Headline News

16, November 2023

Ambazonia Interim Gov’t not behind decision to attack Egbekaw Village ⁰

The exiled leader of the Ambazonia Interim Government says restoration forces had no role in the recent attack by an armed group in Egbekaw Village in Manyu Division.

“The armed groups in both the Northern and Southern Zones of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia that are attacking pro French Cameroun interests, are making their own decisions,” Dabney Yerima told Cameroon Concord News during a telephone conversation on Wednesday.

Pointing to the Biya regime’s genocide against the people of Southern Cameroons over the past 7 years, Dabney Yerima expressed the Interim Government’s strong opposition to attacks on civilians and kidnappings in the Ambazonian homeland.

“We really didn’t want this war of liberation to affect our people in Ground Zero. But Biya and his criminal gang have been intensifying military operations in Southern Cameroons,” the Ambazonian Vice President emphasized.

Dabney Yerima dismissed allegations that the Interim Government was responsible for the attack in Egbekaw Village in Mamfe.

“Other restoration groups make their own decisions and act independently,” Dabney Yerima said.

By Toto Roland Motuba

16, November 2023

Archbishop Nkea on Why Synod on Synodality in Rome was Special ⁰

The October 4-29 XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops was a “special” moment for the Universal Church, Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea of Bamenda Archdiocese in Cameroon who participated in the Rome meeting has said.

Speaking at a Wednesday, November 15 webinar which the African Synodality Initiative (ASI), a partnership between the Jesuits Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM), the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), and the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) initiated to share experiences and lessons of African delegates, Archbishop Nkea said the synod “was indeed a moment of grace.”

“Everyone who was in that meeting experienced something very special. The way we conversed with one another, the light-hearted way in which we took things, the way we were able to interact with each other, the moments of the celebration of the Eucharist, and the moments of sharing with one another. That was a very special grace for the Church,” the Cameroonian Catholic Archbishop who was a member of the Ordinary Council of the synod said.

He said the Synod was also very special because of the participation of many countries including China.

The Archbishop of Bamenda who also serves as the President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) further said the Rome meeting was special because “it was a very deep moment of communion.”

“We experienced very deep communion with one another. We were able to share and all who participated in the synod were able to interact with Pope Francis like friends,” the Catholic Archbishop who started his Episcopal Ministry in Cameroon’s Mamfe Diocese as Coadjutor Bishop in August 2013 said.

According to Archbishop Nkea, the Synod special because it was a “big and great moment of sharing.”

“We shared freely, we shared without reserve, we shared without being afraid of any subject and everyone was able to interact in this process,” he said, and continued, “We were able to talk to each other freely, bring up our own ideas and this aspect of sharing is a very strong element of synodality.”

He recounted, “It is the first synod to take place out of the synodal hall. There were 37 tables with each table having at least 12 delegates. Being out of the synodal hall and sitting on these round tables, we each had the feeling of being a family.”

“We all felt very close and intimate sitting round these tables and talking to one another,” Archbishop Nkea said during the November 15 webinar.

The introduction of the element of Spiritual conversations also made the Synod on Synodality very special.

“During this synodal assembly, after every four speakers, we bowed our heads, closed our eyes for four minutes reflecting on what has been said and reflecting on what we would say ourselves,” Archbishop Nkea recounted.

He continued, “This was a very special moment where the Spirit spoke to each one of us in our hearts. We understood from this conversation in the Spirit that it was not our arguments that we are advancing. We were not in the synod to defend ideologies. We were not in the synod to promote personal agendas.”

“When we put down our heads, there was only one focus: the Spirit of God is the only protagonist of the synod,” the Archbishop of Bamenda said.

The fact that lay people were invited to participate in the Synod also made it special.

“It was a very special moment for the Church that we could sit together with our lay brethren and together express how we felt,” Archbishop Nkea said.

Source: aciafrica

16, November 2023

Pope Francis laments slaughter in Egbekaw Village ⁰

Over 30 people were killed in a recent attack on a village in the Diocese of Mamfe. Separatist fighters are suspected of committing the attack; the Anglophone crisis, an ongoing armed conflict in Cameroon, began in 2017 and has displaced over 700,000 people.

“His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to be informed of the recent killings that took place in Egbekaw in the Diocese of Mamfe,” Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s Secretary of State, wrote in a letter to the bishops’ conference. “He asks you to convey his spiritual closeness and assurance of his prayers to those affected by this tragedy.”

“We vehemently condemn the atrocious act that brought about the destruction of the lives of so many innocent men, women, and children,” said Bishop Aloysius Fondong Abangalo of Mamfe. “The massacre of human beings is an intrinsically evil act because it violates the fifth commandment of the Decalogue: You shall not kill.”

Source: Catholic Culture

15, November 2023

“Intelligence sources in Yaoundé have told me Biya is no longer in control” Agbaw-Ebai ⁰

Biya’s forty-one year rule has been very chaotic. It has been a mixture of ineptitude and wilful incompetence and chaos. Yaoundé has collapsed and the Editor-in-Chief of the Cameroon Intelligence Report is having a terrible feeling about the political disaster.

Citing two senior intelligence sources familiar with the current situation in Yaoundé, Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai noted that the 90-year-old Biya is longer in charge of state affairs.

Soter Agbaw-Ebai revealed during an editorial meeting that he has obtained evidence from people who asked not to be named indicating that Biya is now a thing of the past.

“Biya’s kinsmen from his Beti-Bulu extraction are crippling the state” said one of the people who spoke to Agbaw-Ebai.

Agbaw-Ebai observed that two security officials in Yaoundé have shared intelligence with him on Biya’s health.

Speaking during the meeting, Agbaw-Ebai said the situation in Gabon has sent worrying signals to the gang in Yaoundé that has been pushing for Franck Biya to succeed the father.

“Even the security apparatus of the state is fed up with the many constitutional, legal and electoral changes before and after every elections and the creation of 40 new political parties recently is making matters more intractable” Agbaw-Ebai furthered.

“All the changes being designed to give the Biya family an advantage in the succession process will crash” Agbaw-Ebai concluded.

By Toto Roland Motuba

14, November 2023

Gabon junta promises free elections in August 2025 ⁰

Gabon’s military leaders who deposed president Ali Bongo Ondimba in August announced on Monday that elections would be held in August 2025 under a timetable that first foresees national dialogue.

“August 2025: elections and end of the transition,” a regime spokesman said on live state TV, referring to an official but “indicative” transition timeframe, adopted by cabinet but to be submitted to a national conference next year.

The conference, scheduled for April 2024, would be made up of all the country’s “vital actors”.

Ali Bongo, 64, who had ruled the central African country since 2009, was overthrown by military leaders on August 30, moments after being proclaimed the winner in a presidential election, which both the army and the opposition declared fraudulent.

Gabon’s new Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima has said that a two-year transition before the free elections promised by the country’s new military rulers was a “reasonable objective”.

Ndong Sima was appointed as head of the transitional government by General Brice Oligui Nguema, who led the coup d’etat against Ali Bongo Ondimba.

Source: AFP

14, November 2023

Yaoundé will be eventually forced to back down in face of Amba resistance ⁰

The Vice President of the Ambazonia Interim Government has hailed the steadfastness of Southern Cameroon fighters in the face of continued French Cameroun military operations in Ground Zero, stressing that Yaoundé will eventually have no option but to retreat in humiliation.

Dabney Yerima made the remarks in a Saturday audio broadcast from Holland.

The exiled Southern Cameroons leader stated that time is not in favour of the French Cameroun enemy. Yerima added that Southern Cameroonians all over the world must continue to resist.

He furthered that Yaoundé is confused and this is reflected in the contradictory statements being made by Francophone political elites.

Dabney Yerima emphasized that Ambazonia self defense operations will intensify both in terms of numbers and type this December and will continue on a daily basis.

By Toto Roland Motuba

14, November 2023

UK: Former Prime Minister appointed foreign secretary ⁰

David Cameron has said he wants to support Prime Minister Rishi Sunak “at a hard time”, after making a dramatic comeback to government in a major cabinet reshuffle.

The former prime minister has been appointed foreign secretary and accepted a peerage to take the post.

He replaced James Cleverly, who became home secretary after Mr Sunak sacked Suella Braverman.

Lord Cameron admitted it was “not usual” for a former PM “to come back”.

But he said at a time when the country faced “daunting challenges” in the Middle East and Ukraine, he hoped his experience would be helpful to Mr Sunak’s government.

“I’ve decided to join this team because I believe Rishi Sunak is a good prime minister doing a difficult job at a hard time,” Lord Cameron said. “I want to support him.”

Later the Foreign Office said Mr Cameron had spoken to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday evening, and they discussed “the conflict in the Middle East, Israel’s right to self defence and the need for humanitarian pauses to allow the safe passage of aid into Gaza” – as well as their continued support for Ukraine and the strength and depth of the relationship between the UK and the US.

Mrs Braverman’s sacking kickstarted Monday’s cabinet reshuffle by Mr Sunak, whose party is lagging far behind Labour in opinion polls, after more than 13 years in power.

Mr Sunak’s decision to sack Mrs Braverman came after the former home secretary accused the Metropolitan Police of bias in its handling of protests.

The prime minister’s spokesperson stressed the importance of having a “united team” and acknowledged there had been “differences of style” between Mrs Braverman and Mr Sunak.

In a speech at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in London, Mr Sunak said the world faced “deeply challenging times” and “it falls to us to do everything we can to shape these events”.

He said the UK government had “delivered one of the most significant years for British foreign policy in recent times” and praised Mr Cleverly for his work on Ukraine as foreign secretary.

“I’m pleased to have appointed a new foreign secretary who will build on everything we have achieved in the last year,” Mr Sunak said.

By bringing back Lord Cameron and firing Mrs Braverman, who is popular on the right of the Conservative Party, the prime minister has risked deepening divisions among his MPs.

Conservative former Cabinet minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said the Conservatives were “in danger of losing votes to the Reform party”.

Reform leader Richard Tice was “as happy as can be” when he saw him earlier, he told BBC Newsnight, adding: “The Champagne will be flowing in the Reform party headquarters tonight after what’s been done today.”

In key changes, Steve Barclay took Therese Coffey’s job as environment secretary, and Victoria Atkins became health secretary.

Former transport minister Richard Holden became Tory party chairman, taking over from Greg Hands.

Other senior cabinet members remained in post, including Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan.

It was Lord Cameron’s appointment that stunned Westminster and made him the first former prime minister to re-enter government since the 1970s.

Source: BBC

14, November 2023

Yaoundé: Minister Beti Assomo urges tightened security for year-end celebrations ⁰

Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo on Monday warned that measures needed to be taken to tackle security challenges that will likely characterize end-of-year festivities.

“Our compatriots will have to live this end of year period in a security context marked by pockets of security concerns, particularly in the Far North, Northwest and Southwest regions,” Assomo said in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, during a security meeting.

These areas will experience increased economic activities and population movement during the festivities, Assomo said, adding that the defense and security forces are prepared to ensure a safe and peaceful environment for Christmas and New Year celebrations. Additional troops will be deployed to the Far North region, where Boko Haram attacks continue, as well as to the Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest, where an armed separatist insurgency is ongoing.

Source: Xinhuanet

14, November 2023

Southern Cameroons Crisis: 4 soldiers, 6 Amba fighters killed in Belo ⁰

At least six separatist fighters and four soldiers were killed in clashes over the weekend in Cameroon’s restive Anglophone region of Northwest, local and security sources said Monday.

On Sunday, separatist fighters ambushed soldiers on patrol in Belo locality of the region, killing three of them after a shootout, a military official in the region, who requested not to be named, said.

On Saturday, another separatist attack in Bamenda town led to the death of a soldier identified as Zambo Biyidi, according to the official and witnesses.

The attack in Bamenda occurred barely hours after government troops raided a separatist hideout in Nguri locality of the region.

“Six separatist terrorists, including their commander, were killed in the military offensive. Many of them escaped with bullet wounds. Our brave soldiers are intensifying security measures to ensure that the people of this region enjoy a peaceful end-of-year festivities,” the military official said.

Local residents said the separatist fighters had “become a terror” for the people, engaging in kidnappings for ransom “all the time.”

Armed separatists have been clashing with government forces since 2017 in an attempt to achieve the “independence” of the English-speaking regions of Northwest and Southwest.

Source: Xinhuanet

12, November 2023

Pope Francis dismisses US bishop who was prominent critic ⁰

Pope Francis on Saturday dismissed US bishop Joseph Strickland, a prominent conservative who has repeatedly criticised his papacy, following concerns over his leadership and governance.

The Vatican did not explain the move, a rare sacking in the Catholic Church where troublesome senior clerics are normally encouraged — or told — to resign.

But a US cardinal said it was linked to an inquiry ordered by Francis into “all aspects of governance and leadership” of Strickland’s Tyler diocese in Texas.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, also of Texas, said the so-called apostolic visitation in June reported back that it was “not feasible” that the bishop stay in office.

He revealed that Strickland, 65, had been asked on Thursday to resign, but refused — prompting Francis to step in.

“The Holy Father has relieved from the pastoral governance of the diocese of Tyler (US) Joseph E. Strickland,” the Vatican said in a statement.

It said the bishop of Austin, Joe Vasquez, had been named as apostolic administrator of the diocese, but gave no further details.

‘Reactionary attitude’

Strickland was appointed by Benedict XVI in 2012, and became one of the most prominent critics of his successor, Pope Francis.

The Argentine pope, 86, has sought since taking office 10 years ago to forge a more compassionate Church, open to different views.

But he has faced intense opposition from critics — particularly in the United States — who accuse him of causing confusion and failing to uphold key Catholic beliefs.

In a message earlier this year on X, formerly Twitter, Strickland said that while he recognised Francis as the pope, “I reject his programme of undermining the deposit of faith”.

Many of Francis’ critics complain he is not outspoken enough on abortion and too compassionate towards homosexuals and divorcees.

He in turn lamented earlier this year the “strong reactionary attitude” of some Catholics in the US, who he said do not understand the “evolution in the understanding of matters of faith and morals”.

‘Speak His truth’

The Vatican has not commented on its inquiry into the Texas diocese, but Strickland previously said that two US bishops spent a week conducting interviews — including with him — about the situation there.

In a blog post in September, he addressed rumours that he would be asked to leave voluntarily.

“I cannot resign as bishop of Tyler because that would be me abandoning the flock” under his care, he wrote.

“I have also said that I will respect the authority of Pope Francis if he removes me from office as Bishop of Tyler.”

He added that he loved Jesus Christ and the Church, and “my only desire is to speak His truth and live God’s will to the best of my ability.”

Commentators say it is extremely rare for a bishop to be directly relieved of their position — but not unprecedented.

Francis dismissed a bishop in Puerto Rico, Daniel Fernandez Torres, in similar fashion in March 2022, with the Vatican again giving no reason.

Torres claimed he had been told he had not been “obedient” to the pope and did not have sufficiently good relationships with fellow bishops.

Media reports at the time noted he had supported those who refused compulsory coronavirus vaccinations.

In a statement published on Saturday, Cardinal DiNardo, who is also Archbishop of Galveston-Houston in Texas, explained the process with Strickland.

After the visit to the Tyler diocese, “the recommendation was made to the Holy Father that the continuation in office of Bishop Strickland was not feasible”, he said.

The decision to ask Strickland to resign — and ultimately dismiss him — followed “months of careful consideration”, he added.

There are more than 120,000 Catholics in the diocese of Tyler, out of a total population of more than 1.4 million people, according to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Source: AFP