News

20, May 2026

Cameroon marks 54th National Day with nationwide celebrations ⁰

Cameroon on Wednesday marked the 54th anniversary of its National Day with military and civilian parades held across the country.

In Yaoundé, the country’s capital, President Paul Biya presided over a ceremony that featured hundreds of soldiers and civilians marching in front of national and international dignitaries.

A contingent of the Chadian Armed Forces also participated in the parade, underscoring growing military cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

“These are special Chadian forces dispatched to partake in the celebrations. We have excellent relations with Chad, and our armies collaborate in several fields, especially in the fight against terrorism,” army spokesperson Cyrille Serge Atonfack Guemo told reporters.

Marches also took place in all 10 regions of the country, including the war-torn English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions, where separatist fighters had imposed a lockdown to disrupt the celebrations.

May 20 is a key date in Cameroon’s national calendar. It commemorates the 1972 referendum in which Cameroonians voted to replace the federal system with a unitary state.

Source: Xinhuanet

20, May 2026

Putin, Xi jointly denounce recent US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran ⁰

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have jointly condemned the recent US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran, calling for dialogue as the only way to end the destabilizing conflict.

In a joint statement released on Wednesday, Putin, who is on a state visit to China, and Xi stressed that both countries agreed that the US and Israeli military attacks on Iran violate international law and the basic principles of international relations, and seriously undermine stability in West Asia region.

The two leaders emphasized the necessity for the conflicting sides to return to dialogue and negotiations as quickly as possible, with the aim of preventing the expansion of the conflict.

Putin and Xi also called on the international community to adopt an objective and neutral stance, to help de-escalate tensions in the West Asia region, and to jointly uphold the fundamental principles of international relations.

The United States, in close collaboration with Israel, waged an unprovoked war of aggression against Iran on February 28, killing more than 3,300 people and devastating civilian infrastructure.

Iranian armed forces responded with daily missile and drone operations targeting locations in Israeli-occupied territories and US military bases and facilities across the Persian Gulf region.

Forty days into the war, a two-week Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect on April 8, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement due to Washington’s excessive demands. US President Donald Trump later extended the truce unilaterally and indefinitely.

Iran has closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which carries a fifth of the world’s oil and gas, to ships belonging to the US and its allies that participated in or supported the aggression, triggering a significant spike in oil prices, as the US imposed a naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports.

Tehran says the illegal US blockade on Iran’s ports should be lifted before the next stage of talks for ending the war begins, as Trump constantly threatens to resume strikes on Iran if his excessive demands are not met.

Separately on Wednesday, the Chinese president called for a lasting peace in the region and warned about the possible resumption of war.

“A comprehensive ceasefire is imperative, restarting war is even more unacceptable, and adhering to negotiations is particularly important,” Xi stressed.

Source: Press TV

18, May 2026

Ambazonia fighters kill two soldiers in Muyuka ⁰

At least two soldiers have reportedly lost their lives following a late-night attack on a military installation in Muyuka, Fako Division.

‎The incident is said to have occurred on Sunday, when armed assailants targeted the position in what appears to be a coordinated operation. Local sources indicate that the assault resulted in casualties among government forces, although official figures have yet to be confirmed by authorities.

‎Shortly after the attack, a separatist faction identifying itself as the Fako Meme Unity Warriors circulated a video online, claiming responsibility. In the footage, fighters are seen displaying a cache of weapons they allege were taken during the raid, including several firearms and what appeared to be a rocket launcher.

‎The group also issued warnings to residents of Muyuka, urging them not to cooperate with state authorities, further heightening tension in the area.

‎The regime in Yaoundé has not issued a formal response regarding the incident.

Source: Lebledparle.com

18, May 2026

Iran submits new 14-point proposal to US via Pakistan to end war ⁰

Iran has reportedly submitted its latest proposal in 14 points through the Pakistani intermediary for talks with the United States aimed at ending the illegal US-Israeli war of aggression against the Islamic Republic.

A source close to the Iranian negotiating team told Tasnim news agency on Monday that Pakistan will `deliver Iran’s new proposal to Washington.

The source said the proposal is focused on the subject of the negotiations and confidence-building measures by the American side.

The Americans had recently sent a text in response to Iran’s previous proposal, which was also presented in 14 points, the source added.

“In line with the recent practice of exchanging messages, Iran has also once again submitted its text in 14 points through the Pakistani mediator after making amendments,” the source explained.

On April 10, Iran submitted its response to the American side’s proposed text to end the war, which was later dismissed by Donald Trump, the president of the US, who said it was “totally unacceptable.”

Tehran maintains that at the current stage, negotiations will only focus on ending the war in the region and that other issues, including the nuclear program, may be discussed later.

Meanwhile, a Pakistani source told Reuters on Monday that Islamabad has shared with the United States a revised proposal from Iran to end the war in the region.

The source warned that Tehran and Washington “don’t have much time” to narrow their differences.

The source gave no details of Iran’s revised proposal but noted that the sides “keep changing their goalposts.”

“We don’t have much time.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei also told reporters on Monday that despite the American side’s dismissal of the Islamic Republic’s previous peace proposal, Tehran received “a set of corrective points and considerations” from the Pakistani mediator.

“As announced yesterday, our points of view were presented to the American side in return. Therefore, the process continues through Pakistan,” he said.

On April 8, forty days into the US-Israel war, a Pakistan-brokered temporary ceasefire between Iran and the US took effect.

Negotiations ensued in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, but stopped short of an agreement amid Washington’s maximalist demands and insistence on unreasonable positions.

Since then, Iran has demanded that the US lift an illegal blockade it has imposed on Iranian vessels and ports for the diplomatic process to resume.

Tehran says as long as the blockade is still in place, it has no intention of reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Source: Press TV

17, May 2026

MMA: The Predator Francis Ngannow returns with a destructive knockout victory ⁰

Francis Ngannou made a statement return to mixed martial arts with a destructive knockout victory over Philipe Lins, needing less than one round to settle the contest.

‎Fighting at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, near Los Angeles, the Cameroonian wasted no time reminding the world of his power. After nearly two years away from MMA competition, Ngannou came out aggressively, immediately putting pressure on his Brazilian opponent.

‎The decisive moment came late in the opening round. With just about a minute remaining, Ngannou unleashed a crushing left hand that sent Lins crashing to the canvas. The referee stepped in without hesitation, bringing the bout to an emphatic end.

‎It was a dominant display from the former heavyweight champion, who showed no signs of ring rust. From the opening seconds, Ngannou dictated the pace, refusing to allow Lins any opportunity to settle into the fight.

‎The victory not only marks a successful comeback but also reinforces Ngannou’s reputation as one of the most dangerous knockout artists in heavyweight MMA. His return had been highly anticipated, and he delivered in emphatic fashion.

‎The bout was part of a major fight card broadcast globally on Netflix, adding further spotlight to an already high-profile return for “The Predator.”

Culled from Lebledparle.com

16, May 2026

The Holy Father to visit France in September ⁰

Pope Leo XIV will travel to France for an official state visit from September 25 to 28, the Vatican announced on Saturday, the first such trip by a pontiff in 18 years.

The first pope from the United States, elected in May 2025, will notably travel to Paris for a visit to the headquarters of UNESCO, the United Nations culture agency, the Vatican said in a statement.

The visit will come after a trip to Spain in June, demonstrating the pope’s interest in engaging with historically Catholic but increasingly secular European countries that had been largely overlooked by his predecessor, Francis.

It will be the first papal state visit to France since Benedict XVI went in September 2008.

While Francis visited France three times as pope – to Strasbourg, Marseille and the island of Corsica – those trips were not official visits by the Holy See.

The president of the French Bishops’ Conference (CEF), Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, had extended an invitation to Leo to visit France, one repeated by President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to the pontiff at the Vatican in April.

“We are delighted that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has confirmed his visit to France. This visit next September will be an honour for our country, a source of joy for Catholics and a great moment of hope for everyone,” Macron posted on X.

‘Missionary zeal’

A French speaker, Leo had expressed on various occasions “the great esteem in which he holds our country and her spiritual history,” Aveline said earlier in May.

“It’s a great joy, but also a great responsibility,” the cardinal said on Saturday after the visit was confirmed.

“In the discussions I have had with the pope since his election, I quickly realised how keen he was on such a visit … He is particularly interested in the life of the Church in France, its missionary zeal and also the challenges it faces,” Aveline added.

It comes at a time when the Church has had to grapple with various splits on social, political, ethical and theological issues, with Leo seeking to mediate with both the progressive and traditionalist factions within Catholicism.

Besides the capital, the pontiff will also travel to Lourdes, a site of pilgrimage for Christians worldwide.

The southwestern French town’s important Catholic shrine welcomed Jean-Paul II in 1983 and in 2004, as well as Benedict in 2008. Each time, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gathered to see the pope, according to the sanctuary.

Source: AFP

15, May 2026

Bundes: Chancellor Merz says he wouldn’t advise young Germans to move to US ⁰

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned young people in his country against moving to the United States, citing a worsening “social climate” there.

Addressing young people at the German Catholic Congress in Würzburg on Friday, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) said that he would not advise German youth to move to the United States for either study or work.

“Today, I would not recommend that my children go to the US to receive their education and work there,” Merz said, adding, ”A different social climate has developed there.”

Merz said German youth need to think twice before pursuing education or work in the US, saying that Germany offers better long-term opportunities to its people.

He emphasized, “[T]oday, even the best-educated people in the US have great difficulty finding a job.”

Germany’s social market economy continues to offer strong prospects, including employee participation rights and the opportunity to have a say at all levels, he insisted, adding that despite the economic fallout from international conflicts and wars, the long-term opportunities in the country were still better than elsewhere.

“I want to encourage all of us to stay optimistic that, despite many challenges, we can make it happen. I keep trying to do that, including by explaining things,” Merz said.

“It is my firm conviction that there are few countries in the world that offer such tremendous opportunities, especially for young people, as Germany does.”

Source: Presstv

14, May 2026

Southern Cameroons Crisis: UN situation report ⁰

Between January and March 2026, at least 33 access constraints were documented in the North-West and South-West (NWSW) regions.

Humanitarian activities continue to face significant access constraints on Mondays, which are widely observed as “ghost town” days, as well as during ad hoc lockdowns imposed by non-State armed groups (NSAGs). During the reporting period, NSAGs announced a lockdown aimed at disrupting the celebration of National Youth Day in February across the North-West and South-West regions and enforced a one-day lockdown in Widikum (Momo division), which was subsequently extended into a regular weekly Tuesday lockdown.

Between January and February, traffic circulation along the Bamenda–Jakiri axis was significantly disrupted for more than a month due to heightened tensions between NSAGs, affecting civilian movement.

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) continued to be used by NSAGs, especially in the North-West (Bui and Momo divisions), primarily to attack State security forces. Although humanitarian workers are not a direct target, the use of IEDs in highly populated areas and on the main roads pose a risk for all civilians. At least 19 IED-related incidents were recorded, 13 in the NW and 6 in the SW, representing a decrease compared to the same period in 2025, when 38 incidents were reported. Especially in the SW, humanitarian partners had to face bureaucratic impediments resulting in operational delays and, in some cases, limiting the implementation of certain activities in specific locations.

As for the attacks against education, six incidents affecting education were recorded in the NW and two in the SW respectively.

Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

14, May 2026

Cameroon’s gold sector: investigation uncovers more than 200 illegal mining companies ⁰

An investigation into Cameroon’s gold sector has uncovered more than 200 illegal artisanal mining companies, most of them foreign-owned, the country’s mines ministry said on Wednesday.

The investigation was launched after huge discrepancies emerged between Cameroon’s official gold exports and far higher import figures reported by other countries, in particular the United Arab Emirates.

“About 200 illegal companies have been identified in the east and Adamawa regions, more than 95 percent of them foreign firms,” the ministry said in a statement.

According to a list published by the ministry, many of the companies are run by Chinese nationals.

Authorities have called on the firms to “immediately halt mining activities” but did not mention possible sanctions or legal action.

A 2023 report published last December by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative showed major discrepancies in official figures.

Cameroon reported producing 953 kilograms of gold that year, with just 22.3kg officially exported. But importing countries reported receiving 15.2 tonnes (15,200kg), nearly 680 times more.

“This suggests a large share of gold, especially artisanal mining, bypasses official channels and is diverted into informal networks or smuggled,” said researcher Aicha Pemboura in a March report on organised crime in central Africa.

Despite a new mining code adopted in 2023, Pemboura says corruption and the influence of powerful elites still limit enforcement.

Source: AFP

13, May 2026

Southern Cameroons Crisis: 1 killed in clashes in Buea ⁰

Armed clashes broke out on Monday in Cameroon’s conflict-hit English-speaking Southwest Region, leaving one person dead, according to security sources and local residents.

The fighting erupted at about 7:00 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) in Buea, the regional capital, between government forces and suspected separatist fighters, a military official said.

“The separatist terrorists opened fire on civilians, killing one person and injuring several others. Our forces repelled and pushed them back,” the official, who requested anonymity, said.

Residents said that heavy gunfire was heard across the town, forcing many people to stay indoors and avoid going to work.

According to local police, Buea had experienced relative calm for nearly two years before Monday’s violence.

Cameroon has been grappling with an armed separatist conflict in its English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions since 2017, as separatist groups seek to establish an independent state.

Source: Xinhuanet