Life

2, February 2018

Kenya court orders government to lift ban on three TV stations ⁰

Kenya’s High Court has suspended a government blackout imposed on three private television broadcasters over a live coverage of an opposition rally in the capital Nairobi.

Judge Chacha Mwita ordered Thursday that the shutdown imposed on the private stations, namely Kenya Television Network, Citizen Television and Nation Television News, would be suspended for two weeks so that the court could hear a petition by activist Okiya Omtatah Okoiti against the ban.

The administration of President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered a shutdown of the TV stations on Tuesday morning after they ran a live coverage of a mock swearing-in ceremony for opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Okoiti described the gag as “grossly arbitrary, disproportionate, oppressive, and unreasonable.”

Kenyatta had reportedly warned heads of the TV stations last Friday that they will be cut off the air if they broadcast the event.

A man sits in a control center of the NTV channel, which was shutdown by the Kenyan government because of its coverage of opposition leader Raila Odinga’s symbolic presidential inauguration this week, at the Nation group media building In Nairobi, Kenya, February 1, 2018. (Photo by Reuters)

Odinga was sworn in as Kenya’s “people’s president” at a park in Nairobi to the cheers of thousands of supporters. The mock ceremony came in response to Kenyatta’s taking of office for a second time, which the opposition believes was the result of rigged votes.

Odinga refused to accept the results of an initial presidential election last August. He then boycotted a re-run ordered by Kenya’s Supreme Court, claiming irregularities that existed in the first round still persisted. Official government tallies show that around 100 have been killed since the start of vote-related unrest in the Horn of Africa country.

An investigation has been launched into the Tuesday mock swearing-in ceremony which had no sign of violence.

Meanwhile, people on Thursday protested the arrest of Tom Kajwang, a lawyer and opposition lawmaker who administered Odinga’s “oath,” as he was standing a trial over his role in the swearing-in ceremony.

Source: Presstv

27, January 2018

Makossa legend Pierre de Moussy is no more ⁰

It is no longer a rumor as was the case on January 5th. The songwriter and producer of the famous Makossa tune “Ndolo l’amour” is no more. A sister publication Cameroon Info.Net reported that Pierre de Moussy died on January 25, 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland where he had taken up resident.

We gathered that Makossa legend Dina Bell who was at his bedside, confirmed the news yesterday January 26, 2018 via the antennas of Cameroon’s state radio and television CRTV.

Victim of a serious traffic accident in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 30^th of December 2017, Pierre de Moussy was in a coma and interned at the Geneva Central Hospital. But his condition, according to his family remained stable thanks to respiratory assistance that kept him alive, until it took a U turn and deteriorated dramatically on January 25, 2018.

Songwriter, Pierre de Moussy will be remembered as one of the major figures of Makossa, a Cameroonian musical rhythm with a career that started in the 1980s.

By Chi Prudence Asong

25, January 2018

How the Southern Cameroons crisis killed the English language ⁰

The Southern Cameroons crisis has taught every Cameroonian where the English language goes to die. Cameroon Concord News is citing the Ambazonian crisis to make it clear that Southern Cameroonians do not regard themselves as blameless in the use of the English language today in La Repubique du Cameroun.

But do you ever, like Cameroon Concord News, read the speeches or ministerial press releases of French Cameroun cabinet ministers and want to ask, “What has the English language ever done to you?” English language is in a bad way and the blame mainly goes to those who write or speak about politics in French Cameroun.

Among the ugly features presently witnessed in French Cameroun are dead or dying metaphors, redundant words and phrases, pretentious diction, and meaningless, abstract or vague words. President Biya and his gang and those who write speeches for them are the worst offenders.

While none of this is about political correctness, the Francophone political elites always take the adjective over the noun so that everything that comes out of their mouths is designed to sell their achievements and that of Mr. Biya.

In CPDM politics, any direct admission of weakness or failure is to be avoided. Unfortunately, this makes the consequences far more serious when failure is eventually uncovered like the case with this press release signed by the Minister of Commucation, Issa Tchiroma Bakary. It would be unfair to blame only President Biya for these developments.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

25, January 2018

Ex-US gymnast doctor sentenced up to 175 years in jail for sexual abuse ⁰

The disgraced long-time USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar has been sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for sexually abusing young female gymnasts.

Following days of testimony in a Michigan courtroom from about 160 of Nasser’s victims, including Olympic gold medalists, the Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina made the ruling on Wednesday.

“I just signed your death warrant,” Aquilina told Nassar in imposing the penalty, after delivering a searing rebuke of his years of abuse.

“It is my honor and privilege to sentence you because you do not deserve to walk outside of a prison ever again,” she added.

Nassar, 54, pleaded guilty in November to seven counts of first-degree sex assault in Ingham County, as well as three additional charges in Eaton County, where he will be sentenced next week. He is already serving a 60-year sentence in federal prison for child pornography convictions.

Before the sentence was announced, Nassar apologized to his victims, telling them, “I will carry your words with me for the rest of my days.”

Women in the US and the UK have recently been coming forward to share accounts of sexual harassment and assault in workplaces, including in the media, entertainment industry, and political environments.

An avalanche of sexual misconduct allegations were made last year in October against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. The scandal has rippled in a wide range of industries.

Source: Presstv

18, January 2018

Yaounde: Francophone students auctioning President Biya’s laptop computers ⁰

Many French Cameroun students have reportedly auctioned the free lap top computers given to them by President Biya, Cameroon Concord News has learned from businessmen operating at the Kennedy Avenue in Yaoundé.

After the first phase of distribution of the computers recently, some students simply rushed to the Kennedy Avenue and offered them at give away prices to traders. Confirming the news on Wednesday January the 17^th 2018, the French Cameroun triweekly L’oeil du Sahel reported that on the day of delivery, some students were already at the Avenue Kennedy to sell them.

A computer dealer at Kennedy Avenue hinted Cameroon Concord News that the PBHev computers are bought at a very low price. “Some students offer them for 55,000 FCFA while others are ready to exchange it for a modest sum of 39,000 FCFA.”

It was in the framework of the “Special youth plan” prescribed by the 84 year old Paul Biya, on February 10, 2016, that the Minister of Higher Education signed a convention agreement on July 27, 2016 in Yaoundé, with a Chinese company Sichuan Telecom Construction Engineering Co. Ltd called “e-national higher education”. Through this program, Paul Biya decided to implement a project “a student a computer.”

By Rita Akana

17, January 2018

The desperately hungry and begging gendarme officer: From Sesekou Isong’s Diary ⁰

One of the certainties any despot and serial embezzler always maintains is a well-paid and ably greased military. It’s well recognised by all that Biya and his criminal mob have maintained power in La Republique du Cameroun by an astonishing structure and system that has kept his military placated and hence on his side. Is that actually changing?

During my recent visit to The Federal Republic of Ambazonia, something fascinating crossed my path. I was stopped at one of those colonial police/gendarmes checkpoints in the Manyu County. It’s one of those thousands of road barriers that Biya and his co-conspirators have designed around the country for the facilitation of bribery and corruption.

These days, the occupants vary from custom officers, police officers and gendarmes to forest guards and the colonial army. They habitually have whistles and are always consuming alcohol. It’s scandalous but acceptable. Almost without exception, they approach your car with no smiles, little or no training in dealing with the general public and whiff of perspiration. These so-called officers of law and order are always discourteous. You know what I mean.

On this charming sunshiny day, I was cruising along peacefully enjoying the scenery and having grand visions of how Ambaland would look like with the application of brains and love.

I was requested to pull over which I did. A young lady walked towards my car with the intention of checking my vehicle particulars and passenger identification documents I hoped. By her physical traits, I guessed she was between 21-25 years of age. Her Kalashnikov was as long as she was tall. She asked to see my car particulars and ID documents which I complied. After quickly staring at the documents she said to me ‘uncle I am an Anglophone just like you. Please for some money to buy food! I haven’t eaten since morning. I am not happy with this government and occupation.’

I couldn’t believe what I just heard. Bribing has been a permanent fixture of checkpoints in Cameroun for as long as Biya has been around but this was something else. She was begging for money to buy food. Although I was infuriated by her uniform and presence in Ambaland, I was consumed by compassion and passed her 5,000 CFA FRS which she quickly pocketed so her colleagues didn’t see it. As I drove off, my sentiment was a combination of resentment and delight. My resentment was from her being in Ambaland illicitly. My delight came from the knowledge that there must be more disenchanted in the military, gendarmes and police. I muttered to myself that if there were disillusioned members of the military, then we will certainly have many recruits soon for our struggle.

Talking to many people about this incident, I quickly learned that there were many in the Cameroon armed forces that weren’t happy at all. I was reliably informed that their daily allowance was CFA 2,000 frs which Biya’s regime is finding challenging to bear out. The one million dollar question is what can CFA 2000 frs buy these days in Cameroon? Not a lot is the honest answer.

How high up within the ranks does this gloom go is anyone’s guess. For those in Ambazonia who still find it hard to believe that victory in this struggle is possible, let me remind you that many a despot have been ousted for their inability to keep the army comfortable. Mr. Biya is indeed taking the last kicks of a dying horse.

Sessekou Asu Isong

Next on this series, the Sesekou will be looking at the conviction by many in the villages and towns in Ambazonia that victory in this struggle is close.

10, January 2018

Victims of their upbringing: President Biya’s son may be expelled from ENAM ⁰

The eldest of President Biya’s two children recently admitted into ENAM has been absent from school ever since the beginning of the school year and could be replaced by a candidate on the waiting list. Cameroon Concord News understands the 2017/2018 academic year at the National School of Administration and Judiciary (ENAM) started on Monday with an official opening ceremony which was followed by classes that commenced on Tuesday, January 09, 2018.

Paul Junior Biya was conspicuously absent and nothing has been heard of him. There is no longer any doubt that Paul Junior Biya, declared admitted in 16th position out of 85 candidates in Cycle B of the administrative division is a truant. Cat calls have greeted his absence with many suggesting that he should be replaced by a candidate from the waiting list. A senior lecturer of the so-called prestigious school was heard murmuring privately that there are many who are waiting and it is unfair to leave an empty place because of the whims of a child from a rich family.

Aged 23, Paul Junior Biya was one of the candidates who sat for the ENAM entrance examination on September 16, 2017. His absence has now generated a new controversy with some students who know him personally saying he is not good material for ENAM. “You are the only one surprised. Cameroonians, who know more or less the presidential family, know that Biya Junior has no place at ENAM. Even if he does a trick, he does not have the capacity to sail through the two years training program” noted a staff at ENAM.

It is vital to include in this report that the list of candidates admitted to Cycle B of the Administrative Division of the National School of Administration and Magistracy (ENAM) for the academic year 2017/2018, ranked in order of merit.

By Rita Akana

8, January 2018

BBC’s Carrie Gracie resigns over ‘secretive and illegal’ pay culture ⁰

One of the BBC’s most senior journalists has resigned from her post, accusing the British broadcaster of having a “secretive and illegal” pay structure.

“With great regret, I have left my post as China Editor to speak out publicly on a crisis of trust at the BBC,” Carrie Gracie wrote in an open letter.

Gracie, who has been the BBC’s China editor since 2013, claimed the corporation is not “living up to its stated values of trust, honesty and accountability.”

The journalist accused the BBC of “breaking equality law” in its dealings with employees, and adopting a “bunker mentality” which is failing to close the significant pay gap.

“The BBC belongs to you, the license fee payer. I believe you have a right to know that it is breaking equality law and resisting pressure for a fair and transparent pay structure.”

Gracie, who has worked for the BBC for more than three decades, said the broadcaster faced an “exodus of female talent” because of a culture that discriminates against women.

The BBC ordered a review into its pay structure after it was revealed that only a third of its experienced journalists earning more than £150,000 were women, while the top seven earners were all men.

A general view of the headquarters of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in London on October 30, 2017. (By AFP)

More than 40 of the broadcaster’s most high-profile female staff, including presenters Clare Balding and Victoria Derbyshire, signed a letter calling for immediate change.

Gracie announced she was leaving her position in Beijing after learning that she earned less than male international editors, despite stressing when she accepted the post that she must be “paid equally” with her male peers.

“I told my bosses the only acceptable resolution would be for all the international editors to be paid the same amount. The right amount would be for them to decide, and I made clear I wasn’t seeking a pay rise, just equal pay. Instead the BBC offered me a big pay rise which remained far short of equality,” she said.

The journalist said she rejected the pay rise and faced a “dismayingly incompetent and undermining grievance process which still has no outcome” before deciding “enough is enough.”

3, January 2018

Dangerously cold winter grips US, 12 dead ⁰

Dangerously cold temperatures have been blamed for at least a dozen deaths in the central and eastern United States.

The bitter cold prompted officials to shut down schools and local attractions in several regions on Tuesday out of safety concerns.

Warming centers were opened in the Deep South with authorities demanding that neighbors, especially those who are elderly, sick or who live alone be checked.

“It’s important that people look out for anyone in need of shelter,” St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson warned.

Temperatures in St. Louis have dipped 30 degrees below normal.

Freeze warnings were also issued for areas from South Texas to Canada and from Montana to Maine.

Tony Sampson, who received a blanket from Star of Hope’s Love in Action van, tries to warm up by a fire under the Eastex Freeway in Houston, January 2, 2018. (Photo by AP)

In Atlanta, Grady Memorial Hospital emergency room doctors were forced to raise a patient’s body temperature almost once a day or every other day using warm fluids, blankets or other measures.

“We have a group of patients who are coming in off the street who are looking to escape the cold — we have dozens and dozens of those every day,” Emergency Care Center assistant medical director Dr. Brooks Moore told the Associated Press.

“You thought you were cold last year. You thought you were cold last month. But you weren’t cold. Now you’re cold,” said Jeanne Rivera, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, who was in Chicago on Tuesday to visit an art exhibit. “It hurts. It hurts the face.”

Slippery roads have resulted in numerous car accidents with a crash, which involved more than a dozen vehicles, forcing the closure of the Schuylkill Expressway in Pennsylvania.

Commuters brave sub-zero temperatures as they make their way to work, January 2, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois. (Getty Images)

In Indiana, the current freezing weather is unusual because of how long it has lasted, according to experts.

“It has just been relentlessly cold since Christmas,” said Jeff Masters, meteorology director of the private Weather Underground.

Source: Presstv

3, January 2018

Petit Pays to release new album ⁰

His US based manager, Eyong Eyong Ebot in a telephone conversation with our entertainment editor hinted that “it’s a two new singles”. Petit Pays has announced that he’s releasing a new album that exclusively consists of “Ndongo Le Piment with the group Sans Visas”. The album known as ‘Black and White, is a Moh Kukouri Production scheduled for the 30^th of January 2018.

It’ll be released in standard physical CD form as well as digital download – but it won’t be eligible for chart entry. Announcing the record in a press release late yesterday, his manager said: “It’s a collaboration of songs that I’m extremely proud of, they’re amazing.”

Petit Pays was quoted as saying that “Lots of great songs go missing when you’re at the apex of your career – here they are.”

He also recently expressed his worries over the happenings in Anglophone Cameroon. Last year he cancelled a concert that was planned for Buea in solidarity with the people of Southern Cameroons and has openly advocated for genuine dialogue to resolve the crisis.

By Odette Mbong