Headline News

18, March 2026

Changes in the Senate and National Assembly: who becomes next head of state? ⁰

Cameroon as a nation now stands at a very quiet but consequential crossroads. The recent changes in the leadership of both the Upper and the Lower House have not merely reshuffled the Senate and the National Assembly hierarchies but they have subtly altered the geometry of succession in a Francophone dominated system where constitutional order and political reality do not always move in lockstep.

At the heart of the so called political changes in Yaoundé lies a 60 million dollar question: who becomes the next head of state?

Under Cameroon’s present constitution, the head of the Senate is first in line to assume interim leadership in the event of a vacancy. This provision was designed to guarantee President Biya’s continued stay in power and not to ensure continuity and institutional stability. With new figures now presiding over both the Senate and the National Assembly, the predictability of that succession has become even more complicated. Change is not only needed in both the Senate and the National Assembly but also in the Unity Palace and the Star Building.

Having a new leadership in the Senate is of course significant. In theory, the President of the Senate is a transitional political figure in a caretaker presidency with limited powers tasked with organizing elections. But in practice, Senator Aboubakary Abdoulaye occupying that seat becomes the face of the nation in a moment of potential uncertainty. Correspondingly, Senator Aboubakary Abdoulaye’s political alliances, administrative competence and perceived neutrality matters far more than the constitution suggest.

The National Assembly’s leadership shift from the 86 year old Cavaye Djibril to Theodore Datoua adds another layer to the puzzle. Though not directly in the line of succession, the National Assembly plays a vital role in shaping the political environment in which any transition unfolds. The Speaker of the National Assembly can influence parliamentary priorities, manage consensus and perhaps most importantly signal where the balance of power truly lies within the ruling CPDM institution.

What has emerged from these two changes in both the Upper and Lower House is not a clear successor, but a more fluid and possibly contested pathway to power. Political power in Cameroon revolves around a strong presidency, with the Senate and the National Assembly including the Central Committee of the ruling CPDM party often seen as supportive rather than autonomous. But as Cameroon approaches its moment of transition, these same establishments can become arenas of political negotiation or even rivalry.

The wahala here is not simply “who” will be the next head of state, but “how” that person will emerge. Will the constitution be followed allowing Senator Aboubakary Abdoulaye to step in smoothly and elections organized without friction? Or will political realities such as CPDM party dynamics, tribal and regional considerations and elite bargaining reshape the process behind the scenes?

Added to this very complicated scenario is also a generational undercurrent. Frankly speaking, recent changes in parliament may reflect a cautious attempt to recalibrate the Cameroon political system for the future. If so, the next president of the republic—whether interim or elected—could mark a departure from entrenched patterns.

For now, Cameroon remains in a state of watchful anticipation. The coming of Senator Aboubakary Abdoulaye and Hon. Theodore Datoua has not answered the succession question; they have instead sharpened it. And in doing so, they remind political commentators that in Cameroon, the formal rules are only part of the story. The rest unfolds in the quieter, less visible spaces where power is negotiated, alliances are forged and futures are decided.

The coming weeks and perhaps months will very much reveal whether these institutional adjustments were merely routine or the early signals of a more significant transition.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

18, March 2026

Mafia: Morocco awarded Afcon title after CAF overturns result ⁰

Morocco have been declared the winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned the result of the final following Senegal’s controversial walk-off.

Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in the final on 18 January in a match which was overshadowed when the Senegalese players refused to play after the hosts were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the match goalless.

Following a delay of around 17 minutes, the players did eventually return and Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved before Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored an extra-time winner.

However, that result has now been overturned after a decision by an appeal board at African football’s governing body.

A statement from Caf said that Senegal are “declared to have forfeited the final match” with the “result of the match being recorded as 3-0 in favour” of Morocco.

The Senegalese Football Federation said it would appeal Caf’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, calling it “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable”.

The decision follows an appeal by Moroccan FA (FRMF) which Caf said is “declared admissible in form” and was upheld.

Caf added that “through the conduct of its team” Senegal infringed on Article 82 of regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations and as a result Article 84 became applicable.

Article 82 states that if a team refuses to play or leaves the ground before the end of regulation time without the referee’s authorisation, it will be considered the loser and eliminated from the competition.

Article 84 complements this provision, stating that any team that violates Articles 82 will be permanently eliminated and will lose the match 3-0.

A statement from FRMF said that their decision to appeal the final result was “never intended to challenge the sporting performance of the teams” but was a request for the “application of the competition’s regulations”.

“The federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, ensuring clarity in the competitive framework, and maintaining stability within African competitions,” the FRMF statement added.

“It also wishes to commend all the nations that took part in this edition of the Afcon, which has been a major moment for African football.”

Earlier, a video was posted on the X account of the Senegal men’s national team, external of their players celebrating on a bus parade with the Afcon trophy and an ‘OK’ emoji.

Maher Mezahi, a North African football journalist, told BBC Radio 5 Live that the decision to overturn the result will not change the emotional impact of what unfolded on the pitch for those who witnessed it.

“We cannot erase the final 16 minutes of that match and what we saw,” he said.

“We cannot erase the feelings of seeing Senegal lift the trophy and the players going home with the medal and them having a parade.”

Instagram story posts from Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr and West Ham's El Hadji Malick Diouf — Image caption,Some of Senegal’s players reacted to the news on social media. Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr posted a series of crying laughter emojis on his Instagram stories shortly after the announcement, while West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf uploaded a post-tournament celebration image captioned with “Champions, speak up!” and a photo of his medal accompanied by “How to make your party real”

What happened in the Afcon final?

With the scoreline 0-0, referee Jean Jacques Ndala gave a spot-kick in the eighth minute of added on time.

Ndala was advised by the video assistant referee (VAR) to consult the pitchside monitor and review defender El Hadji Malick Diouf’s challenge on Diaz.

Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw, still incensed by Ndala’s decision a few moments earlier to disallow a Senegal goal from Ismaila Sarr, ushered his team off the field.

Former Liverpool striker Sadio Mane stayed on the pitch and tried to encourage his Senegal team-mates to finish the game.

After a 17-minute delay, Senegal’s players did eventually return.

Real Madrid forward Diaz was trusted with the penalty, but his tame ‘Panenka’ effort was caught by Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy who barely had to move, and Ndala immediately blew his whistle for full-time.

Villarreal midfielder Gueye then scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of extra time to seal a second triumph in five years for Senegal.

In his post-match news conference, Morocco coach Walid Regragui said Senegal’s actions were “shameful” and do not “honour Africa”.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino strongly condemned the “ugly scenes” in a post on Instagram.

Thiaw, meanwhile, had his media briefing cancelled after a ruckus broke out in the press room.

But in a later post-match interview he accepted that he should not have ordered his team off the field and he had reacted “in the heat of the moment”.

Morocco subsequently parted company with head coach Walid Regragui on 5 March – four months before the World Cup finals.

Source: BBC

18, March 2026

Yaoundé: Customs launches mobile device duty system to recover lost revenue ⁰

Cameroon’s Directorate General of Customs (DGC) has activated a new electronic mechanism for collecting import duties on mobile phones, tablets and other mobile devices, effective 16 March 2026, after customs revenue from these goods collapsed from 12 billion CFA francs to about 100 million CFA francs over a relatively short period.

The system was launched during a briefing in Yaoundé presided over by Director General Fongod Edwin Nuvaga, bringing together major importers of mobile devices to present the new collection architecture ahead of its go-live date.

According to Customs, the reform is based on Article 7 of the 2019 Finance Law, which established an electronic mechanism for collecting duties on imported mobile terminals. A first implementation attempt in 2020 met with resistance and was shelved, before the mechanism was reintroduced following a successful test phase.

Importers liable, mobile money payments

Under the new framework, the legal taxpayer is the importer, not the consumer. Payments will be made via Mobile Money, Orange Money and other secure digital payment platforms, replacing the previous system based on communication credit.

Mobile operators will no longer collect and remit customs duties. Their role is now limited to blocking and unblocking devices within the new system.

Paul Olivier Libii, senior inspector at the DGC’s Division of Legislation and Disputes, detailed the system’s technical architecture, which connects three platforms: Camcis, the customs management system; a partner platform dedicated to device information management; and mobile operators’ operating systems.

“From the moment of importation, upload to the manifest all IMEI numbers of the devices you are importing; the manifest is then transferred electronically to Camcis. Once in the country, you validate a customs declaration, which will be automatically retrieved by the platform, which then analyses the IMEI numbers you uploaded,” Libii said.

Amnesty for active devices, regularisation for stock

Devices that had connected at least once to the networks of MTN, CAMTEL or Orange before 16 March 2026 are exempt from the new mechanism and benefit from fiscal amnesty.

However, devices in stock that had not connected to any network by that date must be regularised with the nearest customs office. Importers have two months to submit IMEI files for these devices, along with documents confirming regular customs clearance.

The framework for handling pending cases was outlined by Marcelin Djeuwo, Head of the DGC’s IT Division, during the briefing.

Libii described the system as a tool to enhance transparency, ensure fiscal compliance, reduce risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing, and protect the economy against fraud and contraband. The reform is also expected to modernise customs administration and sanitise the mobile device market.

Eight categories of mobile phones have been identified under the new framework, with the DGC indicating it remains open to additional proposals. Major importers present at the briefing expressed support for the reform, while Customs noted that the system’s success will depend on the buy-in of all stakeholders and targeted actors.

Source: Business in Cameroon

18, March 2026

‘100 Israeli targets struck’ as Iran avenges Dr. Larijani’s martyrdom ⁰

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has struck more than 100 targets in the city of Tel Aviv in retaliation for the martyrdom of Dr. Ali Larijani, Iran’s former top security official, during unprovoked American-Israeli aggression against the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, the IRGC announced hitting the targets during the 61st wave of its ongoing retaliatory Operation True Promise 4 in the face of the aggression.

The hostile objects, it added, were targeted using multi-warhead Khorramshahr-4 and Qadr missiles as well as Emad and Kheibar Shekan projectiles as a means of avenging the martyrdom of Dr. Larijani, the former secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), the statement read.

“During these intense lightning strikes, the Khorramshahr-4 and Qadr missiles hit more than 100 military and security targets in the heart of the occupied territories without facing any obstruction,” it added.

The IRGC put the facility characterizing this stage of the reprisal down to “the disintegration of the Zionist regime’s multilayered and highly advanced air defense systems.”

It cited field information as pointing to taking place of a “partial blackout” in Tel Aviv as a result of the reprisal that also resulted in the regime’s forces’ having a harder time controlling the situation at hand and rescuing those affected.

The Corps, meanwhile, said Operation True Promise 4 had so far either killed or injured more than 230 Zionists.

The retaliation began following the launch of Washington’s and Tel Aviv’s most recent bout of unlawful aggression towards the Islamic Republic.

In addition to Tel Aviv, it has targeted sensitive and strategic enemy objects in the holy occupied city of al-Quds, the occupied port of Haifa, Be’er Sheva, which serves as the regime’s technological epicenter, and the Negev Desert.

American outposts across the region, including those lying in Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, have also faced intense reprisal.

Source: Press TV

17, March 2026

The Lamido of Rey Bouba is new Senate President ⁰

Senator Aboubakary Abdoulaye who also moonlights as the Lamido of Rey Bouba has been elected President of the Cameroonian Senate signaling the end of Niat Njifengi. Today’s electoral victory of Senator Abdoulaye marks a moment of both continuity and cautious anticipation in Cameroon’s political story. At a time when all administrative and political establishments in Cameroon are being tested by shifting public expectations, generational change, and demands for accountability, this change of leadership in the Cameroonian Senate carries significance well beyond ceremonial protocol in Yaoundé.

Senator Aboubakary Abdoulaye is stepping into the role with the weight of institutional responsibility on his shoulders. The Senate, often perceived as the nation’s House of Lords within Cameroon’s legislative framework, plays an important role in safeguarding constitutional order, reviewing legislation, and ensuring regional representation. This traditional leader from the Far North region will be judged not only by how effectively the Senate performs these duties, but also by how it responds to the broader concerns of Cameroonian citizens, Francophone and Anglophone.

Seas of political commentators have opined today that Senator Aboubakary Abdoulaye is a reflection of the enduring influence of established political structures in Cameroon. But his electoral victory also raises an important question: can continuity coexist with renewal? For many in Yaoundé, the hope is that Senator Abdoulaye’s tenure will not simply reinforce the status quo, but rather inject a measure of responsiveness into governance—particularly in addressing economic pressures, social cohesion, and the ongoing challenges in various regions of the country including the war in Southern Cameroons.

There is also political weight in leadership transitions such as this. They offer an opportunity to reaffirm public trust in institutions that, for some, may feel distant from everyday realities. The Senate president, though not always at the forefront of executive decision-making, occupies a position that can either reinforce institutional credibility or deepen public skepticism. Abdoulaye’s approach to transparency, dialogue, and legislative independence will therefore be closely scrutinized.

Cameroon stands at a delicate juncture. Its political future will depend not only on leadership at the highest executive levels but also on the strength and integrity of its legislative bodies. In this regard, the Senate presidency is more than a title—it is a test of stewardship.

As Senator Aboubakary Abdoulaye assumes office, the expectations are clear. Stability must be matched with vision. Tradition must be balanced with reform. And above all, leadership must remain attuned to the voices of the people it is meant to serve.

Whether this moment becomes a footnote in a long continuum of continuity or a subtle turning point toward renewal will depend on the choices made in the days ahead.

By Queen Besumbu Agbaw in UK with files from Rita Akana in Yaoundé

17, March 2026

Yaoundé: Hon. Theodore Datoua is new Speaker of the National Assembly ⁰

The election of Hon. Theodore Datoua as new Speaker of the National Assembly offers more than a ceremonial changing of the guard in Yaoundé the nation’s capital. Frankly speaking, the electoral process in the national assembly presents a moment to reflect on the health of Cameroon’s so-called democratic establishments and the expectations Cameroonians rightly hold of them.

The office of Speaker of the National Assembly in Cameroon is not merely administrative. To be sure, Cameroon’s National Assembly Speaker is a custodian of parliamentary integrity, a referee of debate, and a bridge between the government and the governed.

In Cameroon’s political climate where trust in institutions is in very short supply, the National Assembly Speaker’s role becomes even more consequential. The tone set in parliamentary sessions—whether one of openness or opacity, rigor or routine—will ripple outward into public life.

Today’s transition from the 86 year-old Cavaye Djibril to Theodore Datoua comes at a time when Cameroonians are seeking renewed confidence in governance. Economic and political pressures, tribal and social tensions, and calls for genuine dialogue have underscored the need for a national assembly that is not only functional, but responsive. Hon. Theodore Datoua now has an opportunity to strengthen parliamentary oversight, encourage meaningful debate, and ensure that diverse voices particularly the Anglophones are not just heard, but taken seriously.

Today’s election in Yaoundé signals continuity and intent. Will Theodore Datoua’s tenure prioritize transparency? Will parliamentary proceedings become more bilingual and more accessible to ordinary citizens? Will legislative scrutiny of executive action grow sharper and more consistent? These are not abstract questions—they go to the heart of democratic accountability.

No speaker acts alone. The effectiveness of the Cameroon National Assembly depends on the collective will of its members. Yet leadership shapes culture. If Hon. Datoua commits to fairness, procedural discipline, and institutional independence, he and his new team will elevate the entire chamber.

Welcoming a new Speaker, then, should not be an exercise in routine optimism, but in measured expectation. The office carries both prestige and responsibility. If used well, it can help reinforce democratic norms and restore faith in public institutions. If not, it risks deepening cynicism.

Cameroon stands, as many nations do, at a crossroads between continuity and change. The National Assembly—and its new Speaker—now have a chance to show that representative governance can rise to meet the moment. The country will be watching.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

17, March 2026

Iran launches 58th wave of retaliatory strikes using precision, heavy missiles ⁰

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has launched its massive 58th wave of retaliatory missile and drone strikes against Israeli positions and United States military bases.

The massive barrage, conducted in the framework of “Operation True Promise 4,” was initiated in the morning, said the force in a statement.

This highly successful, “effect-based operation” was explicitly dedicated to “all the martyred children of the Ramadan War,” noted the statement.

The military statement emphasized that the strike specifically honors the victims of the “Minab school” massacare and the youngest casualty of the ongoing conflict, a three-day-old infant named “Mojtaba,” who was killed along his family last night in Arak, centeral Iran.

To execute this sweeping operation, Iranian forces utilized a formidable arsenal of highly accurate, pinpoint-striking, and super-heavy weaponry.

This included the Khorramshahr missile equipped with a 2-ton warhead, the multi-warhead Ghadr, and the advanced Fattah and Kheibar Shekan missiles. Medium-range systems such as the Fateh and Qiam, alongside a swarm of destructive suicide drones, were also deployed.

The sophisticated assault targeted a wide array of strategic locations across the northern and central parts of the occupied territories, including Nahariya, Beit Shemesh, Tel Aviv, and West Quds.

Furthermore, the strikes heavily pounded the regional positions of the terrorist US army, directly hitting American bases in Victoria, Ali Al Salem, and Al Kharj, as well as the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.

The sheer scale of the 58th wave triggered widespread panic across the occupied lands.

Warning sirens blared continuously in Tel Aviv, Ashdod, Bat Yam, and 136 other locations across the occupied territories.

According to demographic estimates, the massive Iranian missile barrage forced approximately 4,330,000 occupiers to rush to bomb shelters.

This fierce military retaliation falls strictly within the framework of the Iranian Armed Forces’ legitimate response to a large-scale and unprovoked war launched by Washington and Tel Aviv.

The deadly US-Israeli campaign began on February 28 with the cowardly assassination of the former Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, alongside several high-ranking military commanders.

That unprovoked aggression was launched despite ongoing, indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington regarding Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.

Since the outbreak of the war, US and Israeli forces have carried out extensive aerial strikes on both military and civilian installations across Iran, resulting in significant casualties—including the massacred schoolchildren in Minab.

In response to these ongoing atrocities, Iran has maintained a relentless campaign of massive missile and drone attacks, firmly targeting US interests in the region and Israeli positions throughout the occupied territories.

Source: Press TV

17, March 2026

Cameroon’s National Assembly: Cavaye Djibril to be replaced ⁰

Members of Cameroon’s national assembly are currently meeting in Yaoundé and a key item on the agenda is the replacement of the current speaker, Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, whose health has been facing serious challenges.

According to our Yaoundé bureau chief, Rita Akana, who spoke to a senior CPDM Member of Parliament, Mr. Cavaye will be replaced by Hon. Datouo Theodore, a CPDM Parliamentarian and a successful businessman from the West Region.

Mr. Cavaye’s health has been failing for many years now and his erratic behavior and massive alcoholic consumption have made him an expensive liability to the country and the party.

Born in Mada, located in the Tokombéré district of Mayo-Sava Division in the Far North Region, Cavayé (86) is a member of the Mada ethnic group

He was elected to the National Assembly of Cameroon in 1973 and obtained the position of Questor in the Bureau of the National Assembly. In 1975, he was included in the Central Committee of the Cameroon National Union (CNU) ruling party.

After ten years in the National Assembly, Cavayé was elected as its Second Vice-President in 1983. In 1985, when President Paul Biya transformed the CNU into the CPDM, Cavayé was retained as a member of the CPDM Central Committee. He served as Second Vice-President of the National Assembly for five years, departing the legislature at the end of the parliamentary term in 1988 and instead becoming Prefectoral Assistant of Diamaré. He returned to the National Assembly in the March 1992 parliamentary election and was then elected as President of the National Assembly.

More will be yours soon.

17, March 2026

Biya regime halts land sales around Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé ⁰

Cameroon’s presidency has ordered an immediate halt to land allocations around the Olembe sports complex in the northern outskirts of Yaoundé.

In a letter dated March 9, the secretary-general of the presidency, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, instructed the minister of state property, surveys and land affairs to revoke all acts granting or transferring plots to private individuals within the perimeter of the Olembe sports complex.

The order follows what the document described as “high instructions” from President Paul Biya, directing the government to cancel all decisions related to the allocation or retrocession of land belonging to the complex.

The decision concerns an area that has experienced rapid demographic and real estate growth over the past decade. The expansion was driven largely by the construction of the Olembe sports complex—whose centerpiece is a 60,000-seat stadium—as well as the development of a nearby public housing estate.

Originally, the state secured about 110 hectares of land for the project as part of preparations for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Beyond the stadium, the complex was expected to include several complementary facilities, including training grounds, a five-star hotel, a shopping center, a museum, a cinema, and an Olympic swimming pool.

However, construction delays disrupted the original development plan. Many of the additional facilities were never built, leaving large sections of land exposed to competing claims, informal occupation, and land speculation, amid tensions with local communities.

By suspending land allocations and transfers, the government is seeking to regain control of these land reserves. The objective is to secure the site, reduce the risk of land disputes, and preserve the possibility of reviving the broader development project in the future.

Source: Business in Cameroon

16, March 2026

Bishop Nkuo says government must protect young Cameroonians from traffickers ⁰

A bishop in Cameroon’s war-torn North West region petitioned the government to act on the alarming number of Cameroonians trapped in human trafficking camps in Nigeria.

Bishop George Nkuo of Kumbo said the Justice and Peace Commission of his diocese has confirmed that over 3,000 Cameroonians are trapped in nine traffickers’ camps in Nigeria.

Speaking to The Tablet shortly after handing over a confidential petition to authorities and consular services in Yaoundé, he said further indicators suggest there could be as many as 40 camps affecting over 7,000 Cameroonians.

Like many parts of Cameroon’s English-speaking North West and South West regions, the Diocese of Kumbo has become accustomed to the phenomenon of human trafficking, but the separatist war afflicting both regions has caused an alarming escalation.

“The most critical factor is the closure of government schools. In Bui Division [the administrative area that covers parts of the diocese] alone, 42,000 children were attending government schools. Now, all those schools are closed. These children have nowhere to go – they are left idle and helpless,” Bishop Nkuo said.

“Traffickers are taking direct advantage of this vulnerability. With children out of school and families struggling, people are luring them away with false promises. They tell the children they will provide them with jobs, an education or a ‘better life’ in a ‘greener pasture’. For a child with no school and no prospects, these offers are dangerously appealing. The situation is spiraling out of control.”

He continued: “Our youth should be in classrooms and not in camps. They should be on farms and in industries, not in bondage. They should be in seminaries, workshops and families, not on exploitation expeditions.”

“The promises made to them are entirely false,” said Isidore Njodzeven, deputy head of the diocese’s Justice and Peace Commission.

“They cannot return home because their documents are taken away upon arrival. They can only make calls at designated times, while those monitoring them create a false sense of normalcy.”

Bishop Nkuo said he has written to the governments of Cameroon and Nigeria, drawing their attention to the trafficking crisis: “We believe they are committed to resolving it.”

He said a more sustainable solution depended not just on bringing an end to the separatist crisis, but also creating the conditions for young people to thrive in Cameroon.

Source: The Tablet