Headline News

9, January 2017

Ivory Coast: Prime Minister resigns along with his cabinet ⁰

Ivory Coast Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan has resigned along with his cabinet amid political tensions in the West African country. “I have tendered my resignation and that of the government,” Duncan said Monday, two days later than he was expected to step down based on the standard procedure for changing the government in the country.

Duncan made the resignation announcement after a meeting with President Alassane Ouattara, who kept hold of his majority in the December 18 parliamentary elections. However, the government was expected to resign by Saturday to give leeway to a new government which could allow the implementation of measures contained in a new constitution, signed by Ouattara in November.

Ivory Coast’s presidency announced that Ouattara had accepted Duncan’s resignation. The two-day delay in the announcement of the government’s resignation came after a group of dissident army soldiers took over army bases in cities across Ivory Coast, demanding bonus payments. The government then reached an agreement with the army for the revolt to end. Reports said former premier and current Parliament Speaker Guillaume Soro was behind the mutiny as he is believed to be seeking the post of premiership or vice presidency. Some also said that the revolt could have been masterminded by Ouattara.

State employees also began a five-day strike on Monday, demanding that the government scrap pension cuts and another plan to increase the retirement age from 55 to 60. Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa producer, is West Africa’s largest and most prosperous economy.The French-speaking country emerged from nearly a decade of short wars and a protracted crisis in 2011. However, the factionalized, ill-disciplined military and increasing political divisions have sparked fresh concerns about the state of security in the country and how the government could continue to realize its economic objectives in the future.

Presstv

9, January 2017

Consortium suspends Ghost town, strikes to continue ⁰

The civil disobedience campaign launched by The Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium was widely followed this Monday by the populations of the Northwest and Southwest regions. The Consortium had called for a ghost town operation and a pacific resistance without a protest march or street demonstration for Monday, January 9, 2017

The Francophone Yaounde regime had hope for an effective back to school in the Anglophone section of the country. The authorities went further and launched a dubious offensive to sensitize Southern Cameroons parents to send their children to school. However, the streets remained deserted. No public transport, buses or motorcycle taxis were seen in the streets of Bamenda, Bali, Batibo, Kumbo, Mamfe, Kumba, Menji, Akawaya, Tiko, Mutengene, Muea, Muyuka and Buea, for fear of reprisals.

The shops and markets remained closed and some barricades were erected on the public road by some individuals in Buea. The Biya Francophone Beti Ewondo regime that recently announced the recruitment of 1000 new teachers is now considering suspending the salaries of the striking teachers.

The authorities have been consistently inconsistent in their handling of the situation. Yaounde opened a dialogue on the main demands of the striking teachers and lawyers and later on denounced the protesters as “extremist”. The CPDM government further opined that the Anglophone leaders were being manipulated by individuals with a hidden agenda from abroad.

President Biya (83) reaffirmed that Cameroon remains “ONE” and “Indivisible”. Today’s event will surely give the Cameroonian dictator a rare opportunity to think and rethink things. The Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium has announced a suspension of the ghost town operations. But maintained that all strike actions by the teachers and lawyers will continue until the Francophone government provides acceptable solutions to the Anglophone problem. Correspondingly, all schools and law firms will remain close indefinitely.

By Rita Akana

9, January 2017

Bakossi Chiefs, Ministers Philip Ngwese and Elung Paul: No longer an item ²

Bakossi chiefs say they are not spare wheels for Minister Philip Ngwese and Co, who only run to them when their jobs are at stake. The chiefs collected their share of the Yaounde money but refused to implement their instructions. The CPDM barons from Kupe Manenguba in the South West Region were in their home constituency over the weekend, desperately calling on parents, teachers and students to ignore the civil disobedience campaign and get back to school.

The men called the ministers used money to lure the traditional authorities to attend their meetings, dishing out Cameroonian tax payers money that their Colonial Master General allocated them for this purpose. The Bakossi people did not refuse the payments made by the agents of La Republique. The Chiefs and the local political elites attended the meetings, collected what ever amount was available and promised the two main Francophone surrogates that they would do as the CPDM government has requested. Ministers Philip Ngwese and Elung Paul are reportedly hiding after Kupe Muanenguba recorded a huge participation in today’s ghost town operation.

“We cannot send our children to die because of small chicken change. These people only leave Yaounde and come to see us when they feel that their interests are threatened. When we send them letters about our local worries, they never act. They refuse to respect their engagements towards us. When they called us to attend the meeting, they motivated us financially, and since we needed the money we took it, but we cannot do what they asked us to do. They promised that if our children go to school, they will give us more. But of what use will education be to our children if they go to school, have certificates and come back to stay in our houses?”. One of the chiefs who collected the money noted to this reporter.

Minister Ngwese had already boasted to the press that schools were not interrupted in the Kupe Manengouba Division during the first term and assured the Biya Francophone Beti Ewondo regime that things will continue like that.

Culled from HenrietteLounge.com

9, January 2017

Anglophone Crisis: French experts helping Biya ⁰

An anonymous source inside the presidency of the republic has hinted CIR that France has secretly sent some top advisers on African Affairs to help the Biya Francophone Beti Ewondo regime handle the Anglophone crisis.

Our informant revealed that the decision to release the Southern Cameroons detainees came after a meeting the French think tank held with the 83 year old Cameroonian dictator. The French have also given the Yaoundé regime assurances that the French government will quickly develop a strategies to down grade the current Anglophone uprising.

This news item is still developing

Culled from Cameroon Intelligence Report

9, January 2017

All academic institutions and businesses closed in Lebialem Division ⁰

BREAKING!!! Lebialem Division: No school opened in Fontem!! All businesses including Main Markets closed!!! No movement in Menji town.

9, January 2017

Happy Ghost Town to All Southern Cameroonians: Let this spirit continue ⁰

Since 2016 Southern Cameroons has been experiencing a wave of anti-government protests unleashed by hatred for the Biya Francophone Beti Ewondo regime. Anglophone Cameroonians say Francophones have taken over their country and were systematically destroying their Anglo-Saxon heritage. Many people have been killed in Kumba, Bamenda, Buea and Kumbo.

Anti-government demonstrations rocked the Universities of Buea and Bamenda. It was followed by an industrial action staged by Common Law Lawyers and the Anglophone Teachers Trade Unions. Thousands of demonstrators went on to the streets calling on the Yaounde regime to embrace political reform and to stop killing protesters. Southern Cameroonians also demanded the release of all those arrested and respect for justice and the rule of law. However, the response from the Francophone dominated security forces, which used live ammunition against protesters, led to the death of many unarmed people.

Although the government security apparatus reported that the demonstrations had been contained and the 83 year Head of State described the protesters as “extremist and manipulators”, the current political situation in British Southern Cameroons has become volatile. Our intelligence officers have all reported that things are fast changing and developments have become increasingly unpredictable. The leaders of the various trade unions have metamorphosed into a consortium and are said to be busy devising alternative methods of protest that range from weakening the Francophone government institutions through staying at home and not operating businesses to organizing a Diaspora-based grand solidarity rally. The ghost town being observe today in Southern Cameroons has so far been a huge success.

Some conclusions could be drawn following the failure on the part of the Francophone government to halt the ghost town operation. Firstly, these new generations of Anglophones have lost faith in the ONE Cameroun concept. Secondly, the so-called Anglophone political elites militating with the ruling CPDM party no longer have legitimate authority in Southern Cameroons. And thirdly, Cameroon as a nation has entered its last journey of many dangers.

In Mamfe, a town that hosted the 1953 Conference after the Eastern Regional Crisis at Enugu which eventually paved the way for reunification, Southern Cameroonians refused to sing the national anthem. To be sure, Manyu Division has shut down completely today Monday the 9th of January in support of the Anglophone nationalism. In Mundemba, even the lame and the blind joined in anti La Republique protest. In Kumba, Buea, Bamenda and Kumbo where the first demonstrations took place, residents have resorted to a new mode of protest – staying at home. The streets of all major towns and cities in Southern Cameroons are now deserted and workers are staying at home and business remained closed.

We of the Cameroon Concord News Group understand that Southern Cameroonians have opted for this type of protest because their leaders demanded an answer from the Francophone government, but the response was one of bullets in return. This peaceful ghost town method of protest demonstrates a complete rejection of the Biya Francophone Beti Ewondo regime by Southern Cameroonians. The ghost town protest is an indication of the increasing maturity of the leaders of the Consortium.

The Yaounde regime is planning to blocked internet connection and access to social media tools. But some experts have argued that this may attract the use of proxy servers. Cameroun’s Minister of Communications and government spokesman has repeatedly claimed that that social media had been used to churn out false information, mostly seditious remarks, trying to agitate people against security forces. There are growing numbers of Anglophone news websites all supporting the creation of a Southern Cameroons state.

Cameroon government receives billions of dollars annually from international donors and has remained a key strategic partner of the West, particularly the US and the French, in the ‘war against Boko Haram terror. This financial support has been toughening the regime’s resolve to silence Anglophone dissenting voices. The French and the US approach of tiptoeing around human right violations in Cameroun and its continued support for the Biya regime has been stirring up anger among even Francophone sections of the country. The US, the EU including the Roman Catholic Church are supporting a regime – which they know is clearly undemocratic and is the very cause of the state terrorism we now observe in Southern Cameroons.

Ever since the police atrocities in Bamenda, Buea Kumba and Kumbo, no pressure has been put on the regime to allow for credible investigation into the rapes and killings. Not a single UN official has demanded access to visit the affected areas to establish what really happened in Southern Cameroons. Minister Issa Tchiroma is always ready to inform international public opinion that the government has its own system of checks and balances and that Cameroun’s own Human Rights Commission was doing its job in investigating and publicizing the human rights situation in the country.

The regime supported by Anglophones such as Ghogomu Paul Minglo is still in denial of the injustice its policies have resulted in. With the success of today’s ghost town, President Biya now has the opportunity to change La Republique’s approach – otherwise if the situation is left to fester, there will be more outbursts, more unrest, more protests and perhaps more violence.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Editor-in-Chief

Cameroon Concord News Group

9, January 2017

Francophone Minister of Secondary Education jeered and booed at Ndop ²

The people of Ndop in Ngoketunjia Division, North West region have reportedly jeered at the Minister of Secondary Education, Jean Ernest Massena Ngale Bibehe yesterday Sunday January 8, 2017 during a working visit to the region as part of measures to lure teachers, students and pupils get back to school this Monday.

In a crisis meeting held in Ndop, the people threatened to walk out of the gathering as soon as the minister started delivering his speech in French. The Secondary education boss was compelled to speak in English for close to thirty minutes after the people pressed on him to do so. After addressing the people in English Jean Ernest Bibehe begged for permission and read his speech in French which was interpreted in English by the Regional Delegate for secondary Education Mombakuet Victor.

The minister who has a one week mission to the North West region has been moving from one town to the other trying to lure stakeholders to give go ahead with school resumption activities today Monday. The minister met with leaders of trade unions in Bamenda in which he is said to have been on bended knees for them to call off the strike action. The Bamenda meeting did not yield fruits.

Cameroun Info Net

9, January 2017

Anglophone largest civil disobedience campaign begins,Schools in Manyu closed ⁰

In one of the largest civil disobedience campaign launched by the Consortium, hundreds of thousands of parents, students and Southern Cameroons business community are taken part in an Anglophone boycott of all public and private school system reopening activity to demonstrate their support for the full integration of the Anglo-Saxon educational and political values inherited from our British colonial master.

The idea for a boycott began in the early 1990s, when leaders in the Union for Change attempted to oust the 83 year old Cameroonian dictator. Today ghost town operations have return, this time around only in Southern Cameroons. Cameroon Common Law Lawyers and Anglophone Teachers Trade Unions have brought parents, teachers, local civil rights activists including the business community together in a coalition called the Consortium.

The organization’s sole objective is to restore the Anglophone political and educational structure as was stated in the 1961 federal structure and to render the English speaking imbalance of Anglophone Cameroonians in schools and universities in Cameroun. After years of unsuccessful lobbying and deliberate silence, the new generation Anglophone leaders decided to take direct action against the Biya Francophone Beti Ewondo regime.

Southern Cameroonians have been called to organize a one-day protest and boycott of schools all over the Anglophone territory, but it is now evident, the strikes will continue indefinitely. With the boycott already achieving great success contrary to what Francophone surrogates like the Senior Divisional Officer for Manyu Division announced earlier this morning over state radio and television, the response from parents and students in Mamfe communities has been overwhelming as thousands of students have refused to attend their respective schools today. (Picture of GHS Mamfe taken some 15 minutes ago)

By Sonne Peter with files from Tabe Carvalho Ako

8, January 2017

Prominent Iranian political figure passes away ⁰

Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has passed away at the age of 82 due to heart condition. Ayatollah Rafsanjani was admitted to a hospital in northern Tehran on Sunday after having an acute heart attack.

Born on August 25, 1934, the influential Iranian politician and writer was the fourth president of the Islamic Republic, serving from 1989 to 1997.

Rafsanjani was the head of the Assembly of Experts from 2007 to 2011. The influential cleric was elected chairman of the Iranian parliament in 1980 and served until 1989. He assumed office as the Chairman of the Expediency Council in 1989.

This undated photo shows the last session of Iran’s Expediency Council headed by its late chairman, Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani attended the hospital where Ayatollah Rafsanjani was hospitalized, undergoing treatment. Head of Tehran’s Shohada Hospital has declared heart arrest as the cause of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani’s passing away. Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani was among the main aides to late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini.

This file photo shows Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (L) standing next to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (C) and late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini.

He played an influential role both during anti-Shah struggles before the victory of the Islamic Revolution and afterwards through various stages of the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Rafsanjani was also a key figure during the eight years of Iraq’s imposed war on Iran (1980-88), serving as substitute to commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

According to IRNA news agency, the funeral for Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani will be held in Tehran on Tuesday. In a statement, the Iranian administration announced a three-day mourning period across the country and declared Tuesday as a national holiday.

Condolence messages pour in from Iran state officials, bodies

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani issued a condolence message on his Twitter account soon after Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani’s demise in which he said, “The soul of the great man of the revolution and politics has soared to the sky.” Ayatollah Seyyed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi also released a message, expressing his grief over passing away of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani.

In his message, Shahroudi described Rafsanjani as a true follower of late Imam Khomeini, who spared nothing on the path of the Islamic Revolution and was among confidantes of Imam Khomeini who shouldered heavy responsibilities following the Islamic Revolution. Many Iranian officials and state organs have offered their condolences over the demise of Ayatollah Rafsanjani.

Chairman of the Assembly of Experts Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said the influential figure diligently shouldered important responsibilities after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Ayatollah Jannati also condoled with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on the demise of Ayatollah Rafsanjani.

Meanwhile, the Guardian Council expressed grief over Ayatollah Rafsanjani’s demise and said he provided great services to the Islamic Republic in different areas. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, for his part, expressed his condolences to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and Iranian nation, particularly Ayatollah Rafsanjani’s family.

He said the late cleric always made great efforts in carrying out his sensitive and crucial responsibilities and played a prominent and influential role in managing the country’s economic and social affairs as well as the complicated and difficult foreign policy of the Islamic Republic.

Foreign officials, dignitaries express condolences over Rafsanjani’s demise

Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifah, the foreign minister of Bahrain, posted a message on his Twitter account expressing his condolences on passing away of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani. Meanwhile, the Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and Palestine’s Islamic Jihad Organization expressed their sorrow over the passing away of Iran’s former president. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has also issued a message of condolence on the occasion of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani’s demise.

Presstv

8, January 2017

Apostolic Nuncio delivers CPDM style speech at State House ⁰

Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Representatives of International Organizations and other foreign dignitaries accredited to Yaounde have presented best wishes of the New Year 2017 to the Cameroonian dictator, President Paul Biya. The ceremony that took place at the Unity Palace started with a speech delivered by the Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr Piorro Piopo in his capacity as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. The Dean made an analysis of the just ended year which he revealed was rich in activities.

The Vatican ambassador to Yaoundé and Malabo cited the visits of a number of world leaders to Cameroon, including the Head of States of Italy in May 2016, that of Chad in October, the leaders of Senegal, Nigeria and those of Central African Sub region. Mentioned was also made of the Director General of the International Monetary Fund who visited Cameroon twice last year.

The Dean ignored the rapes and ritual killings and the numerous human rights violations going on in the country and instead saluted the dubious approach of dialogue and concerted action to tackle major issues incarnated by President Biya.

By Sama Ernest with files from CRTV