News

15, August 2026

Yaoundé: trial of 66 detainees from post-election crisis postponed ⁰

The military court in Yaoundé continued, on Thursday, August 13, the examination of two cases concerning 66 people arrested after the presidential election of October 25, 2025. Some have been detained for nearly ten months and are charged with spreading false information, rebellion, unlawful gathering, and lack of a national identity card.

The discussions mainly focused on the circumstances of their arrest and their possible participation in protests in the context of the post-election crisis. The election, officially won by Paul Biya, was followed by gatherings and arrests in several cities across the country.

Some defendants expressed their impatience after several months of provisional detention. According to lawyer Ndam, a member of the defense collective, many detainees fear spending nearly a year in prison before possibly being acquitted or released.

“They feel that everything is being done to drag out the proceedings and keep them in prison for no reason,” said the lawyer, as cited by the defense. He believes that the slow pace of the hearings is fueling the discouragement of the defendants and their families.

A procedure struggling to accelerate

The defense had obtained that the cases be divided into several groups to allow for examination by multiple judges. The cases are now listed about three times a month on the military court’s agenda, but this organization has not yet produced the expected acceleration, according to the lawyers.

Lawyer Ndam believes that a more sustained hearing rhythm, with the hearing of about twenty people per day, would have significantly reduced delays. Discussions were also complicated by the language barrier, even though all detainees present in court were eventually heard, a first according to the defense.

The hearing has been postponed to September 10. The public prosecutor will then present its requisitions, followed by the pleas of the defense lawyers. The military court will then have to rule on the criminal responsibility of the defendants, who are being prosecuted in two separate proceedings.

Culled from Beninwebtv

14, August 2026

Germany: Mfuni annual convention has kicked off in Mulheim ⁰

The European chapter of the Mfuni Cultural and Development Association (MFUCADA) has kicked off its annual convention and uniform launch in the beautiful German city of Mülheim, bringing together members and supporters in a celebration of culture, unity and community development.

The convention, which began today, will culminate in a grand gala night in Duisburg, where Cameroonians and friends of Manyu culture are expected to come together in their numbers to celebrate the Mfuni community and its cultural heritage.

Speaking on the program Dr. Eta Valerie Ayamba, President of MFUCADA, announced that the gala night will be animated by Eyum Anneh, Manyu Division’s Germany-based cultural ambassador. His participation is expected to add colour and vibrancy to an evening dedicated to culture, entertainment, fellowship and community solidarity.

Mfuni is a village in Eyumojock Subdivision of Manyu Division in Cameroon’s South-West Region, and the European chapter of MFUCADA continues to provide a platform for sons and daughters of the community in the diaspora to preserve their cultural identity while contributing to the development of their home community.

Beyond the celebration, the convention and uniform launch represent an opportunity for Cameroonians in Germany and across Europe to demonstrate solidarity with grassroots community initiatives. Such gatherings help strengthen bonds among Cameroonians abroad, promote cultural heritage and create opportunities for collective development.

Cameroonians, particularly sons and daughters of Manyu and friends of the Mfuni community, are therefore being called upon to come out en masse and support MFUCADA. Their presence at the gala will not only make the celebration more colourful but will also send a strong message of unity, pride in Cameroonian culture and commitment to community development.

From Mülheim to Duisburg, the MFUCADA European chapter is inviting everyone to be part of what promises to be a memorable celebration of Mfuni, Manyu and Cameroonian cultural heritage.

Come out, support the Mfuni community, celebrate our culture and make the gala night a resounding success!

By Soter Agbaw-Ebai

14, August 2026

Where is Bishop Francis Lysinge now? ⁰

There are moments when words seem too small for the mystery before us. The burial of Bishop Emeritus Francis Teke Lysinge, former Bishop of the Diocese of Mamfe, is one such moment.

He has been laid to rest. The Church has prayed. The faithful have mourned. The solemn rites have been celebrated, with the Papal Nuncio to Cameroon, His Grace Archbishop Avelino Bettencourt leading the historic ceremony. And now, beneath the silence that follows the final farewell, one question rises above all others:

Where is Bishop Francis Lysinge now? For the believer, the answer is not found merely in the grave. He has met HIM. He has met the One to whom he gave his life. He has met Christ the King.

For decades, Bishop Francis Lysinge stood before God’s people proclaiming the Gospel, administering the sacraments, consoling the brokenhearted, challenging the powerful, encouraging the weak and reminding the Church that this world is not our final home. He spoke of Christ, prayed to Christ, served Christ and called others to follow Christ.

Now Bishop Lysinge the preacher has encountered the One he preached. The shepherd has met the Shepherd. The servant has met the Master. The pilgrim has reached the destination. And perhaps this is where the mourning Christian must allow grief to give way, slowly and painfully, to hope.

We of the Cameroon Concord Group mourn Bishop Francis Lysinge because death creates an emptiness that cannot be easily explained away. His voice will no longer be heard in the familiar places. His presence will no longer be felt among the people he served. Mamfe has lost a father. The Church has lost a shepherd. Cameroon has lost a son. But the Christian faith dares to look beyond the coffin.We believe that death does not have the final word.Christ does.

And so, as we stand at the threshold between farewell and eternity, we can imagine Bishop Francis Lysinge standing before the King he served—not with the MITRE of a bishop, not with the titles of office, not surrounded by the ceremonies of this world, but simply as a child of God. There, every earthly distinction falls away. There is no diocese to govern, no homily to prepare, no administrative burden to carry, no controversy to explain and no human expectation to satisfy. There is only Christ. Christ the King! The One who called him! The One who sustained him! The One whom he sought, sometimes through triumph and sometimes through trial. And now, by the grace for which every Christian prays, the One whom he has finally met face to face.

That thought should also make us examine ourselves. Because Bishop Francis Lysinge‘s funeral is not only about remembering the dead, it is about confronting the living. One day, every title we carry will become past tense. One day, every office we occupy will belong to someone else.

One day, the applause will stop, the arguments will cease, the possessions will remain behind and our journey will come down to the most fundamental question of all: Did we know Christ? Not merely know about Him. Did we love Him? Did we serve Him? Did we recognize Him in the poor, the wounded, the forgotten and the stranger? Did our lives point people toward Him? Did we remain faithful when faith became costly?

That is the soul-searching question Bishop Lysinge’s departure leaves with us. The funeral procession has ended, but the examination of conscience has begun. Perhaps that is one of the greatest tributes we can offer him—not merely to praise the life he lived, but to allow his death to change the way we live ours.

Bishop Francis Lysinge has gone before us. And if his life taught us anything, it is that the Christian vocation is ultimately a journey toward a Person. Not toward a title. Not toward an institution. Not toward earthly recognition. Toward Christ the King.

So let the bells of Mamfe town ring not only with sorrow, but with hope. Let the Church grieve, but let her also believe.

Let those who loved Bishop Lysinge shed their tears, but let those tears be accompanied by prayer. And let us say, with reverence and with the hope of the Resurrection: Rest in peace, Bishop Francis Teke Lysinge.

You preached the King. You served the King. You carried His cross. And now, after the long pilgrimage of faith, you have met HIM. Christ the King.

May HE receive His servant into the fullness of His Kingdom, and may Bishop Lysinge’s memory become not merely something we preserve, but a summons to each of us to prepare for the day when we, too, shall stand before the King.

To this I put my name

Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

14, August 2026

Food insecurity threatens 2.6 million Cameroonians outside conflict zones ⁰

Food insecurity in Cameroon now extends well beyond regions affected by armed conflict, with about 2.6 million people in relatively stable areas exposed to acute food insecurity risks, according to a report published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS) on August 7, 2026.

Of the roughly 4.5 million people identified in at-risk areas between January and March, 1.8 million lived in regions directly affected by conflict, particularly the Far North, Northwest and Southwest. The remaining 2.6 million lived in areas relatively spared from those security crises.

The figures show that food vulnerability cannot be explained solely by population displacement, insecurity or disruptions to economic activity caused by conflict. It also affects areas where markets function better and agricultural production is considered more stable. According to the INS, the affected populations account for 17% and 13%, respectively, of the populations in the two categories of areas.

Less Severe but Persistent Vulnerability

Conditions remain less severe in areas unaffected by conflict. About one in five households there has inadequate food consumption. The INS attributes this relative resilience to better market access, more stable agricultural production and greater diversification of food sources.

Trends over the three-month period also point to relative stability. In eight of Cameroon’s 10 regions, the share of households with inadequate food consumption showed no significant change. Only the North and Northwest recorded a slight increase in the number of affected households.

Stability, however, does not mean improvement. The INS warned that the relatively stable national picture masks localized deterioration that could emerge in areas under greater pressure, particularly in the North.

For areas unaffected by conflict, the institute expects current conditions to persist, with no significant improvement but no major deterioration either. This raises the risk that a substantial share of the population could remain trapped in persistent food vulnerability even outside areas affected by security crises.

5.4 Million People at Risk on Average in the First Quarter

At the national level, indicators improved over the course of the quarter. The proportion of the population considered at risk fell from 22% in January to 16% in February, according to the INS. Across the first quarter of 2026, however, the rate averaged 18%, equivalent to about 5.4 million people. The figure points to significant vulnerability despite temporary improvements in some indicators.

That estimate must be distinguished from the 4.5 million people who lived in areas identified as exposed to acute food insecurity risks between January and March. The two figures refer to different statistical indicators and populations and should not be treated as equivalent.

The INS findings broaden the issue beyond the humanitarian emergency in Cameroon’s conflict-affected regions. In relatively stable areas, persistent food insecurity also raises questions about household incomes, families’ ability to absorb higher prices and the effectiveness of food production and distribution systems.

The relative stability recorded in the first quarter therefore does not eliminate the threat. Instead, it indicates that a significant share of the population remains close to the vulnerability threshold and could fall into greater food insecurity after a shock to prices, harvests or household incomes.

Source: Business in Cameroon

14, August 2026

CIA doubted Israeli intel on alleged Iranian threat that forced Trump to change planes ⁰

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reportedly had serious doubts about Israeli intelligence claiming that Iran was planning to assassinate US President Donald Trump during his July visit to Turkey, according to a report.

The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that CIA analysts did not find the Israeli intelligence compelling and conveyed their skepticism to the Trump administration.

One US official described the warning as “Israeli-derived, not US-generated, and viewed as low confidence,” while another said some intelligence officials believed it was intended to influence Trump’s decisions rather than simply warn him of an imminent threat.

The report said Israel was particularly concerned about improving relations between Washington and Ankara, as Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed Turkey’s possible return to the US F-35 fighter jet program.

Israeli officials oppose the potential sale of the advanced US fighter to Turkey, arguing that it could weaken Israel’s so-called military advantage in the region.

One former official described the incident as part of a broader pattern of Israelis seeking to “shape presidential decision-making.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also received the warning but did not treat it as serious enough to prevent him from boarding Air Force One for the return journey, according to the report.

Democratic Senator Christopher Van Hollen likewise questioned the intelligence, asking whether the Israeli-provided information was “independently verifiable.”

“I have no doubt that Iran would like to see the president gone, but this all seems a little fantastical,” Van Hollen added.

The intelligence warning nevertheless triggered a highly unusual security operation during Trump’s departure from Turkey on July 8, with the Secret Service removing him from Air Force One after the NATO summit.

Trump was transported inside an airport catering vehicle to an Air Force C-32A, which then flew him to Britain while two F-16 fighter jets provided an escort.

Air Force One continued its flight with White House officials, security personnel, support staff and journalists aboard, effectively serving as a decoy while Trump traveled on the smaller aircraft.

Trump later claimed he had not been frightened by the reported threat and said he simply followed the Secret Service’s instructions to board “a different flight, a different plane.”

13, August 2026

Bishop Francis Lysinge laid to rest today ⁰

The late Bishop of Mamfe, Francis Teke Lysinge, will be laid to rest today (Thursday) following a requiem Mass at the Cathedral led by the Papal Nuncio to Cameroon His Grace Archbishop Avelino Bettencourt and burial afterwards in the church grounds.

Bishop Lysinge, who was 87 was in poor health and died on Wednesday, July 29, at 11:30 a.m. at St. John of God Health Centre in Mamfe.

The late Bishop Emeritus spent long hours before the Blessed Sacrament discerning God’s will and embraced it with fidelity, courage, simplicity, and joy.

His ministry was marked throughout by great compassion for the most vulnerable.

In his fourteen years as Bishop, he travelled with his secretary twice to the Federal Republic of Germany, where he was hands-on labouring to build the Cameroon Catholic Community in Mulheim.

The late Bishop undertook a walk across all parishes of the diocese at the tail end of his ministry assuring Christians that there is no hope without Christ.

He marked his 87th birthday with a mass at his home in Bachuo-Ntai and a surprise gathering was thrown for him by the current Bishop of Mamfe, Rev Dr Abangalo.

Originally from Fako Division in the South West, he was ordained Bishop of the Diocese of Mamfe, which stretches from Kupe Muaneneguba Division via Lebialem to Manyu on the 21st of April 1999 and remained in the position until December 28, 2013.

Bishop Lysinge was described by several priests of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province as the most gentle of men and a steady and consoling presence for the people of the diocese of Mamfe, particularly those experiencing any kind of struggle or sadness.

Archbishop Andrew Nkea said there is profound sadness at news of the death, describing Bishop Lysinge as dearly loved by the many whose lives he touched in his extraordinary pastoral ministry.

His Episcopal motto was Annunciation, Fiat voluntas tua (“Thy will be done”) and his ministry radiated that in his care for the poor, anyone who was in trouble and anyone struggling in life.

By Kingsley Betek in Mamfe with additional reporting and photos from Soter Agbaw-Ebai

13, August 2026

Iran exposes US military as weaker than perceived ⁰

A senior adviser to the chief commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the recent US-Israeli aggression against Iran has exposed the US military as “weaker than what we perceived,” stressing that Iran emerged victorious after defeating Washington’s main objectives.

In an interview with American broadcaster PBS published on Tuesday, Mohammad Reza Naqdi said the past five months had given Iran a clearer picture of the capabilities of the US military.

“In these five months, … we have also seen how the American military is weaker than what we perceived,” he said.

Naqdi stressed that Iran had won the war, saying the longer it lasts, the more experience Iran gains.

“Certainly, victory is on our side, after the defeat of America’s two main objectives, the toppling of the leadership and the breaking up of Iran,” he said.

Naqdi said the US response was marked by “confusion and bewilderment,” stating that Washington lacked a clear strategy and repeatedly changed its objectives.

He pointed to US threats to invade Kharg Island and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the mobilization of US warships, saying Iran had emerged victorious from each attempt.

“Everything they tried, we can show how we were victorious,” he said.

Naqdi stressed that Iran’s objective is to “attain deterrence” so that the country can “live in security” and prevent its enemies from contemplating another attack.

He said one way to achieve that goal would be to prolong the war, impose attrition on the US and ensure that any future aggressor understands that attacking Iran would come at a cost.

Until the last day of war, Iran’s rockets will be launched

Asked about the number of missiles in Iran’s stockpile, Naqdi stressed that the Islamic Republic does not rely solely on missiles and drones, saying its faith has been central to its ability to prevail.

“First of all, we are not reliant on missiles and drones. If we are victorious, we relied on our faith to be victorious. God is with us,” he said.

He dismissed US and Israeli efforts to count Iran’s missiles, saying the country is capable of producing more missiles each day than it launches.

“Even if this war lasts for years, until the last day, Iran’s rockets will be launched,” he said.

He warned that even if Iran were to run out of missiles, the country would pose an even greater danger to the US because of Washington’s extensive economic interests around the world.

“If there comes a day when Iran has no more missiles left, that’s when we will be even more dangerous for America. Because America has thousands of economic interests throughout the world, and all of them can be easily destroyed,” he said.

Naqdi also said US President Donald Trump and his administration “work for their own interests,” stating that the war coincided with the closure of the stock market, while US officials “send positive messages” when the market opens to raise stock prices.

“If I was in the place of the American Congress, I would call for an investigative committee to compare the assets of Mr. Trump, his family, and his inner circle before the war to their assets after the war,” he said.

The commander also warned that any US nuclear attack on Iran “can end up being a mistake for them.”

“The morning after they use a bomb, all of America’s military bases around the world will be occupied. Today, things are different than World War II. The people of the world have awakened. No one in the world will allow for such a crime to be committed, because the next time it could be themselves,” he said.

Naqdi emphasized that Iran has “no enmity with the people of America,” explaining that the slogan “Death to America” refers to the US leadership.

“Death to America means death to America’s leadership, a leadership that has invaded or violated more than 70 countries since becoming a superpower,” he said.

Iran doesn’t need nuclear bombs

Naqdi stressed that Iran does not pursue a nuclear bomb and does not need one.

“Our nuclear bomb is the hearts of the people of the world that we won fighting oppression. Islamic values and the divine values of the Islamic Revolution are taking over the world. There is no need for nuclear bombs. There is no need for slaughter,” he said.

Asked why the new Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, has not been seen in public since the assassination of his father, the martyred Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, on the first day of the US-Israeli aggression on February 28, Naqdi said his absence was due to security reasons.

“The strategy belongs to him. Our enemy is criminal and doesn’t abide by any law,” he said, adding, “Naturally, it is due to security. Certainly, there is no other reason.”

Asked about allegations that the IRGC had refused to speak to US media, Naqdi said, “We never received a request to reject it. We would like for our voice to reach the ears of people in Western countries. It’s Western media that don’t like our voice to be heard,” he said.

“There’s nothing we do that’s indefensible and outside the values of humanity that we would want to cover up or not discuss.”

Naqdi’s remarks came against the backdrop of the ongoing US-Israeli aggression against Iran, which began on February 28 and prompted Tehran to launch daily missile and drone strikes against US and Israeli military targets across the region before Tehran and Washington signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 17.

Renewed US strikes in recent weeks and other violations of the MoU have, however, once again drawn an Iranian military response and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

13, August 2026

Southern Cameroons Crisis: 13 bus passengers abducted on the Batibo-Mamfe road ⁰

At least 13 people were abducted Tuesday on the Batibo-Mamfe road in Southern Cameroons, local residents and security sources said Wednesday.

Armed men stopped a passenger bus and ordered everyone on board to get out. Witnesses said the attackers took money and personal belongings before forcing 13 people into the bush.

“It was terrifying. They stopped our bus at gunpoint and made everyone get down. They took everything we had and took 13 people away with them. Some of us were lucky they didn’t take us too,” one passenger, who asked not to be named, said.

The same source said the kidnappers are demanding a ransom for the release of the hostages.

Kidnappings for ransom are frequent in the English-speaking Cameroon, where separatist fighters have been clashing with government forces in a campaign for independence. Police said travelers are regularly targeted by suspected separatist gunmen.

Source: Xinhuanet

12, August 2026

Yaoundé wants to make August 14 a national day of remembrance for veterans ⁰

Cameroon’s National Office for Veterans, Former Military Personnel and War Victims (ONACAM) wants August 14 to become an annual national event dedicated to those who served under the country’s flag.

Through its “Walk for Honor” campaign, the agency seeks to extend recognition of veterans beyond official ceremonies and involve the media and the wider public.

The initiative focuses on the individual stories behind military service: soldiers killed in operations, veterans who returned with injuries or lasting effects, and families affected by conflicts. ONACAM wants their sacrifices to become a lasting part of the country’s collective memory and to be passed on to younger generations.

That goal explains the central role assigned to the media. “We are not asking for simple advertising space, but for a contribution to an effort of collective remembrance,” the agency said in an appeal to news organizations.

A Coordinated Media Campaign

The campaign will culminate on August 14 at 8 p.m., when ONACAM wants television stations to simultaneously broadcast a 23-second tribute to veterans and war victims.

Ahead of the event, broadcasters were asked to air a 28-second teaser on August 8 and 9, featuring a black screen, the national anthem and the message “Cameroon Remembers.” Radio stations are also being asked to broadcast a 30-second spot, particularly during peak listening hours.

The coordinated broadcasts aim to create a shared moment of remembrance that reaches a much wider audience than traditional commemorative ceremonies. ONACAM wants veterans’ stories to reach households across the country and gain greater national visibility.

Beyond Administrative Support

The campaign comes as Cameroon already has an institutional framework to support veterans and war victims. The Secretariat of State for Defense in charge of veterans and war victims handles matters that include pensions, professional reintegration and social assistance.

ONACAM now wants to complement that administrative support with a stronger culture of remembrance. The issue extends beyond benefits for former service members to their place in the country’s national story.

By gradually establishing August 14 as a day of collective remembrance, the agency seeks to give public and intergenerational recognition to the sacrifices made by veterans.

The success of “Walk for Honor,” however, will depend on whether the initiative extends beyond a one-time campaign. For August 14 to become an enduring national remembrance event, it will require sustained participation from institutions, media organizations, schools and families, with veterans themselves given a visible role in telling their stories.

Source: Sbbc

12, August 2026

Congo-Kinshasa: At least 2,000 die in fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record ⁰

An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has killed 2,011 people out of 4,381 confirmed cases of the virus, Congolese officials said on Tuesday.

The latest toll puts it close behind the DR Congo’s deadliest Ebola outbreak in 2018 to 2020 when nearly 2,300 people died out of 3,500 recorded cases.

The Ebola outbreak, which has hit the DR Congo’s conflict-plagued eastern and northeastern regions, was declared on May 15 but is thought to have already been spreading for several weeks.

While it took about nine weeks for the outbreak to record the first 1,000 deaths, it’s taken just around three weeks for the figure to double, an evidence that the health crisis is moving faster than efforts to track and manage it.

It is the DR Congo’s 17th surge of the highly contagious disease and is already considered the largest in the country’s history “and could well become the largest outbreak ever”, Sania Nishtar, chief executive of the Gavi global vaccine alliance, has said.

Aid workers say the outbreak continues to outpace response that’s been expanding across the five eastern provinces affected. Many health workers have gone on strike to protest lack of payment for their work since the outbreak was declared. And the World Health Organization (WHO) has said most new cases are still being recorded outside of contacts being monitored, showing that transmission remains out of the control of health workers.

The case fatality rate of the current outbreak is estimated by Congolese health authorities to be 45.9 percent.

On Friday, WHO vaccine experts recommended a full-scale human trial of the only existing approved Ebola vaccine to see if it offered cross-protection against the strain of Ebola currently spreading in the DRC against which no specific vaccine currently exists.

The Ervebo vaccine has proved safe and efficient against the more common Zaire strain of Ebola virus and WHO experts said that early data, notably from animal trials, showed it may also give some protection against the rare Bundibugyo strain exploding in the DRC.

Two potential Bundibugyo vaccines are in the early stages of clinical trials on humans, while a third is being worked on to bring it to that stage.

Source: France 24