Headline News

5, May 2026

Mali leader Assimi Goïta assumes role of defense minister ⁰

Mali leader, Assimi Goïta, will assume the additional role of defense minister, according to a decree read on state TV on Monday, following the death of the previous minister in large-scale attacks.

Mali’s army chief of staff, General Oumar Diarra, ⁠will serve as minister delegate for defense, said the report, which described the move as a “strategic decision coming in a security context that remains ‌sensitive”.

The simultaneous attacks beginning on the morning of April 25 showed how fighters from different groups with different goals were ‌able to strike at the heart of the West African country’s military government, which took power after coups in 2020 and 2021.

Sadio Camara, the former defence minister who was instrumental in forging stronger ties with Russia, was killed when a car laden with explosives driven by a suicide attacker drove into his residence, the government has previously said.

The attacks set off fighting across Mali’s vast desert north, raising the prospect of significant gains by armed groups that have shown an increasing willingness to strike neighbouring countries and, analysts say, could eventually ⁠set their sights further afield.

Source: AFP

5, May 2026

BEAC says Cameroon is dominating Mobile Money in Central Africa ⁰

Cameroon remains the leading Mobile Money market in Central Africa, strengthening its position in 2024 even as competition across the region intensifies.

According to a report on payment services published by the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), the country accounted for 65.1% of all Mobile Money accounts in the CEMAC zone—Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Chad, and the Central African Republic—up from 62.1% in 2023.

Cameroon also represented 57% of the total value of Mobile Money transactions in the region. However, this share declined from 63.58% a year earlier, pointing to faster growth in other markets.

As of December 31, 2024, more than 51.2 million Mobile Money accounts were recorded across CEMAC, a 28% increase year over year. Of these, 30.9 million were in Cameroon, up by more than 6 million accounts compared with 24.86 million in 2023.

The BEAC attributes this growth to the broader adoption of mobile banking applications. These tools now allow users to hold Mobile Money accounts alongside traditional bank accounts, expanding access to digital financial services.

Technological changes have also made it easier to open accounts. Payment accounts are no longer tied to a single telecom operator, meaning users can now open multiple Mobile Money accounts using the same phone number with different providers.

These shifts have driven both transaction volumes and values higher across the region.

In 2024, the number of Mobile Money transactions in CEMAC rose by 6.42% to reach 3.7 billion. The total value increased more sharply, climbing 20.33% to CFA34,778.5 billion.

Cameroon alone accounted for CFA26,773 billion of that total—nearly four times the combined value recorded in Congo and Gabon.

The central bank points to several factors behind this expansion, including promotional campaigns by payment providers, renewed activity from some operators, the growth of interoperability between financial institutions, the spread of small-value payments, and the rollout of new services such as microloans and international transfers.

Source: Business in Cameroon

5, May 2026

Bundes: Berlin downplays US plan to cut troop levels in Germany ⁰

Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has downplayed the impact of the US decision to withdraw troops from Germany and Washington’s plans to suspend the deployment of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles in the country, insisting the moves will not weaken NATO’s deterrence in Europe.

“I have absolutely no doubt that there will be no reduction in NATO’s conventional deterrence capability in Europe,” Wadephul said at a news conference in Athens, Greece, on Monday.

“That will be offset one way or another in any case,” he added.

His remarks came in response to questions about US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw 5,000 US troops from Germany and reports that Washington has dropped plans to deploy long-range missiles in the country.

“We must not overestimate individual measures,” Wadephul said, noting that the troop withdrawal had been widely expected as part of a US global defense posture review.

He also described the planned deployment of US long-range missiles as merely a “temporary measure” until Europe develops its own similar capabilities.

“We will now first seek close dialogue with the United States to determine what decisions have been definitively made and what options we have to consider,” he said.

“And second, we must view this as a new call to develop and make our own capabilities available more quickly. There is simply no way around this.”

Tensions between the German government and the Trump administration escalated last week after Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the American aggression against Iran for lacking a clear exit strategy.

Merz said Tehran “humiliated” Washington with its negotiating tactics.

Merz also cast doubt on a swift end to the conflict, stating: “The Iranians are obviously stronger than expected, and the Americans clearly don’t have a truly convincing strategy in the negotiations either.”

In response, Trump said on social media that Merz “doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

The Pentagon subsequently announced it would pull back 5,000 troops from Germany, with Trump indicating that even larger reductions were forthcoming.

US media also reported that the Trump administration intends to cancel a 2024 decision by then-President Joe Biden to deploy a battalion equipped with long-range Tomahawk weapons to Germany, which was presented as a deterrent against Russia.

Source: Press TV

5, May 2026

Buea: Bishop Bibi calls for protection of press freedom ⁰

Bishop Michael Miabesue Bibi of the Catholic Diocese of Buea in Cameroon has called for the protection of press freedom, stressing that a free and responsible media is essential for promoting peace, justice, and human dignity.

In his message for World Press Freedom Day 2026, Bishop Bibi described journalists as key actors in building a culture of peace.

Referencing the recent visit of Pope Leo XIV to Cameroon, Bishop Bibi recalls the Pontiff’s message that “peace cannot be reduced to a slogan: it must be embodied in a way of life that renounces all forms of violence.”

He emphasizes that press freedom is a crucial component in achieving such a culture of peace.

“There is no doubt that one crucial ingredient to a culture of peace is a free press,” the Cameroonian Catholic Bishop says in his Sunday, May 3 message, cautioning against treating press freedom as a mere slogan.

He continues, “Freedom of press too should not become a cliché… and return to old forms of repression.”

Information on the UNESCO website indicates that the annual World Press Freedom Day, celebrated globally on May 3, acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom.

It is also a day of reflection among media practitioners about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.

This year’s World Press Freedom Day theme, “Shaping a Future of Peace”, highlights the essential role of a free, independent, and responsible media in building peaceful and just societies, according to UNESCO.

In his May 3 message, Bishop Bibi further reflects on the link between truth, justice, and peace, noting that “just as there can be no peace without justice, so too there can be no justice and peace without truth.”

He describes journalists as “the sentries protecting the values of truth, accountability, and justice,” warning that when press freedom is suppressed, “justice, peace and the truth all suffocate.”

The Local Ordinary of Buea Diocese expresses concern about ongoing violations of press freedom, saying the right is often breached “sometimes flagrantly, and other times in hidden ways.”

The Catholic Church leader emphasizes that freedom of the press must go hand in hand with responsibility, urging journalists to remain committed to truth and ethical reporting.

Quoting the Catechism of the Catholic Church, he reminds media practitioners of their duty to “serve the truth and not offend against charity” when disseminating information, emphasizing the need for accuracy and respect in reporting.

“Freedom is not absolute; it is tied to the obligation of representing reality accurately and respectfully,” Bishop Bibi says, adding that journalism should be guided by a desire to foster justice and peace rather than personal or vested interests.

He calls on all stakeholders to defend press freedom, noting that a free media contributes to democracy, human rights, and development.

The Cameroonian Catholic Bishop also paid tribute to journalists who have suffered or lost their lives in contexts of war and violence.

“May the Truth that frees bring freedom and courage to journalists all over the world. May St. Francis de Sales intercede for all our press men and women now and forever. Amen,” he implores, expressing hope that the commemoration would deepen awareness about the importance of press freedom.

Source: aciAfrica

5, May 2026

Dipanda Mouelle: Supreme Court head for over two decades has died aged 84 ⁰

Cameroon’s judicial community is in mourning following the death of Alexis Dipanda Mouelle, a former head of the country’s Supreme Court and one of its most enduring legal figures. He passed away at the age of 84, after months of illness according to multiple sources.

Born on March 25, 1942, in the Littoral Region, Dipanda Mouelle built a long and influential career within Cameroon’s judiciary. After completing his legal training in Paris, he entered the magistracy in the mid-1960s and steadily rose through the ranks over the years.

He would go on to preside over the Supreme Court from 1990 to 2014, making him one of the longest-serving judicial leaders in the country. His tenure spanned key moments in Cameroon’s political and legal history, placing him at the center of several high-profile national developments.

Dipanda Mouelle is also remembered for his crucial role during the contested 1992 presidential election, reports suggest the scores were tied between Paul Biya and Ni John Fru Ndi but Paul Biya was announced president. His public remarks at the time, “my hands are tied” suggesting limitations in his capacity to act, have remained part of the broader narrative surrounding that election.

Beyond national borders, he contributed to international legal work, notably serving within the United Nations Committee Against Torture.

After leaving office, he remained in the public eye, including through legal action he initiated in 2015 against the state over his departure from the judiciary, which he considered an early retirement.

His death comes only three months after the passing of his spouse, adding a personal dimension to the loss felt by those close to him.

Source: Lebledparle.com

4, May 2026

Former New York mayor Giuliani hospitalized in ‘critical’ condition ⁰

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani is hospitalized in “critical but stable condition,” his spokesman said Sunday, without disclosing what ails the 81-year-old former politician.

“Mayor Giuliani is a fighter who has faced every challenge in his life with unwavering strength, and he’s fighting with that same level of strength as we speak,” spokesman Ted Goodman said in an X post.

Goodman did not say where Giuliani was receiving care or how long he had been there, but he asked “that you join us in prayer for America’s Mayor Rudy Giuliani.”

The New York Times reported that Giuliani was hospitalized in Florida.

Giuliani earned the moniker of “America’s mayor” for leading New York City through the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center buildings in Manhattan.

Earlier in his career, he gained fame as the fearless Mafia-busting prosecutor whose aggressive use of racketeering laws brought down New York’s organized crime families.

But Giuliani experienced a stunning fall from grace in recent years, including in 2023 when a federal jury ordered him to pay $148 million to two election workers after defaming them by falsely tying them to alleged fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

Giuliani, a Republican, became a fierce defender of President Donald Trump, joining his personal legal team in Trump’s first White House term.

He came under scrutiny by the Manhattan US attorney’s office in 2019 over his activities connected with investigations about Ukraine and apparent efforts to dig up dirt on Trump’s Democratic rival Joe Biden.

Giuliani was also part of the effort to reverse his client’s clear election loss to Biden in 2020. But one by one, the post-election court challenges were withdrawn or dismissed as groundless.

He has since been disbarred in New York and Washington.

Giuliani was facing criminal charges in Arizona related to the 2020 election and other legal issues when Trump issued him a sweeping pardon last November.

On Sunday Trump hailed Giuliani as a “true warrior” and New York’s best-ever mayor.

“What a tragedy that he was treated so badly by the Radical Left Lunatics, Democrats ALL — AND HE WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING!” Trump added.

“They cheated on the Elections, fabricated hundreds of stories, did anything possible to destroy our Nation, and now, look at Rudy. So sad!”

Source: AFP

4, May 2026

Douala: Fire at Metafrique Steel injures at least 10, halts production ⁰

A fire broke out overnight from April 30 to May 1, 2026, damaging part of the facilities at Metafrique Steel in the Bassa industrial zone in Douala, the company said.

Ten people were injured, according to preliminary figures, including nine Cameroonians and one Indian national.

Some of the injured, who are being treated at Douala General Hospital, remain in critical condition, the hospital’s director, Prof. Henry Luma Namme, said.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Unconfirmed reports say it may have started in the furnace, where metals are melted at temperatures above 1,500 degrees Celsius. Pending the results of an investigation it has launched, the company has temporarily shut down the plant. It has also set up psychological support for employees and their families.

This is not the first incident at the site. In April 2022, a fire damaged raw material stocks without causing any casualties.

A subsidiary of India’s Metafrique group, the company recycles ferrous scrap to produce rebar and other steel products. It has operated in Cameroon for about 15 years and employs nearly 500 people, with annual output of around 36,000 metric tons.

Along with Aciéries du Cameroun, Prometal, Alucam and Proalu, Metafrique Steel is a member of the Organisation camerounaise des industries de transformation des métaux (Ocitram), which groups five major players in the sector. Industry estimates suggest these companies account for nearly 95% of the domestic market, generate about 500 billion CFA francs in annual revenue and employ more than 4,000 people.

In November 2022, Metafrique expanded its operations by acquiring Airgaz Cameroun, a producer of industrial and medical gases. The deal enables it to supply hospitals with oxygen and provide technical gases to industrial clients.

Beyond the injuries, the fire raises fresh concerns about safety at steel plants, where strict compliance with prevention standards is critical. Operations at Metafrique Steel are likely to resume only after the investigation is completed and any required measures are taken.

Source: Business in Cameroon

3, May 2026

Iran says Trump has to choose between ‘impossible’ war or ‘bad deal’ ⁰

Iran says US President Donald Trump now faces a sharply narrowed choice between an “impossible military operation” against Iran and a “bad deal” with the country.

The IRGC’s Intelligence Organization made the announcement in an X post on Sunday, after Iran submitted a comprehensive proposal aimed at bringing a permanent end to the illegal US-Israeli war of aggression against the Islamic Republic.

With the proposal, Iran put the ball back into the court of Trump, whose country is looking for a face-saving way to escape the war quagmire it has become trapped in.

“Iran sets Pentagon a blockade deadline; China, Russia, Europe shift tone against Washington; Trump’s passive letter to Congress; acceptance of Iran’s negotiating terms; there is only one way to read this: Trump must choose between ‘an impossible military operation or a bad deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran,’” it said.

“The room for US decision-making has narrowed.”

The unprovoked US-Israeli aggression on Iran began on February 28 with airstrikes that assassinated senior Iranian officials and commanders.

The Iranian armed forces unleashed 100 waves of successful retaliatory strikes against sensitive and strategic American and Israeli targets throughout the region.

They also blocked the Strait of Hormuz to oil and gas tankers affiliated with the enemies and those cooperating with them in an attempt to maintain security at the critical waterway.

Source: Presstv

3, May 2026

Ambazonia conflict escalates after visit of Pope Leo ⁰

Following the recent visit of His Holiness Pope Leo, tensions in Southern Cameroons have escalated once again, marking a troubling return to violence in the English speaking regions of Cameroon. Several reports indicate that armed clashes have resumed, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 civilians in Ndzerem-Nyam village and 2 government soldiers in Big Babanki.

The resurgence of conflict highlights the fragility of peace efforts and the deep-rooted divisions that continue to fuel unrest between separatist groups and state forces. Civilians remain particularly vulnerable, often caught in the crossfire as hostilities intensify.

Despite hopes that the Pope’s visit might encourage dialogue and reconciliation, the renewed violence underscores the ongoing challenges facing any lasting resolution. Observers continue to call for increased international attention and meaningful negotiations to prevent further loss of life and stabilize the region.

Two Cameroonian soldiers were killed on Friday in an ambush by Ambazonia Restoration Forces at a security checkpoint in Big Babanki in the Tubah subdivision.

Local media reported an increase in attacks on civilians and security forces in the region in recent weeks.

Cameroon has been experiencing an armed separatist conflict in its English-speaking regions of Northwest and Southwest since 2017, as separatists seek to create a new nation known as the Federal Republic of Ambazonia.

By Fon Lawrence in Bamenda

2, May 2026

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Rights group disputes Ndzerem-Nyam army version ⁰

Fresh details have emerged over the April 26 military operation in Ndzerem-Nyam village, in Cameroon’s North-West Region, with conflicting accounts deepening concerns over what exactly transpired during the raid.

While the Ministry of Defense Cameroon maintains that all those killed were armed fighters, the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa says civilians were among the victims.

According to official communication, security forces carried out a targeted operation against separatist elements, leading to the deaths of 14 individuals described as “terrorists” who allegedly opened fire on troops.

However, CHRDA presents a different picture. The organisation reports that several of those killed were civilians caught in the violence. Among those cited are individuals said to have had no direct involvement in hostilities, including workers and residents present in the village at the time.

‎Operation during cultural gathering

The incident reportedly unfolded in the early hours of the morning, at a time when the community was hosting a cultural event. Sources indicate that both armed separatists and civilians were present, a factor that may have complicated the situation on the ground.

An exchange of gunfire is said to have occurred after security forces moved into the area, though the exact sequence of events remains unclear due to the absence of an independent account.

Property destruction and rising tensions

Beyond the loss of life, the rights group also points to the destruction of civilian property, including houses and motorcycles allegedly set ablaze during the operation.

‎‎The incident is believed to have occurred due to the heightened tensions between neighbouring communities, with reports of disputes linked to the organisation of the cultural festival. These underlying frictions may have contributed to the volatile environment in which the raid took place.

CHRDA has condemned the killings and is calling for a transparent and impartial investigation to establish the facts. Its president, Agbor Nkongho, urged authorities to ensure accountability and clarify the circumstances surrounding the deaths.‎

Source: lebledparle