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Cameroon literature giant Nsanda Eba dies

30, June 2025

Cameroon literature giant Nsanda Eba dies 0

Nsanda Eba who has died was a strong personality of Cameroonian literature – a storyteller who’s book The Good Foot painted Cameroon during colonialism.

His publications including essays spanned roughly five decades, primarily documenting the transformation of Cameroon – from a colonial subject to a ruthless dictatorship.

He will be remembered for his 1977 novel The Good Foot where he recounted with touching humanity the ordeals of a plantation laborer’s family as they reach for social advancement through back-breaking work, unrelenting hope, and an undying belief in the power of education, laying bare in the process the exploitative nature of plantation agriculture and its role in shaping population dynamics as well as xenophobia-tinged politics in modern-day Cameroonian towns like Mutengene and Tiko.

Mbamu, the novel’s teenage character, his childhood and his relationship with his father will continue to strike a human chord with thousands of Southern Cameroonians as it mirrored their own relationship with their dads.

By Miriam Metchane Ewang

UK: MECA Leicester elects John Bawak as new president

29, June 2025

UK: MECA Leicester elects John Bawak as new president 0

A refined academic and astute businessman, Chief John Bawak, has emerged President of the Manyu Elements Cultural and Development Association (MECA) in Leicester.

Speaking after a successful election in the beautiful city of Leicester in the Midlands, United Kingdom on Saturday 28, 2025, President John Bawak assured that henceforth, MECA Leicester will be actively involved in Manyu development and cultural activities both at home and in Europe as part of efforts to ensuring Manyus reap the dividends of good leadership.

Speaking exclusively to Cameroon Concord News John Bawak said his electoral victory is a new dawn in MECA Leicester. He furthered that MECA Leicester will no longer ignore cultural and developmental issues in Manyu Division.

“MECA Leicester will be fully and actively involved starting from today,” Bawak assured.

Chief John Bawak maintained that his emergence as the new President for a two year tenure will see to the achievement of greater things for MECA Leicester, adding that, he would discharge his duty without fear or favour.

According to the new leader, “It is not going to be Manyu business as usual because I have the potential, and I am going to pilot the affairs of MECA Leicester with all I have in me.”

As a team player, Chief John Bawak promised to carry everyone in the governing body along  to ensure that MECA Leicester achieve great success as the association forges ahead.

The new MECA Leicester executive has as its president John Bawak, Arrah Egbendip – vice president, Sylvia Ntamack – Secretary General, Jacky Enoru – Social Secretary, Anriette Tabe – Financial Secretary and the much respected Dibo Enaw as Treasurer.

Meanwhile, the outgoing president Chief Egbe Thompson (Uncle T) applauded the process that led to the emergence of John Bawak as the leader of the Manyu community in Leicester, admitting that Manyus have freely chosen who to lead them rightly.

Uncle T appealed that the new leader should be supported to bear the burden of the Manyu people. He also thanked candidate Cyril Taku Ayuk for a great challenge.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai on special assignment in Leicester

Iran Supreme Leader congratulates nation on victory, says Israel was ‘crushed’

26, June 2025

Iran Supreme Leader congratulates nation on victory, says Israel was ‘crushed’ 0

In his message following the end of the Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic and the regime’s unilateral declaration of a ceasefire, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution on Thursday congratulated the Iranian nation on its glorious victory.

In a televised message, the third since June 13 when the Israeli regime launched its unprovoked aggression against the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the Zionist regime was crushed under the blows of the Iranian armed forces.

“I feel it is necessary to extend several congratulations to the great Iranian nation. First, congratulations on the victory over the fake Zionist regime. Despite all its noise and claims, the Zionist regime was nearly brought to its knees and crushed under the blows of the Islamic Republic,” Ayatollah Khamenei stated.

The Leader paid tribute to the martyrs of the recent events, including senior military commanders and scientists, whom he described as “truly and rightfully valuable” to the Islamic Republic and faithful in their service until martyrdom.

Ayatollah Khamenei said the idea of the Islamic Republic being capable of delivering such devastating strikes had never even crossed the enemy’s mind, but it did happen.

“We thank God for aiding our armed forces, who managed to breach their advanced multilayered defense systems and flatten large parts of their military and urban centers with powerful missile and weapons strikes,” he said.

Source: Presstv

Ekok: Customs seizes ecord 45 Kg of cannabis smuggled from Nigeria

26, June 2025

Ekok: Customs seizes ecord 45 Kg of cannabis smuggled from Nigeria 0

Customs officers from Cameroon’s mobile brigade in Ekok, located in the country’s South-West region, have seized a record shipment of 45 kilograms of cannabis during a routine inspection on June 20, 2025. The information was shared by the Directorate General of Customs (DGD) under the Ministry of Finance in its latest newsletter. According to the DGD, this is the largest quantity of cannabis intercepted by customs since the start of 2025.

The DGD report states the illegal cargo was hidden inside bundles of slippers transported by a public bus from Nigeria. The owner of the shipment, a Nigerian national, was taken into custody. Authorities say the drugs were intended for distribution to several traffickers based in Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital.

Cameroon and Nigeria share a long and porous border stretching about 1,500 kilometers from the northern to southern parts of Cameroon. This vast and poorly monitored border has fueled various forms of trafficking between the two countries.

To combat illicit activities that harm the national economy, Cameroon’s customs authorities have been implementing the “Halte au commerce illicite” (Halcomi) operation for several years. Under this initiative, the country has increased seizures of illegal and smuggled goods along its borders.

Source: Business in Cameroon

Douala: 2 dead, over 100 hospitalized after food poisoning

25, June 2025

Douala: 2 dead, over 100 hospitalized after food poisoning 0

At least two people have died and some 105 others have been hospitalized with food poisoning in Cameroon’s commercial hub of Douala, authorities said on Wednesday.

The state-run Laquintinie Hospital, where the involved people were hospitalized, said in a statement that the victims included 99 children and six adults.

Most of the poisoned patients were fine after receiving treatment, but six others were still in critical condition, the hospital said.

Residents said that on Tuesday, the victims who were at an event at the New Bell neighborhood of the city consumed a biscuit suspected to be contaminated.

Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua, governor of the Littoral Region, told reporters that police have opened an investigation into the incident and called for calm. 

Source: Xinhuanet

Mali signs trade deal with Russia as ties strengthen

24, June 2025

Mali signs trade deal with Russia as ties strengthen 0

Mali and Russia have signed a series of agreements aimed at expanding mutual trade and strengthening economic ties.

Among them is a pledge for greater cooperation on nuclear energy, according to details released by the Kremlin.

The announcement of the deals came during a visit by Mali’s junta leader Col Assimi Goïta to Moscow, which included two hours’ of talks with President Vladimir Putin, Russian state media report.

Goïta has boosted relations with Russia since seizing power in 2021, while reducing ties with former colonial power France. This reflects a broader regional trend, with neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger also pivoting towards Russia after the overthrow of civilian leaders.

Speaking on Monday, Putin said that while trade ties with Mali were “modest” there was an upward trend and future areas of cooperation would be in “geological exploration, energy, logistics and the humanitarian field”.

Mali and Russia have previously discussed the construction of a Russian-designed nuclear power plant as a strategic energy project for Mali.

“This official visit will contribute to further deepening our relationship in a spirit of mutual trust and respect for sovereignty,” Col Goïta said, according to a statement by the Malian presidency.

Goïta expressed gratitude for Russia’s “warm welcome” and affirmed Mali’s willingness to strengthen the cooperation, which he said “covers many sectors”.

Military cooperation remains a key element of the Russia-Mali alliance.

Russian mercenary forces have supported Col Goïta’s government since French and UN troops were expelled after years of counterinsurgency operations.

The Wagner Group recently withdrew from the country, but another force, the Africa Corps, remains.

When the army seized power in Mali, it cited the need to contain a deteriorating security situation as a major reason for the coup.

However violence has worsened in recent years despite promises to deal with the conflict.

Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, who held separate talks with his Malian counterpart Sadio Camara, said the priority of the Russia-Mali partnership was “to achieve practical results in enhancing security and sovereignty”.

“This approach is the key to any success and victory,” the AFP news agency quoted him as saying.

Source: BBC

Roman Catholic Priest says Biya and his gang need to face a ‘Tower of Babel’

14, June 2025

Roman Catholic Priest says Biya and his gang need to face a ‘Tower of Babel’ 0

Echoing earlier calls for change by some Cameroonian bishops, a Catholic priest has invoked the Holy Spirit, urging it to bring confusion akin to the biblical “Babel” on the country’s ruling elite.

Father Richard Alphonse Sandjong Yakam, of St. John Paul II Parish in Banengo, in the West Region, used his Pentecost Sunday homily to emphasize that change had become imperative for Cameroon.

He drew a parallel, stating that just as God commissioned the Holy Spirit to sow confusion among those who sought to rival Him by constructing the Tower of Babel, Cameroonians now need to invoke that same Spirit to disrupt the ruling elite whom he accused of state capture.

“The Holy Spirit had confused the language of those who had built the Tower of Babel to compete with God. God sent the Holy Spirit to confuse them, and the Holy Spirit descended and sowed confusion in their language; and they dispersed. We are also praying that this very Spirit should come to our country and sow confusion in the language of those who have taken the country hostage and free this country so that everyone will find their footing, so that every of God’s children should find freedom, peace and wellbeing; so that Cameroon that God placed under the patronage of the Virgin Mary becomes a country in which life is worth living,” the priest said.

He called on the Holy Spirit to make Cameroonians understand that they are capable of overcoming domination.

“May Cameroonians overcome fear. May the Holy Spirit liberate Cameroonians to defeat fear and act like the Apostles, who, after receiving the Holy Spirit, left their hiding places and boldly spoke the truth,” Yakam said.

“The Holy Spirit needs to renew and transform everything. Cameroon needs a new start. Conquering fear means recognizing that we are free children of God. The most important good He has given us is freedom. However, this freedom should not be confused with profligacy or licentiousness,” he said.

“True freedom means living as directed by the Holy Spirit, and He can only lead us in God’s direction. Those who allow themselves to be led by the Holy Spirit are not controlled by their base instincts or desires (the ‘flesh’). Their focus shifts from worldly things to heaven. It is the Spirit who frees us from all burdens—the yoke of slavery, tribalism, nepotism, lies, and embezzlement,” the priest added.

The message from the priest comes just months before the next presidential election. Incumbent President Paul Biya, aged 92, is widely expected to seek re-election after 43 years in power.

Yakam’s remarks add to the voices of Catholic clerics increasingly vocal about the need for a fresh face in the Cameroon Presidency.

While the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Cameroon has not explicitly called on the President to step aside, they have made statements criticising his government for failing to deliver the goods of governance.

On March 28, they issued a pastoral letter defining the qualities required of a president: “Integrity, humility, modesty, and moral leadership qualities.”

The letter stated that the future president must not use his power to “enrich himself” and “must be able to travel throughout the country, visiting each region at least once during his term.” In this way, he will be able to “understand the needs and desires of the Cameroonian people.”

The bishops didn’t mention President Biya, but the condition of travelling the country is something the President can’t clearly do: He isn’t known to have visited many regions in his 43 years in power, and in recent years, is known to have been spending more of his time in his native village, Mvomeka.

Individual bishops in Cameroon have however directly called on Biya not to seek re-election.

Archbishop Samuel Kleda of Douala had said that urging the president to seek re-election was “unrealistic.”

Bishop Barthelemy Yaouda Hourgo of the Catholic Diocese of Yagoua spoke about the frustrations facing Cameroonians and noted that even the devil couldn’t inflict greater pain on the people.

Bishop Emmanuel Abbo of the Catholic Diocese of Ngaoundere expressed dismay at the government’s stifling of dissent, particularly accusing the country’s interior minister of using language that suggests any opposition to President Biya could be dealt with in very violent fashion.

Archbishop Jean Mbarga of Yaoundé was more circumspect, urging the faithful to “assume their responsibilities towards the nation.”

The election will take place in October this year, and although the elections management body ELECAM hasn’t validated any candidatures as yet, a number of Cameroonians have signaled their intentions to run, including Prof. Maurice Kamto of the MRC party, Cabral Libi of the PCRN, and Barrister Akere Muna, who has been endorsed by Univers political party.

President Paul Biya hasn’t declared his candidacy yet, but his supporters have been urging him to seek an eighth term in office.

Source: Crux

Crises engulf Cameroon in election year

12, June 2025

Crises engulf Cameroon in election year 0

The humanitarian crisis in Cameroon remains a critical concern, exacerbated by political tensions ahead of the October 2025 presidential elections.

Paul Biya (92), the oldest head of state in the world, is seeking re-election for a position he has occupied since 1982.

The veteran was Prime Minister from 1975.

Apart from the political contest, the humanitarian crisis remains severe, driven by escalating violence and insecurity across the Northwest, Southwest and Far North regions.

Conflict dynamics, including inter-community clashes and intensified activity by non-state armed groups, have exacerbated displacement, disrupted access to health facilities and heightened vulnerabilities for women and girls.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reports that maternal and reproductive health services have been significantly disrupted, leading to increased rates of unassisted childbirth, complications during pregnancy and unmet family planning needs.

“Concurrently, persistent insecurity and limited humanitarian aid have heightened risks of gender-based violence (GBV), further restricting women’s and girls’ access to essential protection and care,” a spokesperson said.

In response, UNFPA has provided sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence services in April 2025, directly benefiting about 8 000 individuals, 83 percent of whom were women and girls.

Funding constraints however pose an urgent risk to ongoing humanitarian efforts, with only 39 percent (about US$3,5 million) of the required $9 million secured as of April 2025.

“Without additional resources, critical reproductive health and GBV services risk severe disruption, threatening the well-being and safety of women and girls across Cameroon,” the UNFPA spokesperson said.

Cameroon, the Central African country of 29 million, is facing resistance from English-speaking communities alleging exclusion by the government dominated by French-speaking officials.

Source: Cajnewsafrica

242 on board Air India flight to London that crashed after takeoff in Ahmedabad

12, June 2025

242 on board Air India flight to London that crashed after takeoff in Ahmedabad 0

An Air India plane with more than 200 people on board crashed near the airport in India’s western city of Ahmedabad, the airline and police officials said on Thursday, without specifying whether there were any fatalities.

The plane was headed to London’s Gatwick airport in the UK, Air India said, while police officers said it crashed in a civilian area near the airport.

The 242 people included 217 adults and 11 children, a source told Reuters. Of them, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, the airline said.

Aviation tracking site Flightradar24 said the plane was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, one of the most modern passenger aircraft in service.

Source: France 24

Iran says it will target US bases if conflict breaks out over nuclear enrichment

11, June 2025

Iran says it will target US bases if conflict breaks out over nuclear enrichment 0

Iran threatened Wednesday to target US military bases in the region if conflict breaks out, while President Donald Trump said he was “less confident” about reaching a nuclear deal.

Tehran and Washington have held five rounds of talks since April to thrash out a new nuclear deal to replace the 2015 accord that Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has revived his “maximum pressure” campaign on Tehran, backing nuclear diplomacy but warning of military action if it fails.

“All its bases are within our reach, we have access to them, and without hesitation we will target all of them in the host countries,” Iran’s Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said in response to US threats of military action if the talks fail.

“God willing, things won’t reach that point, and the talks will succeed,” the minister said, adding that the US side “will suffer more losses” if it came to conflict.

The United States has multiple bases in the Middle East, with the largest located in Qatar.

Iran and the United States have recently been locked in a diplomatic standoff over Iran’s uranium enrichment, with Tehran defending it as a “non-negotiable” right and Washington calling it as a “red line”.

Trump had previously expressed optimism about the talks, saying during a Gulf tour last month Washington was “getting close” to securing a deal.

But in an interview published Wednesday, Trump said he was “less confident” the United States and Iran could reach a deal, in response to a question on whether he believed he could stop Tehran from enriching uranium.

Source: AFP

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