Headline News

2, June 2026

Yaoundé Forum backs shift from transit corridors to industrial value chains ⁰

Stakeholders from the transport and industrial sectors, policymakers, investors and regional institutions have called for Central Africa’s transport corridors to evolve from transit routes into industrial integration platforms capable of accelerating local processing, strengthening regional value chains and expanding participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The call was made at the opening of the fifth edition of Pro Meet Up in Yaounde on June 1. Held under the theme “Central Africa 2035: Integrator Corridors, Catalysts for the Development of Sub-Regional Value Chains,” the forum brings together public and private sector actors seeking to identify projects that can transform logistics infrastructure into drivers of industrial production and cross-border competitiveness. Organisers say the objective is to move beyond discussions centred solely on transport efficiency by developing pilot projects capable of converting existing corridors into platforms for local transformation of raw materials and value-chain expansion.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Transport Minister Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehe, representing Prime Minister Dr Chief Joseph Dion Ngute, in the presence of the Minister of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts, Achille Bassilekin III, alongside economic operators and technical partners.

Chief Executive Officer of Pro Meet Up, Carole Mbessa Elongo, said the initiative aims to generate concrete projects within the next three months that can be presented to financing institutions.

For her, the region must now move beyond a model in which corridors derive value primarily from the movement of goods.

“Existing corridors have created value through transit, but the challenge now is to shift towards a new generation of corridors that support local transformation of products and raw materials,” Mbessa Elongo said.

She explained that the objective is to develop local industrial processing capable of serving both domestic markets and the wider AfCFTA market of 1.4 billion people.

The emphasis, she added, is now on implementation. “The focus of this edition is concrete action. Within the coming months, we expect to place bankable projects on the table that financial institutions can support to move regional industrialisation to the next stage,” she said.

According to organisers, the forum is expected to identify high-impact logistics and industrial projects, define implementation mechanisms, strengthen public-private collaboration and establish a framework allowing strategic corridors across Central Africa to join the initiative. The discussions also highlighted the role of payment infrastructure in supporting regional trade.

During the event, the integration of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) into the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) was also announced.

PAPSS Chief Executive Officer Mike Ogbalu described payment efficiency as a decisive factor in trade competitiveness, noting that delays and transaction costs directly affect business performance across borders.

“Payment costs and delays reduce the capacity of traders to rotate inventory and complete transactions efficiently. That is why reducing settlement timelines from several days to no more than 120 seconds can significantly multiply both trade volumes and transaction value,” Ogbalu said.

He explained that the system allows transactions to be initiated, processed and settled entirely within Africa, eliminating the need to route payments through external financial hubs.

“By keeping payment flows on the continent, we eliminate unnecessary conversion costs and delays. The immediate priority now is for commercial banks in the CEMAC zone to connect their digital channels so payments can become as seamless as sending an SMS,” he said.

Beyond payment facilitation, participants also discussed the physical and institutional conditions needed to support regional integration. Transport Minister Ngalle Bibehe said the theme of this year’s forum reflects the urgency of developing resilient and competitive corridors capable of supporting sub-regional integration.

He noted that Cameroon has intensified investments in ports, rail infrastructure and the digitalisation of logistics procedures to strengthen connectivity while addressing competitiveness and transport safety challenges.

Roundtable discussions and technical panels focused on corridor governance, industrial financing mechanisms, payment facilitation and the institutional frameworks required to support implementation across Central Africa.

Source: Business in Cameroon

2, June 2026

Cameroon gold scandal: 2,000 billion fcfa lost as 44 tonnes traced abroad ⁰

New disclosures from Cameroon’s National Mining Corporation (Sonamines) have revealed the staggering scale of illegal gold exports, with billions of dollars believed to have escaped state control.

‎According to Sonamines Director General Serge Hervé Boyogueno, 44 tonnes of gold were traced in Dubai as originating from Cameroon between 2021 and 2025. Over the same period, officially declared exports stood at just 148 kilograms.

‎The undeclared volume is estimated to represent a loss of approximately $3.4 billion (over 2,000 billion FCFA) to the state.

‎The gap is even more alarming in recent data. In 2025, Cameroon recorded zero official gold exports, yet external trade figures indicate that at least 8.4 tonnes linked to the country transited through Dubai. In 2024, only a few kilograms were declared locally, compared to more than 12 tonnes recorded abroad.

‎These discrepancies confirm that illicit export channels remain deeply entrenched, with the United Arab Emirates continuing to serve as a major destination for undeclared Cameroonian gold.

‎The latest revelations come months after another gold-related scandal had already raised alarm at the highest level of the state.

‎Earlier this year, President Paul Biya ordered a probe into suspected gold trafficking networks following reports of significant inconsistencies in export data. At the time, Cameroon had declared just 22.3 kilograms of gold exports in 2023, while importing countries reported receiving about 15.2 tonnes.

‎That gap alone was estimated to represent losses of up to 165 billion FCFA, prompting the creation of a commission of inquiry tasked with identifying those involved and clarifying responsibilities.

‎The new figures released by Sonamines suggest the problem is far more extensive than previously thought, pointing to a system where large volumes of gold continue to leave the country outside official channels.

‎With billions in revenue at stake, pressure is mounting on authorities to dismantle the networks behind the trade and restore control over a sector long plagued by weak oversight and informal practices.

Source: Lebledparle.com

2, June 2026

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Three Cameroon government soldiers killed in Bafut ⁰

At least three Cameroonian security personnel have been killed in Bafut, North West Region, following an ambush reportedly carried out by armed separatist fighters.

Details surrounding the attack remain limited, but the incident adds to a growing list of similar assaults targeting security forces in the region in recent weeks, underlining the persistent insecurity in the area.

The latest killings come amid a conflict that has now stretched close to a decade. What began in 2016 as protests by lawyers and teachers in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions has since evolved into an armed separatist insurgency.

Over the years, the violence has taken a heavy toll on both civilians and combatants. According to international monitoring groups and humanitarian organisations, more than 6,500 people have been killed since the crisis began, with the real figure believed to be higher.

Civilian populations have borne a significant share of the impact. Reports indicate that at least 6,000 civilians have lost their lives as a result of abuses committed by both separatist fighters and government forces.

On the military side, while exact figures are difficult to independently verify, estimates suggest that hundreds of Cameroonian soldiers and security personnel have been killed since the escalation of armed confrontations in 2017.

The conflict has also triggered a major humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands displaced and entire communities affected by repeated clashes, raids and retaliatory operations.

Source: Lebledparle.com

31, May 2026

Iran to respond more forcefully to any fresh enemy aggression ⁰

A senior Iranian Army commander strongly warns the Islamic Republic’s adversaries against attempting fresh aggression against the country, asserting that such miscalculation will receive a response more forceful than previous retaliation.

Deputy Army Commander for Coordination, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari made the remarks on Saturday.

“The enemy should know that any aggression against the country’s territory will be met with a response even more forceful than before,” he stated.

“Today, the Army of the Islamic Republic stands firmly and resolutely against any hostile move by the enemy,” the commander added.

Sayyari underlined that the country’s military forces, including all the branches of the Army, were equipped with the most advanced defense systems and equipment outfitted with modern technologies.

The comments echoed verification by American officials, themselves, that Iran retains significant firepower, despite the latest bout of unprovoked aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime that targeted the country between February 28 and April 7.

Source: Presstv

31, May 2026

PSG hold on to Champions League title after dramatic shootout win over Arsenal ⁰

Paris Saint-Germain won a second consecutive Champions League title on Saturday after edging Arsenal in a tense final that went all the way to a penalty shootout.

Kai Havertz had fired Arsenal into a sixth-minute lead, but PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé equalised from the spot before Eberechi Eze and Gabriel both missed for the Gunners in a dramatic finale.

31, May 2026

WHO chief visits eastern DR Congo amid Ebola outbreak ⁰

UN health chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called Saturday for more international help to combat the spread of the deadly Ebola virus in DR Congo as he arrived in the eastern province worst-hit by a severe outbreak.

The World Health Organization (WHO) director general told reporters in Bunia, capital of Ituri province, that the international community was helping the DR Congo government cope with the outbreak.

But he added that “community ownership” was also needed – including overcoming “mistrust” and false information – and an increase in financial support from other countries.

“We are here to discuss with the community, to see how the response is running and if there are challenges to help,” he said.

“You’re not alone in this. We’re here, we’re with you, and we will see this through together,” he told people in Ituri at a press conference later.

The highly contagious haemorrhagic fever is already present in three eastern DR Congo provinces and in neighbouring Uganda.

There have been at least 1,077 suspected cases of Ebola in DR Congo since the outbreak was declared on May 15, including 246 deaths, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday. There have been nine confirmed infections in Uganda, including one death.

The true reach of the outbreak in DR Congo, which is thought to have been circulating before it was detected, is likely to be much wider, the WHO has warned.

The vast impoverished central African country – whose mineral-rich east has been plagued by three decades of conflict – has limited capacity to conduct laboratory tests to confirm cases.

Conflict and Ebola

Uganda closed its border with DR Congo this week and ordered a 21-day quarantine for anyone arriving from that country.

On Friday, the WHO announced that a patient had recovered on Wednesday, left hospital and was discharged into the community after two negative tests. WHO’s Anaïs Legand said it marked a “first” among patients who had been confirmed Ebola carriers in the current outbreak.

Ebola, which spreads through close contact and bodily fluids, has killed more than 15,000 people in Africa over the past 50 years.

The deadliest outbreak in DR Congo claimed nearly 2,300 lives out of 3,500 cases between 2018 and 2020.

The medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has said of the latest outbreak that “never has an Ebola epidemic recorded so many cases in the first days after it being declared”.

It said there were not enough medical experts deployed in the afflicted region.

State services are largely lacking in Ituri province, where access is hindered by insecurity due to the presence of armed groups and militias.

“There is experience in this country and under the government’s leadership, and especially with community ownership, we can stop it,” said Tedros.

“These are the ingredients which are important, of course, with the support from the international community as well. So the issue is in our hands.

“If we do our best, it can be stopped.”

Vaccine search

No vaccine or specific treatment exists for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is behind the current outbreak.

But the head of the CDC Africa said on Thursday that a vaccine should be ready by the end of the year.

On Saturday, the WHO said its experts had considered several potential vaccines that were “promising enough” to warrant evaluation in clinical trials.

“In the meantime, our priority is to stop transmission with tools that we have used for decades of Ebola responses, which include disease surveillance, rapid testing and diagnosis, contact tracing, isolation and care for patients, infection prevention and control, community engagement, and safe and dignified burials,” it added in a statement.

North and South Kivu provinces, that have also recorded Ebola cases in the outbreak, have been plagued by near continuous violence for three decades.

Much of the affected regions are controlled by the Rwanda-backed armed group M23 which has been battling government forces.

Millions of people have fled the fighting and are living in displacement camps with poor hygiene conditions.

Nearly a million of those displaced are in Ituri province, where the prospect of the epidemic spreading throughout the camps has sparked alarm.

“If Ebola comes, we’ll be wiped out as we’re packed like sardines,” Dorcas Mapenzi said at the Kingonze camp on the outskirts of Bunia.

Source: AFP

30, May 2026

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Fon of Ndzerem Nyam arrested in Bamenda ‎ ⁰

A traditional ruler in Cameroon’s conflict-affected North West region has been arrested and is currently being questioned by security forces in Bamenda as he suspected to be aiding the separatist fighters.

Fon Mormah III of Ndzerem Nyam was reportedly taken into custody and initially held at the Gendarmerie Legion before being transferred to the Mendakwe Gendarmerie Brigade, where he remains under interrogation. His phone was also said to have been confiscated.

Although authorities have not issued an official statement, the arrest comes weeks after a deadly military operation in the village on April 26, during which several people were killed. The victims were presented by the army as separatist fighters, an account that has continued to fuel debate locally.

‎Security sources are said to suspect the presence of armed separatist elements in Ndzerem Nyam and are questioning whether local complicity may have facilitated their activities. The Fon is reportedly being investigated on allegations of allowing or maintaining links with fighters operating in the area.

However, a statement released by the Ndzerem Nyam Development Association expressed concern over the monarch’s detention, describing his continued questioning as troubling for the community. The group insisted that the ruler has long been regarded as neutral and committed to maintaining peace.

“Many people who know him can testify to his peaceful, neutral, and responsible character,” the statement noted, adding that his presence in the palace during the crisis should not be interpreted as alignment with any armed group.

‎Complicating matters further, the Fon is also reportedly facing accusations from separatist factions, who allegedly suspect him of cooperating with government forces. This dual suspicion places the traditional leader in a precarious position, caught between opposing sides in a protracted conflict.

Across the North West and South West regions, traditional rulers have increasingly found themselves at the centre of the crisis. Some have been targeted by armed groups, while others have faced pressure or scrutiny from state authorities.

The absence of an official government position on the latest arrest leaves several questions unanswered, including the precise nature of the allegations and the legal steps that may follow.‎

Source: Lebledparle.com

30, May 2026

Minister Nalova mobilizing schools against rising obesity and diabetes ⁰

Cameroon is stepping up nutrition education in secondary schools as part of a broader effort to improve adolescent health and prevent diseases linked to poor eating habits.

On May 28, 2026, education, health, and development stakeholders gathered in Yaoundé to review the first results of the Sun App project, an initiative designed to promote healthy nutrition and physical activity in schools.

The meeting, organized by the Ministry of Secondary Education in partnership with the Research and Sustainable Development Institute (RSD Institute), assessed the program’s implementation, reviewed its early impact, and explored ways to support its gradual expansion nationwide.

During the event, Secondary Education Minister Nalova Lyonga called for concrete measures to improve students’ food environment. According to state broadcaster CRTV, she recommended the creation of healthy school cafeterias, the introduction of electronic payment systems, or “cash wallets,” to help students access balanced meals, and the development of school gardens on campus.

For education officials, these measures are intended to go beyond awareness campaigns. The goal is to create school environments that encourage healthier eating habits while engaging students in practical activities related to nutrition and well-being. Sun App, short for Scaling Up Healthy Nutrition to Adolescents and Pregnant Women, was officially launched on December 4, 2024, in Ntui, located in the Mbam-and-Kim division of Cameroon’s Center Region.

The program is gradually expanding to several municipalities, including Yaoundé IV. Its objective is to improve dietary habits among adolescents while encouraging physical activity throughout school communities.

The initiative is built around two main pillars: nutrition education and the prevention of noncommunicable diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and conditions linked to malnutrition. By targeting students at an early age, program organizers hope to address unhealthy behaviors before they become deeply rooted.

The approach reflects a widely shared view among public health experts that schools are one of the most effective places to influence youth behavior. Schools not only provide knowledge but also help establish daily routines around nutrition, exercise, and healthy living.

The current effort builds on a partnership between the Ministry of Secondary Education and the RSD Institute that began in 2018. The agreement was renewed on August 19, 2025, to strengthen primary prevention efforts within the education system, particularly in secondary schools. A few weeks later, on September 2, 2025, stakeholders in Yaoundé validated a National Strategy for Nutrition Education in Schools. The framework aims to harmonize interventions, strengthen awareness campaigns, and improve coordination among programs operating across the country.

For education and health authorities, the issue now extends far beyond school meals. The broader objective is to position schools as a frontline defense against the rise of noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions. These illnesses were once associated primarily with adults, but they are increasingly affecting younger populations, especially in urban areas where eating habits are changing rapidly.

Through Sun App, Cameroon hopes to establish a culture of prevention from an early age. However, the program’s success will depend on several factors, including sustainable financing for healthy school meal programs, support from local governments, family participation, teacher training, and the creation of monitoring systems capable of measuring real changes in student behavior.

Ultimately, the project’s impact will depend less on workshops and policy recommendations than on its ability to change everyday practices within schools. In that sense, Sun App is both a public health initiative and a test of Cameroon’s ability to make nutrition education a lasting part of its education system.

Source: Sbbc

29, May 2026

Football: Jean Onana set for Besiktas departure ⁰

Cameroon international Jean Onana is unlikely to continue his career with Turkish giants Beşiktaş JK after spending the season on loan with Italian Serie A side Genoa CFC.

The defensive midfielder appears set for another move this summer, with his future expected to lie away from both clubs ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Despite uncertainty surrounding his next destination, interest in the 26-year-old continues to grow across Europe. Cypriot outfit Aris Limassol FC are reportedly keen on securing the services of the Cameroonian international during the upcoming transfer window.

Reports indicate that Aris Limassol have already initiated moves to bring the midfielder to Cyprus as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of next season. The club is believed to view Onana as an experienced addition capable of adding stability and physicality to their midfield department.

However, negotiations are still at an early stage, and no official agreement has yet been reached between the parties involved.

Jean Onana joined Beşiktaş with high expectations but struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in Turkey, which led to his temporary switch to Genoa in Italy. His time in Serie A also failed to provide long-term clarity over his future, with the Italian side unlikely to activate any permanent deal for the midfielder.

The former Bordeaux and Lens player remains an attractive option on the market due to his experience in several European leagues and his international pedigree with the Cameroon national team.

As the summer transfer window approaches, more clubs could enter the race for the midfielder, although Aris Limassol currently appear to be leading the chase for his signature.

Source: Africa Soccer

29, May 2026

Ex-ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda reveals years-long Mossad intimidation ⁰

Former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Fatou Bensouda says she was subjected to a nearly decade-long intimidation campaign by Israel’s Mossad aimed at forcing her to abandon an investigation into Israeli war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Bensouda revealed in a speech in The Hague that she faced sustained coercion and intimidation, including threats, surveillance, and pressure targeting her family. Mossad sought to obstruct the ICC’s Palestine investigation through these measures.

Former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen personally led parts of the operation, acting as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “unofficial messenger” in an effort to pressure the former prosecutor to drop the case.

Despite the pressure campaign, the ICC formally authorized a criminal investigation into the occupied Palestinian territories in 2021.

The reported intimidation effort began in 2015, after Bensouda opened a preliminary examination into violence in Palestine.

In one incident, unidentified individuals delivered an envelope containing $500 to her home, which she said was intended as a signal that she was under surveillance.

“They came directly to my house,” Bensouda told Al Jazeera. “I got the message that they’re sending.”

She later said the pressure escalated, including a secret meeting in New York where Cohen confronted her and warned that continuing the investigation could endanger her and her family.

Mossad is also reported to have conducted a smear campaign targeting Bensouda’s husband using transcripts of intercepted recordings in an unsuccessful attempt to discredit her.

Bensouda said she felt “left alone” and “unsupported” throughout the process, urging the European Union to strengthen protections for the ICC against foreign intimidation and sanctions.

The revelations come amid increased pressure on the court following requests for arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Israeli war minister Yoav Gallant.

The intimidation campaign coincided with US sanctions imposed on Bensouda in 2020, followed by later measures targeting current ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan and several judges, including asset freezes and restrictions on personal bank accounts.