Headline News

26, November 2017

France: Macron unveils plan to contain violence against women ⁰

French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly condemned the “horrific and shameful” violence against women in the country, introducing a package of measures aimed at curbing the phenomenon.

“Our entire society is sick with sexism,” Macron said in a speech marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in the capital Paris on Saturday.

“France must no longer be one of those countries where women are afraid,” he added.

The French president called for a “pact of gender equality” as he outlined plans to combat sexual harassment and violence.

He said educating schoolchildren and improving police support for rape and assault victims must serve as major guidelines.

The proposals also include criminalizing street harassment and extending the statute of limitation for the rape of minors to 30 years from 20 years.

Macron, who won the presidential election in May, had made gender equality one of the main themes of his five-year term in office.

French activists welcomed the measures as being in the right direction, but called for adequate funding for their effective implementation.

Statistics show that over 80,000 adult women face rape or attempted rape in France every year while only 10 percent file a complaint.

The European country has often debated sexual harassment over the past decade following scandals involving French politicians.

Six years ago, former finance minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn was forced to resign as head of the International Monetary Fund due to a sex scandal.

Culled from Presstv

25, November 2017

Libya: 31 refugees drown as boat sinks off western coast ⁰

At least 31 refugees have died after their Europe-bound boat capsized off Libya’s western coast, Libyan coastguard officials say.

The flimsy boat overturned on Saturday and the Libyan coastguard brought some 200 survivors back to port in the Libyan capital Tripoli.

The volatile North African nation, effectively run by competing militia groups, has remained a key transit hub for asylum seekers from war-ravaged countries trying to reach Europe. Most refugees are packed into flimsy inflatable boats that often break down or sink.

Many are picked up by international vessels and taken to Italy, where more than 115,000 have landed since the end of August this year.

An increasing number of refugees and asylum seekers are intercepted by Libya’s European-backed coastguard and returned to the North African country.

Refugees arrive at a naval base after they were rescued by Libya’s coastal guard in Tripoli, Libya, November 23, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)

The United Nations migration agency said on Friday that more than 33,000 refugees had died at sea while trying to reach European shores since 2000, making the Mediterranean “by far the world’s deadliest border.”

On Friday, the Libyan coast guard rescued some 378 refugees after their boats sustained damage in the Mediterranean Sea, officials said, adding that the rescue operation lasted over 72 hours.

Italy’s coast guard also said that some 1,600 refugees had been rescued from nearly 20 vessels in the central Mediterranean on Wednesday and Thursday.

Source: Presstv

25, November 2017

Zimbabwe court declares military action against Mugabe ‘constitutional’ ⁰

A Zimbabwean high court has ruled that the military action leading to former President Robert Mugabe’s resignation was “constitutional” and not a coup.

“Actions by the Zimbabwe Defense Forces to stop the usurping of power by those close to former president Robert Mugabe are constitutional,” state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) media quoted officials of the top court as saying.

Referring to Mugabe’s wife Grace and her supporters, the court ruled that the takeover was “to ensure the non-elected individual do not exercise powers that can only be exercised by (those) elected.”

This photo taken on June 02, 2017 shows then-Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe (L) with his wife Grace Mugabe (R) raising their fists in a vehicle during a Zimbabwe ruling party rally at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera. (By AFP)

The tribunal also noted that Mugabe’s firing of his former deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa, over a power struggle between him as his wife earlier this month had been against the law.

On November 23, Mugabe finally succumbed to pressures and stepped down after 37 years in power.

Zimbabwean new interim President Emmerson Mnangagwa takes the oath of office before the chief judge of the Supreme Court as he is officially sworn-in during a ceremony in Harare on November 24, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

The resignation came several days after army chiefs put military vehicles on the streets of the capital, Harare and placed the 93-year-old leader under house arrest. Many Zimbabweans celebrated the end of Mugabe’s rule.

A day after, his sacked deputy, Mnangagwa, was sworn in as the country’s interim president, vowing sweeping changes and seeking to attract foreign investment to revive the moribund economy in the south African country.

Mnangagwa is Zimbabwe’s second president since the country gained independence from British colonial rule in 1981.

Source: Presstv

25, November 2017

Ambazonia: Muyuka market on fire ⁰

The Muyuka Main Market in the Fako constituency has partially been ravaged by fire. The incident occurred on the night of 23rd to 24^th of November 2017. The fire whose origin remains undetermined has reduced to ashes more than a dozen shops. The president of the market interviewed by Canal 2 international television revealed that the fire started at “midnight and everything was automatically reduced to ashes. My life ends in this fire” he pointed out. According to an initial estimate, material losses are significant and can be estimated at several million CFA francs.

Market fires in the one time United Republic of Cameroon are a phenomenon. They are recorded everywhere in the country. The capital, Yaoundé, has been hit at least twice in recent months. On August 22, 2017, it was the central market that saw 50 stores go up in smoke. A few months earlier, in April 2017, the Etoudi market, in the district hosting the Presidency of La Republique du Cameroun was attacked by the flames. Investigations have shown most of the time that poor electrical installations cause damage in commercial spaces.

Source: Cameroun Info.Net

25, November 2017

Time magazine rejects Trump’s ‘Person of the Year’ claim ⁰

The Time news magazine has disputed US President Donald Trump’s claim that he turned down the American weekly’s “Person of the Year” honor after being told that he would only “probably” receive the designation.

The pushback came after Trump tweeted on Friday that he turned down the distinction, because the magazine did not guarantee him the spot.

“Time Magazine called to say that I was PROBABLY going to be named “Man (Person) of the Year,” like last year but I would have to agree to an interview and a major photo shoot. I said probably no good and took a pass. Thanks anyway!” the president tweeted.

The magazine issued a statement disputing Trump. “The President is incorrect about how we choose Person of the Year. TIME does not comment on our choice until publication, which is December 6,” a spokeswoman told CNN.

Time’s chief content officer, Alan Murray, also shot back at Trump from his own Twitter account.

Trump has previously criticized the magazine for not being selected in past years. “Thank you @oreillyfactor for your wonderful editorial as to why I should have been @TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year. You should run Time!” Trump tweeted in December 2015.

In December 2012, Trump tweeted, “I knew last year that @TIME Magazine lost all credibility when they didn’t include me in their Top 100… ”

Trump has long been obsessed with being on the cover of TIME and other news magazines, even making fake covers to hang in some of his properties.

In June, The Washington Post reported that at least four Trump Organization properties had on display a fake Time magazine with Trump on the cover and featuring flattering headlines about his reality TV show, “The Apprentice.”

Source: Presstv

25, November 2017

Slavery in Libya: Eto’o denies granting 1.5 million CFA francs to every Cameroonian migrant ⁰

French Cameroun football legend,Samuel Eto’o has denied claims of having granted financial assistance to the tune of 1.5 million FCFA to every Cameroonian migrant repatriated to the country after the outbreak of the scandal of black slavery in Libya.

“Several sites circulated a rumor that I gave money to each returnee migrant, on a topic of news.This rumor is absolutely unfounded,” noted the French Cameroonian football star who took advantage of the opportunity to give advice to his “brothers and sisters”, reminding them that “love prevents more harm than money can solve”.

By Chi Prudence Asong

25, November 2017

The French President is the defacto Commander-in-Chief of the Cameroonian Armed Forces ⁰

Biya has been president of Cameroun since Ahmadu Ahidjo handed over power to him. He has been on the saddle for 35 years. He has survived many coups and many sham elections. He has left Cameroun rural, desolate. But no one cites him as an example of a political tragedy. Mugabe is the African tragedy. Biya spends months on end holidaying in Switzerland. But the western press leaves him in his peace. No one is intent on bringing him down in the name of democracy.

Biya has repressed political opponents. Biya has supervised genocidal incursions into the English speaking parts of Southern Cameroon. But nobody thinks of Biya and remembers the ICC. France is the nanny of Cameroun. But that apostle of freedom and rule of law would not open her mouth and tell President Biya to step down. The French president is the defacto commander-in-chief of the Cameroonian Armed Forces. But he won’t nudge the army to do a Zimbabwe in Cameroon.

Western news media celebrated crowds on the streets screaming obscenities at a Mugabe held down by the army. But western media won’t call on France to tell the Camerounian army to hold down Biya so the party in Harare can move to Yaounde. Biya can remain on the throne. France is happy with him. He can junket around the European Union. He can loot the Camerounian treasury and stash it in France and Switzerland. If he challenges French authority then his sins will come to the fore and he would become a demon. We are happy Mugabe has gone. But the West must let go of its stinking hypocrisy. It is more abhorrent, more tyrannical, than Mugabe’s despotism.

Source: The Vanguard

24, November 2017

Who is in Sisiku Ayuk Tabe’s cabinet? ⁰

By the authority vested in me, I hereby make the following appointments: –

 Vice President – XXX (Ground Zero)

 Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs – Prof Carlson Anyangwe

o Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs – Dr Samuel Ikome Sako

 Secretary of State for Defence & Homeland Security – XXX (General)

o Under-Secretary of State for Defence & Homeland Security – XXX

 Secretary of State for Finance & Economy – Brado Etchu Tabenyang

o Under-Secretary of State for Finance & Economy – Dr Cornelius Kwanga

 Secretary of State for Communication & Information Technology – Christopher Anu

o Under-Secretary of State for Communication & IT – Milton Taka

 Secretary of State for Education – Wilfred Tassang

o Under-Secretary of State for Education – Dr Elizabeth Ambe

 Secretary of State for Home Affairs – Dr Ojong Okongor Eno

o Under-Secretary of State for Home Affairs – Shufai Blaise Berinyuy

 Secretary of State for Health & Social Services – Caleshe Bongo

o Under-Secretary of State for Health & Social Services – Edith Ngang

Ambassador to the African Union & Rest of Africa – Eyambe Elias
Ambassador to the SADC countries – Jessy Engu Itambi
Ambassador to the United Nations & America – MbuliRene
Ambassador to the United Kingdom – Kingsley Ekolle
Ambassador to the Scandinavia & the Nordic Region – Emma Larry Daniel
Ambassador to mainland Europe – Dr Elad Kisito
Ambassador to Asia & Middle East – Tangie Donatus Muma

 Chairperson, Ethics Commission – Chief Fonkem Achankeng

o Deputy Chairperson, Ethics Commission – Nancy Assanga

 Chairperson, Judiciary Commission – Bobga Harmony Mbuton

o Deputy Chairperson, Judiciary Commission – Denis Atemkeng

 Director Performance, Monitoring & Evaluation – Prof Cosmas Ambe

o Deputy Director Performance, Monitoring & Evaluation – Prof Martin Ayim

 Director Intelligence – XXX

o Deputy Director Intelligence – XXX

Done at Buea this 24th Day of November 2017

24, November 2017

Boko Haram: Nigeria’s Adamawa community threatens to relocate to Cameroon ⁰

Following frequent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents, some community leaders in Madagali, Adamawa state, have threatened that their people would relocate to neighbouring Cameroon.

Speaking during a presentation of relief materials by NEMA to those affected by recent attacks on Gulak town, the headquarters of the council on Thursday, the community leaders expressed disatisfation with the situation adding that distribution of food to the affected communities was not their ”top priority.”

Yusuf Muhammad, chairman of the council, said security of lives and property was their major concern.

”Our top priority in Madagali local Government Area is that we need security not food. Government, as matter of urgency should bring lasting solutions to stop excessive attacks and destruction on our people. If the deadly attacks continue, we have no other alternative rather than to relocate to Cameroon Republic,” Mr. Muhammed said.

He complained that the people of the area, ”were more affected by the insurgency and yet were neglected as if they were not Nigerians.” The council boss said insurgents lived just three kilometres away from Madagali area and this was why they (sect) find it easy to attack the community.

He urged the government to deploy more soldiers to the area to protect the people. Binta Garba, an APC Senator at the event, confirmed what the council chairman said as ”true.” Mrs. Garba said both Madagali and Michika local government areas were neglected in terms of Federal government intervention. ”Are we really part of Nigeria,? If yes; Government should prove to us and treat us as Nigerians,” the senator said.

Responding, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, Abdulazeez Nyako, thanked the council chairman for his frankness. Mr. Nyako assured the people of the area that he would table the matter when he returned to the senate.

Mustafa Maihaja, Director General of NEMA, who was represented by an air commodore, Sunday Ohemu, said the relief materials were part of the government’s intervention meant to bring succour to the community. Three trucks loaded with assorted food and non-food items were presented to the community.

Source: Premium Times

24, November 2017

Opposition MPs Demand Open Debate on Anglophone Crisis ⁰

Opposition lawmakers disrupted parliament for a second day in a row Friday as tensions deepen over the government’s handling of the crisis in the country’s anglophone regions.

Lawmakers of Cameroon’s main opposition party, the Social Democratic Front sang a protest song demand parliament hold debates on how to resolve the year-long strike in the two English-speaking regions.

“We have been here for more than one year and in every session nothing is said about the crisis,” complained SDF’s Joseph Mbah Ndam, who is also vice speaker of parliament, “so we have decided today that nothing will go on here if we do not find a definite solution to the anglophone crisis.”

Uptick in violence

The crisis has grown increasingly violent over the past year as separatist groups have emerged. Many schools in the southwest and northwest remain shut and a strike has closed down many businesses.

French-speakers are the majority in the bilingual country, and anglophone activists say they are marginalized. Many are demanding reforms, while others want all-out independence.

Most of the SDF lawmakers hail from the two anglophone regions. They have faced threats and physical assaults for continuing to serve in the National Assembly amid the crisis.

The SDF lawmakers announced a boycott a week ago demanding the government do more to peacefully end the strike. On Thursday, they began singing to interrupt parliament proceedings.

2018 budget

Government ministers had come to answer questions on last year’s budget and the 2018 financial plans. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, the speaker of the National Assembly, says he could not bear the disturbances by the SDF and called off the plenary.

He announced that the ruling CPDM majority had voted and adopted last year’s settlement bill even though no vote had taken place.

The CPDM controls 148 seats in the 180 member parliament and the SDF just 18. Political analyst Reymond Etoga says the SDF won’t be able to derail the passing of the 2018 budget, but the government should heed their calls for open debate to resolve the anglophone crisis.

“In order for us to be able to create a society where everyone can feel part of, we must understand that truth is very necessary,” Etoga noted, “and we are in a quagmire situation at this point in time because the system in place has refused categorically to be able to say this is white and this is black.”

Professor Elvis Ngole Ngole, a close aide of President Paul Biya, has been leading teams to dialogue with the populations in the northwest and southwest. “Those who felt they were excluded, I think it is genuine,” he said. ” As we continue, there will be more inclusion than exclusion because no one should be excluded because as long as there is democracy and we believe in it, as long as we are a republic we will keep on talking to one another and that is dialogue.”

However, government overtures at dialogue have also been coupled with a crackdown. Following violent unrest last December, troops were deployed to the anglophone regions and the internet was cut for three months. The government has released several dozen people detained for months over the strike. Activists say more remain behind bars and must also be released before any dialogue can take place.

Culled from VOA