Headline News

23, December 2017

French President Macron celebrates ‘Christmas’ with troops in Niger ⁰

French President Emmanuel Macron visited and dined with soldiers stationed in Niger who are fighting against extremism in the Sahel, reassuring them that France would not abandon the region to extremists.

“The Sahel is a priority. It’s that which plays a part in the future of the African continent, but equally and without doubt, a part of our future. We must not leave the Sahel in the hands of terrorists,” he said late Friday amid 500 soldiers with Operation Barkhane at Niger’s airport in Niamey, the capital.

In a show of support for French troops based in Niger and in the festive spirit of Christmas, Macron brought with him the chef from the Elysee presidential palace, who oversaw a meal for the French troops in addition to American, Canadian and German forces.

Macron supported the newly formed G-5 Sahel force that will work alongside the operation and is made up of African soldiers from Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Macron, during his visit, is expected to discuss the implementation, by mid-2018, of this force of 5,000 men, composed of soldiers from the five countries involved, who recently conducted a first operation in the zone of the “three borders” between Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

Macron thanked the soldiers for their dedication and paid tribute to those who have fallen. Macron is also expected to hold bilateral talks with President Mahamadou Issoufou to discus migrant trafficking and development projects among other things.

Paris has pledged 400 million euros for the development of Niger over the 2018-2021 period, some of which in the form of projects led by the French Development Agency (FDA). Some of them aim to support the will of President Issoufou to send more girls to school. Niger is at the forefront of migratory routes in the Sahel, particularly in the region of Agadez in the north.

In August this year, France agreed to “identify” from Niger and Chad nationals “who are entitled to the asylum “to” put them in safety as quickly as possible “, during a mini summit in Paris between Africans and Europeans on the migration crisis.

Source: Africanews

23, December 2017

What is going on in Southern Cameroons is a massive, state-sponsored genocide ⁰

The genocide being committed against Southern Cameroonians has been described by religious leaders as a systematic policy but the international community has remained silent on the plight of the persecuted Anglophone minority. It is a deliberately created crisis to force Southern Cameroonians to flee from their homeland and its implementation involves all structures of the so-called democratic government of President Paul Biya, the Cameroon armed forces and the extremist French Cameroun political elites.

The ongoing crackdown against Anglophones in Manyu Division is another ethnic cleansing campaign, targeting a whole group of people, who are even being denied of their right to participate in any political process in Cameroon. The President Biya scorch-the-earth policy is succeeding as thousands and thousands of Southern Cameroonians are being driven out of their homes due to the butchering of innocent people.

The sufferings of the Manyu population who have managed to flee to neighboring Nigeria is nothing in comparison to those who have been left behind, who are unable to move [since] they’re too old or don’t have the finances to foot the transportation bills.

The United Nations, African Union and the European Union including Ecowas and the Commonwealth are all dragging their feet while people are dying in large numbers in Mamfe, Akwaya and Eyumojock Sub Divisions. Yet another Rwanda in the making

A Roman Catholic Bishop has been quoted as saying that what is going on in Southern Cameroons is a massive, state-sponsored genocide. The President Buhari administration in the Federal Republic of Nigeria has denied protecting Southern Cameroonians at the borders in Ikom and Obudu and the Nigerian government has also denied Southern Cameroonians the right of defending themselves…

It is evidently clear that the Commonwealth have received standing instructions from Paris that everyone should wait for the Biya regime to finish up the job and completely, ethnically cleanse and commit the genocide and finish it in Southern Cameroons.

The Cameroonian army recently launched yet another heavy-handed crackdown against Southern Cameroonians in Kembong village, using an armed attack on a military posts as the pretext.

Over that past one year, Cameroon government troops, apart from raping, have been committing killings, making arbitrary arrests, and carrying out mass arson attacks to destroy houses in predominantly-Anglophone villages in West Cameroon

More than 30,000 Southern Cameroonians have so far fled to neighboring Nigeria.

Source: Cameroon Intelligence Report

23, December 2017

Opposition parties discuss route to peace with Commonwealth Secretary-General ⁰

Leading political figures from across the spectrum have united in calling on Cameroonians to engage in dialogue to resolve the ongoing challenges within the country. Eight opposition parties, and more than 30 civil society organisations, in addition to the governing party, all met with Secretary-General Patricia Scotland to discuss the future of Cameroon.

It was widely agreed that meaningful engagement through honest and inclusive dialogue would enable the country to begin the process of bringing unity for all Cameroonians.

Secretary-General Scotland said, “It was enormously encouraging that political parties, civil society representatives and citizens from every corner of Cameroon chose to meet with me to discuss some of the most pressing challenges facing their country today.

“Everyone that took part in the discussions did so in the spirit of cooperation and inclusivity, as we worked towards the meaningful dialogue that will enable Cameroon to move forward as the peaceful, unified nation that it has always been.”

The meetings were part of the Secretary-General’s five-day visit to Cameroon, which has so far seen her hold high-level discussions with the President, Prime Minister and senior political figures. Today she will travel to Buea in the south-west of the country.

Earlier, the Secretary-General held conversations with renowned lawyer and 2018 presidential candidate Akere Muna.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Muna said, “The visit of the Secretary-General is very opportune from the point because she can emphasise the great need for dialogue as a means of preserving peace. It’s important for the Secretary-General to be here and it means the floodlights are shining on my country. From speaking to her I’m very pleased to say that she understands what the stakes are in our country and she sounded very passionate about making sure there is peace and dialogue in our country.

Mr Muna added, “I think the biggest support the Commonwealth can give now is through the electoral process; making sure that every voice is heard and counted. The Commonwealth can help the process by bringing observers who make the electoral commission feel protected and make Cameroonians come out to vote in all confidence.

Ahead of the Secretary-General’s visit to Buea, he concluded, “I’m also very pleased to know that the Secretary-General will be going to Buea; Buea is the historic capital of the anglophone part of Cameroon, and for the Secretary-General to go from Yaoundé to Buea is not only symbolic but very important and I’m sure that the anglophones of this country will be will be pleased to know that the Secretary-General will see what happens in Buea.”

Source: The Commonwealth

23, December 2017

Yaounde: Ahmed Abba is freeed ⁰

A Cameroonian reporter with Radio France International, Ahmed Abba, was Friday released from jail after 29 months in detention, his lawyer said. “Ahmed Abba left Yaounde prison around 9:15 pm (Friday). He has been with me since his release, he is doing well,” Charles Tchoungang told AFP.

RFI editorial staff confirmed his release. A military tribunal in April sentenced Abba to 10 years in prison and fined him the equivalent of about 85,000 euros ($100,000) for “laundering the proceeds of terrorist acts” and “failure to denounce acts of terrorism”.

On appeal, the military court in Yaounde on Thursday aquitted him on the first charge and upheld the second, handing him a 24-month sentence. He was released Friday having already been held for 29 months.

Abba leaving jail

Abba, who had been reporting out of the troubled north of Cameroon, a region repeatedly targeted by Boko Haram, was arrested in July 2015 in the far northern town of Maroua.

The Hausa language RFI correspondent was suspected of collaborating with the jihadist group and not passing on information to the authorities.

His trial had been postponed 18 times and his appeal was also postponed several times in recent months. On Thursday evening, the management of RFI said it was “relieved at the prospect of this imminent release allowed by the Cameroonian court”.

Stressing the “emptiness of the charges” against him, RFI said “Ahmed Abba has only done his job as a journalist”.

Source: AFP

23, December 2017

Trump says US ‘foolishly’ spent $7 trillion in Mideast, time to rebuild home ⁰

President Donald Trump says the United States has “foolishly spent $7 trillion in the Middle East,” stressing it was time to work “in a bipartisan fashion” instead to “rebuild our country.”

“At some point, and for the good of the country, I predict we will start working with the Democrats in a Bipartisan fashion,” Trump tweeted Friday. “Infrastructure would be a perfect place to start.”

The tweet came a day after Trump suffered a defeat at the United Nations General Assembly, which overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution calling on the US to withdraw its recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israeli “capital.”

Trump had threatened before the vote that Washington would cut foreign aid to countries that voted against his decision at the General Assembly.

Countries “take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars, and then they vote against us,” the president said Wednesday, adding “we’re watching those votes. Let them vote against us, we’ll save a lot. We don’t care.”

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley had echoed the same sentiment ahead of the vote, saying the US would “remember” the nations that voted “yes” at the General Assembly.

Haley noted that the US was the “single largest contributor” to the world body but the latest anti-Israeli measure could alter that.

Defying the threats, the UN voted 128-9 to make Trump’s decision “null and void.” Thirty five countries abstained and 21 were no-shows.

Trump appears to be turning the snub into an opportunity at home by stressing the need to spend more on America’s aging infrastructure.

He is expected to unveil his much-awaited 70-page infrastructure proposal next month, relying on a mix of federal, local and private spending.

Trump has also used Monday’s deadly train derailment in Washington state to call for more spending on infrastructure.

“The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly,” he tweeted after the accident.

“Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!”

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump had promised to deliver a $1 trillion infrastructure plan to improve rebuild roads, bridges, airports and other public works in the country.

Source: Presstv

23, December 2017

Anglophone Crisis: Bishop of Mamfe summons Christians to fervent prayer, Speaks of the abhorrent acts of hatred displayed by the Cameroon army ⁰

The Bishop of the Diocese of Mamfe His Lordship Bishop Andrew Nkea has called on Christians in Manyu Division to pray for peace in the Anglophone regions of the country. In a diocesan press release issued yesterday Friday the 22^nd 2017 to all priests, Christians and people of goodwill in Manyu, Bishop Nkea spoke of the abhorrent acts of hatred displayed by the Cameroon army in Kembong and therefore summoned Christians to fervent prayer and peaceful action.

Bishop Andrew Nkea stands with all who were victims of the attack on Kembong village and entrust all who suffer to the prayers of the Blessed John Paul II as we approach Christmas.

In the two page document, Bishop Nkea outlined the reasons for the desperate need for prayers in Manyu Division. The Roman Catholic prelate observed that things have become more intractable in the Manyu constituency. He recounted some of the atrocities witnessed in kembong within the last seven days and appealed to all to make sure they dedicate 30 minutes each day to pray for peace.

In an interview the man of God granted the BBC, Bishop Nkea opined that it was extremely difficult at this stage to speak of a lasting solution to the crisis that has rocked the Anglophone regions. The Bishop of Mamfe also did confirm to the BBC that some 20 houses were completely destroyed by Cameroon government forces in Kembong. The attack by Cameroon government troops on the people of Kembong has been interpreted by some Anglophone barons of the ruling CPDM regime as “an attack on the unity of the nation.”

By Judith Fon in Mamfe

22, December 2017

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Biya regime denies Nigerian border incursions ⁰

Cameroon has denied allegations that its soldiers crossed into Nigeria without permission and attacked villages said to be hosting and training armed separatist groups.

The media has reported that at least one incursion has been confirmed by the Nigerian government and military officials. However, Cameroon says that since President Paul Biya declared war on armed separatists about a month ago, it has attacked only border villages in Cameroon where the groups were hiding.

“The terrorists had taken advantage of the dense forests at the border with Nigeria to set up secret training camps from which they organized raids against our defense forces,” said Cameroon’s communication minister and government spokesman, Issa Tchiroma. “Following the dismantling operation thus carried out, the hideout of these murderers were literally destroyed and the villages previously taken hostage were liberated.”

Two weeks ago, Cameroon said the armed separatists advocating independence for the English-speaking northwest and southwest portions of the country were being trained in Nigeria. Lawan Abba Gashagar, Nigeria’s high commissioner to Cameroon and special envoy of president Muhammadu Buhari, visited Cameroon’s president and said they would collaborate in fighting the terrorists.

This week, Reuters and Nigerian local newspapers reported that Cameroon troops had crossed into Nigeria in pursuit of the armed separatists without seeking authorization from Nigeria, causing a fallout between the two governments.

Cameroon says it attacked separatist training camps in three of its border villages around Mamfe and Eyumojock.

Ojong Anslem, a resident of Eyumojock, says the separatists are still gaining a lot of support from the borders.

“What is now on the streets in the northwest and southwest is secession,” Anslem said.

The UNHCR says the violence has pushed thousands of Cameroonians across the border to Nigeria since October 1, the day the separatists said they had declared their independence and their humanitarian needs were growing.

Source: VOA

22, December 2017

“Commonwealth Secretary General has no idea on the happenings in Manyu” ⁰

A group of Southern Cameroons political elites including human rights activists who met with the visiting Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland today in Buea, failed to deplore the atrocities committed by the Francophone dominated army in Manyu Division. Fru Ndi, Akere Muna and Co did not also urge for punishment of the perpetrators.

Our senior intelligence officer in Yaoundé revealed that President Biya and his gang of Francophone political elites approved the audience granted to the SDF Chairman Ni John Fru, the former Chairman of the outlawed Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium, Barrister Agbor Balla and the renowned Barrister Akere Muna by Mrs Scotland. None of the Southern Cameroonians reported the harrowing tales of torture, killings, abduction of women and children and sexual violence currently going in Manyu Division to the Secretary General of the Commonwealth.

A well-placed source in the Roman Catholic Church hinted Cameroon Intelligence Report that, the Bishop of the Mamfe Diocese His Lordship Bishop Andrew Nkea is very deeply disturbed by what he witnessed and heard throughout his visit to Kembong village in Eyumojock Sub Division. The deprivation and range of sexual violence are hard to describe, people are targeted and suffering just for being Anglophone.

The Buea meeting is the last lapse of the Secretary General’s five day official visit to the divided nation. No deal, according to the interim government of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia has come out of the Patricia Scotland trip which was interpreted by some political commentators as a “last chance” to stop the genocide going on in Southern Cameroons.

Fru Ndi and Akere failed to provide any accountability for serious crimes which is fueling impunity throughout West Cameroon. The leader of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia, Sisiku Ayuk Tabe has said that those responsible for this war against Southern Cameroonian civilians must be stopped with the perpetrators of these horrific acts brought to justice.

In Dadi in the Akwaya Sub Division, a mother told CIR that her husband and her two sons were shot in front of her by Cameroon government forces and she was gang-raped by several soldiers. Young men in Otu village were forced to rape relatives in front of family members.

The interim government of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia will be releasing a detail report soonest. Southern Cameroons has been gripped by conflict ever since the 84-old President Biya declared war against Anglophone Cameroonians. Hundreds of Southern Cameroonians have been killed and thousands have fled to neighboring Nigeria.

Culled from Cameroon Intelligence Report

22, December 2017

Pope Francis slams ‘the corrupt’ in Holy See ⁰

Pope Francis has denounced the “corrupted” elements and the “cancer” of cliques in the Catholic Church who portray themselves as “martyrs” when they are removed.

The Pope said on Thursday that while there were many faithful elements working at the Holy See, there were also elements that were “corrupted.”

When they are removed, “they falsely declare themselves martyrs of the system, of an ‘uninformed pope’ or the ‘old guard,’ when in fact they should have done a mea culpa,” he said.

On that same day, the pontiff attended the funeral service of dishonored US Cardinal Bernard Law at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

Cardinal Law, who resigned as Archbishop of Boston after covering up years of sexual abuse of children by priests but was promoted at the Vatican, died Wednesday at age 86.

His funeral was held with about 200 people attending and no mention of what caused his downfall.

Pope Francis attended the funeral to recite blessings and conduct a brief service known as the Final Commendation and Farewell, which he does for all cardinals who die in Rome. The pope read out the Latin prayer of farewell and commendation to God without adding any comment.

About 15 cardinals were present, including Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Piero Parolin, but Law’s successor in Boston, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, did not attend.

Law was Archbishop of Boston — one of the most prestigious and wealthy American archdioceses — for 18 years when then-Pope John Paul reluctantly accepted his resignation on December 13, 2002, after a tumultuous year in Church history.

A succession of devastating news stories by Boston Globe reporters showed how priests who sexually abused children had been moved from parish to parish for years under Law’s tenure without parishioners or law authorities being informed.

Victim groups had expressed outrage that Law’s funeral would be held in St. Peter’s Basilica and that he would be buried in a crypt in a chapel of the Rome Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he served as archpriest after leaving Boston.

About a half dozen ambassadors to the Vatican attended the Mass. The United States’ official representative was Louis Bono, the current chief of mission at the US embassy to the Vatican.

US Ambassador-designate to Vatican Callista Gingrich and her husband Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the House of Representatives, attended in a private capacity. Callista officially takes on her role as ambassador on Friday.

The ambassadors of Britain, Japan, and South Korea also attended.

‘New bishops worse than amateur Cardinal Law’

Law left Boston after revelations that he covered up for dozens of priests who raped and sexually molested children, moving them to different parishes without telling parents or police.

The scandal, exposed by The Boston Globe then spread throughout the US and the world, with thousands of people from all continents coming forward in ensuing years with claims their priests sexually abused them when they were children.

St. John Paul II’s decision to promote Law to head St. Mary Major in 2004 reinforced the impression that the Vatican — which had turned a blind eye to abuse for decades — still hadn’t grasped the scale of the problem, the trauma it caused its victims, and the moral credibility the church had lost as a result.

Rev. Thomas Doyle, a key whistleblower in the decades-old clerical sex abuse saga, said there were still bishops who have chosen to protect the Church and their priests more than children.

“One thing is certain: Bernard Law may be the remembered face of hierarchical cover-up and mendacity, but there are others who were far, far worse and carry a greater burden of guilt because they knew by then what the score was,” Doyle said in an email, ticking off a list of well-known bishops who have been publicly shamed — and in some cases prosecuted — for covering up for their priests.

“They make Law look like an amateur.”

Source: Presstv

22, December 2017

Four days to Christmas, Yaounde invaded by garbage ⁰

It is becoming extremely difficult in Yaoundé to take a step without falling on a pile of garbage deposited in the streets and not removed for ages.

This rubbish is now part of the decor to the chagrin of the people and the environment- a legacy of the Biya Francophone Beti-Ewondo regime.

Health and Safety Cameroun (Hysacam), the company in charge of the collection and management of waste appears overwhelmed by the tonnage of household waste.

The corrupt CPDM regime which recently liberalized the garbage collection and management sector is slow to find partners. As a result, garbage piles and trash cans are multiplying in the nation’s capital.

By Rita Akana