Headline News

Ex-Trump aide Manafort ‘lied to FBI’ in Russia probe, broke plea deal

27, November 2018

Ex-Trump aide Manafort ‘lied to FBI’ in Russia probe, broke plea deal 0

Special counsel Robert Mueller is accusing former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort of lying to federal investigators in the Russia probe in breach of his plea agreement. The extraordinary allegation could expose Manafort to a lengthier prison sentence   and potentially more criminal charges.

The torpedoing of Manafort’s plea deal, disclosed in a court filing Monday, also results in special counsel Robert Mueller’s team losing a cooperating witness from the top of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign who was present for several key episodes under investigation. That includes a Trump Tower meeting involving Donald Trump Jr. and a Russian lawyer he was told had derogatory information on Democrat Hillary Clinton.

The move signals a return to the acrimonious relationship Manafort has had with the special counsel’s office since his indictment last year. Before his plea agreement, Manafort aggressively challenged the special counsel’s legitimacy in court, went through a bitter trial and landed himself in jail after prosecutors discovered he had attempted to tamper with witnesses in his case.

In the latest filing, Mueller’s team said Manafort “committed federal crimes” by lying about “a variety of subject matters” even after he agreed to truthfully cooperate with the investigation. Prosecutors said they will detail the “nature of the defendant’s crimes and lies” in writing at a later date to the judge.

Through his attorneys, Manafort denied lying, saying he “believes he provided truthful information” during a series of sessions with Mueller’s investigators. He also disagreed that he breached his plea agreement. Still, both sides now agree they can’t resolve the conflict, and U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson should set a date to sentence him.

Manafort, who remains jailed, had been meeting with the special counsel’s office since he pleaded guilty in September to conspiracy against the United States and conspiracy to obstruct justice. He cut that deal to head off a second trial after being convicted last summer of eight felony counts related to millions of dollars he hid from the IRS in offshore accounts.

Both cases stemmed from his Ukrainian political work and undisclosed lobbying work he admitted to carrying out in the U.S. in violation of federal law.

As part of his plea agreement, Manafort pledged to “cooperate fully, truthfully, completely, and forthrightly” with the government “in any and all matters” prosecutors deemed necessary. That included his work on the Trump campaign as well as his Ukrainian political work, which remains under investigation by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Prosecutors there are looking into the conduct of longtime Democratic lobbyist Tony Podesta, former Obama White House counsel Greg Craig and former Republican congressman and lobbyist Vin Weber to determine whether they violated federal law by failing to register as foreign agents with the Justice Department. None of the men has been charged with any crimes.

As part of his plea deal, Manafort also forfeited many of his rights as well as his ability to withdraw the plea if he broke any of the terms. In return, prosecutors agreed to not bring additional charges against him and to ask a judge for a reduction of his sentence if he provided “substantial assistance.”

But with prosecutors saying he breached the agreement, Manafort now faces serious repercussions such as the possibility of prosecution on additional charges including the 10 felony counts prosecutors dropped when he made the deal.

Manafort already faces up to five years in prison on the two charges in his plea agreement. In his separate Virginia case, Manafort’s potential sentencing under federal guidelines has not yet been calculated, but prosecutors have previously said he could face as much as 10 years in prison on those charges.

He is scheduled to be sentenced in that case in February. His co-defendant Rick Gates, who spent a longer time on the campaign and worked on the Trump inaugural committee, has not had a sentencing date set yet. He continues to cooperate with Mueller.

(AP)


Ambazonia: Yaounde endorses “indiscriminate killings” IG studying plans for operations in La Republique

27, November 2018

Ambazonia: Yaounde endorses “indiscriminate killings” IG studying plans for operations in La Republique 0

French Cameroun soldiers deployed to Southern Cameroons have been told to resort to the policy of indiscriminate killings. Yaoundé says the killings carried out by the Cameroon government forces in Nkambe and Bali has dealt a fatal blow to the Ambazonian Restoration Forces.

Cameroon government military spokesman, Colonel Badjeck hinted recently that with the approval of the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji who also moonlights as Secretary of the National Security Council, the army has been authorized to carry out “massive killings” and that the leadership of the exiled Ambazonian Interim Government will also be targeted by hit men sponsored by the Biya regime.

Commenting on the issue, the Ambazonian Secretary for Homeland Security observed that many of the commanders of some Southern Cameroons resistance groups not under the supervision of the Interim Government are extremely lacking in personality and military experience which is helping the French Cameroun military in its onslaught.

Bishop John Egyawan, a former US war veteran revealed that his department has men and women with solid personal achievements in the US and European armies and serious consultation is currently going on for the implementation of a new self defense strategy which will be centered on county-by-county.

The Southern Cameroons Homeland Security Chief also pointed out that some of the fighters not loyal to the Interim Government have transformed themselves into criminal gangs and are presently terrorizing the Ambazonian people which are counterproductive to the revolution. “All of these organizations – from senior commanders here in Europe and the US to the low-ranking soldiers – not under the Interim Government are indirectly helping the fighting spirit of the enemy,” John Egyawan said.

Asked about the way forward for the armed resistance, the Ambazonian Homeland Security Chief noted that his department has recommended Southern Cameroons Restoration Forces carry operations deep inside French Cameroun, asserting that the offensives would yield many benefits despite the risks associated with them.

Bishop John Egyawan added that Southern Cameroonians should keep the financial donations coming in as Acting President Ikome Sako has called for a proper positioning of Restoration forces units in the Northern Zone with the aim of subjugating the enemy.

Meanwhile, Cameroon Intelligence Report has been reliably informed that the French Cameroun army is moving hundreds of combat forces and military equipment to the Lebialem County via Dschang in the Western Region of Francophone Cameroon. The recent activity of the Red Dragons of Lebialem in a way that surprised the enemy and destroyed its equipment has greatly damaged the French Cameroun military fighting morale.

By Rita Akana and Sama Ernest with additional reporting from Soter Agbaw-Ebai


Why the attacks on the Ambazonian Interim Gov’t MUST Stop

26, November 2018

Why the attacks on the Ambazonian Interim Gov’t MUST Stop 0

1. Ambazonia is not yet a democracy.
2. Ambazonia Government does not yet have the mechanism or ability to enforce any law.
3. The Ambazonia Government can not run as a pure democracy because her current situation does not support all the elements of democracy which includes free and fair Elections.
4. The Ambazonia Government is not yet capable of providing the basics to her citizens: security, public health, water, electricity and jobs.
5. The Ambazonia Government has no guarantee source of revenue to run it’s programs.
6. The Ambazonia Government is an interim Government.
7. The leaders of Ambazonia are on exile or in jail with the inability to freely travel and do what they want to do for their country.
8 The Ambazonia Government does not have any diplomatic allies yet who can protect or assist her.
9. The Ambazonia Government is a transitional one going through a process.
10. The Ambazonia Government has no economy or Intelligence system to depend on.
11. The Ambazonia Government is run by volunteers. Its very challenging to expect from volunteers what you can expect from employees.
12. Not every Ambazonian can serve as a volunteer because of many reasons: some could be fear of consequences to them or their families, they have jobs that gives them no extra time to sacrifice, some can not handle the extra workload with their work and family demands

If so what type of Government is Ambazonia?

The Answer is simple:

The Ambazonia Government is a Revolutionary Government.

What are some of the characteristics of a Revolutionary Government.

Decision can not be made by pure democracy. Not everyone will have the ability to participate. Even if everyone does participate in decision making, they do not have the power or mechanism to enforce what they agree.

THE ONLY TYPE OF GOVERNMENT THAT WILL SUIT AMBAZONIA IS DEMOCRATIC DICTATORSHIP

This type of Government is the only one that is suitable and good for a revolution if it has to succeed. It means few people will be chosen to make decisions that everyone can follow until it becomes a Nation that can provide the basics necessities to it’s citizens.


Ambazonia: Red Dragons ambush French Cameroun military convoy, kill at least 28

26, November 2018

Ambazonia: Red Dragons ambush French Cameroun military convoy, kill at least 28 0

The Red Dragons defending the Lebialem County in Southern Cameroons have ambushed a French Cameroun military convoy, reportedly killing at least 28 soldiers.  Cameroon Intelligence Report sources in Dschang confirmed the ambush on an army convoy in Beluah involving 9 military trucks but gave no details.

A member of the Ambazonian Interim Government said the convoy had been on its way to the Lebialem County to wage a war of revenge against locals and Southern Cameroons Restoration Fighters when it came under attack. We gathered that a French Cameroun commander was killed in the attack.

A source at the Dschang Divisional Hospital said 28 bodies had been brought in from Beluah. The Ambazonian Interim Government has not claimed responsibility for the ambush. However, we understand the Red Dragons have stepped up their attacks and have been staging assaults in the past weeks on an almost daily basis against French Cameroun security forces.

The Bishop of the Mamfe Diocese, His Lordship Bishop Andrew Nkea has ordered the closure of 12 parishes due to the rising attacks on clergies and the chaotic situation in the territory. President Biya and his administration have come under heavy criticism over their handling of the crisis in Southern Cameroons.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with files from Sama Ernest


Amid warming ties with Chad, Israel eyes normal ties with Sudan, other Africa states

26, November 2018

Amid warming ties with Chad, Israel eyes normal ties with Sudan, other Africa states 0

Amid warming relations with Chad, Israel is reportedly working to normalize relations with Sudan and other African states as the regime steps up its push to strengthen its foothold in the continent.

A senior Israeli official told Channel 10 TV channel that a visit on Sunday by Chadian President Idriss Deby to the occupied territories was laying the groundwork for normal ties between Tel Aviv and the Muslim-majority African states of Sudan, Mali and Niger.

The unnamed official also noted that Israel was seeking to shorten flight times from the occupied territories to Latin America through normalizing relations with African countries.

Deby became the first Chadian leader to visit Israel on Sunday, 46 years after the two sides severed ties.

After meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Chadian president pledged a new era of cooperation with “the prospect of reestablishing diplomatic relations.”

Israeli media cited sources in N’Djamena as saying that Deby’s visit was focused on “security,” and that the regime in Tel Aviv had already been supplying weapons and other military equipment to Chad.

Netanyahu, however, declined to comment on potential Israeli weapons sales to Chad.

During his visit, Deby said the future resumption of ties with Israel “does not make us ignore the Palestinian issue.”

The Palestinians, however, protested Deby’s trip to Israel.

Wasel Abu Youssef, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s executive committee, voiced displeasure over the visit.

“All countries and institutions must boycott the extremist government of Israel and impose a siege on it because of its settlement activities, its occupation of Palestinian land,” Youssef was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Over the past two years, Netanyahu has traveled to several African states in a bid to end decades of hostility against the occupying entity and convince them to stop voting against the Israeli regime at the United Nations in favor of Palestinians.

Source: Presstv


Trading bullets for ballots, former al Shabaab No. 2 tests Somalia’s democratic process

26, November 2018

Trading bullets for ballots, former al Shabaab No. 2 tests Somalia’s democratic process 0

When al Shabaab’s deputy leader Mukhtar Robow defected from the jihadist group, it was hailed as a major step for peace hopes in Somalia. But now that he’s running for a December 5 regional election, some think it’s a step too far.

At a crowded meeting hall in the southern Somali city of Baidoa last month, Mukhtar Robow faced a gathering of local politicians and reporters squeezed into the room as a crowd of supporters and curious onlookers gathered outside the premises.

Robow, also known as Abu Mansour, is no stranger to the media spotlight. As one of the founding members of al Shabaab — the al Qaeda-linked Somali terrorist group — Robow once served as the jihadist group’s deputy leader and spokesman.

For many years, he was the public face of the organisation, appearing in al Shabaab propaganda videos, granting interviews to local journalists and addressing press conferences in the Somali wilds. As an al Shabaab military commander with battlefield experience and training in Afghanistan, Robow was considered a dangerous man. The US slapped a $5 million bounty on his head and the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on him as a “specially designated global terrorist”.

That was before he fell out with al Shabaab’s leader, Ahmed Abdi Godane, in a power struggle. In 2013, he quit the jihadist group, publicly denounced al Shabaab, and retreated to his village in southwestern Somalia, where he was protected by his militiamen and the community.

Four years later, Robow was back in the news when he surrendered to Somali forces in August 2017 in what was widely hailed as a historic defection.

A year later, Robow was pushing the envelope again.

At the October gathering in a Baidoa hotel, the charismatic former Shabaab leader officially declared he was running for regional elections originally set for November 17 and later postponed to December 5.

Source: France 24


Kenya Questions Yaounde Over Shooting of Father Cosmas Ondari

26, November 2018

Kenya Questions Yaounde Over Shooting of Father Cosmas Ondari 0

The government has officially initiated the inquiry questioning Cameroon authorities over the death of Father Cosmas Ondari at the Mamfe Diocese in Cameroon. Kenyan authorities through the ministry of foreign affairs in a statement further advised citizens to remain vigilant in areas where security is not entirely guaranteed.

“The government of Kenya has through the High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria, has urgently and formally inquired from the government of the Republic of Cameroon about the circumstances leading to the death of Father Ondari.” the ministry announced in a statement on Saturday.

Amb Macharia Kamau during vetting by Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee for position of Principal Secretary

Foreign Affairs PS Macharia Kamau in the announcement affirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding Kenyan citizens and members of the church.

Macharia indicated that the ministry was relentlessly seeking answers from the Cameroon government following the shooting of the Catholic priest.

Cameroon authorities have on their part distanced their military from the priest’s shooting.

The state’s Information Minister, Issa Bakary, in an interview with BBC Radio on Friday, held that the military was not responsible for Ondari’s death.

“The military respects the church and civilians. That’s the work of rebels. We shall do investigations and follow them to their hiding. The military is clean on this one,” the Minister claimed.

At least 21 bullet holes could be counted on the Kembong church, according to Bishop Andrew Nkea who visited the scene a few hours after the priest was killed.

At the time of the shooting, Father Ondari was with was with catechists and a few church followers doing cleaning.

Kenyan Catholic Priest, Father Cosmas Omboto Ondari, who was shot dead on Wednesday

Source: Kenyans.co.ke

 


London: Cameroonians paid a poignant tribute to Ma Lay

25, November 2018

London: Cameroonians paid a poignant tribute to Ma Lay 0

Cameroonians in East London in the United Kingdom paid a poignant tribute on Saturday the 24th of November 2018 to Ma Lay who recently travelled to the land of our ancestors. Ma Lay who migrated to the UK from Cameroon more than forty-five years ago, passed away on the 7th of September 2018 after a brief illness.

The vibrancy of her funeral rites was a testament to the life she lived in the UK as every Cameroonian tribal extraction in London was impressively represented.  Cameroon Concord News had a chat with many in attendance and the general feeling was that she was a woman who unified the Cameroonian community in Great Britain.

“She opened her heart and home to all who came in contact with her during the freezing winter,” Ma Gla who spoke on behalf of the Cameroonian community noted. The colourfulness of the wake keep and the nonstop singing for more than seven hours has never been experienced by the Cameroonian community in the UK.

“It was a perfect occasion to say Thank You and Good-bye to a great woman. She lived a life of laughter and had a great sense of humour” said Dr Mrs Patience Abangma.

Ma Lay leaves behind four children and eight grandchildren to mourn her. She will be laid to rest in the City of London Cemetery tomorrow Monday the 26th of November 2018.

By Sessekou Asu Isong

 


Suspected militant attack kills 12 in north Mozambique

25, November 2018

Suspected militant attack kills 12 in north Mozambique 0

Twelve people have been killed in a suspected militant attack in northern Mozambique, with thousands of villagers fleeing into neighboring Tanzania, police sources said Sunday.

Militants have launched several attacks in the majority -Muslim province during the last year, stoking unrest just as Maputo pushes ahead with oil and gas development in the region.

Early Friday, “there was an attack in Nangade district, where there are no security patrols.

The attackers killed 12 people, mostly women and children,” a police source in Cabo Delgado province, who asked not to be named, told AFP.

The attack took place in the village of Chicuaia Velha, just a few kilometers (miles) from Tanzania, forcing several thousand people to seek safety cross the border, police said.

A local journalist said the villagers were hacked to death with machetes or died after the attackers torched their homes.

“The district of Nangade is far from the sea where the police have focused their efforts, which allowed the assailants to enter and attack and then retreat,” another police source said.

“They use guerrilla tactics and attack several points simultaneously. It’s hard to control the situation,” he said.

It was the third such incident in the last month in Cabo Delgado, leaving a total of 20 dead.

Internally displaced people and residents unload a truck with goods of first necessity, food and blankets in Naunde, northern Mozambique on June 13, 2018 after fleeing militant attacks. (Photo by AFP)

 

Analysts say the nascent insurgency staged its first attack in October 2017 year hitting a police station and military outpost in the northern town of Mocimboa da Praia, killing two officers.

‘Strong local dimension’

Experts believe the militants — most of whom are members of the Kimwani ethnic group — are also motivated by grievances over perceived discrimination in favor of the Makonde people, the tribe of President Filipe Nyusi.

Over the last year, the insurgency has claimed more than 50 lives in gun, grenade and knife assaults.

The authorities have already prosecuted more than 200 suspects, including some Tanzanians and Somalis.

The violence has shaken government plans for Cabo Delgado, a coastal province in the far north that will be a base for development since natural gas reserves were discovered.

US oil and gas giant Anadarko earlier this year temporarily evacuated workers from the area and halted operations after the US embassy in Maputo issued an alert warning of imminent attacks.

The government has been using the potential energy bonanza from estimated reserves of 180 trillion cubic feet (5.1 trillion cubic meters) of gas off the northeastern shores to predict strong future growth for the former Portuguese colony.

(Source: AFP)


Nigerian President Breaks Silence on Military Base Attack

25, November 2018

Nigerian President Breaks Silence on Military Base Attack 0

Nigeria’s president has finally broken his silence about the deaths of dozens of soldiers killed by Islamist militants a week ago in the northeastern state of Borno.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s office issued a statement Saturday, saying that he had “expressed deep shock over the killing of military personnel.”

“Immediate measures are being taken to ensure that the loopholes which led to the fatalities are blocked once and for all,” according to the statement.

The president said he will meet with military and intelligence chiefs “in the coming days” to plan their “next steps.”

At least 40 soldiers were reported to have been killed Nov. 18 at a military base in the village of Metele.

Security sources, however, told Reuters that around 100 Nigerian soldiers were killed in the attack that they say was carried out by the Islamic State in West Africa.

The Nigerian Army did not acknowledge the attack until Friday and has not provided information about casualties.

Source: VOA


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