Editorial

23, July 2024

“It is becoming increasingly difficult to speak freely in Cameroon” ⁰

In a decree issued on July 16, Emmanuel Mariel Djikdent, the head of the Mfoundi division, where the capital Yaoundé is situated, stated that “anyone who dangerously insults the [state] institutions or the person who embodies them,” could be banned from staying in the division. Djikdent issued this decree to “preserve public order.”

Two days later, René Emmanuel Sadi, the communication minister, issued a press release stating that “it is unacceptable for compatriots […] to use irreverent language” about the president Paul Biya “who was freely and overwhelmingly elected by his fellow citizens.”

The decree has rightly worried media professionals and opposition party leaders who have criticized it as a backwards step for the right to freedom of expression. These announcements are the latest in a series of troubling government decisions that appear to be aimed at stifling opposition and dissent ahead of the presidential elections in 2025.

In March, the territorial administration minister, Paul Atanga Nji, banned two opposition coalitions describing them as “clandestine movements.” In June, gendarmes in N’Gaoundéré, Adamawa region, arbitrarily rearrested Aboubacar Siddiki, known as Babadjo, a prominent artist and member of the National Union for Democracy and Progress (Union nationale pour la démocratie et le progrès), moments after he was released from prison following a three-month sentence for insulting a governor. In July, Cameroon’s national assembly passed a law extending its members’ term in office until March 2026, and postponing parliamentary elections scheduled for February 2025; a move opposition parties argue will make it harder for them to succeed in the presidential elections, which are still scheduled to take place in 2025. The incumbent president, Paul Biya, 91, is serving his seventh term, having come to power in 1982. He was last reelected in 2018 after a contested vote that sparked a wave of political repression.

Under international human rights law, the right to free speech may be restricted only on limited grounds, such as national security or to protect the rights of others, and even then, restrictions must be necessary, proportionate, and not discriminate. The divisional decree includes provisions that don’t meet this threshold and could be used to target critics discriminately and violate rights. As elections approach, authorities should fully respect the freedom of expression of all Cameroonians and revoke this decree.

Source: Human Rights Watch

7, July 2024

Biya seeks to extend mandate of legislature: Can democracy survive 2025 in Cameroon? ⁰

Cameroon will be holding elections in 2025 — a tribute, it could be argued, to the power of an idea, democracy, and to the spread of political freedom.

Political commentators in the nation’s capital Yaoundé will see 2025 as a milestone in democracy’s long journey from the rowdy town square debates of classical Athens, through the thinking of 18th-century philosophers and beyond to an ever more just and equitable world.

But that seems unlikely in Cameroon-a nation run by a regime that has successfully weakened all independent institutions including the Holy Roman Catholic Church.

There is a spirit pushing Yaoundé to hold elections in 2025 but it is not a democratic one.

The CPDM government on Saturday submitted to parliament a draft bill aimed at extending the mandate for the country’s lawmakers for a year. This is not the first time Biya and his acolytes are using this vicious tactics. But Saturday’s draft bill is an indication that democracy in Cameroon is in recession.

The bill, which concerns lawmakers of the National Assembly or the so-called lower house of the parliament, seeks to extend the term of office to March 30, 2026 from March 10, 2025.

The Etoudi statement in a typical CPDM crime syndicate style noted that the extension seeks “to lighten the electoral calendar,” which includes presidential, parliamentary, municipal and regional council elections in Cameroon next year.

“In this regard, and apart from the election of regional councilors, the other elections, which involve direct voting, require the deployment of substantial human, material and financial resources. Accordingly, it is judicious to spread the above-mentioned elections over the years 2025 and 2026, so as to ensure better organization,” The Biya regime statement added.

With a creeping disillusionment among younger people in Cameroon about the very point of elections, it is completely impossible for the fragmented opposition to defeat President Biya’s rigour and moralization party, the CPDM which has spent years undermining the rule of law and turning the state broadcaster CRTV into a government mouthpiece.

It is now abundantly clear that democracy in Cameroon is in crisis. President Biya’s tricks of always telling the world that state institutions and spirit needed time to develop no longer make sense to any Cameroonian citizen.

Biya’s shameful and disgraceful end will play out in 2025. For 42 years as head of state, he has jailed opponents and run a charade of an election culminating in 90-per cent majorities or higher. To be accurate, he simply allows the opposition to compete — but not to win.

But it is his re-election in 2025 that will finally disintegrate the Republic of Cameroon. The world in 2025 will no longer turn a blind eye to the excesses of Biya and his gang.

Biya is frail and there is a huge vacuum. The Unity Palace is now filled with bad actors that steal, steal, steal and govern as bad as they want.

Biya has weakened all anti-corruption bodies in the country and the recent emergence of his elder son Franck Biya as a frontrunner to succeed him, suggests that he has a dynasty in mind.

Southern Cameroonians no longer have faith in the La Republique system. The new alarming, growing Anglophone population is becoming indifferent because they don’t see the Francophone political system working for them.

Can democracy survive 2025 in Cameroon?

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

27, June 2024

Fibroid: Ignorance is not bliss! ⁰

Women around the world face many health challenges, especially after a certain age. When young, most girls hardly think that the health challenges their mothers and aunties have faced could one day visit them.

Why do they think so? Maybe youthfulness! As most us do understand, youthfulness is beautiful but it could be marked by stupidity too, except if guided through life by adults or if the young people are willing to listen.

Learning through one’s experience could be challenging and learning the hard way in an environment without the proper social support system could be disheartening, especially in the event of a serious health issues.

One of those challenging health issue stalking young women these days is a fibroid growth which could spell mental and psychological destabilization.

I found out that I had fibroids when I went to the hospital where I was advised by a medical doctor to undergo an ultrasound scan.

Strangely, what took me to the hospital on that fateful day was not fibroid but constipation which has been blighting my life for some time.

I had been experiencing constipation for some days until I went to the hospital for consultation. I had to rid myself of this discomfort which had kept unhappy.

After a thorough examination by a doctor, I was advised that subjecting myself to an ultrasound could help the doctor to gain a better understanding of what was ailing me. Thanks to the scans, I found out that I had multiple myomas (fibroid), which measured 14.5cm and 5cm. This was indeed bad news and it was really devastating.

My stomach had bulged but I did not pay much attention because I assumed that it was a result of weight gain. I took the ultrasound results back to the doctor who advised that I saw the gynaecologist.

The gynaecologist examined me and said there was no treatment for that other than surgery (myomectomy). I later went back home and did some research on fibroids. After connecting the dots, I concluded that the fibroids were the cause of the symptoms I was experiencing.

The symptoms were irregular menstrual periods, heavy flow, abdominal pain and excruciating menstrual cramps. The thought of surgery terrified me, but that was the only solution that could bring the much-needed relief.

After days of contemplation, I decided to go in for the surgery. I was scared but I knew only a surgery could provide a long-lasting solution. The procedure lasted for about three hours and it was done under anesthesia.

Recovery was characterized by bleeding, convulsion, fever and headaches. After about five weeks, I knew I was on the right path to recovery. By the eighth week, I was fully recovered and the psychological discomfort was gone.

After surgery, all the symptoms I experienced were gone. No irregular mentrual periods or cramps.

I know a majority of women fear stigmas when seeking help with their reproductive health, but conditions like fibroids, endometriosis and PCOS are not caused by witchcraft, neither are they related to living a promiscuous life.

Women, especially young women, should feel free to discuss their health issues and doubts with their healthcare workers if they want to gain much knowledge about their bodies.

They should open up to women who have much experience and they should understand that most health issues will find solutions in health facilities and not in shrines and churches.

Challenges are normal in life. Some could be addressed very fast while some could take a long time to be addressed. If faced with health challenges which could take a long time, it is better to stick with the hospitals and, sometimes, it is advisable to seek a second opinion to be very sure of the type of health issue that is blighting our lives.

Witchcraft is, in many cases, a figment of our imagination and it is driven by ignorance. Since many women especially those in the rural areas are not very informed about their bodies, it is easy for them to blame their unfortunate health situation on witchcraft which in many cases beclouds our thinking.

Women should understand that ignorance is costly. If they do not go to the hospital early enough for timely diagnoses, a small health issue could develop into a major problem.

Ignorance should never be bliss! Ignorance kills and it entrenches our mistaken belief in witchcraft. Knowledge is power and women must understand that today, knowledge is just a click away and when they obtain such knowledge, they should share it with their friends and families which is a sure way of rolling back ignorance and disease.

By Cecilia M. Manjang

24, June 2024

Vice President Yerima’s statement on the burning of taxis in Ambazonia ⁰

The recent incidents of taxis being burned on our streets are deeply troubling. Taxis represent not just a mode of transportation but a vital source of livelihood for many in our communities in Ambazonia. These acts of destruction do not advance the cause of liberation or justice; instead, they harm the very people we seek to uplift and support. The very people we are fighting to liberate from black-on-black colonialism, invasion, looting of our natural resources, rape, torture and crimes against humanity committed by Paul Biya, his government and the military of French Cameroun.

As stakeholders in the revolution, we must desist from, and be accountable to attitudes and actions that ignite and cause more harm and add grave pains to our already suffering masses on the ground. The unfortunate and insipid attitudes and actions towards our own taxi drivers have resulted in the burning of taxis and other forms of destructions, with negative ramifications on the core ideals that inspired us to rise up as a people and defend ourselves against an oppressive and repugnant French Cameroun regime.

Our fight for the liberation of our country must be rooted in principles of dignity, respect, and unity. Violence and the destruction of property belonging to those whom we claim are our own, only serve to divide us and undermine our collective efforts. The burning of taxis is a direct attack on the hardworking individuals who rely on these vehicles to support their families and contribute to our economy.

We condemn these heinous acts in the strongest possible terms. We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all Ambazonians, and we will not tolerate any form of violence or intimidation against our own people. These criminal gangs seek to create fear and chaos, but we stand united in our resolve to fight back and redirect our focus of the revolution against the principal enemy, French Cameroun.

We call on all members of our communities on ground zero to channel their frustrations and energies into constructive actions that build, rather than destroy. Let us engage in peaceful dialogue amongst us, especially those on the ground that are affected the most; organized advocacy, and community-driven initiatives that reflect our shared values and aspirations for a better future for us and generations to come.

Our path to liberation requires resilience, solidarity, and a commitment to non-violence against our already suffering and impoverished masses. Let us stand together, protect our sources of livelihood, and work towards meaningful change that benefits all our people. We stand with our people on ground Zero and we will continue to work hard to defend our interests and aspirations of a free and prosperous homeland. God bless Ambazonia.

Dabney Yerima

Vice President

Federal Republic of Ambazonia

21, June 2024

Biya is aging disgracefully ⁰

Aging gracefully is not about trying to look like a 16 or a 20-something — it’s about living your best life and having the physical and mental health to enjoy it.

But when you are over ninety years and you have been in power for forty-two years and there is nothing to show for such a long stay in office. When your incompetence is legendary and when you have used intimidation and trickery to keep your people in utter silence. At 92, it is evidently clear that you are aging disgracefully. This is the story of Paul Biya, the Cameroonian dictator.

Cameroon’s per capita income is dwindling at catastrophic rapidity and President Biya’s personal clock is ticking away at lightning speed, yet no one in Yaoundé is speaking of an adequate plan for a peaceful transition of power.

Paul Biya is already 92, he is still the President of the Republic and his acolytes are pushing for him to continue beyond 2025. Biya’s seniority makes King Charles of Great Britain and the UN secretary-general António Guterres look middle-aged at 75.

Many in Yaoundé are now questioning Biya’s sanity and quips about him being compos mentis are intensifying deep within his ruling party the Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement (CPDM).

In his 42 years as president of the republic, Biya has been undeniably, over the hill and far away from the Cameroonian people.

Take a look at his record: Cameroon’s economy is on life support. Almost every sector has been hit hard by the corruption which has become the government’s hallmark.

Unemployment has hit its apex, leaving many young Cameroonians desperate. Many have found solace in alcohol and drugs.

The country is bereft of all forms of infrastructure. Thousands of Cameroonians die each year on what passes off as roads.

The country’s lone air career, CAMER-Co, has only one airliner and most of its staffs are hardly sure of the next paycheck.

Camrail, the railway network which once brought goods and people to nearly every town and city, is today a shadow of its former self.

The architects of Cameroon Airlines’ demise, who are still in power, displayed the same mindset and destroyed Camship-Cameroon Shipping Company, Cameroon Bank, BIAO Meridian Bank and FONADER Bank.

The price of beer and other bottled concoctions are determined by decrees issued by Mr. Biya whose cardinal objective even at 92 is to die in power.

The country’s police and military have been tribalized. Once ordered to operate in other regions of the country, the military goes crazy, killing and maiming anything with flesh and blood. Most senior officials of the country’s military are from the president’s region, making it hard for any coup d’état to be planned.

There is an inherent fear in electing young leaders in the ruling CPDM party at a time and age when leaders in this critical sphere of human life should be in a position to represent the interests of the major cohort of their citizenry.

On state radio and television, Biya loyalists have repeatedly said life begins at 70 for CPDM politicians. The one million dollar question is with more than half of Cameroon’s population under the age of 30, how can they possibly relate to this massive proportion of their citizenry?

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said: “Politics is weird because it’s the only business where you give a really important position to someone with no qualifications.”

If it were not for politics, what would Biya and his gang turn to for an income in a Cameroon devoid of economic opportunities? What useful skills do Biya and his Beti-Bulu gang possess? What are they actually qualified to do, outside of politics? The answer is simple-nothing.

The fact that young Cameroonians girls have been reduced to prostitutes by hunger and poverty under his watchful eyes, we of the Concord Group have come to the conclusion that Biya is aging disgracefully.

By staff lady Besong Eunice Nchong

12, June 2024

Indomitable Lions: When will Minister Mouelle Kombi end his tragi-comedy? ⁰

One would have thought that following FIFA’s letter of May 6, 2024, urging Cameroon’s ministry of sports and FECAFOOT to comply with agreements they had signed, especially as the global soccer governing body had clearly stated in its letter that FECAFOOT was the body which had to appoint technical team members for the country’s national team, the country’s sports minister, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, would see the errors of his ways and seek reconciliation.

On the contrary, the professor of law and practicing lawyer has gradually morphed into a practicing liar by inventing tricks and, sometimes issuing veiled threats to get his way around a rule that has stood the test of time.

Mouelle Kombi seems to think that the world operates with the rules established by Cameroon’s lawless government.

During the match pitting the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon against the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde in Cameroon, Minister Mouelle Kombi took his comedy and chaos to the stadium.

Due to his greed and lawlessness, two different technical teams had to put Cameroon’s lawlessness and disorder on display for all to see although Cameroon’s major television network, the Cameroon Radio and Television Corporation (CRTV) did a good job of sparing its viewers the pain of seeing the country being ridiculed due to Mouelle Kombi’s Amerisized ego.

Both technical teams were kicked out of the coaching zone and were reduced to sorry spectators of the match.

Before the stadium incident, other scenes of Mouelle Kombi’s drama had played out at the Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé and even at the training grounds. The “puppet master” has been using the “Belgian farmer” who now moonlights as a coach of the Indomitable Lions to destabilize the same team he is expected to coach.

The “Belgian farmer” knows that the chaos the practicing liar has outsourced to him will only hurt him in the long run and he is now cutting a conciliatory figure.

But it is not up to the Belgian farmer to put an end to Mouelle Kombi’s unacceptable drama. The Belgian farmer has already eaten and danced with the devil. He is therefore caged in silence forever.

He cannot talk and, on Sunday, Mouelle Kombi’s ghost followed the Belgian farmer to Luanda in Angola. A new act in Mouelle Kombi’s tragi-comedy played out at the Nsimalen International airport with the Minister’s appointed technical team being refused access to the aircraft that was transporting the Cameroonian delegation to Luanda.

After long and tedious negotiations, members of Mouelle Kombi-appointed technical team were allowed into the aircraft but had to be squeezed in the tail of the airplane.

Omam Biyik, a once venerated Indomitable Lions striker and members of Mouelle Kombi’s cast knew that the headaches ahead would expose them to more humiliation but they must obey their puppet master.

Hunger and poverty hardly breed virtue and they have successfully reduced Omam Biyik to a beggar. He has lost his sense of dignity and he is willing and ready to implement Mouelle Kombi’s devilish plan without batting an eyelid. He prefers to err on the side of illegality if only he can receive a meagre salary. Many wonder where he has kept the money he earned as a player.

Omam is today a member of the Kombi cult. From Nsimalen, they flew into Luanda conscious of the fact that they could face enormous embarrassment. Omam and his fellow Kombi loyalists came out of the airplane with stomachs full of butterflies. The scene had changed.

Angolans were not going to help Mouelle Kombi’s men stage their tragi-comedy on Angolan soil. Their names were not on the match list submitted by FECAFOOT. Another round of negotiations had to start. Before Omam and his fellow Kombi disciples earn their first salaries, they would have run out of saliva. The negotiations are always tough and long. When you side with illegality, know that yours will be the kingdom of humiliation.

Despite the preaching, begging and talking, Kombi’s disciples had to pay their visa fees and many of them did not have much money on them. Angolans are tough with their visas, and sometimes, even with a diplomatic passport, you still have to answer some head-breaking questions.

Though Kombi’s disciples had been let into the country, they knew they might not have a good place to rest. Luanda is a very expensive city. Hotel rates are astronomically high and it was when Omam and his colleagues in crime reached the hotel wherein the Indomitable Lions were being lodged, that they finally figured out that they would be homeless for two days.

FECAFOOT does not recognize the Kombi disciples and had not reserved any rooms for them. Cameroon’s chaos cannot play out in Angola. The scenes are different and the law works in Angola.

Omam, the man who had brought fame to Cameroon in the 1990 World Cup competition was reduced to a beggar. Like other members of the Kombi technical team, he had to share a room with the younger players, many of whom could be his children. Worst of all, the days-long fatigue caused Omam and his colleagues to snore all night long as if they wanted to generate more electricity for the city of Luanda. Poverty has a way of humiliating people!

Despite Mouelle Kombi’s attempt via telephone to talk the Angolan sports minister into his chaos, the Angolan football federation made it clear that only documents forwarded by FECAFOOT had the force of law. Federations don’t deal with sports ministries. They deal with sister federations and in Luanda, Omam and other disciples of Kombi knew that they were in real trouble. Hunger and thirst kept Kombi disciples company throughout their stay in Luanda.

They were allowed into the stadium only after having paid for their tickets like ordinary spectators. Many of them could be seen cutting lonely and miserable figures. Only the FECAFOOT appointed technical team members enjoyed their full benefits. They played their roles fully while Kombi’s disciples watched in utter dismay.

Mouelle Kombi had lost the battle of Luanda but had succeeded not only to expose his disciples to humiliation in its superlative degree, but also to frustration. He had also carefully crafted a plan to expose them to hunger and desperation. And the plan actually worked.

With all what has played out over the last week, Mouelle Kombi must understand that more humiliation will be downloaded on his illegal technical team as the Indomitable Lions work hard to obtain a spot in the upcoming World Cup competition.

But there are more problems for Minister Mouelle Kombi. The invoices of the companies he signed mutual agreements with are already due. FECAFOOT only pays for contracts it negotiates. It has no business with third-party contracts. Over the last two days, the beleaguered minister of sports has been calling on the FECAFOOT finance officer to pay the invoices for contracts he signed, but the FECAFOOT finance officer cannot disburse any money without approval from the FECAFOOT boss.

The finance officer has clearly stated that he cannot make any errors of judgment as auditors will hold him responsible for any poorly managed finances. The finance officer understands that the justice system would come after him like a Tasmanian devil if he breached the law.

Mouelle Kombi is running out of steam. He has been bruised and ruffled by a FECAFOOT President who likes to err on the side of the law and has a tough personality. Omam and his fellow disciples may never receive a salary for the unpalatable drama they have helped Mouelle Kombi to stage.

Kombi has a choice! Sue for peace or continue making a fool of himself. If he does not embrace decency and collaboration, then he should know that there is more disgrace for him on the horizon.

By Staffman Alain Agbor Ebot

9, June 2024

Exclusive: Dr Joachim Arrey speaks of Biya, Manyu politics and Cameroon in 2025 ⁰

“Manyu needs a new generation of politicians if it must be relevant in Cameroon’s new political landscape as elections approach. Our past politicians like Samson Georges, Emmanuel Tabi Egbe, Michael Kima Tabong, W.N.O Effiom etc. were men of unparalleled integrity and wisdom. They inspired many of us in more ways than one and young people of Manyu descent should be engaging in politics to make Manyu great again,” says Dr. Joachim Arrey of the Global Think Tank for Africa.

Cameroon Concord News: It is always a pleasure talking with you. I have been reading your articles on many sites and you have been writing a lot about 2025 which is an important year in Cameroon’s political history. There will be presidential, parliamentary, senatorial and municipal elections in 2025 and many people around the world are hoping for the best for Cameroon. In which direction do you think these elections will take the country?

Dr Joachim Arrey: Thanks for granting me the opportunity to share my thoughts with you on what is happening in Cameroon. Cameroon is an important country in the Central African region and what happens in Cameroon could have a huge impact on the other Central African countries. That is why there is a lot of interest in what is playing out in the country. 2025 will really be a crucial year. There will be presidential elections and many people are wondering if the country’s current president will still be a candidate given his age. He is almost 92 and the burden of responsibility as well as the passage of time has taken a toll on him and his health. Very few people of his age are in good health and carrying such a burden again for the next seven years and given his current health may not be good for the country.

If I were to advise him, I would urge him to take a deserved rest. After 42 years as a president, it is obvious that he is tired. He should stop thinking that he is indispensable. Cemeteries around the world are full of people who once thought they were indispensable. I have seen him in public a couple of times, especially in the last couple of years, and I can say without fear of contradiction that he is not the vibrant person I knew when he came to office in 1982. Aging is a natural process, and it is the way of every flesh, and it is necessary for him to leave the stage when the ovation is still loud. At his age, there is no way he can be actively involved in the country’s economic and political efforts, and he cannot be abreast of what is happening around the world, especially as technological advancement has triggered significant transformations in the way young people think. Young people make up about 70% of the country’s population and engineering the type of economic and political transformation that will trigger change to meet the needs of this young population cannot be an old man’s job. Changing demographics must also imply a change in leadership.

For parliamentary and senatorial elections, they are as important as the presidential elections. The ruling party will have to work hard to keep its majority in both chambers, and this will require injecting new blood and people of integrity into the party. The CPDM has a tough battle on its hands, and old tricks might not deliver the results they have always had. The country is now like a keg of gun powder and any mistake could cause the country to go up in smoke. Cameroonians are angry and only new and reassuring faces can calm down our young people whose frustration is already reaching boiling point. Many young Cameroonians hold that the ruling party, the CPDM, is to blame for their problems, especially unemployment which is sucking life out of them. It will be important for the ruling party just like the opposition parties, to incorporate young, dynamic and politically conscious men and women into their political plans. Young people should be the leaders of our country and not old people whose future is clearly behind them. I would like to use this opportunity to urge young Cameroonians to engage in politics. As their grandfathers exit the stage due to old age and death, they should be ready to take over the mantle of leadership. However, they must understand that nobody grants you power on a platter of gold. Joining a political party very early in life will help our young men and women to learn the ropes.

Cameroon Concord News: Would you like to run for any of these positions in your native Manyu as you are urging dynamic and politically conscious people to engage in politics?

Dr Joachim Arrey: I am a bona fide Manyu son who has proven that he loves his people through my humanitarian actions. I am driven by a passion to make Cameroon a better place than I met it. Our people in Manyu Division are suffering and they are looking for people with fresh ideas to lead them both economically and politically down a different path. The Division needs new leaders who can take it down a different and prosperous path. Our people are intelligent, but they have been strapped to poverty for decades because they do not have the right people to teach them how to activate the code of financial success that is embedded in their minds. This is an area that is of interest to me. Manyu needs to create its own millionaires, and this is a job I would like to undertake sometime in my life. Money is the easiest thing to get but it takes Soviet-style discipline and the right mindset to keep it. Discipline and not desire determines our destiny. Our people must be taught how to sacrifice the present to build that bright future they are all hankering after for themselves and their children. They must shed their cargo-cult mentality if they must see the hope on the horizon. Financial success is a dividend of sweat and sacrifice, and fortune only favors the brave. This is the message I want to deliver to my people. Someone needs to bring this secret wisdom to our people to help them out of their grinding and humiliating poverty.

Regarding politics, Manyu needs a new generation of politicians if it must be relevant in Cameroon’s new political landscape as elections approach. Our past politicians like Samson Georges, Emmanuel Tabi Egbe, Michael Kima Tabong, W.N.O Effiom etc. were men of unparalleled integrity and wisdom. They inspired many of us in more ways than one and young people of Manyu descent should be engaging in politics to make Manyu great again. They can belong to any party of their choice, but they must know that Manyu development is the reason for their political engagement. As you know, many Cameroonians keep on complaining about the political decay in their country, but very few are thinking of throwing their hats into the ring. I don’t want to be part of that crowd which complains and does not take any action. Man is by nature a political animal. Like Plato, I hold that one of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors. I am inching closer to retirement, and it is becoming obvious that my political input in Cameroon’s political debate is important. I am weighing my options, and I will see where I will be more effective if I throw my hat into the ring. It is always good to look before you leap.

However, be advised that Manyu has many young men who can play key roles in Cameroon’s politics. Many may not show any interest in politics due to their financial circumstances. Poverty has a way of caging people in silence, and this may be why many of our young men are distancing themselves from politics. I do not have such a problem. If I opt to join politics, it will not be because of money. I have already had more than my fair share of life. I have already worked for decades both in Cameroon and abroad and being an international civil servant and an investor, I think politics is not a good place for me to seek wealth. I know where and how to make money.

Cameroon Concord News: But many Cameroonians hold that the Cameroon political landscape is replete with tensions and unnecessary headaches. Do you think you can cope in such an environment?

Dr Joachim Arrey: Mr. Editor, I was born with fire in my stomach, and I grew up in a blast furnace. I am blessed with the determination of a honey-badger, and I am endowed with a very strong coping mechanism which has stood the test of time. I never throw in the towel, and I never lose my focus. My dad of blessed memory taught me how to cope in tough situations and despite my age, I still have a stomach for a fight. Age and wisdom are on my side, and they are key tools which have enabled me to navigate even the murkiest waters on earth. However, be advised that if I must join politics, it will not be to fight but to see how we can build consensus around those issues which could be so dear to the minds of our fellow Cameroonians. Politics is not about fighting; it is about addressing those issues which are constraining the efforts of our people. It is also about leaving an enduring legacy to future generations and there is no legacy greater than honesty, especially political honesty. If politics is considered a fight, then it should be a fight to bring the greatest happiness to the greatest number, if not, those in the political arena are clearly fighting the wrong fight. Such politicians have a hidden agenda which is predicated upon financial gain. Politics was never designed for anybody to be rich. Politics is service to the people. Anybody in politics who wants to be rich is not in the right place. The business sector is where rich people are made. Similarly, politics requires a lot of flexibility and sometimes you must yield to the will of the majority. When that happens, it must not be seen as a weakness or an act of betrayal. I have learned over the years, and I hold that I should put that sound knowledge to the service of my beloved Cameroon. We cannot all be on the sidelines, hoping that a miracle will one day happen for our country to make giant strides forward.

Cameroon Concord News: If you make up your mind to jump into the fray, will you join the opposition or the ruling party?

Dr Joachim Arrey: There are many political parties in Cameroon and the one that will require new and innovative ideas will be attractive. There is no political party that is bad. It is the party members who make the parties bad. The ruling party has been tagged as a party that is not working for the country and its long stay in power makes it unattractive to many Cameroonians. However, I still believe that internal revolutions do occur and there are people within that party who have the intension of making things better but the hawks in the party and regime are those who are hell bent on keeping things the way they are. If the CPDM wants to attract new and meaningful members, it must reinvent itself. It must package itself as a party which works for the people. The opposition, for its part, also needs to work hard to attract more people. The objective of every political party is to win elections and Cameroon’s opposition parties must package themselves differently. Instead of bashing Biya every day, opposition parties should tell the people how they will be different if they win elections. How do they want to put an end to the corruption that has become the country’s hallmark? How do they intend to promote human and women’s rights in a country wherein laws are not respected, and law enforcement agencies are used to adopting autocratic enforcement methods. It does not just suffice to point out that there are no roads in Cameroon. It is not enough to shout on rooftops that there is corruption in Cameroon.

Opposition parties must let the electorate know how they will do better. Coming out with a clear plan on how to check corruption will go a long way in making opposition parties more attractive. Where will opposition parties get the funds to finance their development projects. If they present a good plan to the populace, that will be music to the ears of many Cameroonians who are looking for change in the country. As a committed observer, I will try as much as I can not to characterize any party as bad. It is not because opposition parties have not been tested that they are necessarily different from the ruling CPDM. Cameroon’s opposition parties need to be given a chance but let them know that they will not get that chance on a platter of gold. They must earn it through their political agenda and how they package their messages. They must tell Cameroonians that they are different with clear evidence to support their claims. Their candidates for the elections must be people with sterling characters.

Cameroon Concord News: Thank you, Dr. Arrey, for agreeing to talk to us. Any last word?

Dr Joachim Arrey: It is always a pleasure to share my perspective with you. Cameroonians must remain hopeful. They should understand that they are the only ones who can change their destiny. They should therefore get registered for the upcoming elections and should ensure that they have their voting cards. Elections remain the most appropriate way of changing things in any country, especially in Cameroon which is really ripe for change. Though the country’s electoral laws are not the best, there is still room for meaningful change. Thanks, once more, for giving me this opportunity.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

8, June 2024

Cameroon: A ticking time bomb! ⁰

Not many in the international community are paying attention, but Cameroon, a once prosperous nation, is inching closer to an implosion. A storm of epic proportion is gathering in Cameroon.

With the country’s long-serving and narcissistic president, Paul Biya, quietly being elbowed out of power by members of his inner circle who are misusing power and misappropriating the country’s resources, it is becoming clear that the country’s 30-million population is being manipulated by a bunch of people with a secret agenda.

Paul Biya is over ninety years and he has been in power for forty-two years and there is very little to show for such a long stay in power. His incompetence is legendary and during his time in power, he has used intimidation and trickery to keep the people in utter silence.

The country is bereft of all forms of infrastructure. Thousands of Cameroonians die each year on what passes off as roads in Cameroon. The railway network, which once brought goods and people to the country’s towns and cities, is today a shadow of its former self.

The country’s lone air career, Camerco, has just one airliner and most of the career’s staff are hardly sure of the next paycheck. Mismanagement and corruption had earlier put Cameroon Airlines, Camerco’s predecessor, out of business due to the government’s mismanagement and poor policies and Camerco is very likely to face the same fate. Old habits die hard and the architects of Cameroon Airlines’ demise are still in power, displaying the same mindset which killed Cameroon Airlines.

The country’s economy is on life support. Almost every sector has been hit hard by the corruption which has become the government’s hallmark. The economy is in the throes of a painful economic crisis which has emasculated the population.

It is easier to find a dog’s tears than to find a job in Cameroon. Unemployment has hit its apex, leaving many young Cameroonians desperate. Many have found solace in alcohol and drugs, and the breweries are making a fortune out of desperate and alcohol-loving Cameroonians.

The government understands the importance of alcohol in Cameroon. It knows that with alcohol, it can control Cameroonians and it is using these liquids to keep them subservient. A typical Cameroonian is permanently under influence, thereby robbing him of the power to think properly and out of the box. In Cameroon, the price of beer and other bottled concoctions are determined by decrees issued by the head(ache) of state whose cardinal objective even at 92 is to die in power.

Most of the country’s youths are looking outwards for solutions to their humbling problems and misfortunes, hoping that someday, they will find a way out of their country. Many hold that their government has disappointed them, but the government’s autocratic implementation of laws and tough crackdowns on dissenting voices are deterring any young men who might think of taking their grievances to the public square.

Cameroonians have been zombified. Theirs is the kingdom of alcohol and prayers. A brand new economic sector has popped up – churches. Unfortunately, this sector is not driving funds to government coffers because the conmen running this scams are also in need of money. They hold that their need for money is greater than the government’s.

The so-called men of God are desperate for money and are not leaving any stone unturned when it comes to pressuring their followers into paying tithes. The sick and unemployed are flocking to those churches in the hope that a miracle could occur, enabling them to witness a different lifestyle.

But prayers alone are not helping them. Their desperation is growing by the day but they must pay their tithes or take their prayers and problems to somewhere else.

According to these dishonest men of God, it costs money to get in touch with God and it is even costlier to tell God to solve a problem, a great departure from what traditional churches used to preach.

Stress has triggered huge health problems in Cameroon. Heart and kidney problems are commonplace today. The poor and sick do not have the right resources to go to government hospitals which are more of consultation clinics.

The doctors are underpaid and many, if not all of them, take on second jobs in private clinics just to make ends meet. Cameroonians are dying like flies or mosquitoes on which repellent has been sprayed. Hunger and diseases are driving young Cameroonians to an early grave, but the government is simply indifferent to their plight.

Young girls have been reduced to prostitutes by hunger and poverty. Nothing disarms a person morally like poverty and this can clearly been seen in Cameroon where young able-bodied men and women have been caged in silence due to degrading poverty.

But the real bomb will go off once Mr. Biya dies. His collaborators are already fighting. Factions have developed within the government and the fight between the FECAFOOT President, Samuel Eto’o, and the country’s Sports Minister, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, is just a foretaste of what will play out once Mr. Biya exits.

For now, nobody is seeking to defuse the bomb. Though almost brain dead, Mr. Biya is still in charge and he is the only person authorized by the country’s poorly designed constitution to make policies and decisions for the country.

The time bomb is still ticking and many Cameroonians are still drinking themselves into a stupor, oblivious of the disaster that is staring them in the face.

By Staffman Alain Agbor Ebot in Douala

7, June 2024

‘Dictator’ Eto’o and chaos in Cameroonian football ⁰

Cameroonian football is in a state of chaos.

For a proud country which boasts five continental titles and the most World Cup finals appearances by an African nation, the past two months have seen a very public row play out over who should coach the Indomitable Lions.

Last week Belgian Marc Brys was removed as boss – only to be reappointed within 48 hours.

But the sideshow off the pitch ahead of crunch 2026 World Cup qualifiers is only the tip of the iceberg in a battle for control of the game.

The man now running football in the Central African nation is former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o, a legend of the game on the continent and Cameroon’s record goalscorer, who was elected football federation (Fecafoot) president in December 2021.

But Eto’o has been described as a “dictator” by one former international team-mate because of the way he is steering the organisation – epitomised by the spat with the nation’s Ministry of Sport (Minsep) over Brys.

“Samuel was the biggest player in Africa but there’s a lot of trouble around him,” the retired player, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of a backlash, told BBC Sport Africa.

“He does not listen to advice. When you manage people you do not need to [act] like a dictator.

“I didn’t know he would be like that, and it will be hard for him to continue.”

Players have issued a plea for the team to be kept “politically free” but some fans have become so desperate that they have called on world governing body Fifa to suspend Cameroon.

The curious case of Marc Brys

The arrival of Brys as coach in April, after the departure of Rigobert Song following a last-16 exit at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), created a storm few would have expected.

Fecafoot expressed its “great surprise” when Minsep announced the appointment of the 62-year-old whose coaching career has been with clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia.

Eto’o’s alternative list of high-profile candidates had reportedly included two-time Afcon-winning coach Herve Renard, Italian World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro and ex-Nigeria boss Jose Peserio.

“The only problem was the salaries,” Cameroonian sports journalist Giovanni Wanneh told BBC Sport Africa.

“Brys is not the best, but we’re not talking about someone we picked from the gutters. Minsep has played this card before and it worked out fine for Cameroon.”

In Cameroon, as is the case in several other African countries, the government pays the salaries of the national team’s coaching staff and feels entitled to weigh into Fecafoot’s affairs.

Eto’o did not turn up to the presentation where Brys signed his contract on 8 April, and their first in-person meeting on 28 May quickly descended into an unseemly row.

An empty chair sits behind a desk with a place card for the Fecafoot president, microphones and flowers — Image caption,Eto’o was absent for Brys’ unveiling, with the Fecafoot president saying he only received an invitation two hours before the event and was busy organising his father’s funeral

Fecafoot reacted by replacing Brys with an interim coach, only to quickly backtrack after pressure was applied by Minsep.

Yet a tense atmosphere continued this week when the Indomitable Lions squad assembled in Yaounde ahead of the visit of Cape Verde in World Cup qualifying on Saturday.

Players were met by two different sets of administrators at the team hotel, and Fecafoot did not provide kit for the first training session due to be held by Brys – leading forward Moumi Ngamaleu to call for unity.

“The responsibility is for you to help keep the team politically free and to maintain a clean environment for us to perform without problems,” his Instagram message read.

“We hereby approach you to overcome the differences, put the ego aside and remember we are all here to put the people of Cameroon on the map and give them honour.”

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana was among several players who reposted Ngamaleu’s message.

A senior Confederation of African Football (Caf) official said it is open to mediating in the row between Fecafoot and Minsep, although such a request is yet to be received.

‘Grave irregularities’ under Eto’o

Eto’o’s treatment of Brys is only the latest instance of his behaviour garnering negative attention since he assumed control of Fecafoot.

“The fact that you are a top footballer doesn’t automatically make you a great administrator,” said Wanneh.

“When he came in, I thought he was going to change the narrative in our football. But Cameroon football is living its worst moment.”

In July last year, a group representing amateur clubs in Cameroon called on the 43-year-old to resign, citing “grave irregularities” in the organisation.

That included Eto’o taking an ambassadorial role with a sports betting company – potentially in violation of both Fifa and Fecafoot rules.

Moreover, an investigation by Caf into allegations of improper conduct against Eto’o is ongoing.

“He is the legitimate president of the federation. But nobody is above the law,” Caf secretary general Veron Mosengo-Omba told BBC Sport Africa.

A battle for control

Cameroon's President Paul Biya and First Lady Chantal Biya wave at the crowd from a car during the opening ceremony of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations — Image caption,Several footballing decisions in Cameroon have been made “on very high instructions” from President Paul Biya (left), who has been in power since 1982

In Cameroonian sport, the influence of President Paul Biya has been keenly felt in the past.

He insisted on Roger Milla being included in the squad for the 1990 World Cup – with the then-38-year-old netting four times – while the appointment of Brys’ predecessor Rigobert Song in 2022 was made “on very high instructions” of President Biya.

It is the government financing and pumping in the money,” said Wanneh.

“Fecafoot is not structured in a way that it can cater for its burden and expenditure,” the journalist added. “If it was then we would not have this scenario.”

Countries whose governments interfere in footballing affairs are at risk of suspension by Fifa – a fate that has befallen many African nations in the past, including Cameroon – yet Minsep has so far trodden a path which has not provoked the Zurich-based governing body.

While Fifa’s social media channels have been bombarded by messages to take action, Eto’o retains the backing of many Indomitable Lions supporters in his bid to break free of perceived governmental control.

Cameroon fans hold out their hands in the stands of a football stadium — Image caption,Eto’o’s running of the game has split opinion among Cameroon fans

“Eto’o knows the challenge he’s getting into,” said Heuyo Hubert on the streets of Yaounde.

“I can only wish him good luck because it’s not easy to have Cameroonians who can fight for their rights to be restored nowadays.”

Another fan, Calvin Ngimbond, felt the row with Brys “had its place”.

“There was need for things to be made clear. Marc Brys must align himself with the requirements of the Fecafoot president,” he added.

“We hope things will improve for peace to reign.”

Fecafoot, Minsep and Fifa were all contacted by BBC Sport Africa to comment on recent developments, but none of the parties responded.

World Cup qualifiers now loom large against two sides who out-performed Cameroon at the 2023 Afcon, with a trip to Angola on Tuesday following the tie against Cape Verde.

Brys has already endured a turbulent start to his new job and will be aware the pressure could soon increase.

“Cameroon are no longer the biggest national team in Africa,” the anonymous former international added.

“I am very sad when I look at what’s going on. If they want to be back at the top level, they need to reorganise everything.”

Headlines being made ‘for wrong reasons’

Analysis by Paul Njie, BBC reporter in Cameroon

The ruckus in Cameroonian football is not new, but the way the rift between Fecafoot and the Ministry of Sports has morphed is staggering.

Now, not only are football stakeholders divided, but Indomitable Lions supporters are also at odds over who is right and wrong.

In many ways the row has been seen as a true test of Eto’o’s leadership in a country where government interference in football is almost the norm rather than an exception.

Despite the deluge of allegations against his management and the investigation by Caf over alleged misconduct, the four-time African Player of the Year’s popularity has not waned much. He continues to enjoy widespread love, admiration and support in the country and beyond.

It is unclear how the uproar will end, but there have been growing calls for the country’s President Paul Biya to personally address it once and for all – especially as both rival camps claim to be implementing “high instructions” from him.

Until then, much of the discourse on the streets, in markets, bars, and local media, will continue to be dominated by doubts as to whether the Indomitable Lions will even play their World Cup qualifiers against Cape Verde and Angola.

Cameroonian football is once again making headlines across the world, but for all the wrong reasons.

Source: BBC

4, June 2024

Southern Cameroons Rebellion: A major and forgotten crisis ⁰

In its report on the world’s most neglected crises, the Norwegian Refugee Council highlighted Cameroon, a country struck by two conflicts that barely make the headlines.

The major crises dividing Cameroon remain largely unnoticed on the international agenda, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) noted in its June 3 report. Almost no one mentioned the war or the Lake Chad crisis impacting the two Anglophone regions since 2017.

Anglophone rebellion

The conflict in the Northwest and Southwest Anglophone provinces began in 2017 following a crackdown by security forces on the 2016 protests, which demanded an end to the marginalization of Anglophones in this predominantly French-speaking country. In response to the military and police brutality, an Anglophone independence movement took up arms and attacked government representatives. This led to the military’s mobilization and intervention in the two provinces. Since then, violence has continued between both sides, with each committing atrocities and holding the population hostage.

Schools especially targeted

The Anglophone crisis has claimed over 6,000 lives since 2016, according to Human Rights Watch. The crisis has displaced 638,000 people within the country. Schools are a particular target for the separatists: 2,245 schools, or 36% of the educational institutions in the anglophone region, have been forced to close. The NRC noted that residents suffer terrible hardships, ranging from murder to kidnapping.

Cameroon is grappling with deteriorating security in its northern region bordering Nigeria and Chad. Since 2013, the area has been disrupted by attacks from the Nigerian-based jihadist group Boko Haram. The group’s presence was bolstered by the Cameroonian government’s inability to secure its borders with Nigeria and Chad and its failure to develop the region increasingly affected by climate change, leading to youth unemployment and poverty.

Impact of the crisis in the Central African Republic

Cameroon has also been dealing with the influx of refugees fleeing neighboring countries, primarily the Central African Republic. According to the UNHCR, there are 332,000 refugees, mostly settled in towns and villages in eastern Cameroon. Additionally, nearly 120,000 Nigerian refugees are living in the Far North region. “52% of the refugees are women and girls, and 55% are children,” the UNHCR reported.

“The prolonged crisis is increasingly taking on a socio-economic dimension, with all sectors of the economy affected and rising food prices exacerbating rampant food insecurity. At least 2.5 million people are dangerously short of food,” the NRC observed, noting that only “32% of the humanitarian response plan was covered by international donors, the lowest rate since 2016.” The NRC concluded: “The growing levels of unmet needs, coupled with a lethargic response from the international community, mean that another difficult year awaits Cameroon in 2024.”

Each year, the NRC publishes a report on the ten most neglected crises affecting displaced people worldwide. It aims to highlight the plight of the displaced who rarely make international headlines, receive little or no aid, and are ignored by international diplomacy.

Culled from Crux International by Besong Eunice Nchong