Headline News

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Fresh army attack kills nearly dozen civilians in Menchum County

13, July 2020

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Fresh army attack kills nearly dozen civilians in Menchum County 0

Nearly a dozen civilians, mostly women and children, have been killed when soldiers loyal to the Biya regime in Yaounde attacked Weh, a locality some few kilometers from Wum, the chief town in Menchum.

The Francophone soldiers reportedly carried out an attack on a neighborhood in Weh after the villagers were lured to return from the bushes by local CPDM leaders in the area.

Cameroon Intelligence Report sources in Wum hinted that the Sunday afternoon attack left ten people dead and two others injured.

Recently, the Cameroon government army conducted night raids in Banya Quarters in Mamfe and arrested scores of innocent civilians including two pregnant women.

By Fon Lawrence

Ambazonia Restoration Force vows to drive French Cameroun troops out of Southern Cameroons

13, July 2020

Ambazonia Restoration Force vows to drive French Cameroun troops out of Southern Cameroons 0

A Southern Cameroons defense official for the Ambazonia Restoration Forces has reiterated Amba fighter’s readiness to end French Cameroun military presence in Ambazonia.

The Ground Zero official who sued for anonymity in his conversation with our Buea City reporter stressed that Biya and his French Cameroun regime must know that President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe’s decision on the withdrawal of French Cameroun army soldiers is irreversible and that no one can circumvent the will of the Southern Cameroons people.

“The war to free the people of Ambazonia must continue with popular, political, security, and media pressure, with full readiness for a long and wide military action until Biya and French Cameroun yield to our people’s will,” he said

“The Biya regime in French Cameroun only understands the language of force … and Ambazonians are ready for that,” he said, adding “We will come out victorious and get to Buea in grand style.”

Anti-Yaounde sentiment has been running high in Southern Cameroons since some hardliners deep within the Biya regime forced the Minister of Communication Rene Sadi to rubbish the secret peace talks that involved the Ambazonia leader President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe and his top aides in the Kondengui Central prison.

By Chi Prudence Asong

Vice President Yerima urges Southern Cameroonians to observe health protocols as coronavirus cases rise in French Cameroun

13, July 2020

Vice President Yerima urges Southern Cameroonians to observe health protocols as coronavirus cases rise in French Cameroun 0

The Vice President of the Southern Cameroons Interim Government, Dabney Yerima has expressed deep concerns over the handling of the coronavirus pandemic in the homeland and also the spike in infections in neighboring La Republique du Cameroun calling on every Ambazonian in Ground Zero to fully adhere to health guidelines.

Speaking to some prominent Southern Cameroons medical practitioners in Europe in a zoom forum on Sunday, Dabney Yerima described the resurgence of coronavirus cases in French Cameroun and daily deaths as very disturbing and advised that movements between the two Cameroons be limited.

The exiled Southern Cameroons leader praised all Ambazonian medical personnel for their sacrifices and urged Southern Cameroonians in the diaspora to play their role in the best way so that the Federal Republic of Ambazonia can break the infection chain and win the war against French Cameroun in the short term.

Vice President Yerima concluded his address by re-echoing that the war in Southern Cameroons has entered a crucial phase. He revealed that 32,500 Southern Cameroonians have been killed, 550 Southern Cameroons villages burnt, 125,000 refugees, 1.4million IDPs and 3,000 still detained.

By Isong Asu in London

Nigeria: Widows in Akwa Ibom drilled on COVID-19 prevention

12, July 2020

Nigeria: Widows in Akwa Ibom drilled on COVID-19 prevention 0

The CEO of Theo Light Health Foundation, Mrs Helen Ani, advised widows of Akwa Ibom state to make themselves familiar with the major prevention techniques of the on-going pandemic, COVID-19. Speaking to 150 widows drawn from all works of life during the just celebrated International Widows Day, the health personnel described the pandemic as deadly but cautioned that the disease can be treated if diagnosed early.

The occasion, which held at the Scripture Union Hall Uruan in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was organised by the Belinda Babila Foundation.

In her presentation, Mrs Ani lectured the women on the necessity of obeying the laid down regulations to combat the disease. She advised them to wash their hands under running water with soap regularly, use hand sanitizers, always wear face masks, and keep social distance. Helen whose foundation caters for female teenagers who are victims of unwanted pregnancies as a result of rape, admonished the women not to brood over their situation but to shun empathy and occupy themselves in socio economic activities. She thanked Belinda Babila Foundation for reaching out to widows and for giving her the opportunity to educate the women on COVID-19.

For her part, Rev. Mrs Relindis Ngum Ojong, BBF representative in Nigeria reminded the women that though their husbsnds have moved to the world beyond, they have a super husband in Jesus Christ. She advised them to trust in him because He never fails.

It should be recalled that the Belinda Babila Foundation BBF which is a nongovernmental organization, celebrated this year’s International Widows day in Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon.

By Tina Nene Nganda in Nigeria

Jack Charlton, icon of English and Irish football goes home to rest

12, July 2020

Jack Charlton, icon of English and Irish football goes home to rest 0

Few players or managers have enjoyed World Cup glory with two countries but Jack Charlton, who has died aged 85, was held in rare affection by English and Irish football supporters.

The World Cup may have brought the best remembered moments of his career but Charlton had no shortage of success at club level during nearly 45 years as a player and manager.

Charlton, a tall, no-nonsense central defender, was part of Alf Ramsey’s England team which won the World Cup in 1966, playing in the same side as his brother Bobby.

As a manager, he took Ireland to their first World Cup, in Italy in 1990 and led them to the quarter-finals of the tournament, which remains the country’s best performance.

Awarded an OBE in 1974 and given honorary Irish citizenship in 1996, after his death was announced in a family statement on Saturday, Charlton was described by the country’s former Prime Minister Leo Varadkar as “Ireland’s most loved Englishman”.

He was a proud Northumbrian, from the mining village of Ashington, but spent his entire club career with Leeds United.

Loyal to Leeds

Charlton was a central part of the Yorkshire club’s golden era in the 1960s and 70s under Don Revie, winning trophies at home and abroad and making a club record 773 appearances.

His popularity crossed generations and football loyalties, with many Northern English school kids in the 1970s enjoying his passionate and unscripted coaching in the Tyne-Tees television series “Play Soccer – Jack Charlton’s Way”.

After leaving school, Charlton had briefly worked, like his father, in the mines at Linton colliery but it was not for him and he was on the brink of joining the police force when he went to Leeds United in 1952.

Despite his boyhood affection for Newcastle United, Leeds was an obvious choice given his uncle Jimmy Milburn played for the club at the time and two other uncles, Jack and George Milburn, had also played for the club.

His early years, with Leeds in the second division and Charlton sometimes asked to play at centre-forward, offered little sign of the glory that was to come under Revie.

At one point Charlton met with Manchester United manager Matt Busby to discuss a transfer which would have seen him team up with his brother at Old Trafford.

But he stayed with Leeds until he retired from playing in 1973 and, with his rugged defending and leadership role on the field, was part of the team which won the English league title in 1969 and FA Cup in 1972.

He also enjoyed success in European football as Leeds won the old Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, later the UEFA Cup and now the Europa League, in 1968 and 1971.

England career

Charlton’s England career began relatively late. He was almost 30 when he made his debut against Scotland at Wembley in 1965 but, as with his tackling, the timing was perfect.

Just over a year later, playing alongside captain Bobby Moore and with his brother in midfield, Charlton became a World Cup winner as hosts England beat West Germany 4-2 in the final.

He retired from international duty after the 1970 World Cup and following three more seasons with Leeds he ended his playing career and moved into management with second division Middlesbrough.

In his first season in charge, ‘Boro won the title by 15 points earning promotion to the top flight where Charlton established them before leaving in 1977.

He applied for the England job after Revie’s departure but said he never received an answer to his application.

Charlton dropped into the third division to manage Sheffield Wednesday and it was there that he adopted the direct, physical style that was to prove so effective later with Ireland.

The Owls won promotion in 1980 but, despite a run to the FA Cup semi-finals, he was unable to take them to the top flight and left in 1983 for a short spell at Newcastle.

Managing the Irish team

Taking over the Irish national side in 1986, Charlton secured qualification for the 1988 European Championship, the first time the country had reached an international tournament although they failed to get out of the group stage.

Then came their first World Cup in 1990, after Ireland had beaten Spain, Malta, Hungary and Northern Ireland to qualify for the biggest stage for the first time.

Despite drawing all their games in the group stage at the finals, Ireland went through to meet Romania in the last 16, beating them on penalties after a goalless draw before losing 1-0 to Italy in the quarter-finals.

The team – and their manager – captured the imagination of the Irish public and four years later, in the United States, they did so again, this time beating Italy in the group stage before losing 2-0 to the Netherlands in the last 16.

“He changed everything about Irish football… Jack came in and changed that mentality… His legacy within Ireland is absolutely huge,” said midfielder Ray Houghton.

Those who knew Charlton certainly have no shortage of stories about his humour and forthright opinions which made him one of the great characters of the game.

(REUTERS)

Five killed after armed attack on South African church

12, July 2020

Five killed after armed attack on South African church 0

At least five people were killed and 40 others, including off-duty police officers, arrested Saturday after gunmen stormed a South African church, reportedly over a leadership dispute, the national police commissioner said.

According to a statement by South Africa’s top police officer, General Khehla John Sitole: “Four people were found shot and burnt to death in a car while a fifth victim, a security guard, was also fatally shot in his car while he was apparently attending this complaint.”

The unusually violent incident took place early Saturday when an armed group stormed the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in Zuurbekom, on the western outskirts of Johannesburg, “indicating that they were coming to take over the premises,” police said.

The church has had multiple succession-related clashes that have been widely reported by local media since multimillionaire leader and founder Comforter Glayton Modise died in 2016.

Sitole said police responded to reports of “shooting and an alleged hostage situation,” and seized more than 34 firearms including five rifles, 16 other guns and 13 pistols.

“I am certain that the speedy response by the joint security forces has averted what could have been a more severe blood bath”, Sitole said.

Police among those arrested

More than 40 suspects, including six taken to hospital, were arrested.

They included members of the South African police, the National Defence Force, the Johannesburg Metro Police and the Department of Correctional Services.

However Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said that the law enforcement officers arrested were worshippers that got caught up in the clashes.

“They were arrested in their capacity as church members, not as officers,” Naidoo told AFP.

The police commissioner said authorities are investigating “the possibility that this attack may have been motivated by a feud between conflicted parties of the church,” which is used to factional struggles.

Local media reported that in November 2018, a shoot-out between opposing sides wounded three people outside the church headquarters in Zuurbekom.

In 2017, the warring factions went to court over claims that more than R110 million ($6.5 million) was missing from church coffers.

Believed to be South Africa’s second largest church group, it is estimated to have at least 1.5 million members according to the financial services group Sanlam.

(AFP)

US: Trump seen wearing face mask in public for first time

12, July 2020

US: Trump seen wearing face mask in public for first time 0

US President Donald Trump wore a face mask in public for the first time Saturday, finally yielding to intense pressure to set a public health example as the coronavirus rampages across America.

Trump had on a black mask as he walked through the corridors of Walter Reed military hospital outside Washington to meet with wounded veterans.

Trump walked past reporters and did not stop to speak to them about what had become a hotly anticipated moment — his possible change of heart on a practice recommended by the government’s own medical experts, even as he resisted.

“I think it’s a great thing to wear a mask. I’ve never been against masks but I do believe they have a time and a place,” Trump said as he left the White House.

News reports this week said aides practically begged the president to relent and wear a mask in public — and let himself be photographed wearing it — as coronavirus cases soar in some states and as Trump trails Democrat Joe Biden badly in polls ahead of the November election.

Trump has steadfastly defended his administration’s handling of the pandemic even though the US is the hardest-hit country in the world.

The country has recently seen several days of more than 60,000 new cases, nearly 135,000 people have died and states have been left to figure out on their own how to reopen without a clear and coherent strategy from the White House.

Source: AFP

Douala: Family of supposed COVID-19 deceased victim shocked at what they saw

11, July 2020

Douala: Family of supposed COVID-19 deceased victim shocked at what they saw 0

The family of a local official from the West Region of Cameroon was thrown into consternation, when their father was declared dead in a government hospital in Douala as a result of Covid 19.

According to a reliable family source, their father had complained of severe headache which they said was hypertension.

He was rushed to the said hospital, but few hours later, he was confirmed dead by government health officials who seen to be operating a money-making business out COVID-19.

As usual, the casket of COVID-19 victims are sealed and handed to the family for burial. In this case, something had to betray hospital officials who have been suspected of engaging in organ sales.

When the relations were handed the casket, some blood stains were discovered by the side of the casket which raised suspicion. The family insisted that the casket be opened, but was met with stiff resistance from the mortuary attendants.

They were warned not to open the casket and if they want they should do so in their village. This resulted in a fierce argument and the family of the deceased forcefully opened the sealed casket.

To their greatest surprise and dismay, the dead relative was not only naked inside the plastic bag, but his stomach had been slit open, and the intestines were gone.

That was when Hell broke loose as a free for all fight ensued between mortuary attendants and the deceased family.

It should be noted that the shabby and inhuman manner with which corpses claimed to be those of COVID-19 victims were being handled by hospital authorities was a call for concern.

Due to the constant fights in Cameroon hospitals, the powerless and irresponsible regime of President Paul Biya had no choice but to authorize relatives to bury their dead within 48 hours.

Who knows whether the others that have been buried before the new decree were not subjected to the same operations.

Organ sales have become so lucrative in Cameroon and many hospitals are making hay as the government fails to put in place rigorous measures that can spare the bereaved families the agony they have been going through because hospital officials want to make a quick buck.

 By Ndome Ntui in Douala

Ambazonia: Interim Gov’t to boost intelligence and self defense cooperation among Amba Fighters

11, July 2020

Ambazonia: Interim Gov’t to boost intelligence and self defense cooperation among Amba Fighters 0

The Southern Cameroons Interim Government has announced plans to boost Ambazonia intelligence services and also to improve cooperation among all self defense groups defending the homeland against French Cameroun aggression and occupation.

“The Interim Government has decided to invest in the newly created Intelligence Department within the framework of strengthening communication among all self defense groups in Ground Zero” the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia, Dabney Yerima said on Thursday during a presentation to members of the Ambazonia Southern Cameroons Pillars in the United Kingdom (ASCAP UK).

Yerima informed the Southern Cameroons UK think tank that there was an urgent need for Southern Cameroonians in the diaspora to support the Interim Government’s efforts geared at intelligence gathering and sharing among Ambazonia Restoration Forces in Ground Zero. He also praised ASCAP for their generous donations to Ambazonian refugees and detainees both in Nigeria and in French Cameroun.   

Vice President Yerima pointed out that the creation of an intelligence department by the Interim Government increases the will of Southern Cameroons Restoration Forces to work together in the face of French Cameroun army onslaught.

“The leader of the Ambazonian nation, President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe made it very clear to the French Cameroun government recently that the people of Southern Cameroons do not want French Cameroun soldiers on their soil, and our response as an exiled government is the creation of an intelligence department” Dabney Yerima added.

Yerima also said the intelligence department envisages boosting communication among all Ambazonia Restoration Forces and he furthered that soon and very soon French Cameroun leaders will realize that the solution to Yaounde’s security and economic problems is through negotiation with the people of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia, and not through military deployment.

By Isong Asu in London

Ambazonia: IG warns of consequences if Yaoundé role in murder of Mamfe mayor proven

11, July 2020

Ambazonia: IG warns of consequences if Yaoundé role in murder of Mamfe mayor proven 0

The Southern Cameroons Interim Government says Ambazonia Restoration Forces in the Manyu County have hinted the Manyu Liberation Council that it is still early to make public the French Cameroun connection behind the killing Mayor Ashu Ojong Prisley of the Mamfe Rural Council. The Interim Government statement also noted that there will be consequences if it is proven that the French Cameroun civil administrator and the commander of the French Cameroun army in Manyu have been involved.

“The Manyu Liberation Council has been working behind the scenes on this matter and it is too early to make any conclusion regarding the assassination of Mayor Ashu” Secretary Tabenyang Brado informed the Ambazonia war cabinet late yesterday.

The Southern Cameroons Secretary of the Economy noted that “If the Manyu Liberation Council concludes that French Cameroun security apparatus have been involved, they will announce it to the people of Southern Cameroons, and there will be of course unimaginable consequences.”

A fortnight ago, Secretary Tabenyang Brado gave all Manyu French Cameroun surrogates including Chief Tabetando and Minister Victor Mengot a deadline to state their case as regards to the Eshobi incident that led to the killing of the mayor of Mamfe.

On Thursday, Southern Cameroons Vice President assured the cabinet that the Manyu Liberation Council will soon complete its work and will determine and announce at an appropriate time, the French Cameroun agents behind the action that killed Mayor Ashu Prisley.

By Chi Prudence Asong

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