Headline News

15, September 2023

Southern Cameroons Crisis: 2 killed by gunmen in Buea ⁰

At least two people were killed by gunmen Friday morning in Cameroon’s war-torn English-speaking region of Southwest, according to local and security sources.

Gunmen believed to be separatist fighters operating in the region opened fire on a car that was driving to Buea, chief town of the region, said a military official in the region.

“Two people were killed including the driver and a passenger. The other miraculously survived. They are all civilians who were going about their daily activities before the terrorists did that despicable act,” the official who asked not to be named said.

There has been renewed violence in the country’s two Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest since Monday last week after separatists declared a two-week lockdown to disrupt school resumption.

Cameroon has been fighting an armed separatist insurgency in the regions since 2017.

Source: Xinhuanet

15, September 2023

CPDM Crime Syndicate: Journalist summoned and detained on Governor’s orders ⁰

The Head of the Agency of the newspaper, L’Oeil du Sahel, Bertrand Ayissi, has been arrested and detained in an apparent attempt at intimidation. He was summoned by the Governor of the Adamaoua Region in Central Cameroon, Governor Kildadi Taguieke Bouka, on 12 September. Ayissi was then handed to the Vina Gendarmerie and taken into custody.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the National Union of Journalists in Cameroon ( Syndicat national des journalistes du Cameroun) (SNJC) in vehemently denouncing this act of intimidation and attempt to silence journalists and the media.

According to a press release issued by the SNJC on 13 September, journalist Bertrand Ayissi carried out an investigation into the trafficking of human organs and bones in Adamaoua. This was published in L’Oeil du Sahel on 18 August. Ayissi was summoned to the Governor’s office on 12 September where Governor Bouka accused him of being ‘a hired journalist manipulated by men lurking in the shadows to blacken the work being done on security in the region’. Bouka further accused Ayissi of wanting to ‘disturb public order’. Ayissi was detained for 24 hours before being released, but is still being investigated for the story he had published.

The SNJC condemned the act of intimidation meted out to Ayissi and called on the Governor to take proper legal action if he feels that Ayissi has committed an offence. The SNJC called all its members to mobilise and stay steadfast in the face of adversity.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: ‘This arrest of our colleague Bertrand Ayissi is a clear act of intimidation designed to force journalists into self-censorship and eventually silence them. We call on the Cameroonian authorities to drop all charges against Bertrand and guarantee his safety.”

Source: ifj.org

13, September 2023

Fr. Humphrey Tatah says fight against corruption entails “formation of consciences” ⁰

The fight against corruption entails the “formation of consciences”, the Director of Social Communications Commission of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) has said.

In a Tuesday, September 12 interview with ACI Africa, Fr. Humphrey Tatah Mbuy lamented “endemic” corruption in Cameroon, saying that the Central African nation was “gradually falling apart”, and that the governance system needed an “overhaul”.

“The government has been trying to diminish the level of corruption but it is endemic. It is something that is built into the system,” said, adding, “You can’t just get up and clean it. It is difficult to wipe it out but not impossible.”

He underscored the importance of internalized value systems at individual level, saying, “There is need for the formation of consciences through proper education in values from all sectors.”

“Our African values for morality which existed before are no longer there. They have been put upside down,” Fr. Mbuy further lamented, and explained, “Three things matter to people now; money, position and possession. People no longer care whatever means they use to get these things.”

In his considered opinion, “Our morality is still to be recovered from this influence of secularism and especially Marxist materialism.”

“There is a certain amount of discretion that each Church leader must possess and which society has a right to expect from each of them. The same applies to those in public service, called to be servants of the people in their administration and political choices,” the Cameroonian Catholic Priest further said.

He went on to highlight some “moral principles” that he said “are necessary to handle corruption in Cameroonian society today.”

“First, there is absolute necessity to make amends, repair or restitution in cases of misappropriation of public funds,” the Director of Social Communications Commission of NECC told ACI Africa.

He added, “There is every reason to continue to stand on the side of good against evil, upholding integrity, rather than give in to licentiousness.”

Source: aciafrica

13, September 2023

Football: Onana the hero as Cameroon qualify for Cup of Nations finals ⁰

A nervy Cameroon scored twice in the second half to beat Burundi 3-0 in Garoua on Tuesday and qualify for January’s Africa Cup of Nations finals, overcoming their plucky opponents as Andre Onana marked his return to the team with a series of key saves.

Cameroon had needed to win the game to ensure a place in the finals. Victory saw them finish top of three-team Group C and also ensured that Namibia would qualify with them while Burundi missed out.

Bryan Mbeumo took advantage of a defensive slip to score one minute into the second half before defender Christopher Wooh swept home the ball from close range for the second goal in the 59th minute.

Wooh had missed the header from a corner by Karl Toko Ekambi but it fell loose and he was quick to sweep it home.

A clearance that came off the back of a defender allowed captain Vincent Aboubakar to score the third goal deep in stoppage time.

Burundi had needed only a draw and, despite their lowly ranking 98 places below the 42nd-ranked Indomitable Lions, came out the more positive team and Onana had to make several key stops to deny both Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana and Saidi Ntibazonzika.

Onana was making his return to the side after a fallout with coach Rigobert Song during the World Cup in Qatar last year which resulted in him being kicked out of their camp.

The new Manchester United goalkeeper showed his worth as Cameroon won for the first time since their 1-0 victory over Brazil in Qatar in their last group game in December.

With Group C settled, the field for the 24-team Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast from Jan. 13-Feb. 11 next year is complete.

Source: Reuters

13, September 2023

CAR President Faustin meets Biya, says Yaoundé will not be a target of Wagner forces ⁰

President Faustin-Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic has met Cameroon’s collapsing president, Paul Biya at the so-called Unity Palace in Yaoundé.

The Russia-Wagner backed leader was in Cameroon to give assurances from President Putin that Moscow would not overthrow the corrupt and moribund Yaoundé government which has been in power for over four decades and has nothing to show for its existence.

Cameroon Intelligence Report understands that the 12 September 2023 meeting lasted over one hour thirty minutes.

Faustin-Archange Touadera, the designated mediator of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and current Chair of the CEMAC Heads of State Conference also briefed the 90-year-old Cameroonian dictator on his mission to Libreville, where he met, last week, with the new Gabonese strongman.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

12, September 2023

Buea prison conditions “Horrific”! Barrister Agbor Balla won’t talk ⁰

Southern Cameroons detainees have described the prison in Buea, as a horrific slaughterhouse.

The prison in Buea has over 1000 Anglophone prisoners and the worse conditions of detention and imprisonment.

“It is sad that Barrister Agbor Bala the so-called human rights champion speaks of everything in Anglophone Cameroon except the Buea prison where inmates have barely some few hours of clean air” a Southern Cameroons detainee told our Buea correspondent.

Cameroon Intelligence Report understands the Buea prison opens at 11am and shuts at 4pm while every other detention facility in Francophone Cameroun opens 7am and closes at 6.45pm.

“The only viable solution is to promptly shutter the Buea prison and relocate the inmates to a more appropriate detention facility in the South West region,” a Roman Catholic cleric contacted by CIR said.

The priest who sued for anonymity furthered that the Buea prison facility is overcrowded, unsanitary, dangerous and lacking basic amenities. The toilets and bathrooms are combined in the same small space.

The prison is home to a variety of Southern Cameroons inmates, including dangerous criminals from Yaoundé and Douala a mix that creates a volatile environment that is prone to violence.

Throughout their incarceration, Southern Cameroons detainees have endured a host of medical issues, including malaria and typhoid fever.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

12, September 2023

Yaoundé: Detained spy chief comes under attack in Kondengui Prison ⁰

Léopold Maxime Eko Eko, who has been in pre-trial detention since 4 March 2023 following the assassination of journalist Martinez Zogo was verbally abused by a staff member of the Kondengui Maximum Security Prison, witnesses told Cameroon Concord News.

The incident occurred on September 9 as Eko Eko was having a walk around the prison facility.

A prison officer whose name we are withholding insulted Mr. Eko Eko in front of several other officials.

Following the verbal attack, Léopold Maxime Eko Eko made a u-turn and headed back to his private cell. The disgraced spy chief has been harassed many times by prison officials.

Léopold Maxime Eko Eko was recently interrogated by a judge at the Yaoundé Military Tribunal.

By Isong Asu

11, September 2023

Cameroonian nurse is Italy’s boxing champion ⁰

A 31-year-old Cameroonian nurse from Bologna became Italian lightweight boxing champion Friday night just a year after getting Italian citizenship.

Pamela Noutcho’s dream has come true after she beat her challenger in Casoria (Naples) in the match for the belt.

Pamela Malvina Nooutcho Sawa has lived in Italy since she was 8 years old, after reuniting with her father who had left Cameroon for study and work.

Source: ANSA.It

11, September 2023

Fr Lado says African Synod delegates likely to resist pro-LGBTQ+ ideas ⁰

A Cameroonian priest has suggested that African delegates to the Synod on Synodality assembly next month at the Vatican may be quite resistant to any efforts at being more inclusive of LGBTQ+ people.

Writing in The Tablet last month, Fr. Ludovic Lado, S.J. reflected critically about how negatively the church in Africa has been receiving the synodal process, and specifically when it comes to questions of gender and sexuality. He writes:

“I don’t hear any of the African delegates to the Synod in Rome saying that making room for ‘everybody’ in Church means including LGBT+ people. Many may be open to the idea of making more room for women in positions of authority in the Church, but that is the farthest they can go on gender equity issues. At least for now!”

Lado, who oversees a church-run education center in Chad and is originally from Cameroon, begins with these words:

“[F]rom what I have observed, it would be difficult to say that Catholics at the grassroots in Africa are particularly excited about the upcoming Synod on synodality in Rome in October. It is business as usual in church and society – each continues unperturbed, ruled by the dogma of patriarchy, as they have been for centuries.”

Lado, author of The Politics of Gender Reforms in West Africa, acknowledges that, on women’s rights and roles in the church, “gender equality remains marginal and highly controversial” in many African nations. Religions, particularly Christianity and Islam, which dominate many countries, are central to ongoing oppression, according to Lado. In his examination of LGBTQ+ rights, he states:

“Such resistance to change enjoys powerful popular support, especially so when it is linked to the inclusion of gay people in the life of the Church and the rights of LGBT+ people. The Church has room for all – Todos, todos, todos! (‘Everyone, everyone, everyone!’) – Pope Francis told the huge crowds of young people in Portugal last week. But his message that the Church should make use of the gifts of all its members and that it should be open to all – including LGBT+ people – is not getting through in Africa. The social matrix – especially in religious communities – remains largely homophobic.”

Lado notes that Pope Francis’ statement earlier this year that “homosexuality is not a crime” was not well received by most African ecclesial and political leaders. Rather, these leaders rely on anti-gay sentiments to retain control and coalesce power. Lado concludes that such attitudes will impair African participants at the Synod assembly from being open to inclusive gestures:

“Some political leaders have mastered the art of riding on homophobic sentiments, alleging that Western lobbies are on a new mission of ideological colonisation in Africa. And I don’t recall ever having read a pastoral letter from an African bishop defending gay people from prejudice and discrimination. On the contrary, most of them cite biblical and magisterial texts to support their condemnation of homosexuality. Pope Francis urged young people in Lisbon to chant, ‘Everybody, everybody, everybody’.

Fr. Lado’s analysis about the current Synod assembly is consistent with events at previous Synods, like those on the family in 2014-15 and on youth in 2018. The delegates from Eastern Europe and parts of African at those meetings strongly resisted any effort to improve pastoral care for LGBTQ+ people. Those delegates were all bishops, though. Perhaps, now that lay people, including women, religious, and clergy, will be delegates, there will be more African voices like Fr. Lado’s charting a different path that uplifts a church for “everybody.”

Source: New Ways Ministry

11, September 2023

FECAFOOT Crisis: Eto’o juggles with a CAS ruling ⁰

At the Fédération Camerounaise de Football (Fécafoot), the implementation of the verdict of the Court of Arbitration for Sport declaring the resolutions of the General Assembly of August 27, 2022 “null and void” is meeting with resistance.

Fécafoot and its president continue to resist CAS resolutions

In Cameroon, the ball isn’t always rolling. The stadiums have given way to a veritable legal battlefield. The situation has not improved since the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issued its verdict on August 15, 2023 in the case between Guibaï Gatama et al. and the Cameroon Football Federation (Fécafoot).

CAS declared “null and void” the resolutions taken by Fécafoot at its General Assembly on August 27, 2022. The ruling was intended to restore order to Cameroonian soccer, but has met with fierce resistance from the body headed by former footballer Samuel Eto’o.

The François Kouedem case

One of the most contentious points in this affair revolves around François Kouedem, who has been suspended from his position as president of the Ligue de l’Ouest for almost two years. Fécafoot maintains its position, even though article 15 paragraph 2 of its statutes stipulates that: “Any suspension must be confirmed at the next General Meeting by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the valid votes cast, failing which it is immediately lifted.”

In the opinion of a legal expert who requested anonymity, the resolutions of the Fécafoot General Assembly of August 27, 2022 were declared null and void by CAS. “Consequently, Mr. Kouedem’s suspension is automatically lifted. That’s what the Statutes say”, explains the expert.

The case of jurisdictional bodies

At its August 27, 2022 session, the Fécafoot General Assembly elected the members of its various jurisdictional bodies. This point was included in resolution N°15 of the final communiqué of the meeting. As the CAS has declared resolution N°15 null and void,” explains the lawyer, “the members elected to the jurisdictional bodies at the Assembly of August 27, 2022 automatically lose their status, and the decisions taken by them since the date of their election are simply null and void.

The problem is that Fécafoot doesn’t have the same approach. It maintains the bodies dissolved by CAS. Thus, on September 4 2023, the president of the Ethics Chamber notified Donald Ngameni, president of the Unisport club in Haut Nkam, of his definitive exclusion from all football-related activities. A decision deemed “illegal and illegitimate (which) attests to Fécafoot’s determination not to comply with the rules governing the practice of soccer at national and international level”, argue Ngameni’s counsel. They promise to take the case to CAS.

The Panthère and Ligue de Football Professionnel cases

Following his logic, the General Secretary of Fécafoot also announced that Panthère du Ndé would remain in the second division, and that the Professional Football League of Cameroon (LFPC), which should be rehabilitated, would be dissolved. “This is a denial of reality on the part of the Federation, which is showing extreme bad faith in its assessment of the CAS ruling”, reacted a former Fécafoot employee.

For him, there is no doubt that the orders came from the boss of Cameroonian soccer. A Samuel Eto’o who “remains in a posture of arm-wrestling and settling scores with all those soccer players who have dared to criticize his mode of governance”, he says.

What Fécafoot risks

It is important to note that article 14 paragraph 1.a of the FIFA Statutes stipulates that member associations are obliged to observe at all times the Statutes, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA’s governing bodies, as well as those of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Paragraph 3 of the same article implies that the violation of paragraph 1.a entails sanctions. These range from “temporary suspension with immediate effect” to “exclusion” of the member association concerned by the FIFA Council.

Fécafoot may well be in for a nasty surprise, as certain stakeholders, notably the Panthère du Ndé club, have already referred the matter to FIFA, pointing out Fécafoot’s failure to comply with the CAS decision of August 15, 2023. This affair is far from over.

Source: Sports News Africa