News

18, December 2017

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Unconfirmed Reports “4 Troops Killed In Fierce Battle In Kembong” ⁰

Cameroon Concord News has been informed of a major attack in Kembong village in Eyumojock Sub Division. Our source say unknown gunmen men believe to be serving with the Ambazonia Defense Force reportedly staged an operation in the densely populated village killing 4 Cameroon government soldiers.

Our Mamfe correspondent has not been able to establish the correctness of this developing story. What we do know is that there was an attack on the Ebinsi check point that was repealed by government forces.

Gun shots were also heard throughout the night in Ayukaba village. At the time of filing this report, trucks loaded with military personnel were heading to Kembong from Mamfe. Our cream of reporters headed by Judith Fon is keeping a watchful eye on the happenings in Eyumojock and we will keep you posted as we get the news.

18, December 2017

Over 60 dead after days of violence in Ethiopia ⁰

At least 61 people have been killed in clashes between different ethnic groups in Ethiopia’s Oromiya region, officials said, the latest bout of violence to highlight increasing instability in a province racked by bloody protests in 2015 and 2016.

From Thursday, 29 ethnic Oromos were killed by ethnic Somali attackers in the region’s Hawi Gudina and Daro Lebu districts, regional spokesman Addisu Arega Kitessa said.

The violence triggered revenge attacks by ethnic Oromos in another district, resulting in the killing of 32 Somalis who were being sheltered in the area following a previous round of violence.

“The region is working to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the spokesman said in a statement.

The cause of the latest violence was not known, but it followed protests in Oromiya’s Celenko town where the region’s officials said 16 ethnic Oromos were shot dead on Tuesday by soldiers trying to disperse the crowd.

“We do not know who ordered the deployment of the military. This illegal act should be punished,” said Lema Megersa, the region’s president.

The clashes are likely to fuel fears about security in Ethiopia, the region’s biggest economy and a staunch Western ally.

Lema’s comments also illustrate growing friction within Ethiopia’s ruling EPRDF coalition, since unrest roiled the Oromiya region in 2015 and 2016, when hundreds of people were killed.

At that time, the violence forced the government to impose a nine-month state of emergency that was only lifted in August.

The unrest was provoked by a development scheme for the capital Addis Ababa that dissidents said amounted to land grabs and turned into broader anti-government demonstrations over political and human rights.

It included attacks on businesses, many of them foreign-owned, including farms growing flowers for export.

(Source: Reuters)

17, December 2017

Mamfe: The Situation Report December 12 -December 17 ⁰

Mamfe the chief town in Manyu division has witnessed sporadic fighting between unknown gunmen believe to be members of the Ambazonian Defense Force and the Cameroonian army. Over the past week, several events have unfolded that has caused panic and generated a massive exodus from the area.

Tuesday 12th of December 4.3am: Fire ravaged the Mamfe Main Market and 16 stores were completely damage. The cause of the fire has not been established though the trader’s union is blaming the use of poor quality cables during the electrification process of the market. More than 20 businessmen and women have been rendered bankrupt loosing an estimated sum of approximately 50millions owing to the fact that most of them had stock their shops for the festive period. Cameroon Concord News understands the destruction should have been minimized if drivers were allowed to circulate early in the mornings by the military.

Thursday the 14^th of December 8.30: Unidentified gunmen attacked Cameroon soldiers on patrol. There was heavy exchange of artillery fire that claimed the lives of 7 civilians including 2 Malians and a Nigerian. The foreigners were killed at Tanjong Street far from the place of confrontation. The foreign nationals had gone to eat in a restaurant in Tanjong Street where they were reportedly shot by troops parading in pickup truck. The soldiers refused to identify the others and the 7 victims were buried in a mass grave behind the old council building.

Sunday the 17 of December 11 am: A majority of the Mamfe inhabitants have now yielded to the Senior Division Officer’s press release that urged them to relocate to safer zones. The people of Egbekaw have all moved out of their homeland. Manyus have moved to different towns and cities in Southern Cameroons. Bike riders have all left and the streets of Mamfe are empty. Consequently, schools have all been force to shut down.

The army launched a 3-day-attack on the Mamfe business community dealing in petrol commonly referred to as funge. A petrol dealer hinted Cameroon Concord News that fuel worth 30 million FCFA was destroyed.

By Judith Fon in Mamfe

17, December 2017

Yaounde: Military Spokesman says army winning war in Southern Cameroons ⁰

Colonel Didier Badjeck, head of the communications department in the Ministry of Defense has said that the Cameroon army is winning the war in Southern Cameroons. The Cameroon military spokesman also added that the fighting on the ground is going in favour of the defense and security forces.

Didier Badjeck pointed out that on the 14^th of December 2017; the Cameroon army routed a gang of Ambazonian militants who attempted to destroy a military boat on the river Manyu. Colonel Badjeck informed the nation that a number of soldiers and police officers have so far been killed in the war in Manyu. He however did not make public any figures. According to the Cameroon military spokesperson, the army now controls the South West and North West regions.

He was speaking on state radio on a program known as “Honeur et Fedelite” yesterday Saturday December 16, 2017 which is a production of the Ministry of Defense.

Colonel Badjeck likened the war in Manyu to that against the Nigerian Islamic sect, Boko Haram in the Far North region. He however concluded that the Cameroonian army has disabled the members of the sect Boko Haram and will do same for the Southern Cameroons armed militants.

By Rita Akana

16, December 2017

UN allows Russia to deliver arms to Central African Republic military ⁰

Russia has been authorized to provide the Central African Republic (CAR)’s armed forces with light arms, under an exemption to an arms embargo on the country granted by the UN, diplomatic sources said Friday.

“It’s clear,” an official said on condition of anonymity.

London, Paris and Washington had asked that the request be put on hold as they sought additional information on the shipments.

They also called on Russia to strengthen measures related to the storage of the weapons in the Central African Republic, which has been under an arms embargo since 2013.

“Our only request was that the Russian delegation submit additional information on the serial numbers of the weapons… so that we can track weapons going into CAR,” said a US official.

“We think it is a reasonable request and underscores the importance of coordinating the physical protection, control, safe storage and management of transferred arms and ammunition.”

The Central African Republic’s leaders asked Russia several months ago to provide weapons for units being formed by the EU.

This file photo, taken on August 16, 2017, shows anti-balaka militants walking in Gambo, in the southeast Central African Republic, on August 16, 2017. (By AFP)

Moscow wants to equip two battalions totaling 1,300 men. Among the weapons to be shipped are 900 pistols, 5,200 assault rifles, 140 sniper rifles, 840 Kalashnikov machine guns, 270 RPGs and 20 anti-aircraft guns.

France blocked a previous request last month over concerns about the storage of the weapons in the volatile country, a council diplomat said.

In response, Russia promised reinforced security for warehouses and that it would stagger future deliveries. The first delivery is due next week, with two more on February 1 and April 1.

It also wants to train troops on use of the weapons, another proposal subject to the UN’s green light.

In the long term, the UN’s peacekeeping forces in the Central African Republic must be replaced by the country’s own armed forces.

The Central African Republic has faced instability since it exploded into violence after the 2013 overthrow of longtime leader Francois Bozize by the Seleka alliance.

(Source: AFP)

15, December 2017

Biya orders withdrawal of troops from Manyu ⁰

President Biya has secretly ordered all combat troops to be withdrawn from Manyu Division, Cameroon Concord News has learned from a well-placed official in Yaoundé. Biya informed the supreme command of the Cameroon armed forces earlier today Friday to end all military operations in the Manyu constituency which is one of the most divisive conflicts in Cameroon history.

The military leadership that travelled to Mamfe hinted some of the soldiers today that they will soon be leaving Manyu. “After nearly two weeks, Biya regime’s war in Southern Cameroons will be over” our source said.

The withdrawal of the predominantly Francophone troops marks a turning point in the Yaoundé regime crackdown that started in 2016 and resulted in the creation of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia.

Biya, eyeing a 2018 re-election campaign likely to be fought over his handling of the Anglophone crisis and the economy is looking to wind down the one year old Southern Cameroons crisis that has done lasting damage to Biya’s image worldwide and stretched Cameroon military and budget to the brink.

Etoudi has been briefed of the military casualties and French speaking Cameroonians are beginning to question the wisdom behind a military solution to the Anglophone problem. Biya intends to use the traditional chiefs and reduce the military role to security in a territory where levels of violence has risen sharply and attacks on state institutions remain a daily occurrence.

Almost 85 Cameroon soldiers have died and the Manyu deployment has cost Cameroon taxpayers over 3 billion FCFA in military spending alone. Even as Anglophone political elites including those in the army seek to distance themselves from Yaoundé on the genocide in Anglophone Cameroon, Southern Cameroons will never get to its feet after the ferocious violence that has shattered its society and killed hundreds of people.

By Rita Akana in Yaounde

15, December 2017

Jerusalem al-Quds: EU defies Trump ⁰

European Union leaders have rejected a contentious US decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s “capital,” saying the 28-member bloc’s stance on the city remains “unchanged.”

“EU leaders reiterate firm commitment to the two-state solution and, in this context, the EU position on Jerusalem [al-Quds] remains unchanged,” President of the European Council Donald Tusk said in a message posted on his official Twitter account on Thursday.

The tweet came after EU leaders discussed Trump’s decision at a summit underway in the Belgian capital of Brussels.

On December 6, Trump sparked international outrage as he declared that Washington was recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as the “capital” of Israel and that he had instructed his administration to begin the process of moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to the ancient city.

The dramatic shift in Washington’s Jerusalem policy has drawn fierce criticism from the international community, including Washington’s own allies, while triggering demonstrations against the US and Israel worldwide.

European leaders attend the first day of a European Union summit in Brussels on December 14, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Thursday’s statement by the bloc’s heads of state and government adds fresh weight to the criticism of Trump’s move.

According to media reports, French President Emanuel Macron had lobbied for a sharper statement against Trump’s declaration.

Israel failed to torpedo the statement, but managed to get the French text watered down with the help of the Czech Republic and Hungary.

On December 7, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini voiced alarm at the US decision and said it could take the region “backwards to even darker times.”

Mogherini also reaffirmed the position of the European Union on Tuesday, saying East Jerusalem, which hosts the al-Aqa Mosque compound, shall become the capital of a Palestinian state and the western part of the city shall go to Israel as part of a so-called two state solution.

“We have made it clear that we will continue to respect the international consensus on Jerusalem [al-Quds], as Europeans, including the relocation of our embassies until the final status of Jerusalem [al-Quds] is resolved through direct negotiations between the parties,” she added.

Jerusalem al-Quds remains at the core of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, with Palestinians hoping that the eastern part of the city would eventually serve as the capital of a future independent Palestinian state.

The entire city went under Israel’s control after the regime annexed East Jerusalem al-Quds in 1967 during the Arab War.

15, December 2017

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Dadi in Yaounde’s hands ⁰

The Cameroonian armed forces have reportedly invaded the headquarters of the Cho Ayaba gang in Dadi and seized a large stockpile of weapons and ammunition there.

Dadi is the area that the controversial Southern Cameroons activist passing for a military commander staged a military parade and posted on face book.

Yaoundé interpreted the Cho Ayaba move as coming from the Interim Government headed by Sisiku Ayuk Tabe. Cho Ayaba in the video released some weeks ago was reviewing his troops.

By Rita Akana

15, December 2017

Yaounde facing strong response from Southern Cameroons militants ⁰

The Cameroonian army is facing a strong response from armed Southern Cameroons militants following what is being described as an invasion of the Manyu State in the Federal Republic of Ambazonia and continues military incursion is doomed to fail, according to our South West bureau chief who is currently monitoring the situation in Mamfe.

“Any military operation led by General Elokobi Daniel Njock against the people of Akwaya will fail as it would elicit a harsh and unexpected response,” Sama Ernest told our news desk late last night.

Last week, a top Cameroon government official revealed Biya regime’s intentions of deploying thousands of troops in the Eyumojock and Akwaya sub constituencies. His remarks followed a series of attacks ordered from Yaoundé on the Southern Cameroons civilian population in Mamfe, Egbekaw, Besongabang and Kembong including Kajifu and Agborkem-German.

On Thursday, Cameroonian military vehicles and helicopters entered Mamfe under escort and staged attacks on Egbekaw. The Cameroon army deployed massive reinforcements to its outposts on the Ekok border in preparations to sending forces into Akwaya and Otu, which is part of a deal with Nigeria to de-escalate the conflict in the area.

“The Cameroonian military presence is aimed at thwarting the Federal Republic of Ambazonia project in Southern Cameroons and imposing a siege on Manyu Division. The Biya Francophone regime is not fighting any terrorist organizations in Southern Cameroons,” said Sama.

The statement was echoed by an aide to the Interim Head of State of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia, Sisiku Ayuk Tabe who spoke to us recently in Calabar in Nigeria. The Cameroon government’s goal in Manyu is to prevent Southern Cameroonians from linking the Bokis of Cameroon to the Bokis in Nigeria including the Ejagham cantons of Eyumojock to those in Nigeria and change the character of the Anglophone crisis.

Yaoundé only controls a pocket of land since General Elokobi Daniel Njock started the operation in Manyu. Cameroon Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo has previously described the Manyu Division area on the Nigeria border as a “terror corridor” in the making.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

15, December 2017

Netherlands: Two killed in double stabbing attacks ⁰

At least two people have been killed and several others injured in two stabbing attacks in the southern Dutch city of Maastricht, police say.

The police said in a statement that two stabbing attacks had been carried out on Thursday night a few hundred meters away from each other in a residential neighborhood in northern Maastricht, a city close to the Netherlands’ borders with Belgium and Germany.

In the first incident, a man was stabbed to death during a fight and a suspect fled the scene. Ten minutes later, another attack occurred, in which a woman was fatally stabbed and two men were injured. Another wounded person was later found at a local mosque and transferred to hospital, police explained.

One suspect was detained on suspicion of involvement in the incidents, police said, adding that, “Research has shown that there is no reason to assume that these incidents have a terrorist motive.”

Police added that they “are still investigating these incidents in the neighborhood.”

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who was at a European Union summit in the Belgian capital of Brussels, also said the attacks were not terrorism-related.

Source: Presstv