Headline News

1, September 2021

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Rev. Father Julius Agbortoko Released ⁰

Rev Fr. Julius Agbortoko Agbor, Priest of the Diocese of Mamfe and current Vicar General of the Diocese of Mamfe who was kidnapped over the weekend by some unidentified armed men, has been released.

He was freed late on Tuesday following pleas by many Christians and other distinguished personalities including the Cameroon Concord News Group for his unconditional release.

Father Agbortoko, a faithful servant of humanity, was taken to an unknown destination by armed men believed to be separatist fighters, though many observers hold that those who kidnapped him were some rogue elements who have nothing to do with the fighting in the English-speaking regions of the country.

By Fon Lawrence

31, August 2021

Kidnapping of priests in Southern Cameroons: IG issues statement ⁰

Kidnap of Reverend Father Julius Agbortoko in the Diocese of Mamfe

Yesterday, 29 August 2021, unidentified criminal elements abducted Reverend Father Julius Agbortoko Agbor, Priest of the Diocese of Mamfe and current Vicar General of the Diocese of Mamfe.

The Interim Government of Ambazonia forcefully condemns this thoughtless and criminal act and calls for those involved to release Father Julius Agbortoko Agbor immediately without preconditions. The Interim Government takes a strong view against kidnappings in the Federal Republic of Ambazonia. It is, therefore, the view of the Interim Government of Ambazonia that the perpetrators of abductions are not associated with any legitimate self-defence group loyal to the Ambazonia cause.

The kidnapping of members of the clergy is unfortunate, unacceptable and underscores the need for all the factions involved in this conflict to seek ways of reaching a peaceful resolution. Those who kidnap men of God are crossing a dangerous red line, and all God-fearing Southern Cameroonians must condemn this unconditionally.

The Catholic Church in Southern Cameroon has played a significant role since the war in Ambazonia started in 2016. We must not make enemies of our allies and sympathizers. Religious institutions are indispensable parts of the Southern Cameroon structure, and any attack on their members and workers is an attack on the Ambazonia we intend to build.

The Interim Government of Ambazonia is committed to confronting and defeating the evil of kidnappings in Ambazonia. All self-defence groups are called upon to collaborate with the Interim Government to root out all rogue elements involved in this misconduct. Our quest for self-determination will succeed if we do the right things. Unfortunately, kidnapping is not consistent with our state values, and Reverend Father Julius Agbortoko Agbor must be released now.

Thank you,

Dabney Yerima

Vice President

The Federal Republic of Ambazonia

31, August 2021

Football: Ronaldo eyes more Man Utd history after ‘dream’ return ⁰

Cristiano Ronaldo said he has a “never ending love” for Manchester United after sealing his return to Old Trafford from Juventus on Tuesday.

United have secured the five-time Ballon d’Or winner for a initial fee of 15 million euros that could rise to 23 million euros ($27 million, £20 million) according to figures released by the Italian club.

The 36-year-old has signed a two-year contract with an option to extend that deal by a further season.

Ronaldo made his name on the world stage in six years at United between 2003 and 2009 before moving to Real Madrid for a then world record transfer fee of £80 million.

The Portugal captain scored 118 goals in 292 games during his first spell at United, winning his first Ballon d’Or and Champions League title, as well as three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and two League Cups.

“This is absolutely 100% the stuff that dreams are made of,” Ronaldo posted on Instagram.

“Everyone who knows me, knows about my never ending love for Manchester United. The years I spent in this club were absolutely amazing and the path we’ve made together is written in gold letters in the history of this great and amazing institution.

“I can’t even start to explain my feelings right now, as I see my return to Old Trafford announced worldwide.

“It’s like a dream come true, after all the times that I went back to play against Man. United, and even as an opponent, to have always felt such love and respect from the supporters in the stands.”

Ronaldo is expected to make his second United debut at home to Newcastle on September 11.

But the United support were already delirious at his impending arrival as they chanted his name and held up a cardboard cut out of Ronaldo in a 1-0 win at Wolves on Sunday.

Manchester United fans celebrated the return of Cristiano Ronaldo with a cardboard cut out at Wolves Oli SCARFF AFP

“History has been written in the past and history will be written once again!” Ronaldo added. “You have my word! I’m right here! I’m back where I belong! Let’s make it happen once again!”

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played alongside his new star during his previous spell in England, but it was his former boss Alex Ferguson who played a big part in convincing Ronaldo to return to the club despite interest from Premier League champions Manchester City.

Alex Ferguson (left)played a big part in bringing Cristiano Ronaldo (right)back to Manchester United Andrew YATES AFP/File

“Sir Alex, this one is for you,” said Ronaldo.

– Pressure on Solskjaer –

The investment in Ronaldo, who is set to become the highest paid player in the Premier League, piles the pressure on Solskjaer to end his wait to win a major trophy since taking charge of the Red Devils in December 2018.

United have also signed Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid teammate Raphael Varane to bolster their defence and splashed out £73 million to bring 21-year-old England winger Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund in their quest to win a first Premier League title since 2013.

“Ronaldo’s return demonstrates the unique appeal of this club and I am absolutely delighted he is coming home to where it all started,” said Solskjaer.

Solskjaer’s men have taken seven points from their opening three Premier League games to sit two points behind leaders Tottenham.

The English giants have also not won the Champions League since 2008, when Ronaldo scored in the final against Chelsea in Moscow.

However, Ronaldo’s experience in Italy serves as a warning that even his goalscoring prowess does not bring a guarantee of success in Europe.

In his three seasons in Turin, Juve never made it beyond the Champions League quarter-finals — crashing out to far less well-resourced opposition in Ajax, Lyon and Porto.

Inter Milan also ended Juventus’ nine-year grip on Serie A last season.

However, Ronaldo still topped the Serie A goal charts last season and rolled back the years at Euro 2020 to win the Golden Boot despite playing just four games as Portugal bowed out at the last 16.

Source: AFP

31, August 2021

Buea University Sex Scandal: Cleansing the Augean Stable! ⁰

The sex scandal in the University of Buea will never be over until the Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, Prof. Ngomo Horace Manga, orders a thorough investigation into the nasty sex scandal that is splashing very dark mud on this once prestigious citadel of learning.

The University of Buea was designed to be a beacon of hope for the country’s English-speaking minority, but the university has gradually been transformed into a brothel, with lecherous lecturers preying on girls like predatory animals do on their preys.

The good news is that Prof. Agborbechem Peter wants to talk, but there is a lot of fear within the University of Buea right now. Agborbechem is staring down the barrel of defeat and he knows he will surely be going down, but he does not want to go down alone, and all his accomplices or members of the sex ring are losing sleep over this. Members of the sex ring know that when he starts talking, he will be singing like a canary. Ordinarily, he talks like a magpie and now that he is under enormous pressure, he will surely be singing just to safe his skin.

The University of Buea is sick. It is now like a poultry being supervised by foxes and hyenas. There is a lot of impunity playing out in that university and many victims of the sex abuse are taking their pain in stride. They have been abused and the university has no mechanism for these students to lodge their complaints. The university lacks a facility that can conveniently protect whistleblowers, making it challenging for those who know a lot about the mess that is giving the university a bad name to come out of the closet.

There is an omerta (code of silence) in the university and the victims strongly hold that silence in this context is golden. They are bearing their pain quietly. The abuse of girls in the University of Buea did not start today. Under Prof. Dorothy Lymunga Njeuma’s watchful eyes, the premier vice chancellor of the University of Buea, sex criminals like Prof. Victor Julius Ngoh who is now retired and has moved to another university and Prof. Albert Azeye who plied their trade with impunity were a constant source of fear for young female students.

A former student of the University of Buea who had a very close and intimate relationship with Prof. Ngoh and now lives in the United States told the Cameroon Concord News Group that the man’s calm demeanor belies his true nature.

“Prof. Victor Ngoh who came from the University of Yaoundé could be considered as a wild wind which transported the moral decadence in the University of Yaoundé to the University of Buea. He is an iron fist in a velvet glove. He is very intimidating and when he needs a girl, he imposes his will on the girl. I hear he has moved to a private university after retiring from the University of Buea where he is plying his demeaning trade. His current university should know that he is a bad seed and will be a millstone around the neck of many young females,” Ngoh’s former student said.

“The new university must keep a close eye on Victor Ngoh. He is a dangerous element who should have never been within a university. I am not saying this to discredit him. He was simply an ill wind that did not blow any good to any girl. He adored sex and he was good at it. He could have sex all night and, in the morning, he would be looking as pale as Geoffrey Chaucer’s Squire in the Canterbury tales,” the frustrated former student said.

While those who have retired will go scot free, University of Buea authorities must seek to cleanse the Augean Stable that West Cameroon’s first Anglo-Saxon university has become. Prof. Agborbechem and Prof. Ernest Molua are simply the tip of a massive iceberg that is threatening the university’s reputation. Their unusually high and uncontrollable libido has transformed them into satyrs and the girls they are supposed to empower academically have become their sex slaves.

There is a lot of rot going on in the University of Buea. University authorities must think up new ways and means of controlling the male lecturers who are making a mockery of moral decency. The University of Buea was supposed to be a “place to be”, but it has turned out to be a place to be for free casual sex.

According to a source in the university, it is being rumored that some of the university’s lecturers insist on having sex with their victims without protection. A source in a clinic in Buea has hinted that HIV/AIDS prevalence among University of Buea students is astronomically high.

Meanwhile, the Cameroon Concord News Group’s permanent correspondent in Buea has reported that there is a lot of work to be done in the University of Buea if mentalities must change. Many lecturers, both part time and full time, unfortunately hold that free sex within the university is part of their benefits package. This mentality is not good for an institution of learning that is seeking to be among the best on the continent.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai and Stephen Mukake

30, August 2021

SOBA UK re-elects president and Executive Team ⁰

SOBA UK renewed the mandate of its executive bureau today amid preparations for their 2021 Annual Residential Convention.

A member of the newly elected SOBA UK executive team said following the election:

“We are excited to continue with our roles. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with all SOBANS including the Cameroonian community in the UK particularly those who put extraordinary passion and effort into defending our academic and social heritage. We believe that by working together we can continue to transform SOBA UK into a more organised, powerful force. It is an honour to lead SOBA UK.”

SOBA UK 2021 Executive Elections – Official Confirmation of the Results

Dear Sobans,

On behalf of the patrons, I am pleased to confirm the final results of the members who have been

successfully elected to the executive of SOBA UK for the period from 1st September 2021 to 31st

August 2023;

1) PRESIDENT – FRANKLIN EGBE

2) VICE PRESIDENT – ATEM AKOH-ARREY

3) SECRETARY GENERAL – ASMARA EBAN

4) DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL – RALPH MBUA

5) EXECUTIVE TREASURER – BENEDICT TCHANTCHEU

6) FINANCIAL SECRETARY – KOBI AKONG

7) PUBLICITY OFFICER – FRITZ ESAMBI

The detailed results and statistics have been sent to all members who voted by Big Pulse for

Verification and the above results have been confirmed by patrons and elections observers on 26th

August, 2021.

Please join me in wishing these elected members every success in their roles as they seek to move

our association forward.

My gratitude goes to all voters who participated in the elections, 103 members registered to vote out

of 123 registered members (including 8 patrons who do not register to vote). I also want to thank the

Patrons for successfully managing the elections process and collaborating effectively with the

elections system provider, BigPulse.

We are pleased to have used elections observers and greatly appreciate their time and contribution

to the process. We look forward to any feedback that they may have on the process, fairness and

accessibility of voting to members.

Yours faithfully,

Soban Joseph Foncha

Lead Patron (On behalf of all Patrons)

30, August 2021

Amba fighters ambush Cameroon military convoy in Mundemba, 2 soldiers dead: security sources ⁰

The carnage is continuing unabated as Ambazonian fighters keep on reducing the country’s military into a group of scouts who have lost their way in a massive wilderness. The country’s army soldiers are completely at the wit’s end.

Southern Cameroonian fighters have simply overwhelmed the country’s military as they gain more experience and acquire more sophisticated weapons in a war that is very likely to run for decades, especially as the government is reluctant to head to the negotiating table.

Some of the weapons are acquired when the brave Southern Cameroonian fighters attack and kill highly demoralized army soldiers who now understand that they are not a match for the Amba Boys who are hell-bent on liberating their fatherland.

The ragtag military group that started with machetes and hunting rifles has morphed into a sophisticated group of experienced and dedicated fighters and these boys are not shy to demonstrate their power by attacking the military and its equipment on a terrain the military knows nothing about.

Ambazonia Restoration Forces ambushed a Cameroon government military convoy, providing security at an ENEO facility in Mundemba killing 2 soldiers security sources said today August 30, 2021.

The convoy came under heavy attack from the Amba fighters as it headed towards the electricity company’s post in Mundemba, the chief town in Ndian division on Monday, the sources hinted.

The attack was the latest in a Southern Cameroons conflict which has killed thousands of people and displaced hundreds since it began four years ago.

“We lost 2 soldiers in the terrorists’ ambush in Mundemba” a military officer, who asked not to be identified, told Cameroon Intelligence Report.

He said 4 government army soldiers, including two ENEO staffs, were wounded in the ambush.

The Cameroon government military convoy was on its way to supply troops protecting ENEO technicians when it came under fire, said another military source, who gave the same toll.

By Rita Akana

30, August 2021

Father Julius Agbortoko must be released! ⁰

News that a catholic priest in Mamfe has been kidnapped by Amba fighters is no good news even to the fighters themselves as it calls into question the credibility of the fighters and the purpose of the insurgency.

This act committed by a few misguided and gun-toting men of the underworld is irresponsible and should be condemned by every sound-minded Cameroonian.

It should be recalled that the Catholic Church as a religious institution has been calling for an end to the conflict and a fast reconciliation in the country.

The Catholic Church has for centuries been an agent of peace and development in West Cameroon and those who have kidnapped the Man of God must know that they have crossed the reddest of the red lines and this is a monumental error that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.

Father Julius Agbortoko must be released forthwith, if not, the consequences of such recklessness will kick in sooner rather than later.

Rev Fr. Julius Agbortoko Agbor, Priest of the Diocese of Mamfe and current Vicar General of the Diocese of Mamfe was ordained on April 14 2004.

Cameroon Concord News Group understands he served in various capacities including Parochial Vicar and Parish Priest. The man of God also studied Dogmatic Theology at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome and was appointed Spiritual Director and Lecturer at the St John Paul II Major Seminary, Bachuo Ntai Mamfe.

In 2018 he was appointed Vicar General of the Diocese of Mamfe, a position he has occupied till his abduction yesterday August 29, 2021.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Chairman/Editor-In-Chief

Cameroon Concord News Group

30, August 2021

Football: Senegal stars will be wary of World Cup history against Togo ⁰

Sadio Mane-inspired Senegal hope history does not repeat itself when they host unfancied Togo on Wednesday as the group phase of 2022 World Cup qualifying in Africa kicks off.

The last time the Senegalese Teranga Lions attempted to make successive appearances at the global football showcase they were upstaged as the Togolese Sparrowhawks went to the 2006 tournament instead.

Senegal had to wait until 2018 to grace the World Cup stage again and suffered a heart-breaking first-round exit, losing out to Japan on fair-play points.

The west African nation begin Group H, which also includes Congo Brazzaville and Namibia, as hot favourites to win the six-round mini-league and secure a place in the final qualifying round.

It is easy to see why as Mane is one of many stars coach Aliou Cisse can call on for the clash with Togo in Thies, a city 70 kilometres (44 miles) east of the capital, Dakar.

The Senegal ‘spine’ consists of Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Idrissa Gueye and Liverpool forward Mane.

But France-born Claude le Roy, known as the ‘godfather’ of African coaches having spent four decades working in the continent, had a warning for the star-stacked squad.

“Senegal are clear favourites to win the group, but favourites were created to be beaten,” the former Togo coach told reporters. “Across six rounds, you can have shocks.”

Le Roy was replaced this year by Paulo Duarte, one of three Portuguese coaches handling teams in the group phase, who previously guided Burkina Faso twice and Gabon.

– Algeria record –

Senegal are among 10 top seeds who have home advantage against bottom seeds in the opening matchday, which spans three days, with the second round starting on Sunday and continuing through Tuesday.

Algeria, who created an African record 27-match unbeaten run with a friendly win in Tunisia two months ago, host Djibouti in a match between nations 152 places apart in the world rankings.

While many observers fear the Riyad Mahrez-captained African champions could bury the minnows under a goal avalanche in Group A, France-born Djibouti coach Julien Mette is upbeat.

“I believed before the draw there was a good chance we would get Algeria. It is a beautiful story for us, the ultimate minnows, to face the champions of Africa,” he says.

Seeking a fourth straight World Cup appearance, Nigeria will look to Premier League forwards Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City and Alex Iwobi of Everton for Group C goals against Liberia in Lagos.

This section is completed by the Central African Republic and Cape Verde, who get the group phase under way on Wednesday afternoon.

Cameroon were the unluckiest top seeds, being paired with equally powerful Ivory Coast in Group D, which is completed by modest southern Africa sides Mozambique and Malawi.

But Cameroon coach Antonio ‘Toni’ Conceicao is fully focused on Malawi, who they face in Yaounde on Friday, saying the visitors are “coming to cause us problems”.

“Malawi are physically strong and will fight from the first whistle to the last,” said the Portuguese. “Nowadays, there are no easy matches in Africa.

“We have to be creative, find space in what will probably be a crowded Malawi half of the pitch, and shoot at goal whenever the possibility arises.”

Source: AFP

30, August 2021

French Cameroun: Douala battles mounting flood peril ⁰

Douala was plunged into darkness, but cries pierced the silent night: the water was rising. Alerted by the neighbors, Hummel put some of his belongings to safety and hurriedly sent the children away. A few minutes later, the blackish liquid invaded the house.

In mid-August, like every year during the rainy season, the informal neighborhood of Makèpè-Missoké was invaded by water in the heart of Cameroon’s economic capital. Under the effect of global warming, floods are becoming more and more frequent in this port city of more than three million inhabitants, which is constantly expanding.

“Burned out TV, burned-out refrigerator… Everything is wasted,” sighs Hummel Tsafack, 35.

“As soon as the thunder rumbles, we raise the beds. We are always afraid here. The water comes so quickly,” agrees his neighbor François, in his fifties. He still has a bitter memory of the flood of the summer of 2020 that paralyzed the city and devastated the neighborhood.

In his small house soaked with humidity, all the household appliances are out of order. On the floor, the concrete is dotted with a few holes. “This place, we’ve already cemented it seven times. Every time it floods, it breaks and we have to start over.”

Population growth

“We moved here because it was cheaper. We’re not going to move,” he warns. This precarious neighborhood is in a flood zone that cannot be built on. But residents continue to pile in, driven by the lack of space in a city with a population growth rate of over 5.5% per year.

Each year, nearly 110,000 new city dwellers move into the megalopolis and the gap between supply and demand for available land is growing.

Douala is prone to flooding with nearly 250 km of rivers and heavy rainfall averaging 4,000 mm per year. It is located at the mouth of the Wouri River, on a low coastal plateau, bordering the Atlantic Ocean and is influenced by the tides.

Meteorological data for the last 20 years indicate a decrease in rainfall, which masks an increase in extreme events, and very violent rain episodes, causing flooding.

The temperature of the metropolis is increasing, as it is at the global level. According to the latest report of the UN climate experts (IPCC), coastal cities are in the front line of the climate crisis and risk being “wiped out by long-term flooding” and rising sea levels.

According to the IPCC, floods will displace an average of 2.7 million people in Africa and flood-related costs could increase tenfold by 2050, to $60 billion a year, in the 136 largest coastal cities.

Plastic waste

In Makèpè-Missoké, plastic waste litters the river. “Look at all the garbage thrown away by the residents. In addition to this, the soil is silting up and invasive plants are colonizing the riverbed. In case of heavy rains, the water overflows,” explains environmental specialist Didier Yimkwa.

To address the problem, the city has built about 40 kilometers of drains since 2012. Some at-risk, unsanitary and precarious neighborhoods have also been upgraded to allow access to city services, especially those for waste collection.

But garbage and garbage are everywhere in Douala’s poor neighborhoods, and the drains are often covered with plastic, preventing water from draining away.

“It is estimated that 30% of waste is lost in nature,” said Dr. Joseph Magloire Olinga, Deputy Director of Studies and Environmental Protection in Douala.

At the same time, another program has developed a hydro meteorological observatory to collect reliable local data on rainfall and prevent the risk of flooding. The participation of the French Development Agency and the World Bank is essential, says Olinga, who is in charge of monitoring the “Douala, sustainable city” project.

“The response is not enough,” he admits, however. “We need a serious alternative in terms of land to accommodate the population. This involves the densification of the city center, and the construction of high-rise buildings, but some sectors are blocked by real estate developers who have bought the land and no longer want to sell it,” he explains.

Some flood-prone areas also continue to be allocated to real estate projects, which is the responsibility of the state.

In neighborhoods like Makèpè-Missoké, the goal is to learn to live with the risk of flooding. “But it is certain that some inhabitants for whom the threat is too great will also have to leave,” concludes Mr. Olinga.

Source: AFP

30, August 2021

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Suspected Amba Boys kidnap Catholic priest in Mamfe ⁰

The Mamfe Roman Catholic Diocese in the South West region asked Monday for prayers for a priest abducted by suspected members of the Ambazonia Restoration Forces defending Manyu territory.

“Kindly join us in praying for the quick and safe release of Rev Fr. Julius Agbortoko Agbor, who was abducted by suspected members of the Ambazonia Restoration Force yesterday August 29, 2021” His Grace Archbishop Andrew Nkea, told local and international media earlier today.

Rev Fr. Julius Agbortoko Agbor, Priest of the Diocese of Mamfe and current Vicar General of the Diocese of Mamfe was ordained on April 14 2004.

Cameroon Concord News understands he served in various capacities including Parochial Vicar and Parish Priest. The man of God also studied Dogmatic Theology at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome and was appointed Spiritual Director and Lecturer at the St John Paul II Major Seminary, Bachuo Ntai Mamfe.

In 2018 he was appointed Vicar General of the Diocese of Mamfe , a position he has occupied till his abduction yesterday August 29, 2021.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with files