Headline News

8, March 2026

Southern Cameroons-Nigeria Maritime Borders in the Gulf of Guinea-Our Stand ⁰

We, the Leaders of Southern Cameroons and Prisoners of Conscience and war, are following with profound interest, the ongoing dispute between the State Governments of Cross River and Akwa Ibom in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This dispute, primarily focused on the ownership of oil wells and other Marineassets between the two states within Nigeria’s recognised maritime boundaries,puts us, the people of Southern Cameroonsin the eye of the storm. We are an interested party in the disputebythe mere fact that we are Southern Cameroonians, English Speaking Cameroonians, the only people who share both terrestrial and maritime boundaries with Cross River State, and by implication, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It is because we are involved.

As leaders of the Southern Cameroonian people, we consider it expedient, indeed a duty, to inform the world of our affinityto Cross River State in Nigeria. What happens in Cross River State affects Southern Cameroons, and what is currently happening in Southern Cameroons, (since the government of La Republique du Cameroon under President Biya declared war on Southern Cameroonians 10 years ago) is significantly affecting Cross River State. We thank the Governor, H.E. Prince Bassey Otu and all the good people of Cross River State,who have shown love, compassion and true kinship, by providing shelter and stretching their limited resources to accommodate over one hundred thousand Southern Cameroonian Refugees currently in Cross River State, as a result of the war declared on us by Paul Biya’s government of French Cameroon. The Government of French Cameroons does not hide its abhorrence for the People of Southern Cameroons, and even more so, our closeness to Cross River State.

We are therefore appealing to the Governor, H.E. Prince Bassey Otu, the government and most importantly our sisters and brothers, the citizens of Cross River State to seize this moment and join hands with the Leadership of Southern Cameroons so that Cross River State gets what is rightly hers, and Southern Cameroonians get their freedom and independence. This is the surest path to peace, justice and a future of shared prosperity for our two peoples.

We, the Leaders of Southern Cameroons are ready and willing to enter discussions with the Cross River State government in support of their claims to ownership of the resources (including oil Wells) on the Nigerian side of our maritime boundaries. Whatever material and historical facts we have at our disposal to bolster Cross River’s claims, will be availed to H.E. the governor under the right circumstances.

We make this solemn appeal based on the following historical facts:

– The common ancestral land, culture, traditions, sociopolitical and economic potentials defined by historical and geographical boundary beacons at the Gulf of Guinea.

– The economic viability of an independent and peaceful Southern Cameroons and its multiplier effectsin enhancing Cross River State’s ambitious development plans in both maritime and territorial boundaries which we share, including the Bakassi Deep Seaport and the Mfum-Export Processing Zone Projects.

The government in French Cameroun has not only shown hostility towards the people of Southern Cameroons with a natural and historic affinity to Cross River State but have gone ahead and continue perpetuating war on our people. The mere fact that we are seen and perceived as allies of Cross River, and by implication allies of Nigeria in the larger context, we are marked for persecution and oppression. In effect, our proximity, culture, language, and most importantly our commonly shared natural resources whether on land or water, is what is at stake here, and the reason for our continuous marginalization and subjugation as Southern Cameroonians.

– We are together in this because the people of Southern Cameroons are fighting for a just cause, just as the people of Cross River State are fighting for what is rightly theirs in a federated Nigeria. As we share the pain today, so shall we share peace and prosperity in a better tomorrow when Southern Cameroons will be free.

Being a statement issued by:

Leaders of the Southern Cameroons and Prisoners of Conscience and War.

7, March 2026

Why London is suspending Cameroonian student visas despite low asylum application volume ⁰

The British government’s decision on 4 March 2026 to impose a “visa brake” targeting, among others, Cameroon continues to raise questions. Official statistics from the UK Home Office indicate that the Central African country does not rank among the main nationalities applying for asylum in the United Kingdom. Yet London has decided to suspend sponsored student visas for Cameroonian nationals, citing a sharp rise in asylum claims from individuals who entered the country through certain legal migration routes.

Shortly after the announcement, the United Kingdom’s High Commissioner to Cameroon, Matt Woods, said in a statement that “from 26 March 2026, visa applications from Cameroonian nationals under the Student Visa category will be refused under the ‘Visa Brake’ mechanism introduced by the British government for certain visa routes.”

He later explained in a video message that more than 30% of Cameroonians who obtained a student visa over the past two years subsequently applied for asylum, thereby breaching the conditions of their visa.

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2FUKinCameroon%2Fposts%2Fpfbid09Xo5fCrVTnhwr8EwvZ8kC3FueJi5ptGvkBG8sUtodMc3FED8hLF8XonHRjWtN8Egl&show_text=true&width=500

UK Home Office data for 2025 shows most asylum applications are from Pakistan (10,638), Eritrea (8,948), Iran (7,419), and Afghanistan (6,462), with several other countries also exceeding 5,000 applications.

Conversely, Cameroon does not appear in the Top 20 nationalities with the most asylum applications. Cameroonian nationals are grouped in the “Other” category, which includes all nationalities, each of which represents a smaller volume of applications.

This statistical reality raises a central question: why is London targeting Cameroon when its overall weight in asylum applications remains relatively limited?

Top 20 Nationalities Applying for Asylum in the UK in 2025

Rank	Nationality	Asylum Applications	Initial Decisions	Protections Granted	Refusals	Acceptance Rate
1	Pakistan	10 638	16 054	5 201	10 853	35%
2	Eritrea	8 948	10 017	8 748	1 269	87%
3	Iran	7 419	11 487	7 113	4 374	58%
4	Afghanistan	6 462	11 946	4 616	7 330	34%
5	Bangladesh	6 247	8 981	1 174	7 807	16%
6	Sudan	5 869	7 450	7 029	421	94%
7	India	5 751	4 095	23	4 072	0%
8	Somalia	4 777	3 330	1 237	2 093	35%
9	Nigeria	2 904	3 623	856	2 767	28%
10	Vietnam	2 428	3 515	659	2 856	19%
11	Brazil	2 416	1 592	14	1 578	1%
12	Iraq	2 370	4 252	1 284	2 968	29%
13	Sri Lanka	2 243	4 114	1 090	3 024	29%
14	Ethiopia	2 096	2 065	1 189	876	57%
15	Syria	1 959	660	64	596	9%
16	Turkey	1 883	4 988	977	4 011	19%
17	Albania	1 816	1 874	121	1 753	5%
18	Yemen	1 776	2 594	2 506	88	97%
19	Ukraine	1 503	2 040	256	1 784	12%
20	China	1 471	1 717	230	1 487	11%

At the same time, student visas issued to Cameroonians remain relatively modest, hovering around a few hundred per year. Data from the UK Home Office indicates, for example:

Year	Number of Applications
2018	262
2019	262
2020	249
2021	437
2022	520
2023	489
2024	455
2025*	507

A Decision Based on Ratios Rather Than Volume

The explanation provided by the Home Office is not based on the total volume of asylum applications, but on their recent trends and the entry routes used. The British government claims to have observed a sharp increase in asylum claims lodged by people who entered the UK legally, particularly with student visas.

Authorities indicate that student applications from nationals of four countries — Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan — reportedly increased by more than 470% between 2021 and 2025.

According to Home Office statements, student applications from Cameroonian nationals rose by more than 330% over the same period. However, detailed data on the exact number of Cameroonian students who applied for asylum is not published on the UK Home Office website. Digital Business Africa will return to this question in a future article.

Nevertheless, a cross-analysis of Home Office data provides additional insight. Statistics show that the number of asylum applications lodged by Cameroonians already present in the UK — i.e., ‘In Country’ applications lodged by main applicants (students, tourists, workers, or other statuses) — rose from around 101 cases in 2021 to 544 in 2025.

When comparing these two statistical series, a particular phenomenon emerges. In 2024 and 2025, the number of asylum applications lodged by Cameroonians already present in the UK exceeded the number of student visas issued during those same years.

In 2024, for example, 478 ‘In Country’ asylum applications were recorded for 455 student visas issued. In 2025, statistics indicate 544 asylum applications for 507 student visas issued (data available up to September).

This unusually high ratio appears to be one of the main warning signals for the British authorities.

Comparative Table: Cameroon vs. Nigeria Asylum Applications by UK Residents (students, tourists, workers, or other statuses)

Year	Cameroon	Nigeria
2010	80	716
2011	76	657
2012	104	863
2013	111	882
2014	125	860
2015	129	880
2016	147	1130
2017	205	1013
2018	185	802
2019	214	818
2020	102	480
2021	101	490
2022	218	667
2023	167	704
2024	478	1721
2025	544	1846

Cameroon Ratio: Student Visas vs. Asylum Applications

Year	Student Visas	Asylum Applications	Asylum / Visa Ratio
2018	262	185	71 %
2019	262	214	82 %
2020	249	102	41 %
2021	437	101	23 %
2022	520	218	42 %
2023	489	167	34 %
2024	455	478	105 %
2025 (jusqu’en septembre 2025)	507	544	107 %

NB: Asylum applications include all Cameroonians in the UK.

Until 2023, asylum applications remained lower than the number of student visas issued. A cross-analysis of Home Office statistics shows that in 2024 and 2025, the number of asylum applications lodged by Cameroonians already present in the UK exceeded the number of student visas issued during those same years. This unusually high ratio, even on a relatively limited overall volume, could explain the British authorities’ decision to restrict access to student visas for this nationality.

A Striking Contrast with Nigeria

Comparison with other African countries further illuminates the British government’s logic. Nigeria, for example, is one of the main nationalities of students in the UK.

Home Office data indicates that over 58,000 student visas were issued to Nigerians in 2022. Even after a recent decline, the country still accounts for more than 25,000 student visas in 2025 (data up to September).

At the same time, asylum applications lodged by Nigerians already present in the UK remain low. In 2025, there were 1,846 ‘In Country – Main Applicant’ asylum applications for over 25,000 student visas issued, a ratio of about 7%.

Nigeria Ratio: Student Visas vs. Asylum Applications

Year	Student Visas	Asylum Applications	Asylum / Visa Ratio
2018	5641	802	14 %
2019	7027	818	12 %
2020	9876	480	5 %
2021	27011	490	2 %
2022	58673	667	1 %
2023	40869	704	2 %
2024	21109	1721	8 %
2025 (jusqu’en septembre 2025)	25362	1846	7 %

For Cameroon, however, this ratio exceeds 100% in some years, meaning that recorded asylum applications can be comparable to, or even greater than, the number of student visas issued.

Revealing Comparison of Cameroon vs. Nigeria Ratios

Année	Ratio Cameroun	Ratio Nigeria
2022	42 %	1 %
2023	34 %	2 %
2024	105 %	8 %
2025	107 %	7 %

In other words, even if the total number of Cameroonian students in the UK remains low, the proportion of asylum applications among people already present in the country appears significantly higher.

A Transformation of the British Asylum System

This situation is part of a broader transformation of the British asylum system. According to the Home Office, nearly 39% of asylum applications lodged in the UK in 2025 now come from people who entered the territory legally, particularly with student or work visas.

Ministry statistics indicate that in the year ending December 2025, 39,095 asylum applicants held a visa or another form of leave before applying.

Among them:

35% held a work visa
32% held a student visa
19% held a visitor visa
14% held other forms of leave

These figures illustrate a major shift: a growing share of asylum applications now comes from people who entered the UK legally.

Why This Topic Also Concerns the African Digital Ecosystem

Beyond migration issues, this matter also concerns the African tech ecosystem. A significant portion of African students going to the UK choose courses in technology-related fields, including computer science, data science, engineering, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

According to statistics from the UK’s Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), international students in the UK are mainly concentrated in fields such as Business and Management, Computing/IT, Engineering, and Social Sciences, which are among the most popular courses in British universities.

For many Cameroonian students, British universities thus represent a pathway to acquiring advanced technological skills that are subsequently valued in the digital, telecommunications, fintech, and innovation sectors.

The British decision to suspend certain student visas could therefore have implications beyond migration issues, also impacting the educational paths of many young Africans in key fields such as technology and digital skills.

This is also why Digital Business Africa, a media outlet specialised in ICT, telecommunications, and innovation news in Africa, is interested in this decision and its possible effects on the development of training and the exchange of digital skills between Africa and major international tech hubs.

A Measure That Raises Questions About the Coherence of Immigration Policy

Despite London’s explanations, the decision still raises questions. While Cameroon has a high ratio of student visas to asylum applications, the overall number remains much lower than that of several other nationalities in the British asylum system.

The question posed thus extends beyond the Cameroonian case alone. Why opt to suspend access to student visas for an entire nationality instead of directly addressing the individual cases where student visa holders seek asylum after arriving in the UK? And why is such a measure implemented while other countries, like Nigeria, continue to send tens of thousands of students to British universities each year?

Beyond the migration debate, this decision reveals a deeper shift: the global politics of education and talent. For twenty years, major Anglo-Saxon universities have become key training hubs for the scientific, technological, and entrepreneurial elites of the Global South.

In this context, student visa policies are no longer solely concerned with the administrative management of migration. They also function as instruments of economic, scientific, and geopolitical policy.

The British decision, therefore, prompts a wider question for Africa: in a world where major powers are gradually tightening their immigration policies, how will countries on the continent continue to train, attract, and retain the technological skills on which their digital transformation depends?

For British universities, African students, and the continent’s emerging digital ecosystems, the evolution of these policies could well herald a new phase in the global competition for talent.

Culled from : Digital Business Africa by Queen Besumbu Agbaw

7, March 2026

2.9 million people in Cameroon now need aid as crises overlap ⁰

Cameroon is facing growing humanitarian pressures fueled by three simultaneous crises affecting different parts of the country.

In the Far North region, violence linked to the Lake Chad Basin conflict continues to trigger population displacement and increase protection risks, while insecurity limits access to basic social services.

In the Northwest and Southwest regions, persistent violence continues to disrupt daily life and restrict access to markets, schools, and health care.

Meanwhile, the Adamawa, North, and East regions continue to host refugees from the Central African Republic. Many of them have been displaced for years and remain exposed to protection risks, while opportunities for economic self-reliance remain limited.

Against this backdrop, Cameroon remains among the most neglected humanitarian crises in the region. Violence and insecurity, forced displacement, climate shocks, and public health risks are compounding existing structural vulnerabilities.

About 2.9 million people in Cameroon are expected to need humanitarian assistance and protection services in 2026, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The estimate appears in the report Cameroon: Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2026, published March 5.

A Complex Humanitarian Landscape

Behind this figure lies a pattern of long-term vulnerability, according to the United Nations.

Many families have lost their homes and livelihoods, children face repeated interruptions in schooling, and communities continue to experience successive shocks while humanitarian operations remain constrained.

These crises are unfolding in a broader environment marked by structural development gaps and persistent vulnerabilities, which amplify the impact of each new shock.

Climate hazards are further worsening the situation. Floods and droughts repeatedly damage property, disrupt livelihoods, and put additional pressure on already limited public services.

In the Northwest and Southwest regions, insecurity and access restrictions add another layer of operational difficulty for aid organizations.

In 2025, humanitarian actors documented several constraints in affected areas, including movement restrictions, administrative hurdles delaying operations, and security incidents that increased risks for both civilians and aid workers.

Source: Sbbc

6, March 2026

Manyu Solidarity Group supports Mamfe District Hospital ⁰

In every thriving community, there comes a moment when collective effort begins to produce visible and meaningful results. For the Manyu Solidarity Group, that moment is now. Founded in 2021 by Manyu indigenes in Great Britain and the EU, the group has grown into the largest network of Manyu people and friends of Manyu outside Cameroon. With more than 463 registered and active members, the association’s core purpose is to preserve Manyu culture, support members and their families in times of distress, promote unity within the fast-growing Manyu community in Europe, and proudly display Manyu culture and values abroad while supporting vulnerable families back home.

Through committed leadership, active membership, and a shared vision for progress, Manyu Solidarity has emerged as a shining example of what unity and purpose can achieve. At the heart of this progress is a Board that has shown remarkable dedication in guiding the association forward. With clarity of vision and determination, the Board has worked tirelessly to elevate the profile of Manyu across Europe. Their efforts have united members across 28 countries and positioned Manyu Solidarity as a community capable of meaningful action and positive influence.

In August 2025, the group hosted its first Cultural Festival in the United Kingdom. The hugely successful event attracted more than 500 participants over an entire weekend and offered a vibrant celebration of Manyu culture. The atmosphere, performances, and community spirit left a lasting impression on attendees and their guests. The festival generated a net profit of £2,243. From this amount, the Board resolved to dedicate £1,843.85 to support the Mamfe District Hospital in Manyu Division, Cameroon.

Acting on behalf of the association, the Manyu Solidarity Group coordinator in Cameroon, Mr. Cyprian Tabi, used the funds to procure and deliver essential supplies to the hospital. These included ten blood pressure monitoring machines, two hundred bottles of hand sanitizer, one hundred bed sheets, two hundred toilet rolls, and two hundred bars of washing soap.

Receiving the items on behalf of the hospital, the Mamfe District Hospital Director, Dr. George Akikeng, expressed sincere gratitude for the support. He noted that such assistance is invaluable for healthcare facilities operating with limited resources and thanked the group for remembering the needs of their people at home. Speaking on the initiative, the Group Chairman, Prince Julian Ebai, reflected on the significance of the gesture, “Strong communities are built through leadership, trust, and participation. Manyu Solidarity has demonstrated that when people come together with a clear purpose, they can create real change. Supporting the District Hospital in Mamfe is just one example of the impact we can achieve when we work as one community.”

Though modest in scale, the gesture has been warmly received by members of the association. Ms. Barbara Akoachere, praised the initiative, stating, “The leadership of Manyu Solidarity deserves sincere recognition and appreciation. Their transparency and commitment have built confidence among members. For them to make this gesture to the District Hospital in Mamfe is remarkable. They have shown that leadership is not about position, but about service, and I am so proud of them.”

At the height of the political conflict that engulfed Cameroon’s Southwest Region, arsonists burnt Mamfe District Hospital on June 9, 2022. After years of effort and rebuilding, much of it funded by donations from abroad, the hospital finally reopened on the 5th of March 2025. Donations to hospitals in rural Africa often carry enormous impact. Many hospitals in Africa operate with limited resources, outdated equipment, and immense pressure to serve large populations with minimal supplies. Essential items such as blood pressure monitors and basic hygiene supplies are frequently in short supply. For patients and healthcare workers alike, these seemingly simple resources can mean the difference between life and death.

For Manyu Solidarity, this contribution represents far more than a donation. It is an expression of compassion, responsibility, and enduring connection to home. For many families back in Manyu, this support will make a tangible difference at moments when medical care matters most. Mrs. Susan Agbor Ebot, the group’s Financial Secretary, emphasized “This success belongs to all of us. The trust, participation, and belief of our members are what make initiatives like this possible. Strong communities are not built by a few individuals, but by many people working together toward a shared purpose.”

Looking ahead, excitement is already building for the second edition of the Manyu Cultural Festival, scheduled to take place from August 28 to 30, 2026 in the UK. Members are optimistic that the upcoming festival will build on the success of the first and generate even greater support for healthcare initiatives in Manyu. If successful, the next festival will allow the association to expand its impact further, transforming celebration into meaningful assistance for the Mamfe District Hospital and the wider community.

By supporting the Mamfe District Hospital, Manyu Solidarity has demonstrated that the strength of a community lies not only in celebrating its cultural identity, but also in uplifting those who need help the most. Ultimately, Manyu Solidarity is a story of collective action as a community determined to make a difference both at home and abroad. In an increasingly fragmented world, examples like this remind us that strong communities still have the power to change lives.

By Isong Asu

Cameroon Concord London Bureau Chief

5, March 2026

USS Abraham Lincoln flees after precision strike by Iran drones in Sea of Oman ⁰

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has successfully targeted the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier using advanced domestically-produced drones, forcing the strike group into a rapid retreat near Iranian territorial waters.

A spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters confirmed the operation on Wednesday, stating that the carrier was intercepted approximately 340 kilometers from Iran’s maritime borders in the Sea of Oman.

The vessel had moved into the area, part of the US military buildup against Iran, with the intent to monitor and control the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing war.

Following the impact, the USS Abraham Lincoln and its accompanying destroyers were observed fleeing the engagement zone at high speed.

“The carrier group has since retreated more than 1,000 kilometers away from the region,” the spokesperson noted, emphasizing that the US military presence failed to achieve its objective of intimidation.

The retreat of the Lincoln strike group comes at a time of heightened tensions, following unprovoked US and Israeli aggression against Iran.

At the time of publishing this report, the Pentagon has not yet commented on the extent of the damage to the carrier or the reasons for its sudden withdrawal to distant waters.

The IRGC had on Saturday targeted the US USS Abraham Lincoln with four ballistic missiles.

The attack on the US carrier came in the wake of the US attack on Frigate Dena of the Iranian Army in the waters near Sri Lanka while on its way back from India.

More than 120 Iranian sailors were on board the ship at the time of the cowardly attack, which has been widely condemned in Iran and outside.

Source: Press TV

5, March 2026

30,000 Cameroonians take gendarmerie recruitment exam ⁰

About 30,000 young Cameroonians took the written exam for recruitment into the national gendarmerie from Feb. 28 to March 1, 2026, according to figures released by the Ministry of Defense.

The recruitment process aims to fill 3,340 positions, including 300 trainee non-commissioned officers in the general service track, 40 trainee non-commissioned officers in the military health track and 3,000 gendarme recruits.

In Yaoundé, the exams were held at three schools: Lycée Leclerc, Lycée de Ngoa-Ekellé and Lycée Bilingue d’Application. Candidates were tested in general knowledge, mathematics and English. Applicants for non-commissioned officer positions also wrote an essay, while candidates applying to become gendarmes completed a written composition.

Shortlisted candidates will next undergo comprehensive medical examinations, the final stage before admission into the force.

As in previous years, the recruitment exam attracted strong interest. With nearly 30,000 applicants competing for 3,340 positions, the selection process is expected to be highly competitive.

Beyond the prestige associated with the uniform, the strong turnout reflects Cameroon’s economic realities, particularly high youth unemployment. Joining the defense forces is widely seen as a pathway to stable employment, offering a regular salary, social benefits and structured career prospects.

In Cameroon, holding a service number remains a powerful symbol of professional stability and social security. For many families, joining the army or the gendarmerie represents a genuine opportunity for upward mobility.

Prestige of the uniform and career prospects

The prestige associated with the uniform also attracts candidates. As a military force responsible for policing duties, the national gendarmerie embodies state authority and the protection of citizens. For many applicants, joining the force represents both a patriotic commitment and a source of recognition within their communities.

Career development opportunities further increase the appeal of the recruitment process. The gendarmerie offers several areas of specialization, including judicial police work, public order operations and military health services, alongside continuous training and internal promotion systems that allow members to build long-term careers.

Cameroon’s security environment also contributes to the strong interest in the recruitment drive. Defense forces remain heavily deployed to address multiple security challenges, including counterterrorism operations in the Far North region, the crisis in the anglophone regions and cross-border crime.

For some candidates, joining the gendarmerie goes beyond seeking employment and reflects a sense of civic duty.

Over time, the recruitment exam has become an indicator of the country’s socioeconomic pressures. The growing number of applicants reflects both demographic pressures and the need for durable solutions to youth unemployment.

While 3,340 candidates will eventually join the ranks of the gendarmerie, tens of thousands of others will have to wait for the next recruitment cycle, a sign that the call of the uniform continues to resonate among Cameroonian youth.

Source: Business in Cameroon

4, March 2026

UK to end study visas for Cameroon, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Sudan students ⁰

The United Kingdom says it will end study visas for students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, and work visas for Afghans, amid a rise in anti-immigration sentiment ⁠in the country.

The UK Home Office said in a statement on Tuesday that “an ’emergency brake’ on visas has been imposed for the first time on nationals from four countries”, following a surge in asylum claims by students on study visas.

The Home Office said the number of asylum applications by students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan had “rocketed” by more than 470 percent between 2021 and 2025.

“Britain will always provide ⁠refuge to people fleeing war and persecution, but our visa ⁠system must not be ⁠abused,” Secretary of State for the Home Department Shabana Mahmood said.

“That is why I am taking the unprecedented decision to refuse visas for those nationals seeking to exploit our generosity,” Mahmood said.

Migration has become a major issue in UK politics with the hard-right Reform UK surging in opinion polls with its anti-immigration stance.

In a bid to assuage public sentiment, which has hardened on migration and stem the rise of the Reform UK party, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has tightened the asylum process and sped up the deportations of those who arrive illegally.

The UK’s Press Association (PA) said the visa ban will be officially introduced via an immigration rules change on Thursday, and Home Secretary Mahmood is expected to lay out a tougher asylum process in a speech on the same day.

According to the PA, in plans already flagged by the government, new rules are expected to come into force that will see asylum seekers in the UK face a review of their refugee status every 30 months, in what is seen as a way to make the country less attractive for those seeking asylum.

The Home Office said that although the government has “reduced student asylum claims by 20 percent over the course of 2025, further action is needed.

Source: Aljazeera

4, March 2026

Hope Sona Ebai: iconic South West figure goes home to rest ⁰

The passing to eternity of the renowned board chairman of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), His Royal Highness Chief Hope Sona Ebai is not merely the departure of a great South West business and political figure; it is the quiet dimming of a particular kind of leadership in Anglophone Cameroon forged not in the spotlight of daily operations, but in the steady glow of stewardship.

Chief Hope Sona Ebai as board chairman of the CDC will always live in the margins of Cameroon history. He was never the loudest voice in the room but this fertile mind from Manyemen town was often the final one to speak each time President Biya tasked South West elites with holding both ambition and restraint in delicate balance.

When such a very powerful and refined intellectual figure passes, what lingers is not simply his résumé or the shareholder value accrued under his watch both in Cameroon and Nigeria. It is the tone they set. The culture they guarded and the productive moments deep within the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) the world’s leading cocoa authority and Cameroon’s National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC).

His Royal Highness Chief Hope Sona Ebai understood that power, at its best, is custodial. To him, power is borrowed and it is temporary and must be exercised with humility. His true work as a prominent South West elite was often preventative and he always reminded English speaking Cameroonians to look at the bigger picture. In everything he did during his time in the National Cocoa and Coffee Board, Chief Hope Sona Ebai reminded everyone around him that legacy matters and that trust, once fractured, rarely fully returns.

The passing of such a great figure from the Nguti sub constituency in the South West region invites uncomfortable introspection and begs some seventy million dollar questions: what does governance mean in an age of relentless acceleration? Who guards the guardians? Are Cameroonian boards still sanctuaries of independent judgment, or have they become ceremonial extensions of executive ambition?

As a distinguished chairman of the CDC, Chief Hope Sona Ebai’s life offered both inspiration and warning. Inspiration, because Chief Hope Sona Ebai was a very principled gentleman who shaped the CDC establishment and warning, because his absence now leaves a vacuum — not just of authority, but of moral gravity.

In mourning Chief Hope Sona Ebai, we are reminded that leadership at the highest levels is less about control and more about conscience. His role at the CDC though symbolic, represented something profound. Chief Hope Sona Ebai had the discipline to listen, the courage to take action and the wisdom to step back when necessary.

All in all, perhaps the measure of a successful board chairman during this difficult period in Anglophone Cameroon is this: Did the CDC become stronger than Chief Hope Sona Ebai? Did CDC learn to govern itself with integrity as taught by Chief Hope Soan Ebai? Is CDC now serving not only its investors, but its employees, its communities, and its future?

When such a man with a good heart and a good head on his shoulders passes, the biggest agro-industrial plant in West Africa may open the next morning as usual. But inside the halls Chief Hope Sona Ebai once presided over, there will be silence — and within that silence, a question.

Who will now hold the long view?

Chief Hope Sona Ebai was appointed chairman of the board of directors of the CDC on 27 May 2021. An internationally renowned expert in the cocoa sector, he was an unsuccessful candidate in 2016 for the position of Executive Director of the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO).

He was the first General Manager of Cameroon’s National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC) and had nearly 30 years of experience in the cocoa economy in Cameroon, Africa and around the world. After heading the ONCC for seven years, Chief Hope Sona Ebai spent 11 years as Secretary General of the Cocoa Producing Countries Alliance (COPAL), which accounts for 75% of global cocoa bean production. From this position at COPAL, he was instrumental in organizing the summits of heads of state of African cocoa-producing countries in Abuja in 2006 and Accra in 2007. He was also credited with organizing four international conferences on cocoa research.

His arrival on the board of directors of the CDC, Cameroon’s second largest employer after the public administration greatly contributed to the product diversification that the CDC has been seeking for several years.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

3, March 2026

Yaoundé urges citizens in Middle East to exercise caution amid Iran-US war ⁰

Cameroon on March 1 urged its citizens in the Middle East to exercise caution as security conditions deteriorate amid escalating clashes involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

In a statement, Felix Mbayu, Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations, called on Cameroonians in the region to remain highly vigilant and strictly comply with security directives issued by local authorities.

The warning follows what the government described as a worsening security situation marked by airstrikes, intensified military operations and retaliatory attacks involving several countries in the Gulf.

Tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated in recent days into direct confrontation. Washington and Israel have carried out airstrikes on Iranian territory. In response, Tehran launched missile attacks against Israel and several Gulf states hosting U.S. military facilities, including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

The escalation has shifted the crisis from diplomatic tensions to open conflict, raising concerns about broader regional instability. The presence of foreign military bases, energy infrastructure and key shipping routes has heightened risks for Gulf states and expatriate communities.

Yaounde advised its nationals to follow local emergency instructions, limit non-essential travel and observe any temporary restrictions imposed by authorities. The ministry also urged citizens to remain calm and maintain regular contact with Cameroonian diplomatic missions.

Cameroon said its embassies in Tel Aviv and Riyadh, which also covers Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Cairo, remain operational, along with its consulates general in Jeddah and Dubai.

A crisis monitoring unit has been activated in Yaounde to provide continuous oversight of developments, coordinate diplomatic responses and serve as a contact point for families in Cameroon. Dedicated telephone numbers and an email address have been made available.

Cameroonian authorities did not comment on the substance of the conflict but said their priority is the protection of nationals in a highly volatile security environment.

Source: Business in Cameroon

3, March 2026

Archbishop Nkea says the Holy Father is coming as a Pastor, not a politician ⁰

Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea, Archbishop of Bamenda and President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (CENC), has spoken to Vatican News about the upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV to Cameroon, scheduled from April 15 to April 18, 2026.

Speaking from Bamenda, capital of the North West region and one of the main epicentres of the Anglophone crisis, the prelate said expectations surrounding the visit are high. The Pope is due to travel to Yaoundé, Douala and Bamenda. The city has been affected by violence since late 2016, when a separatist conflict emerged from professional grievances raised by teachers and lawyers.

Archbishop Nkea said the Pope’s decision to visit the region despite ongoing tensions carries strong symbolic significance. “It is significant that the Holy Father chose not to wait for tensions to subside but to come while the situation remains volatile,” he said, adding that the local Church has warmly welcomed the decision.

A tense sociopolitical climate

The visit comes against the backdrop of tensions following the October 2025 presidential election. It also takes place amid continuing secessionist demands in the North West and South West regions, as well as recurring attacks by armed groups in the Far North.

Addressing political interpretations prompted by the announcement, the Archbishop of Bamenda stressed the spiritual nature of the trip. He said the Pope is not coming as a politician or merely as a head of state, but merely as a pastor and a man of God.

Beyond the Catholic community, the visit is widely seen as a message to the nation at a time when efforts to ease sociopolitical tensions remain challenging. Archbishop Nkea described Pope Leo XIV as an ambassador of peace and an apostle of reconciliation.

In a context marked by continuing instability in the Far North, North West and South West, the papal visit is expected to serve as a pastoral gesture and a sign of solidarity with populations affected by the crises.

Source: Sbbc