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18, April 2026

Douala: Pope urges Christians to reject violence at Mass that draws 120,000 people ⁰

Pope Leo called on Cameroonians on Friday to reject violence and be generous with their neighbours ‌during an event billed as the biggest of his four-nation Africa tour, with roughly 120,000 people flocking to a Mass he led in the port city of Douala.

Amid heavy security, some believers had made their way on Thursday to the city’s Japoma Stadium, venue of the Mass, and slept overnight outside on mats to hear Friday’s address from the pontiff, who has become outspoken on war and inequality and has drawn the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump.

By Friday morning, streets near the stadium were lined with crowds singing, dancing and holding umbrellas to shield themselves from the heat.

After arriving in Douala, Cameroon’s largest city and economic hub, by plane from the capital Yaoundé, Leo told the ⁠crowd that many in the country are suffering from “material and spiritual poverty” but he urged believers to reject violence as a means to get ahead, regardless of the hardships they face.

“Do not give in to distrust and discouragement,” the pope said, in an appeal made in English during a speech that was otherwise mostly in French.

“Reject every form of abuse or violence, which deceives by promising easy gains but hardens the heart and makes it insensitive.”

FORCEFUL REMARKS ON AFRICA TOUR

Leo, the first U.S. pope, has debuted a new, forceful speaking style on his Africa tour. In Yaoundé on Thursday, he said the world was “being ravaged by a handful of tyrants”, without naming anybody.

He has also this week decried violations of international law by “neocolonial” world powers and said “the whims of the rich and powerful” threaten peace.

Leo avoided overtly political messages on Friday.

Invoking the miracle of the loaves and fishes recounted in the Gospels, in which Jesus fed thousands with meagre resources, Leo said: “There is bread for everyone if it is given to everyone. There is bread for everyone if it is taken, not with a hand that snatches away, but ‌with a ⁠hand that gives.”

Carine Kemmoue, a medical doctor who attended Friday’s homily, said she saw a clear link between Leo’s message and his past statements critical of the war in Iran.

“I was very moved by the Pope’s message. When, I mean, he stands against positions like those of Donald Trump, for example, he is against violence,” Kemmoue said.

“I think that is normal for a man of God, since the Church promotes peace.”

After returning to Yaoundé on Friday afternoon, Leo met with students and professors at the Catholic University of Central Africa, which educates young people from across the region.

During the event, the pope referred ⁠to “the darker side of the environmental and social devastation caused by the relentless pursuit of raw materials.”

He drew a loud cheer when he said the continent “must be freed from the scourge of corruption.”

‘MOMENT OF JOY’ FOR CAMEROON’S CATHOLICS

Cameroon, a producer of oil and cocoa, faces grave security challenges, including a simmering Anglophone conflict in which thousands of people have been killed since 2017.

The country has been led for more than ⁠four decades by President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state at 93. His re-election last October sparked protests by opponents who say most ordinary Cameroonians have little to show for his rule.

Crowds greeting the pope on his visit to Cameroon have been enthusiastic, lining the streets along his routes and wearing colourful fabrics featuring images of his face.

Bishop Leopold Bayemi Matjei called ⁠Leo’s visit “a moment of great joy” and said he hoped it meant God would bless Cameroon.

“Our country needs a lot of blessing, a powerful blessing, so that hope will come to rise again,” said the bishop, who leads the Church in Obala, about an hour north of Yaoundé.

Friday was Leo’s last full day in Cameroon. He is scheduled to travel to Angola on Saturday.

Source: Reuters

16, April 2026

The Holy Father is in Bamenda to preach a message of peace ⁰

Pope Leo XIV travelled Thursday to the western Cameroonian city of Bamenda to preach a message of peace in the epicenter of a separatist conflict that humanitarian groups have called one of the world’s most neglected crises.

Leo’s Camair charter landed at the Bamenda airport, where jubilant Cameroonians clogged the roads, blowing horns and dancing. They were overjoyed that a pope had come so far to see them and put a global spotlight on the violence that has traumatized this region for nearly a decade.

Leo is to preside over a peace meeting involving a Mankon traditional chief, a Presbyterian moderator, an imam and a Catholic nun. The aim is to highlight the interfaith movement that has been seeking to end the conflict and care for its many traumatized victims.

It wasn’t immediately clear if any of the separatist fighters, who announced a three-day pause in fighting to allow the pope safe passage, would attend.

The pope is also set to celebrate a Mass for the people of Bamenda, near the western border with Nigeria.

Leo arrived in Cameroon on Wednesday on the second leg of his four-nation African trip, the first by the first American pope. In his arrival speech, he demanded the “chains of corruption” in the mineral-rich country be broken and lectured President Paul Biya on the legitimate exercise of authority.

The 93-year-old Biya, the world’s oldest leader, has been in power since 1982 and claims to have won a disputed election last year that gave him an eighth term in office.

The conflict in Cameroon’s two Anglophone regions is rooted in Cameroon’s colonial history, when the country was divided between France and Britain after World War I. English-speaking regions later joined French Cameroon in a 1961 U.N.-backed vote, but separatists say they have since been politically and economically marginalized.

In 2017, English-speaking separatists launched a rebellion with the stated goal of breaking away from the French-speaking majority and establishing an independent state. The conflict has killed more than 6,000 people and displaced over 600,000 others, according to the International Crisis Group.

The separatist movement is believed to be backed by several actors abroad. In December last year, a federal jury in U.S. convicted two individuals for conspiracy to provide funds and equipment to the separatist fighters. Belgian authorities in March also announced they had arrested four people as part of its investigations into Belgian residents suspected of being among the separatist leaders and raising money for them from Belgium.

Cameroon sits atop significant reserves of oil, natural gas, cobalt, bauxite, iron ore, gold and diamonds, making resource extraction one of the pillars of its economy.

While French and English companies have long dominated the extraction industry in Cameroon, Chinese companies have established a significant presence in recent years, particularly in the gold mining regions of the east.

On the eve of Leo’s arrival, separatist fighters announced a three-day pause in fighting. A spokesperson for the Unity Alliance, Lucas Asu, said the pause “reflects a deliberate commitment to responsibility, restraint and respect for human dignity, even in the context of ongoing conflict.”

He said the pope’s visit should remain “spiritual” and not be seen as endorsing any political authority.

Though the number of deadly attacks by separatists has decreased in recent years, the conflict shows no sign of resolution. Peace talks with international mediators have stalled, with both sides accusing each other of acting in bad faith.

Morine Ngum, a mother of three whose husband was shot dead in 2022 by Cameroonian soldiers while fighting as a separatist, expressed doubt that the pope’s visit and peace meeting would lead to meaningful change. She said any real progress must begin with those in power.

“Nothing is going to change,” said Ngum, 30. “This conflict has turned my children into orphans and me into a widow. Many families have been rendered homeless.”

Source: ABC News

14, April 2026

Strait of Hormuz: Joint statement by the heads of the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank Group ⁰

The Heads of the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank Group met today as part of the coordination group they established in early April to maximize their institutions’ response to the energy and economic impacts of the war in the Middle East. At the end of their meeting, they issued the following statement:

“As we noted earlier this month, the impact of the war is substantial, global, and highly asymmetric, disproportionately affecting energy importers, in particular low-income countries. The shock has led to higher oil, gas and fertilizer prices, triggering concerns about food security and job losses as well. Some oil and gas producers in the Middle East have also seen a dramatic loss of export revenue.

The situation remains very uncertain, and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is yet to normalize. Even after a resumption of regular shipping flows through the Strait, it will take time for global supplies of key commodities to move back towards their pre-conflict levels—and fuel and fertilizer prices may remain high for a prolonged period given the damage to infrastructure. Due to supply disruptions, shortages of key inputs are likely to have implications for energy, food, and other industries. The war has also forcibly displaced people, impacted jobs, and reduced travel and tourism, which may take time to reverse.

Today, we shared our latest assessments, ahead of the release this Tuesday, April 14, of the IEA’s monthly Oil Market Report and IMF’s World Economic Outlook. We also discussed the situations of the countries most affected by the shock as well as the responses by our institutions. Our teams are working closely, including at country level, to leverage our respective expertise and help countries through tailored policy advice and, in the case of the IMF and World Bank, financial support where needed.

We will continue to monitor closely and assess the impact of the war on energy markets, the global economy and individual countries, and to coordinate our response and support to our member countries—working with, and drawing on, other international organizations’ expertise as needed to lay the foundations for a resilient recovery that delivers stability, growth and jobs.”

13, April 2026

Hungary election: Trump, Netanyahu lose close ally in Europe as Orban defeated ⁰

Hungary has entered a new political phase after Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, lost power.

Ending his 16-year rule, Orban’s ruling Fidesz party fell behind the opposition Tisza party led by Peter Magyar in a closely contested election, whose results came out on Sunday.

Israel loses European steward

Orban had cultivated one of the closest relationships with the Israeli regime among the European Union’s members.

He had described Tel Aviv as a strategic and “ideological” partner, with his ties with Netanyahu playing a central role in shaping Hungary’s foreign policy.

During his time in office, Hungary repeatedly used its veto power within the EU to block statements and sanctions targeting the regime’s atrocities, therefore, providing Tel Aviv with diplomatic protection.

Israeli officials are now expressing concern over a potential shift in policy.

Reports from the Israeli paper Yedioth Ahronoth indicated that officials in Tel Aviv closely monitored the election and warned that Orban’s defeat could remove the regime’s last bastion of protection within the 27-nation bloc.

Observers say Magyar, who is more closely aligned with broader European positions, could end Hungary’s use of the veto, allowing for more unified EU action, including criticism of illegal settlement expansion, settler violence, and military aggression.

Trump left without ‘true friend’

The election result also represented a setback for Trump, who openly supported Orban during the campaign.

Just days before the vote, Trump urged Hungarian voters to back his “true friend” and said he would use the full economic power of the United States to assist Hungary in the event of Orban’s victory.

Magyar sharply criticized those comments, denouncing Washington for interfering in Hungary’s internal affairs.

Source: Presstv

3, April 2026

Russia conducts massive rolling aerial attacks on Ukraine ⁰

Russia has conducted rolling aerial attacks on Ukraine ‌since Thursday evening, Ukraine’s air force said Friday, ⁠adding that a large number of enemy drones were in Ukrainian airspace.

The bombardment was the second ‌time in a week that Russia has followed a overnight drone barrage with ⁠heavy daytime attacks, a new tactic as Moscow probes ways to penetrate Ukraine’s air defences.

“The Kyiv region is once again under a massive enemy missile and drone attack,” Mykola Kalashnyk, the regional governor, said.

“We can see that the enemy is using new routes, new drones which they are constantly ‌modernising, and new tactics,” air force spokesman Yurii Ihnat said on state television.

He added that Russia had launched more than 400 long-range drones in the past ‌24 hours, as well as ten ballistic missiles that primarily targeted areas near the front line.

Ihnat said the bombardment was similar to Tuesday’s attack which killed at least four people when an overnight barrage of over 300 drones was followed by another of similar size in the middle of the day.

Large-scale Russian bombardments cause disruption across Ukraine as many government institutions, public transport services and businesses close during the attacks, which can last many hours.

“The enemy is exerting (pressure) on our population, paralysing the work of certain public institutions, as well as learning institutions,” Ihnat said.

In the eastern region of Kharkiv, one person was killed and 25 others injured by missile, bomb and drone ⁠attacks over the past 24 hours, governor Oleh Synehubov said on social media.

That included four ⁠ballistic missiles that struck the regional capital, also called Kharkiv, overnight. Authorities only reported one injury from that strike.

“Duty fighter jets have ‌been scrambled, and ground-based air defence systems as well as radar reconnaissance have reached a state of maximum readiness,” said the Operational Command of the ⁠Polish Armed Forces on X.

No violations of Polish airspace ⁠were recorded and military aviation operations linked to Russian strikes on ‌Ukraine ended later Friday, said the Operational Command of the ‌Polish Armed Forces.

“Activated ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have returned to standard operational activities,” the army wrote on X. “We inform that no violation of the airspace ⁠of the Republic of ⁠Poland was observed.”

Meanwhile Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited US negotiators to Kyiv to relaunch three-way talks with Russia, according to comments released Friday.

“I invited the American negotiating delegation to Kyiv. The delegation will do everything possible in the current conditions – during the war with Iran – to come to Kyiv,” Zelensky told journalists on Thursday.

Source: Reuters

1, April 2026

New Testament pastors in the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon ⁰

The mess left behind by Rev Dr Samuel Forba Fonki during his time as moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) is now amplifying with questions about the public image of protestant clerics becoming increasingly relevant.

Before Samuel Forba Fonki emerged as moderator, the PCC had a very rich tradition that emphasized modesty, humility and spiritual focus. As a prominent and successful failure, Rev. Fonki reportedly left behind a sinful PCC which has prompted Christians and many religious observers to raise concerns about the complete and total shift in how certain pastors from rich congregations of the PCC present themselves especially in matters of dress and outward style.

It is shameful, disgusting and disgraceful for a church like the PCC rooted in reformed theology to allow its pastors to now appear like Sammy Diko and Longue Longue.

The pastor’s role in the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon is to point beyond themselves—to Christ, to Scripture and to the life of faith. When a pastor’s personal appearance begins to draw disproportionate attention as seen on the photo attached to this editorial, it risks distracting from that central mission. Being a pastor is not a celebrity contest and the pastor is not a performer.

This Cameroon Concord Group editorial is not a call for rigid uniformity or the denial of cultural expression. A pastor’s dress can reflect dignity, context, and even joy. But there is a great distinction between attire that honors the sacred responsibility of God’s ministry and attires that risk blurring the line between spiritual leadership and spectacle. When that holy line becomes unclear, Christians may begin to question whether the focus remains on worship or has subtly shifted toward personality and display.

PCC ministers are all aware that pastoral leadership speaks of restraint, integrity, and a quiet confidence rooted in calling rather than appearance. Correspondingly, pastors deep within the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon should and must not only communicate in words but also in presentation.

The Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, like other living institutions, must continuously reflect on how its pastors embody its values in a changing political and social landscape. That reflection is healthiest when it is honest, charitable, and anchored in the shared desire to preserve the integrity of the PCC’s mission.

To this I put my name

Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

27, March 2026

Yaoundé: Trade ministers gather for make-or-break WTO reform talks ⁰

Trade ministers from across the world convened in Cameroon’s capital on Thursday for four days of negotiations on reforming the World Trade Organization, with diplomats warning that failure to reach an agreement could push countries to set trade rules outside the body entirely — a development that could accelerate the fragmentation of the global trading system.

The gathering in Yaoundé arrives at an exceptionally fraught moment. Ministers are contending with the economic fallout from the US-Israeli war on Iran, which has sent energy prices soaring and disrupted food supply chains, compounding a year of tariff turmoil triggered by President Donald Trump’s aggressive use of trade measures. “From a business perspective this could yet become the worst industrial crisis in living memory,” said John Denton, secretary-general of the International Chamber of Commerce, pointing specifically to fertiliser supply disruptions that threaten food security across Africa.

Deep divisions, no roadmap

Ministers arrive without a clear reform agenda, after years of stalled multilateral deals and six years of paralysis in the WTO’s dispute settlement system. The divisions are significant: the United States supports reform in principle but is resisting a detailed work plan, while the European Union, Britain, and China are pushing for one, according to internal documents seen by Reuters. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said she expected the talks to be difficult.

The stakes of failure have been laid out starkly by several delegations. Swiss Ambassador Erwin Bollinger warned that without concrete outcomes, “the WTO will lose its attractiveness and relevancy.” UK trade minister Chris Bryant went further, raising the prospect of institutional collapse. “My anxiety is if we ministers don’t get this week right, you might see a disorderly collapse of the WTO and some people writing a new rule book,” he said.

Flash points

Among the most contentious issues is the future of a moratorium on customs duties for digital downloads, which has become a battleground between Washington and New Delhi. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is expected to tell members the United States is “not interested” in a temporary extension, insisting only a permanent arrangement is acceptable. India is likely to hold its opposition, while other countries are seeking a two-year extension. South Korea’s trade minister called a failure to extend the moratorium a “big blow” to both the WTO and the global economy.

The talks have also been overshadowed by the absence of Taiwan, which was excluded after host country Cameroon described it as a province of China — a move likely to draw its own diplomatic fallout on the sidelines of the conference.

Source: Businessday.ng

19, March 2026

No tickets will be sold for Pope Leo XIV’s masses in Cameroon ⁰

A poster circulating widely on WhatsApp claims that access fees will be charged for masses to be celebrated by Pope Leo XIV during his apostolic visit to Cameroon. The poster, shared for several hours on the messaging platform, lists fees ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 CFA francs to attend celebrations in Yaoundé, Bamenda and Douala. The claim is false: the Apostolic Nunciature in Cameroon has formally denied that any tickets are being sold.

An image widely shared on WhatsApp claims to be an official poster for the apostolic visit of Pope Leo XIV to Cameroon, scheduled for April 15-18, 2026. The image lists several categories of access to papal masses: “ticket” (10,000 CFA francs), “comfort” (30,000 CFA francs), “premium” (50,000 CFA francs) and “ultra VIP” (100,000 CFA francs), and includes a WhatsApp number for reservations.

Several elements suggest the poster is not authentic. It does not display the official logo of the Catholic Church in Cameroon, refers to a ticketing system that is unusual for papal masses, and uses a graphic style more typical of commercial promotional posters.

Official framework of the visit

On February 25, 2026, the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency of Cameroon announced that Pope Leo XIV would undertake an apostolic visit to the country from April 15 to 18 at the invitation of President Paul Biya. The program includes stops in Yaoundé, Bamenda and Douala.

Local church authorities have also begun announcing the celebrations planned during the visit. The Archdiocese of Bamenda, for example, confirmed in a communiqué dated March 8 and published on March 13 that a mass will be celebrated at Bamenda Airport on April 16. The document does not mention any payment required to attend.

Official denial

Following the circulation of the poster, the Apostolic Nunciature in Cameroon issued a clarification stating that no tickets are being sold for the papal visit.

In its statement, the Nunciature confirmed that access to all liturgical celebrations presided over by Pope Leo XIV in Yaoundé, Bamenda and Douala will be entirely free. It added that no ticket sales or paid reservations have been authorized.

The Nunciature also warned against any private initiative seeking to charge for access to papal masses and called on the faithful to focus on the spiritual preparation for the visit.

The Archdioceses of Yaoundé and Douala also dismissed the poster on social media, stating that access to papal celebrations is free and that the message circulating online is a scam.

The poster claiming that access to Pope Leo XIV’s masses in Cameroon requires payment is misinformation. Church authorities confirm that attendance at the celebrations during the apostolic visit will be free.

Source: Sbbc

17, March 2026

The Lamido of Rey Bouba is new Senate President ⁰

Senator Aboubakary Abdoulaye who also moonlights as the Lamido of Rey Bouba has been elected President of the Cameroonian Senate signaling the end of Niat Njifengi. Today’s electoral victory of Senator Abdoulaye marks a moment of both continuity and cautious anticipation in Cameroon’s political story. At a time when all administrative and political establishments in Cameroon are being tested by shifting public expectations, generational change, and demands for accountability, this change of leadership in the Cameroonian Senate carries significance well beyond ceremonial protocol in Yaoundé.

Senator Aboubakary Abdoulaye is stepping into the role with the weight of institutional responsibility on his shoulders. The Senate, often perceived as the nation’s House of Lords within Cameroon’s legislative framework, plays an important role in safeguarding constitutional order, reviewing legislation, and ensuring regional representation. This traditional leader from the Far North region will be judged not only by how effectively the Senate performs these duties, but also by how it responds to the broader concerns of Cameroonian citizens, Francophone and Anglophone.

Seas of political commentators have opined today that Senator Aboubakary Abdoulaye is a reflection of the enduring influence of established political structures in Cameroon. But his electoral victory also raises an important question: can continuity coexist with renewal? For many in Yaoundé, the hope is that Senator Abdoulaye’s tenure will not simply reinforce the status quo, but rather inject a measure of responsiveness into governance—particularly in addressing economic pressures, social cohesion, and the ongoing challenges in various regions of the country including the war in Southern Cameroons.

There is also political weight in leadership transitions such as this. They offer an opportunity to reaffirm public trust in institutions that, for some, may feel distant from everyday realities. The Senate president, though not always at the forefront of executive decision-making, occupies a position that can either reinforce institutional credibility or deepen public skepticism. Abdoulaye’s approach to transparency, dialogue, and legislative independence will therefore be closely scrutinized.

Cameroon stands at a delicate juncture. Its political future will depend not only on leadership at the highest executive levels but also on the strength and integrity of its legislative bodies. In this regard, the Senate presidency is more than a title—it is a test of stewardship.

As Senator Aboubakary Abdoulaye assumes office, the expectations are clear. Stability must be matched with vision. Tradition must be balanced with reform. And above all, leadership must remain attuned to the voices of the people it is meant to serve.

Whether this moment becomes a footnote in a long continuum of continuity or a subtle turning point toward renewal will depend on the choices made in the days ahead.

By Queen Besumbu Agbaw in UK with files from Rita Akana in Yaoundé

10, March 2026

Francis Ngannou returns to MMA against Philipe Lins on Netflix ⁰

MMA superstar Francis “The Predator” Ngannou is set to make a highly anticipated return to the cage on May 16, 2026, in Los Angeles.

According to a press release from Most Valuable Promotions on March 9, Ngannou will face Brazilian heavyweight Philipe “Monstro” Lins in a headline bout that will be broadcast globally on Netflix. This event, titled “Rousey vs. Carano, Ngannou vs. Lins,” is historic as it marks the first time a live mixed martial arts event will be streamed on the platform.

Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, remains one of the most feared strikers in combat sports history, renowned for a career defined by devastating knockouts, including seven finishes within the first two minutes of the opening round. His opponent, Philipe Lins, a 2018 Professional Fighters League heavyweight tournament winner, brings his own reputation as a formidable finisher to the cage. Promoters expect a high-stakes clash between the two, noting that they hold a combined total of 22 knockout victories.

In his statement, Ngannou addressed his time away from the sport, describing his silence as the sound of a predator approaching and framing his return not merely as a comeback, but as a reconquest of the heavyweight division. The fight card will also feature a landmark women’s featherweight bout between MMA pioneers Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, further elevating the profile of the evening.

This announcement follows closely on the heels of the formal conclusion of Ngannou’s partnership with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) on March 6, 2026. After joining the PFL in May 2023 to help drive the organization’s international expansion, Ngannou competed just once under their banner, securing a first-round victory over Renan Ferreira in October 2024. During his tenure with the league, Ngannou also pursued high-profile crossover boxing matches against heavyweight titans Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Culled from APA News by Queen Besumbu Agbaw