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Marseille confirm Villas-Boas to stay on as coach in bid to quell fan revolt

26, May 2020

Marseille confirm Villas-Boas to stay on as coach in bid to quell fan revolt 0

Andre Villas-Boas will coach Marseille in the Champions League next season, the French club has rushed to announce amid mounting disquiet among fans alarmed by reports the Portuguese was set to leave after just one year in charge.

“After several discussions in recent days with Frank McCourt and Jacques-Henri Eyraud, Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed that he wants to continue working with OM next season,” the club, formally known as Olympique de Marseille (OM), told AFP on Monday.

L’Equipe, France’s main sport daily, also wrote that Villas-Boas had chosen to stay on, citing the “unanimous” support of his players and management pledges to invest in the squad as key factors in his decision.

Last week, Marseille offered Villas-Boas — whose existing deal runs until the end of next season — a two-year contract extension as doubts persisted over his future at the club following the departure of right-hand man and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta.

Villas-Boas, 42, led the former European champions to second place behind Paris Saint-Germain in the most recent Ligue 1 season, which was ended early because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Marseille, who are owned by American tycoon Frank McCourt, are therefore set to feature in the Champions League next season, Europe’s top-tier club competition, for the first time since 2013/14.

However, the former Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur coach has expressed concern about the club’s ability to invest in new signings this summer, with experts noting that the current squad is ill-equipped for the challenges of Champions League football.

‘Ruinous management’

Confirmation that Villas-Boas — who is popular with Marseille fans — will remain in charge came just hours after supporters groups castigated the board for what they called “years of ruinous management”.

In a joint statement, fans also criticised the system of refunds for seat-holders deprived of matches after the Ligue 1 season was ended prematurely due to the coronavirus. One option proposed by the club was for ticket holders to forgo a refund and donate the money instead to help its finances.

“It seemed logical to us a month ago to give this money to the club to help it through a difficult period,” the fans wrote on Monday. “However information since then has led us to question this. It’s clear that we are in financial difficulty due to years of ruinous management.”

They added: “Is it really up to us to shore up the incompetence of our directors or the shortcomings of our players?”

After listing further grievances the letter concluded: “Management get out! Come on Marseille!”

Marseille last won the French title in 2010. On Sunday, Eyraud, the club president, announced via social media his intention to hire a “business director” and his determination to build up the club despite all the current problems.

Source: FRANCE 24 with AFP

WHO stops hydroxychloroquine trials over safety concerns

26, May 2020

WHO stops hydroxychloroquine trials over safety concerns 0

The WHO suspended trials of the drug that Donald Trump has promoted as a coronavirus defence, fuelling concerns about the US president’s handling of the pandemic that has killed nearly 100,000 Americans.

Trump has led the push for hydroxychloroquine as a potential shield or treatment for the virus, which has infected nearly 5.5 million people and killed 345,000 around the world, saying he took a course of the drug as a preventative measure.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has also heavily promoted hydroxychloroquine while the virus has exploded across nation, which this week became the second most infected in the world after the United States.

But the World Health Organization said Monday it was halting testing of the drug for COVID-19 after studies questioned its safety, including one published Friday that found it actually increased the risk of death.

The WHO “has implemented a temporary pause… while the safety data is reviewed”, its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, referring to the hydroxychloroquine arm of a global trial of various possible treatments.

Trump announced last week he was taking the drug, explaining he had decided to take after receiving letters from a doctor and other people advocating it.

“I think it’s good. I’ve heard a lot of good stories,” Trump told reporters then, as he declared it safe.

Trump dismissed the opinions then of his own government’s experts who had warned of the serious risks associated with hydroxychloroquine, with the Food and Drug Administration highlighting reported poisonings and heart problems.

Trump has been heavily criticised for his handling of the virus, after initially downplaying the threat and then repeatedly rejecting scientific analysis.

The United States has by far the world’s highest coronavirus death toll, reaching 98,218 on Monday, with more than 1.6 million confirmed infections.

Despite the WHO suspension, Brazil’s health ministry said Monday it would keep recommending hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19.

“We’re remaining calm and there will be no change,” health ministry official Mayra Pinheiro told a news conference.

Bolsonaro is a staunch opponent of lockdown measures and like Trump has played down the threat of the virus, even as Latin America has emerged as the new global virus hotspot.

Brazil has reported nearly 375,000 cases, widely considered to be far fewer than the real number because of a lack of testing, and more than 23,000 deaths.

Chile also is in the grip of a virus surge, with a record of nearly 5,000 infections in 24 hours on Monday.

– ‘Thrilled to break the isolation’ –

While South America and parts of Africa and Asia are only just beginning to feel the full force of the pandemic, many European nations are easing lockdowns as their outbreaks are brought under control.

In hard-hit Spain, Madrid and Barcelona on Monday emerged from one of the world’s strictest lockdowns, with parks and cafe terraces open for the first time in more than two months.

Elsewhere, gyms and swimming pools reopened in Germany, Iceland, Italy and Spain.

And slowing infection rates in Greece allowed restaurants to resume business a week ahead of schedule — but only for outdoor service.

“I’m thrilled to break the isolation of recent months and reconnect with friends,” said pensioner Giorgos Karavatsanis.

“The cafe in Greece has a social dimension, it’s where the heart of the district beats.”

Despite the encouraging numbers, experts have warned that the virus could hit back with a devastating second wave if governments and citizens are careless, especially in the absence of a vaccine.

The latest reminder of the threat came from Sweden, where the COVID-19 death toll crossed 4,000 — a much higher figure than its neighbours.

The Scandinavian nation has gained international attention — and criticism — for not enforcing stay-at-home measures like other European countries.

– ‘What will happen if I die’ –

The extended lockdowns, however, have started to bite globally, with businesses and citizens wearying of confinement and suffering immense economic pain.

Unprecedented emergency stimulus measures have been introduced, as governments try to provide relief to their economies, with the airline and hospitality sectors hit particularly hard because of travel bans.

Lufthansa became the latest major global company to be rescued, as the German government agreed a 9 billion euros ($9.8 billion) bailout for one of the world’s biggest airlines.

But analysts have warned that the pandemic’s economic toll will be even more painful for countries far poorer than Western nations.

In the Maldives, a dream destination for well-heeled honeymooners, tens of thousands of impoverished foreign labourers have been left stranded, jobless and ostracised as the tiny nation shut all resorts to stop the virus.

“We need money to survive. We need our work,” said Zakir Hossain, who managed to send about 80 percent of his $180 a month wage to his wife and four children in Bangladesh before the outbreak.

“I heard that if a Bangladeshi worker dies here, they don’t send his body back and he is buried here,” he said. “I am worried what will happen if I die.”

Source:  AFP

Threat against Archbishop Andrew Nkea: Ambazonia Interim Gov’t gives warning

26, May 2020

Threat against Archbishop Andrew Nkea: Ambazonia Interim Gov’t gives warning 0

Interim Government Statement on the Threats to Archbishop Andrew Nkea’s life.

30th November 2017, is on record as the day French Cameroun president, Paul Biya, instructed his army to launch an extermination campaign on the people of Southern Cameroons (Ambazonia). His purpose and ambition have proven to be unwise, dishonourable and counterproductive. Army loyal to his regime have since burned down over 320 of our villages, killed more than 10,000 of our men, women and children.

Following these indiscriminate massacres and the burning down of our villages, properties and livestock, the people of Southern Cameroons took up arms as a policy of self-defence.It’s important that the rationale underpinning self-defence is not lost. The international community is fully aware of the atrocities committed upon our people. Ambazonian self-defence forces must remain certain that dignity in their purpose and cause is fundamental and non-negotiable.

A recent audio, allegedly recorded in Ambazonia by self-defence forces is circulating on social media drumming threats to the life and dignity of Archbishop Andrew Nkea of Bamenda.

The Interim Government of Ambazonia, by this proclamation is condemning such threats as unwise and unacceptable. I’m hereby calling on persons connected to these threats or activities to desist with immediate effect. The genocide on our people has received the attention of the international community due to atrocities by French Cameroun’s military. Southern Cameroon’s self-defence forces must recognise that violence against civilians, children, women, humanitarian workers and the clergy is inexcusable and against international law.

An attack on Archbishop Andrew Nkea and the clergy will be a blunder of unparalleled proportion. Self-defence forces must keep their eyes on the enemy and Archbishop Andrew Nkea is not one of them.As a government, we endorse today’s editorial column of the Cameroon Concord News Group that enumerated the positive role the Archbishop and the Roman Catholic Church have played in our fight for freedom and independence.

We are making progress on the international scene and a key player in our effort at seeking a peaceful end to this genocide on our people is the Roman Catholic Church. We must not discredit our cause in the eyes of the international community with undesirable and fruitless attacks. We cannot afford to lose vital international partners now.

How long our just cause for freedom and independence will take is not known but we must go forth with integrity, decency and a respect for international law.

Thanks,

Dabney Yerima,

Vice President

Federal Republic of Ambazonia

Ex-Roma And Cameroonian Footballer, Bouasse Trafficked Into Italy At 16, Has Died Age of 21

26, May 2020

Ex-Roma And Cameroonian Footballer, Bouasse Trafficked Into Italy At 16, Has Died Age of 21 0

Joseph Bouasse Perfection has died at the age of 21 after the former Roma midfielder suffered a heart attack on Sunday night.

While Perfection never went on to make a first team appearance for the Italian side, he was recruited by them following an impressive trial less than two years ago. 

Once news emerged that he had tragically died, Roma paid tribute to their former youth player. on Twitter.

 Roma wrote: ‘The club is desperately saddened to learn of the untimely death of former Primavera player, Joseph Bouasse Perfection.

‘The thoughts of everyone at #ASRoma are with all those closest to him.’

LaLiga side Sevilla added: ‘Heartbreaking news. Our thoughts are with Joseph’s family, friends, and everyone at AS Roma. Rest in peace, Joseph.’

Source: Peacefmonline

Cameroon army uncovers explosive devices in Southern Cameroons

26, May 2020

Cameroon army uncovers explosive devices in Southern Cameroons 0

Cameroon army said Wednesday it has uncovered several improvised explosive devices in the country’s troubled English-speaking region of Northwest, but were deactivated with no injury.

The explosive devices were found at a ceremonial ground in Bamenda, Cameroon Anglophone regions’ largest city as the security forces were patrolling the area.

The army said they were planted by suspected armed separatists who had vowed to disrupt national day in the region.

Cameroon is observing national day on Wednesday without public festivities due to COVID-19 pandemic but separatists have imposed a three-day lockdown in the restive Anglophone regions to disrupt the event.

Fighting between government forces and armed separatist groups has been going on since November 2017 after the separatists declared the independence of a nation they call Ambazonia in the two English-speaking regions of Northwest and Southwest.

Source: Xinhuanet

Burundi expected to announce Ndayishimiye next president

25, May 2020

Burundi expected to announce Ndayishimiye next president 0

Burundi’s election commission is expected Monday to declare Evariste Ndayishimiye the country’s next president, with all signs showing the ruling party’s candidate on track for victory following last week’s poll.

The National Independent Electoral Commission will unveil the outcome of the presidential and legislative races at 1200 GMT.

Local government results are also expected Monday.

Partial results already announced on state media indicate that Ndayishimiye, an army general from the governing CNDD-FDD who was hand-picked to succeed outgoing President Pierre Nkurunziza, has an insurmountable lead over his opponents.

Agathon Rwasa, the main opposition leader, has alleged foul play, saying early numbers showing his CNL party heading for a bruising defeat are a “fantasy”.

According to a tally by AFP covering 105 of 119 municipalities, Ndayishimiye won an outright majority in 101, and in at least one secured 99.9 percent of the vote.

In the four communes where he was defeated, Ndayishimiye attracted a support rate of no less than 43 percent.

Rwasa and his CNL, meanwhile, managed just 24.6 percent in Kabezi, a historic stronghold in western Bujumbura for the opposition party, which says some of its officials were harassed and detained on voting day.

The veteran politician attracted large crowds throughout his campaign, as did the ruling party, despite concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

– Results questions –

Analysts predicted the presidential race would come down to a contest between Rwasa and Ndayishimiye, the strongest of seven candidates.

A foreign diplomat in Burundi, speaking anonymously, expressed strong doubts about the official result but said it was not surprising.

“We were expecting it to happen like this. Nobody could imagine for a second that the CNDD-FDD and its generals would cede power in any way,” the diplomat said.

Burundi, which the World Bank ranks among the world’s three poorest countries, has been under sanctions from its major donors since 2015, when Nkurunziza’s decision to run for a third term as president triggered violent unrest and political chaos.

At least 1,200 people have died and 400,000 have fled the country in violence that continues to this day.

So far this year’s election has not seen a repeat of that violence.

Rwasa has already hinted he would not take to the streets in protest and would appeal to the Constitutional Court, though he considers the process imperfect.

Tensions were high during the campaign and on voting day, when both sides accused the other of fraud and several CNL officials were arrested.

Burundi is tightly controlled by the ruling party and its youth wing, the Imbonerakure, have been accused of a forceful crackdown against the government’s critics in the aftermath of 2015.

If the election commission announces Ndayishimiye the winner as expected, he will be sworn in for a seven-year term in late August, when Nkurunziza’s term ends.

It is unclear whether Ndayishimiye would be able to rule free from interference by Nkurunziza, who in February was elevated by parliament to the rank of “supreme guide for patriotism” and will remain chairman of the party’s highly influential council of elders.

The final election results will be declared by the Constitutional Court on June 4.

Source: AFP

Cameroon and the Virus: Family Blames CRTV for Falsely Announcing Chemuta Banda Died Of COVID-19

25, May 2020

Cameroon and the Virus: Family Blames CRTV for Falsely Announcing Chemuta Banda Died Of COVID-19 0

The family of late Dr. Chemuta Divine Banda has initiated court action against the Cameroon Radio Television, CRTV, for falsely announcing that the human rights activist died of COVID-19.

A family member of the late chairman of the National Human Rights Commission was quoted as saying that both CRTV and the 8:30 p.m. TV news presenter, Adele Mbala Atangana, have been sued jointly and severally.

When Dr. Chemuta Banda died of an undisclosed illness at a medical facility in Yaoundé Monday, May 18, 2020, the 8:30 p.m. news presenter was categorical in attributing the death to the novel coronavirus.

“Even after it emerged from a death certificate which the family is brandishing, that the man did not die of COVID-19, the state-owned broadcaster still went ahead to post the story on YouTube and CRTV website,” the Guardian Post reported in its issue N° 1890 of Friday May 22, 2020 and added that the remains of Dr. Chemuta Banda were preserved at the mortuary of the Yaoundé General Hospital long before the CRTV 8:30 p.m. news bulletin of that day linking his death to the virus.

Barrister Ndong Christopher told The Guardian Post that the deceased’s family could claim damages of up to even half a billion francs FCFA given that by linking the late Dr. Chemuta Banda’s death to COVID-19, “CRTV has caused untold damage not only on the deceased but especially on his family members…even a dead man has and maintains his dignity.”

It is vital to include in this report that on May 15, 2017 CRTV’s top anchor lady Adele Mbala, while presenting the 8:30 p.m. prime time news on state television, read names of ministers and other officials presumed to have been named into the government of French President Emmanuel Macron. She reportedly got the unfounded information from social media.

The diplomatic row erupted between Paris and Yaoundé and prompted an extraordinary session of the Board of Directors of CRTV that ordered the removal of Adele Mbala from her position as Director of TV information.

Culled from Cameroon Info.Net with additional editing from Rita Akana

46 bags of marijuana seized in Southern Cameroons

25, May 2020

46 bags of marijuana seized in Southern Cameroons 0

A senior official of Cameroon National Gendarmerie said on Saturday 46 bags of marijuana estimated at 1,000 kg have been seized in the country’s restive Northwest region.

After receiving a tip-off, the gendarmes in the region’s chief town of Bamenda, seized the marijuana that were disguised as foodstuffs loaded on a vehicle destined for commercial capital, Douala, Northwest Legion commander, colonel Raymond Boum Bissoue told reporters.

“After months of investigations, these men did not know we were monitoring them till when we put our hands on them. This is a major step to fighting insecurity in the region,” Bissoue said.

The driver of the vehicle and two other suspects were arrested by security forces.

The suspects confessed they bought the products from neighbouring Nigeria.

Illicit trade of marijuana has been on the upsurge in the region since a separatist conflict began in 2017, according to security reports.

Source: Xinhuanet

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Targeting Archbishop Nkea and the Clergy will be a fatal error

25, May 2020

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Targeting Archbishop Nkea and the Clergy will be a fatal error 0

The fighting in Southern Cameroons has earned the attention of the international community due to atrocities by the military.

The indiscriminate killing of innocent people, the burning of the elderly and sick in their homes and the brutal massacre of some 30 women and children in Ngarbuh had made the world to see the Yaoundé regime as a monster that is consuming its own citizens. 

The world seems to be working for a peaceful resolution and the pressure on the government is mounting.

A recent report on the massacres in Ngarbuh put the blame squarely on the country’s military and this has increased the pressure on the Yaoundé government that has not been able to find an acceptable solution to a conflict that started as a protest by teachers and lawyers in 2016.

The country’s economy has taken a hit and government coffers are almost empty. The possibilities of donors extending more loans to Cameroon are slim, especially as the fight against the Coronavirus has taken center stage in global affairs.

While the international community is doing its best, the Diaspora and the Clergy are using all the means available to them to reduce the suffering of the masses, especially those who have been driven away from their homes due to the violence.

A key player in efforts at seeking a peaceful resolution is Archbishop Andrew Nkea who has just been transferred to the Bamenda archdiocese.

While in Mamfe, Archbishop Andrew Nkea did all he could to save so many lives. He worked tirelessly to bring supplies to those who were internally displaced, going sometimes to areas that even government forces could not go.

He knew how to negotiate with Amba fighters and in the process, he would appeal to their consciences for them to spare the lives of even their worst enemies.

Archbishop Andrew Nkea has really been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts during this crisis that has resulted in the deaths of some 5,000 young Cameroonians.

His desire to save lives has taken him to distant lands such as the United States where he engaged with various Southern Cameroonian communities to raise funds for internally displaced persons and those who are living in Nigeria as refugees.

He was in Baltimore, USA, in July 2019 in a fundraiser for refugees organized by the Manyu Community in the DC, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area where thousands of dollars were raised to help those who had left their homes to seek refuge somewhere else.

Archbishop Nkea called out the government of La Republique when the military killed a Kenyan Mill Hill Missionary priest working in Kembong in Manyu Division. Like a good shepherd, he flew to Kenya and buried the priest and did all he could to console the family members of the deceased priest.

Today, unlike in French Cameroun where secret service officers kill Bishops and dump their bodies in rivers, as we saw in Bafia Diocese, the people of Southern Cameroons do not kill the clergy. The clergy is still playing a key role in efforts at finding a lasting solution to the conflict that is still consuming many innocent lives and Archishop Andrew Nkea is working day and night to ensure that peace returns to the two English-speaking regions of the country.

Ambazonians, their jailed leaders and comrades all love God and respect the Clergy. Let it remain that way. We do not kill Clergymen like La Republique du Cameroun.

Archbishop Nkea’s efforts seem to be misconstrued by Amba fighters on the ground. Some armed groups hold that he is supporting the regime and there are calls for his life and dignity to be attacked.

If Amba fighters were to attack the man of God, then that will be their greatest undoing. The international community is aware of the role Archbishop Nkea is playing and anybody who attempts to hurt such a man of God will only bring long-lasting discredit to a cause that has earned international recognition.

Amba fighters must understand that as a man of God, Archbishop Nkea must demonstrate the highest level of neutrality. He cannot be against the government which might one day see reason to use him in any future negotiations.

Targeting Archbishop Andrew Nkea might turn the tides against the fighters on the ground. If the fighters think they deserve any international sympathy, they must let Archbishop Nkea to continue his humanitarian operations so that those who have been caught in the crossfire can have access to humanitarian assistance.

Archbishop Andrew Nkea has no interest in supporting the regime. His cardinal objective is to ensure that both parties meet in a neutral place to discuss their differences so that peace can return to a country that was once touted for its peace.

Archbishop Andrew Nkea is a man of peace. He has no interest in taking sides in a conflict that should not have started. He understands the risks and the need to bring both parties to the negotiating table.

Amba fighters must always understand there must always be room for a possible negotiation and only people like Archbishop Nkea can bring about that window of opportunity and communication.

No war has ever been wrapped up in the battlefield. Even when the belligents are too powerful, they must understand that real and sustainable peace can only be gotten at the negotiating table and that can be brought about by God’s servants such as Archbishop Andrew Nkea.

Amba fighters will be crossing the reddest of the red lines if they kidnap or kill Archbishop Nkea. They will only bring the world against them and this will herald the end of a struggle that has so far enjoyed the sympathy of countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Vatican and Switzerland.

This is not the time for such mistakes. There are rules of engagement which clearly spell out that the clergy must never be a victim of violence as their role is clearly humanitarian and peace-seeking.

The Cameroon Concord News Group is therefore calling on those who control fighters in Southern Cameroons to ensure that their fighters respect the Clergy.

The fighters must understand that they cannot attack people who are working for peace just as they are not supposed to hurt United Nations workers who want to bring supplies to the suffering masses.

The world is watching and this is not the time for any expensive errors.

On behalf of the over daily twenty thousand readers of Cameroon Concord News and the Cameroon Intelligence Report, we declare that the killing of a Roman Catholic Clergy is counterproductive to the Ambazonia struggle, and should never be tolerated or allowed to happen.

We of the Concord Group call on all parties to allow Archbishop Nkea to do his work as a man of God, preaching peace and bringing relief to the suffering people of his archdiocese. We therefore unequivocally condemn the recently released audios calling for violence against Southern Cameroons Metropolitan Archbishop.

By Dr Joachim Arrey in Canada and Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai in London

Ambazonia: Exiled leader says every Southern Cameroonian should participate in struggle to liberate homeland

24, May 2020

Ambazonia: Exiled leader says every Southern Cameroonian should participate in struggle to liberate homeland 0

The Vice President of the Southern Cameroons Interim Government, Dabney Yerima said that the resistance currently going on against French Cameroun occupying forces to free the Federal Republic of Ambazonia, is an obligation and every Southern Cameroonian both at home and abroad should support Restoration Forces in this struggle.

The Ambazonia Vice President’s comments came after that of the jailed leader President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe, wishing Southern Cameroons Muslims a Happy Holy Month of Ramadan.

Comrade Yerima observed that the French Cameroun regime is taking the last kicks of a dying horse as Southern Cameroons self defense forces are uprooting and destroying its military apparatus in Ambazonia.

“We know enablers of La Republique Cameroun both at home and in the diaspora within our revolution. When we get to Buea, shame will fall on the Southern Cameroonians who are supporting the French Cameroun government in its genocidal campaign in Southern Cameroons” the Vice President noted.

By Chi Prudence Asong in London

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