is to ensure access to quality drinking water for the Cameroonian population, must adhere to industry standards and ensure structured support in the execution of civil engineering projects,” stated Blaise Moussa, Camwater’s General Manager, in a statement.

In recent years, Camwater has increased collaboration with national organizations to improve service quality and infrastructure. The company has established partnerships with entities including Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), the Special Fund for Equipment and Inter-communal Intervention (Feicom), the University of Douala, and the United Councils and Cities of Cameroon (CVUC), among others.

Source: Sbbc

Garoua: Issa Hayatou goes home to rest

17, August 2024

Garoua: Issa Hayatou goes home to rest 0

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called Issa Hayatou “an ambassador for football in the world” at the late FIFA President ad interim’s funeral in Garoua, Cameroon.

Mr Hayatou was acting FIFA President for just over four months between October 2015 and Mr Infantino’s election in February 2016.

He passed away in Paris, France, on 8 August, a day before his 78th birthday, and his remains were then repatriated to his home town in Cameroon for burial.

“He knew how to take the helm of FIFA in 2015, when our boat was sailing in rough seas, and he steered us back to calm waters, just before I was elected President, in 2016. He was a great figure, a great gentleman, a great friend,” said Mr Infantino at the ceremony.

“We always say that football unites people, regardless of their origin. Issa Hayatou, with his remarkable and world-acclaimed work, knew how to contribute to this unity. He surely was an ambassador for Cameroon and an ambassador for football in the world. He was an ambassador of great values such as family and unity, and this is what brings all of us together here today.”

Among the other mourners joining Mr Hayatou’s family and friends were FIFA Vice President and Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe, members of the FIFA administration including FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström, Cameroonian Football Association (FECAFOOT) President Samuel Eto’o and a number of FIFA Member Association Presidents and CAF officials.

“Everyone obviously has their own memories, every one of us here has their own memories of Issa Hayatou, but I’m sure that all of us today, on this day of sadness, but of unity, too, hold a memory of his smile. A smile he kept on his face on any occasion,” said Mr Infantino, who recounted his first meeting with the then-CAF President when he had attended – “as a football fan” – the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 1998.

“I’m standing here today as FIFA President, as a member of this family, to tell you all the sadness we have and to give you some strength. We want to tell you that we are here with you, with all our love. Today is a day of mourning for the football world, but it’s also a day when all our memories should unite to remember Issa Hayatou, a major figure of Cameroonian football, African football and global football.”

A former FECAFOOT President, Mr Hayatou served as CAF President for 29 years from 1988 to 2017. He was a FIFA Council member from 1990 to 2017 and a FIFA Vice President. He was also an International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member from 2001 to 2016, after which he became an IOC Honorary Member.

Source: Inside Fifa.com

Biya regime facing severe fiscal pressures amidst Amba crisis and conflict

9, August 2024

Biya regime facing severe fiscal pressures amidst Amba crisis and conflict 0

Cameroon, the second-largest economy in Central Africa, is under pressure to enhance its economic performance, according to a recent World Bank report. Despite successfully reducing its fiscal deficit to 1.1% of GDP in 2022, primarily through cuts in public investment, the country now faces critical challenges in tax collection and public spending.

Key Points:

Fiscal Adjustments: Cameroon achieved a notable reduction in its fiscal deficit over six years but did so by slashing public investment. This approach has led to low public expenditure levels, impacting the quality of public services and infrastructure development.

Revenue and Spending Concerns: The World Bank emphasizes the need for a comprehensive medium-term revenue strategy to boost tax collection efficiency and address spending inefficiencies. Social sectors, particularly health and education, have suffered due to under-investment.

Taxation Issues: Direct taxes and international trade levies have underperformed, leaving the country overly reliant on value-added tax.

Urgent Financing: Amid high US interest rates making dollar borrowing costly, Cameroon recently issued $550 million in dollar bonds, indicating pressing financial needs.

The report underscores the necessity for targeted spending and better fiscal management to spur economic growth in Cameroon.

Source: worldbank.org

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