Headline News

29, June 2026

Biya regime begins implementation of €184.9m SEWASH Water Project ⁰

Cameroon has formally launched the operational phase of the Water Security Project (SEWASH), a €184.9 million program designed to strengthen water security, expand access to drinking water and improve sanitation services across several regions of the country.

The launch was marked by the first Steering Committee meeting of the project, chaired on Monday, June 29, 2026, in Yaounde by the Minister of Water and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba. According to information released by the Ministry of Water and Energy, the meeting brought together senior officials from the ministry, the General Manager of CAMWATER, Dr. Blaise Moussa, representatives of the World Bank, government administrations and technical partners involved in the program’s implementation.

The project, financed through World Bank funding under IDA Credit No. 7785-CM, represents one of the largest recent investments in Cameroon’s water and sanitation sector. Scheduled to run from 2025 to 2030 during its first phase, SEWASH aims to strengthen institutional capacity, promote integrated water resources management and improve sustainable access to drinking water and sanitation services. The program is expected to support infrastructure development while establishing planning and governance mechanisms intended to guide future investments in the sector.

Infrastructure Program targets rural service expansion

During the meeting, members of the Steering Committee reviewed and validated key implementation instruments, including the Annual Work Plan and Budget and the Procurement Plan. These documents outline priority activities, resource allocation and implementation timelines for the project’s various components.

Project coordinators from the Ministry of Water and Energy and CAMWATER presented the project framework, intervention areas, institutional arrangements and progress achieved since the beginning of the first phase. They also outlined implementation challenges and priorities for the coming months.

A significant share of the investment will be directed towards water infrastructure in the Adamawa, North and Far North regions. The project plans to construct 103 mini drinking-water supply systems powered by solar pumping technology. The facilities will include productive boreholes, water towers, distribution networks, public standpipes and connections serving community infrastructure.

The program also provides for the construction of 2,900 ecological institutional latrines in schools, health centers, markets, churches and mosques. According to the ministry, these facilities are intended to improve sanitation coverage and strengthen public hygiene conditions in beneficiary communities.

Beyond physical infrastructure, SEWASH includes a series of strategic studies aimed at guiding future sector investments. These include the preparation of a Rural Drinking Water Supply Master Plan, a Liquid Sanitation Master Plan, studies for fecal sludge treatment facilities in northern regions and additional assessments linked to hillside dams intended to improve water resource mobilization.

The Ministry of Water and Energy stated that the project is expected to contribute to stronger sector governance, enhanced climate resilience and reduced incidence of water-related diseases. The program also supports Cameroon’s efforts towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 on universal access to safe water and sanitation.

Closing the Steering Committee session, Minister Gaston Eloundou Essomba called for effective coordination among stakeholders, adherence to implementation schedules and transparent management of project resources. According to the ministry, he stressed that the success of the program would depend on collective mobilization and efficient execution to ensure that communities benefit from the planned investments as quickly as possible.

Source: Business in Cameroon

29, June 2026

Iran Foreign Minister says only Tehran in charge of reopening Hormuz Strait ⁰

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says only Iran is in charge of reopening the Strait of Hormuz under the Tehran-Washington Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), warning that any foreign interference will complicate the process.

Araghchi made the remarks on Sunday during a press conference with his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, in Baghdad amid renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, which has remained under Iranian control after the illegal US-Israeli war of aggression against the Islamic Republic.

“According to the MoU, the strait will return to its pre-war capacity within 30 days under the management that Iran will adopt and after the removal of obstacles by the Islamic Republic,” he said.

“These arrangements are being implemented, and the responsibility for them lies with the Islamic Republic … Any interference in this matter and any attempt to adopt new or separate arrangements compared to what is underway by Iran will only lead to more complicated situations and delays in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and will fuel tensions.”

Referring to fresh tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, the top Iranian diplomat called on all parties not to meddle in the arrangements that are being adopted by Iran for the reopening of the strategic waterway, and ensure that the MoU does not deviate from its intended course.

Iran has restricted transit through the Strait of Hormuz, responsible for a fifth of global oil demand, since the early days of the unprovoked US-Israeli aggression on the country that began on February 28 and came to a halt under a ceasefire on April 8.‌

On July 17, Iran and the US signed the Pakistan-brokered MoU, which calls for a permanent end to hostilities across all fronts, including Lebanon, as well as the removal of the naval blockade on Iran within 30 days, and the restoration of commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Additionally, in his remarks, Araghchi voiced regret that Israel continues its attacks on Lebanon, saying under the MoU, the US should stop the Zionist regime’s strikes.

He further expressed his gratitude to the Iraqi government and nation for their solidarity with Iranians as victims of the illegal US-Israeli war of aggression.

Source: Press TV

29, June 2026

Stocks mixed and oil rises as US, Iran call end to latest attacks ⁰

Investor confidence remains shaky after last week’s rollercoaster ride that saw markets whipsaw on the Middle East crisis and growing concerns about a tech bubble fuelled by the AI boom.

While there is an expectation that Washington and Tehran will finalise a deal to end their conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the process has been fraught with tensions between the long-time foes.

The two have traded strikes in recent days, disrupting shipping through the vital waterway and fanning concerns Iran will shut it down again.

The US Central Command said it had attacked 10 Iranian military targets over “continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping”.

Iran said it retaliated with strikes against US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. Both Kuwait and Bahrain denounced the Iranian attacks.

Tehran has been angered by Oman’s announcement of an alternative route through the strait that hugged the Omani shoreline, which Muscat said was in conjunction with the International Maritime Organization.

Iran insists on controlling passage through the vital strait, something it did not enjoy before the war.

Both countries agreed to stop attacking each other, US media outlets reported late Sunday citing senior US officials, and plan to meet Tuesday in Qatar for more talks.

US President Donald Trump has repeated past threats of military action if the Iranian strikes continue, saying on Saturday that Iran would “no longer exist” if the US is “forced” to resume the war.

Iran’s top diplomat warned Sunday that any attempt by ships to bypass its preferred route would “increase tensions”.

A US official said Sunday: “Technical talks are slated to continue on all areas of the MOU (memorandum of understanding). Both sides will stand down for now and vessels can move freely” in and around the strait.

Oil prices, which last week fell to pre-war levels, rose Monday, with West Texas Intermediate adding more than one percent.

Equity markets fluctuated, with Hong Kong, Sydney, Wellington, Taipei and Manila up but Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and Jakarta down.

Tech firms were again in the spotlight after leading hefty losses last week, with South Korean chip makers SK hynix and Samsung taking the brunt of the selling.

The sector has been hammered by concerns that valuations have gone too far and questions about when firms will see a return on the trillions of dollars pumped into AI.

The tech rally has sent Seoul, Tokyo and Wall Street’s three main indexes to record highs this year, with SK hynix alone soaring 300 percent in the first six months of the year.

The Bank for International Settlements — considered the central bank of central banks — warned Sunday of a possible bust following a long-running investment boom by companies looking to keep ahead in the AI race.

“Disappointment in returns could trigger a sudden pullback in financing and turn the capex boom into a protracted investment bust, with potential knock-on effects on financial conditions,” it said in its annual report.

It added that “a major equity-market correction could have larger macroeconomic consequences today than in the past”.

Investors are looking ahead to the release of US jobs data, which could have a bearing on the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy plans.

The bank has taken a more hawkish turn amid concerns over surging inflation that has been caused by the Iran war.

“Last month, the strong data triggered a four percent sell-off on the Nasdaq, its worst single-day decline in over a year, as higher-for-longer fears weighed heavily on the AI trade,” said IG market analyst Fabien Yip.

“A repeat beat on Thursday could trigger a similar rotation; a miss, by contrast, may dampen hike expectations and lift rates-sensitive equities.”

Key figures around 0230 GMT

Seoul – Kospi: DOWN 1.9 percent at 8,254.35

Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.7 percent at 68,869.43 (break)

Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 1.7 percent at 23,048.81

Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 4,032.52

West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.1 percent at $70.00 a barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.7 percent at $72.47 a barrel

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1391 from $1.1388 on Friday

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3208 from $1.3200

Dollar/yen: UP at 161.79 yen from 161.75 yen

Euro/pound: DOWN at 86.25 pence from 86.28 pence

New York – Dow: DOWN 0.1 percent at 51,876.11 (close)

London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.2 percent at 10,508.02 (close)

Source: AFP

28, June 2026

Samuel Eto’o: some critics only find their voice when they have someone to attack ⁰

The relentless attacks on the President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) Samuel Eto’o have begun to resemble a familiar pattern: Cameroonians who seem to derive their relevance not from building something of their own, but from constantly tearing someone else down.

Recent scathing attacks on Samuel Eto’o remind one of those imaginary musicians who only found inspiration while Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Every song they wrote revolved around his captivity. Every performance fed off that single story. Then, the day Mandela walked free, so did their creativity. Without that convenient subject, the music stopped because there was nothing genuine driving it.

That is how some of Eto’o’s loudest critics like Professor Owona Nguini and Dr Laziz Nchare appear. Their public identity has become so intertwined with criticizing him that one wonders what remains if President Samuel Eto’o is removed from the FECAFOOT equation. Would there still be speeches? Headlines? Interviews? Or would the silence be deafening?

As we of the Cameroon Concord Group noted earlier, constructive criticism is healthy and necessary in football business. No leader, be it in politics or in the entertainment industry should be beyond scrutiny.

But there is a profound difference between accountability and obsession. When every development—good or bad is filtered through the lens of attacking one individual, criticism loses credibility and begins to look like a personal campaign.

Cameroonian football deserves debates about infrastructure, youth development, governance, financial transparency, coaching standards and long-term planning. These are the conversations that move the game forward. Endless personal attacks do not.

Those who genuinely care about football should ensure that their legacy is measured by the solutions they offer, not merely by the names they oppose. Criticism should illuminate a path forward, not become a permanent performance sustained by hostility.

In both English and French Cameroun, history remembers builders longer than perpetual critics. That is why Cameroonians speak regularly of the late Samuel Eboa and not Joseph Owona (both men were Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic) If someone’s political or public relevance depends entirely on Samuel Eto’o remaining the target, perhaps the problem is not Samuel Eto’o—it is the absence of an independent vision worth talking about.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

28, June 2026

Iran strikes eight US military installations after renewed American attacks ⁰

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says it launched a large-scale missile and drone operation against eight US military installations in the region, describing the strikes as a “decisive response” to renewed American aggression against Iranian territory.

In a statement, the IRGC said its Navy and Aerospace Force jointly carried out the operation between “2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. on Sunday (local time),” targeting eight “key US military installations,” including the “Ali Al Salem Airbase in Kuwait” and the “US Fifth Fleet headquarters at Salman Port in Bahrain.”

The Corps said the operation involved ballistic missiles and drones and said the targeted facilities were destroyed.

According to the statement, the operation followed attacks carried out by the enemy against five Iranian coastal outposts earlier in the day.

“The aggressor enemy, whose very nature is characterized by breaking commitments and violating agreements, attacked five coastal outposts of the Islamic Republic in the early hours of today under the pretext of responding to the IRGC Navy’s confronting a trespassing vessel [in the Strait of Hormuz],” the statement read.

Warning over Strait of Hormuz enforcement

The IRGC said maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz falls under Iran’s responsibility pursuant to a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding that was recently signed between Iran and the United States.

It added, “Henceforth, vessels found to be in violation will be dealt with more firmly than before.”

The statement also warned that “any future aggression by the enemy, regardless of the pretext and even if, as last night and tonight, it targets objectives deemed to be of minor importance, will be met with a crushing response.”

The IRGC further said, “The enemy should understand that violating the ceasefire constitutes a breach of Clause One of the Islamabad understanding and will result in the complete suspension of all related processes.”

The statement followed an announcement by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) that it had staged new aggression against targets inside Iran.

Source: Presstv

27, June 2026

Football: Onana congratulates Ivory Coast, questions Cameroon’s World Cup exit ⁰

André Onana congratulated Ivory Coast after their qualification for the knockout stage but then appeared to question the reasons behind Cameroon’s failure to reach the same stage.

The Manchester United goalkeeper shared a message on social media celebrating the Elephants’ progress, while also expressing frustration over Cameroon’s elimination from the tournament.

Ivory Coast secured their place in the Round of 32 after defeating Curaçao, with Nicolas Pépé scoring twice to help his team continue their World Cup journey.

Following the result, Onana posted a message congratulating the Ivorian national team but included a remark that quickly attracted attention among supporters.

“Congratulations to the family. It could have been us, but… Ego… Ego… Donatien K’s ego… Anyway, good night.”

The message began as a tribute to Ivory Coast’s achievement but later appeared to suggest that problems beyond football may have contributed to Cameroon’s early exit.

Onana did not directly explain the full meaning behind his comments, but his reference to “ego” was interpreted as a criticism of issues within the Indomitable Lions setup.

The goalkeeper’s statement comes amid ongoing discussions surrounding Cameroon and the challenges affecting the national team. His public reaction has added another layer to the debate over the reasons behind their disappointing World Cup campaign.

While Ivory Coast continue their historic run at the tournament, Cameroon are left reflecting on a missed opportunity after failing to progress.

Onana’s comments have created further discussion around the Indomitable Lions, with many questioning whether internal issues played a role in preventing the team from achieving their ambitions.

The Cameroonian international first acknowledged Ivory Coast’s achievement before turning attention to what he believes may have gone wrong within his own national team.

As the World Cup continues, Ivory Coast will focus on their next challenge in the competition, while Cameroon face questions over what changes may be needed before future international tournaments.

Source: Africa Soccer

27, June 2026

Venezuela quake death toll nears 1,000 ⁰

The death toll of the Venezuela earthquake has reached close to 1,000 as more international rescuers arrive in the country at a crucial time.

Two strong earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude rocked Venezuela within seconds of each other on Wednesday, causing many structures to collapse in the country’s north, including in the capital Caracas, trapping people under the rubble.

According to the government statistics, 920 people have been killed and 3,360 others injured. However, many more people are still unaccounted for, and as time passes, they are feared to be perishing under the rubble.

Venezuelan authorities announced more than 50,000 people remain missing in thousands of collapsed structures.

Rescuers keep searching for survivors, and families wait desperately for news of their missing ones.

La Guaira region, north of Caracas, has been hit the hardest.

Natacha Diaz told media that her two daughters, aged 22 and 23, were still trapped under the rubble of a collapsed mall in La Guaira.

“They were with their friends,” she said. “I just want them to be found. I have faith and hope that they are there.”

“I just want them back with me. They are all I have, please.”

At least 243 people have been rescued from under the rubble of collapsed buildings in La Guaira, so far.

The news of the people who have been rescued alive “brings us joy that they can embrace their families and loved ones,” Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said at a televised briefing on Friday.

There have been 214 aftershocks since the quakes started, she added.

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said almost 2,000 international rescue workers are taking part in the search operation.

Fletcher told the media on Saturday that rescue teams from different countries were still pouring into Caracas.

He stressed that the first 72 hours after the earthquake were “crucial.”

“It’s absolutely grim, it’s devastating, and for us, we are driven on minute by minute, hour by hour, by the sound of the survivors underneath the rubble.”

“We cannot pause for a second while we hear them, but the worst thing is when those voices go quiet. We’re determined to save as many lives as we can.”

Source: Press TV

27, June 2026

Football: Senegal crushes 10-man Iraq to remain in hunt for knockout spot ⁰

Senegal became the first African side to score five goals in a World Cup match, a stunning double by Pape Gueye inspiring them to a 5-0 win over 10-man Iraq in their final Group I match on Friday.

Senegal also boosted their chances of progressing to the last 32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams – they have the best goal difference of the teams on three points.

Iraq go home without a point after a hugely disappointing campaign following an arduous route to qualify.

Senegal struck early, Habib Diarra getting the slightest of touches to Abdoulaye Seck’s header from a corner, for his first international goal since he scored in a friendly against England last year.

Iraq’s already slim hopes of keeping their hopes alive suffered a hammerblow a few minutes later.

Defender Rebin Sulaka had been brought into the starting line-up by Iraq coach Graham Arnold but his contribution lasted just 13 minutes.

English referee Anthony Taylor red-carded him after consulting the VAR screen for fouling Sadio Mane when the Senegal talisman was clear on goal.

It was the earliest red card of the nine so far in the World Cup, the fourth fastest in the tournament’s history.

Senegal's defender #04 Abdoulaye Seck celebrates after scoring his team's first goal — Senegal’s Abdoulaye Seck celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal.

Iraq were unable to fashion a chance in the rest of the half and despite their one man advantage Senegal could only muster one, Ismail Jacobs fierce strike from outside the box just going wide with the keeper beaten.

Senegal came out for the second-half bristling with intent.

Iraq had been further destabilised as they had to replace goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, who had taken a knock in the first-half, with Jalal Hassan at the break.

Hassan survived the early wave of attacks but was helpless when Senegal finally got into their stride.

Ismaila Sarr tapped in in the 56th minute, for his third goal of the tournament, after a dreadful error by former Manchester United player Zidane Iqbal deep inside his own half gifted Senegal possession.

The relief of the second goal had Sarr lying prone on his back pumping his fists with joy.

Then came the Gueye show and it had the fans off their seats.

Within 89 seconds of coming on as a substitute he let rip from outside the box with a sublime curling effort that gave Hassan no chance for 3-0 in the 59th minute.

The Villarreal midfielder possibly outdid that effort with a vicious half volley 12 minutes later that flew past the keeper.

Arnold was reduced to leaning on the dugout and ruefully shaking his head, and could only watch as Iliman Ndiaye scored with another screamer eight minutes from time.

Source: AFP

27, June 2026

Burkina Faso cuts diplomatic ties with France ⁰

Burkina Faso on Friday severed diplomatic ties with former colonial ruler France, accusing Paris of persistently acting against its interests.

The military regime led by Captain Ibrahim Traore, in power since a coup in September 2022, is pursuing a policy hostile particularly France.

“The government of Burkina Faso hereby informs the national and international community that it has decided to sever diplomatic relations with France with effect from today, June 26, 2026,” it announced in a statement read out on the west African nation’s national television.

The government also accused France of harbouring “neo-colonial ambitions, made evident by its active support for subversive networks and the terrorists who are plunging our country and the Sahel into mourning”.

Burkina Faso, like several of its neighbours, has for a decade been hit by deadly violence by jihadists affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

According to the statement, this decision “concerns exclusively the institutional framework of relations between the two states at the diplomatic level”.

It “in no way calls into question the historical, human, cultural and social ties that unite the Burkinabe and French peoples”, the government said.

Anti French sentiment runs high in some former African colonies as the continent becomes a renewed diplomatic battleground, with Russian and Chinese influence growing.

Once master of vast expanses of northern, central and western Africa, France has played a crucial role in the continent’s post colonial history, repeatedly intervening militarily since the early 1960s.

France has vowed to abandon the so-called “Francafrique” strategy, under which Paris sought to keep francophone Africa under its thumb through political collusion, exclusive access for French businesses and oblique financial deals including graft.

Source: AFP

27, June 2026

US and Iran trade strikes putting new strain on Mideast ceasefire ⁰

The United States and Iran traded military strikes after Washington on Friday accused Tehran of attacking a cargo ship, jeopardizing a fragile ceasefire as diplomats struggle to contain the Middle East war.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Saturday that they had attacked US sites in the Gulf region in retaliation to American strikes in Iran, according to state television.

The US military had earlier announced that it had struck targets in Iran in response to an attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which it attributed to Tehran.

“If the aggression is repeated, our response will be broader than this,” the Guards said, according to a post by state TV on Telegram.

By Asu Isong in London