Headline News

22, August 2024

NYENE MAWN: All roads lead to Belgium ⁰

The Belgian capital is where NYENE MAWN, the new Manyu organization has chosen for its launch and all roads are actually leading to Brussels.

Despite threats by the MOHWA leadership to discipline MOHWA members who will be in Brussels for the event, many members of the erstwhile MOHWA Europe are on their way to Belgium.

Speaking to the Cameroon Concord News Group’s correspondent in Western Europe about the event, a member of MOHWA who has walked away from MOHWA Global said that the formation of NYENE MAWN was a welcome relief.

“I am happy that NYENE MAWN will finally see the light of day. As women, we just want to socialize and bring some development to Manyu Division but with MOHWA GLOBAL, the road ahead was bumpy and the waters were permanently murky. The rules were like shifting sands and the organization’s constitution was replaced with the President’s word. I was completely frustrated by such an approach. I hope NYENE MAWN will serve as an example to others,” the lady who elected anonymity said.

“We are in Belgium not just to launch our organization but also to demonstrate how united and effective we can be in organizing big events like this one. Our members have already begun arriving, especially those from Africa and we are really energized,” the lady pointed out.

“I know our launch is a big blow to MOHWA as many people have walked away from MOHWA GLOBAL, but we will do our best not to compete with anybody. We will reach out to other sister organizations when and if necessary, especially when Manyu development is concerned,” she stressed.

Asked about the threats of discipline hanging over MOHWA members like her who are attending the launch in Belgium like the Sword of Damocles, the lady simply said “why end a relationship that is bound to end? If we are already in Brussels, it is because we know what we want. The past is the past and we are focused on the future.”

The launch, which will take place over the weekend, will help the leaders of NYENE MAWN to refine their strategy with a view to solidifying unity within the organization.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Group Chairman and Editor-in-chief

Cameroon Concord News Group

22, August 2024

Manyu Division: Minister Victor Mengot is the son of promise ⁰

As Manyu Division faces leadership issues, it is emerging that without a selfless and responsible leader, Manyu, a division struggling with development issues, will never make any giant strides forward if a young, dynamic and experienced leader does not emerge from the crowd of people waiting in the wings to lead the most difficult political constituency in Cameroon.

While Manyu Division is endowed with many academically bright personalities, it is becoming obvious that academic brilliance alone will not take Manyus to the land of promise. Leadership is key and support for leaders is essential.

Senior political commentators both in Yaoundé and in the diaspora have opined that Manyu needs youthful leadership that is capable of pointing the Division in the right direction. Such leadership should be selfless, determined and audacious if the Division has to head in a different development direction.

Over the last several years, Manyu has not really had its fair share of appointments in government and this has adversely impacted the Division when it comes to development.

Manyu development issues have been compounded over the years by the devastating war of liberation of Southern Cameroons which has ruined many lives, leaving many children in rural Manyu without the education they need to face an uncertain future.

In that crowd of Manyu son and daughters ready to take a top government position to give Manyu a new lease on life is Victor Mengot, currently in charge of special duties at the presidency. As the fighting played out, Mengot did not fold his hands waiting for the government to address all the concerns. Though a victim of the fighting, following the razing of his home in his native Mbijong, Mengot sought peaceful solutions to the problem.

In his own way and in synergy with other Manyu elites, the Minister in charge of Special Duties at the Presidency expressed his opinion on how to address the crisis, sometimes leading peaceful efforts at addressing the problems which has made Southern Cameroons ungovernable, especially in his native Manyu Division. He maintains that solutions to the crisis have to be sought from home – community after community.

“Systematically, we want to tackle the problem from the roots… each community should identify theirs who are taking part in the crisis and find a way to bring them back on the rails,” he said on state media.

He pointed out that a community-centered strategic plan of action had to include monitoring the activities of outlaws and secessionists as well as push through the virtues of dialogue and harmonious co-existence.

Mengot stressed that the government plan is geared towards bringing peace to our villages and communities. He furthered that Manyus know that the people who have been disturbing the peace are our children. “They have been kidnapping, burning houses and structures. Our communities are suffering; the economy of our region has deteriorated to the level where we don’t know how many years we will take to bring back the level it was in 2016.”

But Minister Victor Mengot’s demonstration of leadership did not only end with words. When the Mamfe District hospital was razed, Victor Mengot immediately mobilized the Manyu community in Cameroon and much money was raised to alleviate the pain of the suffering masses. He understood the importance of that hospital to the people of Manyu and behind the scenes; he called on other Manyu elites to join his fundraising efforts.

That was a demonstration of leadership. Though imperfect, Mengot continues to do his best and his leadership needs help from the people of Manyu. Manyus should stand behind Mengot for him to continue displaying such leadership skills which can help give Manyu a shot in the arm.

Perfect people do not exist on earth and only seeing a man’s weaknesses does not bode well for a Division like Manyu whose politicians are already declining in strength and are gradually leaving the political arena due to age.

While other people may be jockeying in Yaoundé to jump into the spotlight, Manyus must understand that those who have the experience of working in government and providing leadership are usually the most appropriate to point the people in the right direction.

Manyu needs development. Its infrastructure is falling apart. The people are looking at their political elite to point them in the right direction. For now, Minister Victor Mengot has to play that role and the people of Manyu should stand by him in the interest of the Division. Seeking to contest his leadership only weakens the Division’s chances of having someone in a key position in government.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with editorial input from Dr. Joachim Arrey

21, August 2024

Southern Cameroons Crisis: 48 attacks targeted schools in 2024 ⁰

Cameroon recorded 48 attacks on schools between January and June 2024, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports in a statement released on World Humanitarian Day (August 19). “Such instability affects children’s right to education,” lamented the UN, without specifying where these attacks occurred. However, several international reports revealed attacks by separatist armed groups in the crisis-affected regions of the Northwest and Southwest.

One of the most notable attacks occurred in October 2020 when armed separatists targeted the Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy in Kumba, resulting in the deaths of eight students. In February 2022, similar attacks were carried out on the Molyko public primary school and the Catholic college “Queen of the Rosary.”

Since the outbreak of the separatist conflict in 2017, over 700,000 children have been unable to attend school due to the ongoing violence.

The UN also reported 18 attacks on healthcare facilities during the same period.

Source: Sbbc

21, August 2024

Cameroon’s Export Revenue to the EU Falls by 22% in 2023 ⁰

In 2023, Cameroon’s export revenue to the European Union (EU) totaled CFA1,524.6 billion, down from CFA1,964.4 billion in 2022, according to a report by the National Institute of Statistics (INS). This represents a 22.4% decline year-over-year, reversing a trend of increasing export revenue to the EU since 2020. The decrease is primarily due to a 33.3% drop in revenue from hydrocarbon sales.

On the other hand, Cameroon’s imports from the EU have increased during the same period. The value of goods imported from the EU rose to CFA1,323 billion in 2023, up from CFA1,267 billion in 2022, marking a 4.4% year-over-year increase.

Despite the decline in export revenue, Cameroon still maintained a trade surplus of CFA201.5 billion with the EU. However, this surplus is 71% lower compared to 2022, when it was CFA697.6 billion. The INS report suggests that while the trade balance remains positive, the significant drop in trade with the EU highlights the need to reduce imports of certain products that negatively impact the trade balance, and to invigorate and diversify export activities.

In 2023, fuel and lubricants were the most expensive imports from the EU, accounting for 22.4% of total imports. This was followed by wheat and barley at 10.8%, medicines (including veterinary) at 4.8%, and unroasted malt at 3.6%. The main exports from Cameroon to the EU in 2023 included crude oil, which made up 42.6% of exports, followed by raw cocoa beans at 17%, liquefied natural gas at 15.1%, and sawn timber at 7%.

Source: Business in Cameroon

21, August 2024

Nigerians outraged by president’s new plane ⁰

Many Nigerians have reacted with outrage after a new plane was bought for President Bola Tinubu at a time when the economy is experiencing its worst crisis in a generation.

The purchase comes less than two weeks after thousands took to the streets across the country to protest at rising hunger and the cost of living.

Elected last year to lead Africa’s most populous country, Mr Tinubu has introduced several economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, which have contributed to high inflation, currently over 30%.

President Tinubu said the reforms were necessary to cut government spending and stimulate long-term growth.

In January, the Nigerian president announced a 60% reduction in the size of official travel delegations, including his own entourage.

However on Monday, the president departed for France using a newly acquired Airbus A330, which has become the latest addition to the presidential fleet of more than five aircraft.

The cost of the plane has not been disclosed, and nor has the reason for his trip.

X user @Fdmlearn said it wasn’t right that Nigerians were being told to undergo economic pain while the government was buying a new plane for the president.

“Wait so despite the Tinubu led Government telling Nigerians to bear the economic hardship and wait for a better tomorrow, they were busy paying cash for a new private Jet to add to the presidential fleet that has over 6 aircraft’s already?”.

Another X user @RealOlaudah was even more angry.

“Let’s tell ourselves the truth. Tinubu’s new Airbus presidential aircraft purchase for N150 billion at a time of penury, hunger, and want shows how wicked, selfish, self-indulgent, and insensitive to the plight of the average Nigerian he really is.”

However, @Timi_The_Law says he supports the president’s decision as the plane is not personal but belongs to the office of the president.

“Tinubu’s decision to buy a new plane is the right one. The plane belongs to the office of the president, and future presidents will enjoy it,” he posted.

It is not known if lawmakers approved the purchase, which was not mentioned in this year’s budget.

In a statement on X, President Tinubu’s media aide Bayo Onanuga said the new plane would actually save money.

“The new plane, bought far below the market price, saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly,” the statement read in part.

The new presidential jet was recently released to the Nigerian government after it was seized by a Chinese firm, Zhangson Investment Co. Limited, which obtained a Paris court order to seize some Nigerian government assets following an investment dispute with Ogun state in south-west Nigeria.

The 15-year-old plane, with a market value of $600m (£460m) is said to have an elaborate configuration for VIPs and replaces the country’s 19-year-old Boeing BBJ 737-700.

Nigerian officials have previously said that the presidential fleet had a high maintenance cost due to the age of its planes.

In June, lawmakers recommended the purchase of two new aircraft for the president and his deputy, saying the old ones were not safe.

Last month, lawmakers passed a supplementary budget, which sought to raise the 2024 budget from 28.7 trillion naira ($18bn; £14bn) to 35.06 trillion naira.

It is not known if the purchase of the new plane was included in this budget.

The BBC has reached out to the Senate President and the Office of the National Security Adviser but is yet to get a response.

Source: BBC

21, August 2024

‘Yes she can’: Obamas laud Harris at Democratic National Convention ⁰

Former US president Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama were welcomed to the stage with rapturous applause at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Tuesday. Barack Obama told the crowd that Vice President Kamala Harris, the party’s presidential nominee, is “someone who sees you and hears you and will get up every single day and fight for you”.

Barack Obama told fellow Democrats in Chicago on Tuesday that “the torch has been passed” to Harris and that the United States was ready for her to become president.

Former president Obama, who was greeted with rapturous applause and cheers at the packed arena hosting the party’s nominating convention, said Harris would fight for Americans and called her November election opponent Donald Trump “dangerous”.

“Kamala Harris is ready for the job. This is a person who has spent her life fighting for people who need a voice,” he said.

Obama called Harris “someone who sees you and hears you and will get up every single day and fight for you”.

“Yes she can,” Obama said of Harris, prompting the boisterous crowd to repeatedly chant the phrase, recalling Obama’s own “Yes we can” campaign slogan.

Before his stardust performance, his wife and former US first lady Michelle Obama told convention attendees “something magically wonderful is in the air”.

“It’s the contagious power of hope,” she said, calling Harris “my girl” and saying that hope – another rallying cry of her husband’s successful 2008 campaign – “is making a comeback”.

The Obamas’ turn amped up the already buoyant mood in Chicago where President Joe Biden delivered his own emotional speech late Monday less than a month after ending his re-election bid.

“In 2012 I got to vote for [Barack Obama], and everyone was pushing Michelle Obama to run for president, but now we have Kamala. So I just think that this is, in a sense, them passing on the torch,” said attendee Tomara Hall, 35, from California.

Source: AFP

20, August 2024

Paramount ruler of Buea greeted by lively groups during visit to Britain ⁰

The Supreme Leader of the Bakweris in Buea His Royal Highness Dr. Robert Esuka Mbella Endeley was greeted by a mammoth crowd and a warm welcome during his first official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Naliomo spoke to prominent Cameroonian elites and community leaders and announced his plan to build a multipurpose cultural centre in Buea the chief city in the South West region. The Buea monarch revealed that the centre will focus on culture, entrepreneurship and innovation, community and intellectual leadership.

His Royal Highness Dr. Robert Esuka Mbella Endeley toured the Midlands, visited Buckingham palace and the Cameroon embassy in London.

On his colourful arrival in the beautiful city of Leicester, the King of Buea was greeted by the welcoming beats of his people led by senior Bakweri notables including William Gobina, Andrew Mokake and Lady Fotabong.

Olivia Ebangha Tambe president of the Manyu Women Association in London UK said she was so proud, so happy and so honoured to meet Chief Endeley V. Olivia Ebangha Tambe furthered that Manyu Women in London were saying through her voice that they respect the king and were paying homage.

The Saturday 17 August Leicester visit witnessed the participation of top Cameroonian entrepreneurs.

His Royal Highness Dr. Robert Esuka Mbella Endeley also spoke in private to a group of leading figures including Prince Julian Ebai, Charles Mambo and the Cameroon High Commissioner HE Fotabong on a range of issues.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with files

20, August 2024

Yaoundé: Journalist Samuel Bondjock has appeared in court 30 times in 30 months ⁰

Cameroonian journalist Samuel Bondjock has had to appear in court more than 30 times in almost 30 months to face criminal defamation charges that could put him in jail — even though the country’s media regulator dismissed the complaint against him in 2022.

His next appearance in the capital Yaoundé is scheduled for August 27, but Bondjock has little hope there will be any resolution in what is seen as a classic example of a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) — a vexatious type of lawsuit increasingly used against those who express critical opinions.

These suits frequently invoke criminal defamation laws to punish and censor journalists. In Cameroon, Bondjock — the publishing director of the privately owned online news site Direct Info — is the country’s latest journalist to be accused of defaming influential figures such as football stars, writers, government officials, lawmakers, pastors, and the politically connected.

“Authorities must end the legal harassment and weaponization of Cameroon’s judicial system against Samuel Bondjock, especially as the country’s media regulator has already exonerated him,” said Angela Quintal, head of CPJ’s Africa program, in New York. “Cameroon should follow the examples of several other African states to decriminalize defamation, in line with a 2010 resolution of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and must ensure that SLAPP lawsuits are not used to censor the press.”

In March 2022, Ahmadou Sardaouna, the managing director of the state-run Cameroon Real Estate Company (SIC), filed criminal complaints against Bondjock for “impugning his honor” in two articles published in December 2021 and February 2022, according to CPJ’s review of the complaints and news reports.

Four months later, Sardaouna also lodged a complaint with Cameroon’s National Communication Council (NCC) for “unsubstantiated accusations likely to damage his image.” The media regulator ruled in Bondjock’s favor, saying his journalism had met “professional requirements of investigation and cross-checking,” according to a copy of its July 29, 2022, decision, reviewed by CPJ.

Bondjock told CPJ that he has little hope that his trial will begin this month because Sardaouna’s absence led to repeated postponements of previous hearings “The plaintiff is doing nothing but delaying tactics to prolong this trial in order to exhaust me financially, morally, and even professionally, by wasting my time. My lawyer defends me despite many unpaid fees,” he said.

Joseph Jules Nkana, Sardaouna’s lawyer, told CPJ that his client had not refused to attend previous hearings and that mediation was undertaken by “Bondjock’s colleagues.” However, the journalist had refused to meet to conclude an agreement, Nkana said.

François Mboke, president of the Cameroon network of press outlet owners, who initiated mediation in 2022 to stop the prosecution, told CPJ that it had not been successful.

Bondjock told CPJ there was no reason for him to try to seek an agreement with Sardaouna, as the NCC had ruled in his favor.

Under Cameroon’s penal code, defamation is punishable by a prison sentence of six days to six months and a fine of up to 2 million CFA francs (US$3,330).

In a joint 2023 submission to the U.N. Human Rights Council scrutinizing Cameroon’s human rights record, CPJ and other rights groups noted at least four cases of arrest and conviction for defamation between 2019 and 2022, including against Martinez Zogo, who was killed in 2023.

Other sub-Saharan countries that have criminalized defamation include Nigeria, Angola, Togo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In June 2024, Niger reinstated prison sentences for defamation and insult that had been replaced by fines two years earlier.

Denis Omgba Bomba, director of the media observatory at Cameroon’s Ministry of Communication, did not respond to CPJ’s request for comment on Bondjock’s case via messaging app.

Culled from Committee to Protect Journalists

20, August 2024

Cameroon’s High Commissioner to Canada reaches out to the country’s Diaspora ⁰

Cameroon’s High Commissioner to Canada, Ngole Philip Ngwese, has reached out to the Cameroonian Diaspora, urging his fellow countrymen to contribute to the strengthening of the excellent relations between Cameroon and Canada.

In a press release issued in Ottawa, Mr. Ngwese, a former minister in Cameroon who is waiting to present his letter of credence to Canadian authorities, announced his presence among the country’s Diaspora, underscoring the attention the country’s president, Paul Biya, accords to the country’s Diaspora.

“As you know, the Head of State pays particular attention to the Cameroonian Diaspora throughout the world, and in this regard, is pursuing an all-out policy aimed at giving it its rightful place and closely involving it in the development of our beloved and beautiful country,” the press release said.

“I therefore humbly come to you as a servant of the State to contribute to the strengthening of the relations that exist between Cameroon and Canada,” the release stated.

“I also come to you as a servant of the large Cameroonian community established in Canada, in a spirit of openness, of dialogue, respectful of the differences and divergences of opinion, but concerned above all to preserve a high image of Cameroon in respect of the intangible principles of peace and unity which constitute, among many others, the cornerstone of our national life,” the release said.

“I would like to salute the well-known dynamism of the Cameroonian community in Canada, while urging it to continue to honour our country by observing Canadian laws,” the release concluded.

Mr. Ngwese, known for his humility and discipline, sounded very conciliatory in his message, having understood that there are a few rough edges in the country’s relationship with its Diaspora.

The issue of dual nationality has always been top on the minds of members of the country’s Diaspora and until the government changes its views about dual nationality, the country’s burgeoning Diaspora will continue to be suspicious of the government of Cameroon.

The new High Commissioner, who is laying down a new foundation for the fractured relationship between the government and the country’s Diaspora, especially the Anglophone Diaspora which constitutes the majority of Cameroonians in Canada, understands that he is on treacherous grounds and is prepared to smooth out any rough edges in that relationship so as to enable the Diaspora to play its role in Cameroon’s economic development efforts.

Mr. Ngwese comes to Canada with sound experience in the management of relationships and he is prepared to harness that experience to restore confidence among Cameroonians living in Canada.

Mr. Ngwese needs to be given a chance to deliver that confidence. His message is simple and inspiring. Cameroonians in Canada will have to consider the new High Commissioner as a man of peace who wants to bring everyone into the family again.

Cameroonians across Canada look forward to seeing him soon when he undertakes his meet the Diaspora tour. He should be prepared to deal with the issue of dual nationality which has been at issue for decades.

By Joachim Arrey in Toronto, Canada

arreyjoachim@hotmail.com

20, August 2024

Cameroon’s inflation hits 3.9% in July 2024, exceeding 3% tolerance threshold ⁰

In July 2024, Cameroon’s inflation rate reached 3.9%, marking a 0.1% increase year-over-year and averaging 5.4% over the past 12 months, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS). This rate continues to exceed the 3% threshold set by the Cemac for multilateral surveillance.

The INS reports that inflationary pressures during this period were driven by rising food prices and transportation costs. Over the last year, food prices in Cameroon have increased by an average of 7%, while transportation costs have surged by 14.4%.

It is important to note that since February 3, 2024, the Cameroonian government has implemented another hike in fuel prices at the pump, following a previous increase on February 1, 2023. This move has led to higher transportation costs, both urban and interurban, which in turn has impacted the prices of everyday consumer goods.

Source: Business in Cameroon