Headline News

18, September 2025

Yaoundé: Religious leaders urge peace as presidential election nears ⁰

Cameroon’s churches and mosques are intensifying efforts to promote calm and civic responsibility as the country prepares for its 12th October presidential election, amid fears that rising tensions could trigger violence.

The Central African nation has been rattled by years of unrest, including a separatist insurgency in its English-speaking regions and widespread allegations of corruption. Economic hardship and deepening mistrust in state institutions have heightened anxiety ahead of the polls, with analysts warning that online hate speech and political rivalries could inflame unrest before or after results are announced.

Catholic bishops have been among the most vocal religious voices calling for peace. In August, Bishop Barthélemy Yaouda Hourgo of the Diocese of Yagoua ordered all parishes to ring bells daily at 12:30pm for the Angelus prayer, calling on the faithful to pray for stability.

“As pastor of this diocese, I ordain that all the faithful recite the Angelus together each day to ask God for peace and entrust the elections to the Virgin Mary,” Hourgo said, adding that peace “is a gift from God but also the fruit of our daily commitment.”

Archbishop Samuel Kleda of Douala used his pastoral letter to denounce what he called “anti-Gospel acts,” including corruption and bad governance, which he said are fueling public discontent.

“Our country is thirsty for social justice expressed through respect for human rights,” he said. “Every Cameroonian must resolve to do his or her bit in the fight against the many ills that are destroying the country.”

During Bafoussam’s annual Peace Pilgrimage, Bishop Paul Lontsié-Keuné reminded Christians that their prayers must translate into action. “If we are sincere and really Christians, our prayer for peace must inspire our action – and our action must also be prayer,” he said.

The Council of Protestant Churches of Cameroon (CEPCA) has pledged to mobilise congregations against hate speech and promote peaceful participation in the vote. In late August, a 15-member delegation led by Rev Hamadina Salomon met with Minister of State Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh at the Unity Palace. Ngoh Ngoh, representing President Paul Biya, praised the initiative and urged clergy to act as “apostles of peace” and “guardians of stability.”

Muslim leaders have also organised a national “peace and stability” conference and collective prayers for unity, encouraging worshippers to see peaceful participation in the election as a religious duty.

Pastor Emmanuel Ngang, a traveling preacher in Cameroon’s western region, has been holding services in both city churches and rural chapels to spread a simple message: unity is stronger than division.

Ngang said he keeps his message brief and practical so congregants can take it to heart. “I remind people that peace starts with each of us,” he said. “We must speak carefully, vote honestly and keep the country together.”

His visits often include meetings with youth groups, where he encourages young people to avoid spreading inflammatory posts online.

“Many of them fear what will happen if things turn violent,” he said. “I tell them fear can paralyse us, but faith can guide us.”

Observers say that religious leaders play an outsized role in Cameroon’s public life, often serving as moral voices in a country where political trust is low. But they also walk a fine line: some critics argue that their close contact with government officials risks undermining their independence.

Still, analysts agree that their combined influence could help shape the tone of the electoral period. Faith leaders say they are not endorsing candidates but trying to keep the peace.

“My task is not to tell people who to vote for,” Ngang said after a recent service. “It is to remind them that Cameroon will still be here the day after the election – and we will still need to live together.”

Source: sightmagazine

18, September 2025

Paul Biya at 92: will defections weaken his grip on absolute power? ⁰

Cameroonians go to the polls in October 2025 in what some people hoped might be a break from the country’s troubled recent past. They thought that President Paul Biya (92) might stand aside to allow a transition.

Three years ago I was one of those who expressed optimism about the 2025 poll. But I was wrong.

Biya is set to run yet again for an 8th term. He is already one of Africa’s longest ruling presidents, behind only Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Nguema.

Biya is on the cusp of achieving lifetime presidency since taking office in 1982.

In July 2025, after months of speculation, he confirmed in a tweet that he would run again.

Having weathered coups, silenced dissent, defied death rumours, and outlasted generations of challengers, he reminded friend and foe alike that he remains at the centre of Cameroon’s political ecosystem.

I am a long time scholar of and commentator on African politics, regime transformation, democratic transition and broader governance. Given regional developments that have seen the military deposing long term leaders, one might expect Biya to superintend a managed transition. The intriguing question is: what is it about the situation in Cameroon that continues to defy logic?

There is evident restlessness and frustration among young Cameroonians as well as clear clamour for change. Yet, the incumbent remains the front-runner, supported by the ruling party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, and his near-total command of the state’s political machinery.

Simply, the system has been designed to serve Biya’s interests. With government control of the media, resources, and judicial and electoral institutions, it is unlikely that the opposition can bring about systemic change.

Some things have changed, however. Biya’s previous wins were landslides that left no room for debate. This time things could potentially be different on account of high-profile defections from his party. These men will be challenging him at the polls.

The field

The last electoral cycle, leading up to the 2018 poll, was characterised by subdued challenges and a co-opted or deeply divided opposition. This time Biya appears to face a relatively organised opposition.

Initially, 83 candidates signalled their interest. In July the electoral commission cleared 13 to run. The commission controversially disqualified Maurice Kamto, a renowned legal scholar who performed respectably in the 2018 electoral cycle with 14% of the vote.

Human Rights Watch warned that this would cast a shadow over the credibility of the electoral process.

Nevertheless, several credible figures across the political spectrum remain in the race and present alternatives.

Biya faces two other former allies turned political adversaries.

One is Issa Tchiroma Bakary, his minister of employment and vocational training. A longtime insider of the regime, he served in various ministerial roles and was long considered a loyalist. Yet in June 2025, he resigned from the government, delivering a searing critique of the system he once represented.

He then launched his campaign, running on the ticket of the Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon.

The minister of tourism and leisure, Bello Bouba Maigari, still formally holding office, declared his intention in July 2025 to run against his boss in the October elections.

This announcement was especially striking given the deep political history between the two men. Maigari is not just any cabinet member. He is a long-standing confidant of the president, having been appointed Biya’s prime minister in 1982 and hailing from the vote-rich northern region. The decision to enter the race marks a shift from loyal lieutenant to presidential challenger, revealing the growing fissures within the ruling elite.

Others in the race worth noting are:

Akere Muna, the son of a former speaker who swore in Biya in 1982 and a tireless advocate for transparency and accountability. He ran for the top job in 2018 (but withdrew at the last minute).

Cabral Libii, from the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation, a young and dynamic leader who also ran for president in 2018 and garnered 6% of the total vote.

Joshua Osih, a seasoned politician with a strong track record.

The issues

The nation’s pressing issues remain the same as they have been for a long while.

These include:

Endemic corruption. Cameroon is ranked 140 out of 180 countries by Transparency International. The reasons are systemic decay of state institutions and maladministration.

Economic stasis, including stubborn unemployment forecast at 7.34% by Statista; 23% live below the international poverty line and 3.3 million are food insecure.

The ongoing anglophone regional crisis pitting the English speaking regions against the dominant francophone centre.

Biya’s ability to govern and the succession question, given his very advanced age and the potential vacuum or infighting if he couldn’t complete his term.

The external dimension

Western actors have been consistent critics of Biya’s regime in the recent past. However, some have adopted a more cautious tone, balancing criticism with strategic interests.

The US, for instance, suspended some military assistance to Cameroon in 2019 over human rights abuses. But it continues counter-terrorism cooperation against Boko Haram.

The European Union, while pressing for peaceful resolution of the anglophone conflict, remains an important trade and aid partner.

China has become Cameroon’s largest bilateral creditor and a top trading partner. According to a report by Business in Cameroon, in 2024 Cameroon owed about 64.8% of its external bilateral debt to China. This is primarily for infrastructure loans that have funded projects like the Kribi Deep Sea Port, the Yaoundé-Douala highway, and hydropower stations.

For regime survival, Biya has pursued a pragmatic foreign policy. Beijing’s diplomatic stance of non-interference and respect for sovereignty resonates with Cameroonian political elites wary of western scrutiny and criticism over democratic backsliding and the anglophone conflict.

But Biya has not severed ties with the west. For example, the government maintains partnerships with France for security training, with Germany for decentralisation support, and with the US for counterinsurgency.

This balancing is not simply geopolitical. It is also deeply embedded in domestic patronage networks. Foreign aid, loans and investments serve as resources to consolidate elite power, strengthen the patronage system and suppress dissent.

The October polls are sure to reaffirm the status quo.

Culled from The Conversation

17, September 2025

Battle for Etoudi: UNDP militants block Minister Djalloh, demand resignation ⁰

Angry members of the National Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP) blocked government minister and senior party official Nana Aboubakar Djalloh from entering the party’s headquarters in Yaoundé on Monday, September 15. The protesters demanded his immediate resignation.

“He must resign! He is not entering! We want change!” chanted the activists, who were determined to prevent him from accessing the Etoa Meki building. Senator Pierre Flambeau Ngayap, the UNDP’s secretary general, tried to open a path for Djalloh but was met with firm resistance. Ngayap was forced to step back, with some female members even urging him to avoid a confrontation. The minister attempted to threaten the protestors but was unsuccessful. “He will not enter here until we see his resignation,” one man shouted, while another added, “If the national president has resigned, we don’t want to hear anything else.”

The UNDP has been an ally of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) for nearly two decades, an alliance that secured several ministerial portfolios for UNDP members. Djalloh has served as Minister Delegate to the Minister of Environment since June 2009. A doctor by training, he previously served as Secretary of State for Transport from 1998 to 2004.

The political landscape changed last June when UNDP’s national president, Bello Bouba Maïgari, left the government to launch his presidential bid against incumbent Paul Biya, effectively ending the alliance. This split was expected to lead to the departure of other UNDP ministers, including Djalloh, Marie Rose Dibong (Secretary of State for Housing), and Mouhamadou Ahidjo, the roving ambassador and son of a former president.

In June, Marie Rose Dibong told the state broadcaster CRTV that she would not resign, arguing that her position was based solely on a presidential decree. “Only the Head of state can revoke me,” she said. Djalloh and Ahidjo never publicly took a position but did not leave their posts. On August 19, Bello Bouba made a surprising move, publishing his campaign team, which included both Nana Aboubakar Djalloh and Mouhamadou Ahidjo as members of the national coordination.

The September 15 incident highlights a growing rift between the party’s rank-and-file, who want a clean break from the ruling party, and a leadership accused of playing a double game. While Bello Bouba claimed to be acting at the request of his supporters to legitimize his campaign, the internal unrest now calls into question the coherence of his strategy and fuels criticism about his and his allies’ true commitment to the split.

Source: Business in Cameroon

17, September 2025

Germany: Cameroonian nurses set up association ⁰

A group of Cameroonian nurses in the Federal Republic of Germany have set up the Cameroonian Nurses Association (CNA) to help carry out their valuable work.

The organization, which will be inaugurated this Saturday, comprises registered nurses working in Germany from Cameroon.

There is a huge number of Cameroonian nurses in Germany at the moment and many are based in the North Rhein Westphalia region.

Cameroon Concord News understands that the group was established to unite nurses of Cameroonian origin under one umbrella and to promote excellence in healthcare, professional development and community well-being.

The Cameroonian Nurses Association (CNA) also strives to provide nursing support, share vital health information, and encourage healthy lifestyles within communities.

Through collaboration with institutions in Cameroon and Germany, CNA aims to enhance nursing education and create pathways for Cameroonian nurses aspiring to build successful careers abroad, while contributing to improved healthcare standards at home and beyond.

The founding members are experienced healthcare professionals who are seeking to bring Cameroonian nurses together to promote collaboration, mutual support, and professional growth.

The Saturday 20 maiden event beginning at 4 pm prompt will be hosted at Talent Werkstatt, Oberhausenerstr 192 in Mulheim Styrum.

By Chi Prudence Asong in Mulheim

16, September 2025

Manyu Cultural Festival: Heritage and Unity as Birmingham Hosts First-of-Its-Kind Jamboree in the UK ⁰

In March 2021, the Manyu community in Europe, together with friends of Manyu, came together with an ambitious vision: to create a forum where members could connect, support one another, and foster both personal and professional growth. The goal was to build a thriving, vibrant Manyu community in Europe. The initiative also aimed to provide a platform for Manyu children to interact and thrive while complementing and collaborating with existing Manyu associations across Europe. The name of this new association is Manyu Solidarity Group.

During the weekend of 29-31 August 2025, the streets of Birmingham came alive with rhythm, flavour, and tradition as the city hosted a three-day cultural festival unlike anything the Manyu community in the UK had ever seen. The festival was powered by Manyu Solidarity Group. From Friday’s welcoming meet-and-greet to Saturday’s vibrant showcase of traditional performances and Sunday’s barbecue finale, the event drew hundreds of attendees, some reconnecting with their roots, others discovering them for the first time. For a first-time event, the turnout was extraordinary: over 380 guests on the opening night, more than 550 on Saturday, and a lively crowd of over 340 for Sunday’s barbecue. This was more than a cultural celebration; it was a bridge across generations and a show of unity within the Manyu community Europe.

The Friday evening merriments set the tone for the festival and were emceed by Yvette Bissong and Dr. Nelson Agbor. Guests were welcomed with warm smiles, a delicious tanchut soup, and complimentary drinks. “I haven’t tasted tanchut soup like this in my over 50 years on earth,” said Lady Claire Obioma from London. The atmosphere was one of joy and reconnection, further lifted by the presence of esteemed Manyu traditionalists, including Sessekou Gaspari of Norway, Chief Eyong Paolo of MECA Germany and Sessekou Wilson Eyong of Ireland. The crowning moment of the night was the entrance of His Royal Highness Chief Prof. Negbo Abangma, who effortlessly blended history with his present. It was a truly glorious sight. As Mgbe UK performed their Manyu cultural formalities, the evening faded with love and anticipation for the next day.

If Friday was for tasting, Saturday was for witnessing. Under the leadership of Nfor Mgbe Dr. Agbortoko, the day featured live Monikim dances, Bekundi processions, and a show-stopping Obasinjom invocation. The energy was electric as attendees didn’t just watch, they participated. For some, it was their first experience of live Manyu cultural performances; for others, it was a long-awaited reconnection with their custom. “I am so proud of what the organising team and many volunteers achieved this weekend,” said Prince Julian Ebai, Chairman of Manyu Solidarity Group. Free food was available throughout the event, with snacks and drinks offered at below-market prices. A highlight for the children was some surprised pizzas from Domino’s. In the end, strangers became friends, and the sight of Nyene Mawn, Eyumema, MOHWA, and Manyu Simple Sisters celebrating together with laughter and joy was simply heart-warming. Manyu in Europe was truly alive.

By Sunday, the festival had already secured its place as a landmark event. The closing day featured a barbecue made possible by the thoughtfulness and hard work of Ms. Aggie Epaw, Mr. Valery Bissong, Mr Jerry Eko and Ms. Jacqui Bissong. The air was filled with the aroma of sizzling meats, fish, and burgers, accompanied once again by free drinks. Children played in the park, and many remarked that the weekend had shown them their culture and community is alive and thriving. Phone numbers were exchanged, future plans were made, and discussions of making the Manyu Cultural Festival an annual tradition were put in place.

What set the weekend apart was its authenticity and spirit. It was the first time this cultural tapestry had been woven so vibrantly and publicly in the UK. “We started with a dream and a few determined people,” said Chief Fidelis Takor of the organising committee. Prince Ebai added a note of reflection: “We must start looking after the vulnerable in our community and use every opportunity to celebrate ourselves. We can’t wait until someone dies to shower them with praises. Manyu Solidarity Group will continue to invest its energy in pastoral care to ensure our members feel loved and supported.”

The weekend marked the launch of Eyoungoh Manyu, a remarkable compilation of academic works by distinguished Manyu minds and scholars. Contributors came from as far as the United States, Cameroon, and Norway. The book is highly recommended for its educative, informative, and persuasive nature. Eyoungoh Manyu stands as both a documentary and an archive of our proud culture, traditions, and customs—reminding all Manyus that they are custodians of a unique heritage that must be preserved.

Thanks to the trust, energy, and commitment of its members, Manyu Solidarity group has grown to over 445 members, making it the largest gathering of Manyu people and their friends in Europe. Over the past two years, its members and leaders have regularly reached out to those in need of companionship by visiting, shopping, and even cooking for them. It is now standard practice for the leadership of Manyu Solidarity to call unwell members, send get-well-soon cards, and quietly help individuals with their CVs, enabling many to regain paid employment. Prince Julian Ebai closed the barbecue with these words: “Over the coming days, after a rigorous accounting process for transparency and visibility, the proceeds realized will be sent to Mamfe General Hospital to address a specific need. Your attendance and support this weekend is a clear declaration that we are all committed—working hand in hand—for an even better spectacle in 2026. See you all next year, by God’s grace.”

Chief Oru, President of MECA Birmingham also reminded attendees: “For just £35, many have enjoyed a memorable event, made possible by the sacrifices of the organizing committee and the generous contributions of groups and individuals who believe in Manyu. We must continue to move from strength to strength, as one indivisible Manyu, while respecting the diversity and autonomy of our unique communities in the UK and across Europe.”

MOHWA Global, Nyene Mawn Europe, Manyu Simple Sisters, EYUMEMA, and the Cameroon High Commission, Mr and Mrs Charles Mambo, were among the many generous donors who helped make the Manyu Cultural festival a success. As the grills cooled on Sunday evening and the last notes of music faded into the warm August night, one thing was clear: this was not the end, but the beginning of something greater. “This is history,” said Ms. Yvette Bissong of Kent. “And great actions always demand a sequel. 2026 here we come.”

By Sessekou Isong Asu

London Bureau Chief

Cameroon Concord News Group

16, September 2025

Struggling Camair-Co adds Boeing 737-800 in a $77m fleet renewal drive ⁰

Cameroon Airlines Corporation (Camair-Co) has taken delivery of a Boeing 737-800, marking the launch of a five-year expansion plan aimed at transforming the national carrier into a competitive regional airline. The aircraft, leased from Czech operator Smartwings, is the first step in Camair-Co’s 2024–2028 strategy to rebuild and expand its fleet.

The project envisions an initial fleet of 14 aircraft—11 passenger and three cargo planes—before reaching 18 jets by the fifth year, comprising 16 passenger and two cargo planes. Financing is supported by a CFA47 billion ($76.8 million) direct loan from the Development Bank of Central African States (BDEAC).

Fleet Modernization Amid Challenges

Camair-Co currently operates six owned and two leased aircraft, with repeated breakdowns of aging planes causing operational disruptions. The wet lease of the Boeing 737-800 provides immediate reliability while management works to phase in additional aircraft.

“The new aircraft allows us to restore confidence in our existing routes while we prepare for broader expansion, this is about building the foundation for sustainable operations.” said General Manager Jean Christophe Ella Nguema.

The recovery strategy focuses on three key objectives: enhancing competitiveness, improving operational efficiency, and restoring profitability. Executives view short-term leasing as a necessary bridge to long-term modernization, although the higher costs of wet leasing weigh on already fragile finances.

Camair-Co’s network today serves six domestic destinations—Douala, Yaounde, Bafoussam, Garoua, Maroua, and Ngaoundéré—alongside three regional routes to Libreville, Bangui, and N’Djamena. The expansion plan includes resuming suspended regional services and opening new ones, with Douala and Yaounde targeted as transit hubs for Central Africa.

Management hopes to capture some of the regional traffic that currently transits through Addis Ababa, Nairobi, or Lomé. However, competition is intense, as Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, and ASKY already dominate the skies of Central and West Africa.

Financial Pressures

The expansion highlights both ambition and risk. Camair-Co carries a total debt of CFA 124 billion ($204 million), making it Cameroon’s second most indebted state-owned company. Since its creation in 2006 and operational launch in 2011, the airline has never posted a profit and has relied on repeated government bailouts.

Analysts note that successful African turnarounds—such as Ethiopian Airlines or Air Côte d’Ivoire—required heavy upfront investment. But they caution that Camair-Co must address fundamental operational weaknesses alongside fleet growth to avoid repeating past failures.

Government project documents indicate that the expansion could generate 3,000–4,500 indirect jobs over five years, with benefits extending across aviation services, logistics, and hospitality. New frequencies and additional domestic routes are also expected to improve integration between northern and southern Cameroon, strengthening national cohesion.

The initiative could create opportunities for local aviation professionals, though Camair-Co faces labor tensions. Reports of disputes between pilots and management over pay and working conditions underscore the importance of maintaining workforce stability as the fleet expands.

The wet-lease arrangement offers an immediate boost, but it also increases operating costs. With Camair-Co’s owned aircraft prone to breakdowns, sustainability hinges on the airline’s ability to modernize its core fleet while integrating leased capacity.

“The arrival of the new jet is encouraging, but execution will be decisive,” said one regional aviation consultant. “Expanding routes without fixing fundamentals risks repeating old mistakes.”

Looking Ahead

Management emphasizes that the 737-800’s arrival is only the first milestone in a staged program. Over the next five years, the fleet is expected to grow from 14 to 18 aircraft, encompassing both passenger and cargo segments. Long-haul ambitions remain on the horizon, with Paris identified as a potential route once regional expansion consolidates.

“This isn’t just about adding aircraft, it’s about building an airline Cameroon can be proud of. The real challenge lies in execution.” said Nguema.

As the aircraft begins commercial service, Camair-Co faces a dual test: delivering growth while addressing structural weaknesses. Success would strengthen Cameroon’s regional connectivity and help Douala and Yaounde emerge as aviation hubs. Failure could add to the financial burden of one of Central Africa’s most fragile carriers.

Source: Business in Cameroon

16, September 2025

Football: Onana off to flying start in Turkey ⁰

Cameroon international Andre Onana was named Man of the Match in his first game for Turkish Süper Lig side Trabzonspor in their 1-0 loss to Fenerbahçe on Sunday.

The 29-year-old completed a loan move from Manchester United after not featuring in their first three Premier League games of the season. His spell in the English top flight was heavily criticized, with the shot-stopper becoming known for his mistakes.

Trabzonspor were reduced to 10 men in the 20th minute at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium on Sunday as Okay Yokuşlu had his yellow card changed to a straight red by VAR.

Onana kept out former United teammate Fred’s effort from the edge of the box in the 45th minute but could not stop the follow up from Youssef En-Nesyri.

Despite conceding, the goalkeeper faced 29 shots, made eight saves and four diving saves, doing well to keep his side in the game and earning Man of the Match for his performance.

Trabzonspor sit third in the Süper Lig after suffering their first loss of the season, with a record of three wins, one draw and one loss.

Source: African Football

16, September 2025

Cameroon military acquires light tactical vehicles, rescue boats ⁰

Cameroon’s military has taken delivery of 172 newly acquired vehicles, including 104 Land Cruiser BJ light tactical vehicles, three Toyota Land Cruiser 300 VX and 29 Toyota Fortuner 4x4s, to boost the operational efficiency of different services of the country’s military.

The delivery, which took place at Air Base 101 in Yaounde on 4 September, according to defence ministry officials, also included 21 six-metre and 10-metre boats meant for maritime rescue operations, as well as 36 of a total of 227 Renault- and Peugeot-brand firefighting trucks and related equipment destined for the national firefighting brigade.

The boats are made from aluminium alloy and powered by Yamaha outboard motors of 50 and 150 horsepower, said Colonel Japhet Sylvain Ondanga, Director in charge of joint military equipment at the defence ministry.

All the vehicles and equipment are supplied by France’s specialised vehicle manufacturer Desautel Group, and discussions for the supply of a second consignment are said to be underway.

The service vehicles were acquired with funds from the Cameroon government estimated at about FCFA 32 billion ($53.5 million), while the firefighting equipment was financed through a loan from the French Treasury of a similar amount.

The Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, who presided at the handover ceremony, underscored the importance of the vehicles, noting that they will substantially contribute to the operational efficiency of the beneficiary personnel and the army as a whole.

Assomo said the acquisition of the new military gear is in line with the desire of the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Paul Biya, to modernise the defence and security forces and keep their operational and logistical capabilities in line with contemporary standards.

“It is part of an overall drive to modernise equipment and reinforce our national defence system. These acquisitions are intended to improve the operational capacity of our soldiers and units in response to ever-increasing security demands,” he stated during the ceremony.

“This significant consignment of equipment was acquired in part thanks to funding granted by BPI France on behalf of the French Treasury, for a total of more than FCFA 32 billion. To date, 172 vehicles have already been delivered,” Assomo said.

“This ceremony also offers us the opportunity to showcase 136 other brand-new vehicles, including 29 official and service vehicles and 104 Land Cruiser BJ light tactical vehicles, selected samples of which are also displayed here today,” he added.

Assomo stated that after the presentation of the vehicles, the distribution process will proceed gradually.

“Priority will be given to replacing outdated vehicles with new ones. Additional acquisitions are already planned, so it is unnecessary to overwhelm the offices of the Chief of Staff or the Minister with repeated requests,” he appealed.

Cameroon has faced serious security challenges in recent years, and the military has been trying to meet the exigencies by strengthening its logistical capacity through the acquisition of vehicles and other vital equipment to boost its operational readiness.

In 2021, the National Gendarmerie received equipment, including DJI Phantom drones, rifles and accessories, 100 bullet-resistant jackets, 50 heavy armour helmets, and six pairs of binoculars, among others, to be used in the fight against terrorism.

Source: Defenseweb

15, September 2025

Decades’ old Bello Bouba/Tchiroma distrust hampering opposition unity ⁰

The campaign of NUDP leader, Bello Bouba Maigari on 14 September rejected the declaration on 13 September that his northern rival, Issa Tchiroma, has been chosen as the opposition consensual candidate, mainly by Ekane Anicet and Djeukam Tchameni. That came as little surprise to anyone who has been following Cameroon’s contemporary political history. The two men distrust each other and had fallen out acrimoniously in 1992.

Below is a fact sheet timeline of the Bello/Tchiroma saga. Let’s take it from 1982:

– When Paul Biya succeeded Ahmadou Ahidjo as second president of Cameroon in November 1982, he appointed Bello Bouba Maigari as his Prime Minister. Bello was 35 years old. He had earlier held a couple of government positions including that of Minister of the Economy. It looked then like Bello was in line to be the third president. Under the constitutional provision at the time whereby the PM was the constitutional successor, Bello was in a position to succeed President Biya if the latter died in office or decided to quit power as his predecessor had done in his favour. It was said that Ahidjo recommended (or imposed Bello on) to Biya to maintain the north-south power balance.

– Less than a year into office, Bello left (or fled) into exile, abandoning or having resigned as PM, following accusations that he was involved in the first coup plot that was uncovered in August 1983 (before the bloody one of April 1984). He relocated to Kano in Nigeria. Little-known Issa Tchiroma then, a railway engineer, was a senior official at the railways company (Regifercam). In 1984, he had been arrested in connection with the failed bloody coup attempt of April 6, 1984. He was tried and found to be innocent, spared execution like many others but still held in detention at the Yoko prison.

– Fast forward to 1991. With the official relaunch of multiparty politics following the December 1990 Liberty Laws, NUDP (National Union for Democracy and Progress) was created with essentially a northern base and former Ahidjo regime men as its leaders. Samuel Eboua, former Secretary General at the Presidency under Ahidjo was its founding President. Though Bello was still in exile, it was widely reported that he would be the Presidential Candidate for NUDP. Hamadou Moustapha who was also a young minister under Ahidjo, was a Vice President and Issa Tchiroma, released from jail under the Amnesty Laws that also rehabilitated the image of those who, like Um Nyobe, Ahidjo etc, were considered political outlaws, became Political Secretary of the nascent NUDP.

– Ahead of the Tripartite Conference that took place in Yaounde in October-November 1991 to bring the CPDM government, the opposition and civil society actors to talk around the table, Bello returned from exile and within weeks, pulled his weight within NUDP and convened an extraordinary congress of the party in Garoua which Samuel Eboua boycotted in protest and where Bello emerged as new President of the party.

– In March 1992, NUDP emerged second with 68 seats behind CPDM’s 88 in the parliamentary (legislative) elections of March 1992 boycotted by SDF and CDU. Bello, Tchiroma and Moustapha were among NUDP parliamentarians. Later that year, Biya appointed Tchiroma and Moustapha into his government. It was reported that the two NUDP men accepted the appointment without the knowledge of Bello, their party leader. Tchiroma was minister of Transport. Moustapha returned to the Housing and Town Planning ministry he had held under Ahidjo.

– When in a 1994 cabinet reshuffle Tchiroma.and Moustapha were maintained in government against Bello’s wish that they be sacked, he said they had thus excluded themselves from NUDP. Furious, Tchiroma was seen on TV threatening that they would “teach Bello a lesson!” He and Moustapha declared they had taken over as leaders of what they called “Authentic” NUDP but later registered a new party, National Alliance for Democracy and Progress (ANDP) in 1995. Both men were eventually dropped from the government in 1996.

– In 1997, Bello was appointed into government as Minister of State for Post and Telecommunications.

– In 2002, Tchiroma returned to NUDP. Unknown whether he was mandated by the party, but obviously unlikely, he played a key role in the quest for an opposition consensual candidate for the 2004 presidential election, which picked the late Adamou Ndam Njoya. NUDP was not officially part of the process.

– In 2007, Tchiroma founded the National Front for the Salvation of Cameroon or FSNC in its French abbreviation.

– In 2008, Tchiroma supported the CPDM’s modification of the Constitution, removing the two-term limit in force since 1996, which would have barred President Biya from seeking re-election at the end of his second mandate under that law in 2011.

– In 2009, Tchiroma was appointed back into the government as Minister of Communication.

– Fast forward to this year. in June, both men resigned from the government. Tchiroma first. Followed by Bello. They both declared their candidacy for the 12 October presidential election. Both men have been pulling big rally crowds in their northern home base. Both men are evidently energizing their base. They are both from Garoua. Opinion polls by English Cameroon for a United Cameroon led by Dr Benjamin Akih, have been suggesting that Tchiroma has a wide lead over all other candidates including Bello.

– About two weeks ago, Bello paid an under-reported courtesy call on Tchiroma at his Garoua home. Little filtered out of the meeting but a video circulating on social media on the same day Tchiroma was presented as consensual opposition candidate, shows both men smiling, shaking hands and later embraced as Bello stepped out of his car and Tchiroma walked out of his house to his veranda.

– The turn-out numbers and anti-Biya energy in the northern regions around the candidacy of Bello and Tchiroma, not seen in previous elections and which gave the impression that Biya owned the massive northern votes, has triggered calls for unity between Bello and Tchiroma to ensure the northern votes are not split. Though both men have visited and held talks with disqualified candidate, Maurice Kamto in an effort towards what many describe as the ideal electoral coalition (KBTM adding Akere Muna), persistent signs of distrust between Bello and Tchiroma are unsettling opposition enthusiasts who hope for a unified opposition front, which many believe, would be the surest way to oust incumbent Biya.

By Franklin Sone Bayen

15, September 2025

Southern Cameroons Crisis: 1 killed, 4 injured in Batibo ⁰

At least one person was killed and four others injured on Sunday when an improvised explosive device detonated in a bar in Cameroon’s restive Anglophone Northwest region, security sources said, APA reports citing Xinhua.

The blast took place in Batibo, a locality of the region, with the bomb planted in a bar near a police station, according to officials.

“A group of terrorists targeted the bar because policemen frequently gather there,” a regional security officer told Xinhua. “However, no officers were present during the explosion. All victims were civilians enjoying time with friends and family.”

No group has claimed responsibility, but local authorities attributed the attack to separatist fighters active in the area.

On Monday, separatists initiated a month-long lockdown in Cameroon’s English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions to disrupt school reopenings and the October presidential election.

Separatists have been clashing with government forces in the regions since 2017 in a bid to create an independent nation.

Source: Xinhuanet