News

15, September 2016

Biya and outgoing French ambassador meet for the last time in Etoudi ⁰

President Paul Biya has met for the last time, the outgoing French ambassador to Cameroon, Christine Robichon. Cameroon Concord News was reliably informed that the audience that held on the 14th of September 2016 provided an opportunity for the Cameroonian dictator to thank Madam Robichon for the peaceful co-existence that reigns between Cameroon and the French republic.

The French diplomat read a farewell message to Mr Biya, informing the president that she has come to the end of her three-year mission in the country. During the over 90 – minute tete-a-tete, they reviewed the state of bilateral relations between Cameroon and France. They also revisited the political and security situation in the Central African sub region.

15, September 2016

Former Brazilian President charged with corruption ⁰

Prosecutors in Brazil have filed charges of involvement in money-laundering and corruption against former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife. Federal prosecutors on Wednesday indicted the couple for alleged implication in graft schemes and the embezzlement of more than $2 billion from the country’s giant state-run oil company, Petrobras.

The former Brazilian president and his wife were also charged with receiving a luxury apartment at a seaside resort in Sao Paulo from a major construction company involved in the Petrobras corruption scandal. The 70-year-old ex-president has strongly denied any wrongdoing and repeatedly declared his innocence, saying the prosecution against him and his associates is politically motivated.

Lula’s lawyers also said that prosecutors lacked evidence to support their allegations, which they said were part of political scheme to hinder his chances to run for the 2018 presidential election in Brazil.

“This Lula-centered farce was trumped up as an affront to the democratic state and intelligence of Brazilian citizens,” Cristiano Zanin, one of his lawyers, said. Despite all accusations targeting Lula and his party, recent opinion polls have indicated that he enjoys sizable popularity among Brazilians and stands a much higher chance to win the next presidential election than potential rivals.

Lula, who was key to bringing the summer Olympics to Rio, left office with huge popularity thanks to social programs during his administration, which lifted tens of millions of Brazilians from poverty. His legacy, however, has been seriously tainted by the emergence of the Petrobras scandal, in which dozens of politicians and executives stand accused of having embezzled from the huge state oil company in a web of inflated contracts, kickbacks and bribes during his presidency.

A scandal also affected Lula’s successor, Dilma Rousseff, leading to her impeachment by Congress last month over breaking budget rules and her handling of Brazil’s worst recession since the 1930s.

Presstv

15, September 2016

Cameroon news summary: A Shu Lorraine Beleisi Production ⁰

The Buea Municipal Council on an urbanization mission:

The Buea Municipal Council, recently broke down shelters and petit businesses along the streets of Buea. Officials say this is in an attempt to maintain some sanitation and order in this town. More is to be done, to transform Buea into an outstanding town in Cameroon.

Cameroon Government ramps up security ahead of AFCON:

Cameroon’s Defence Minister, Joseph Beti Assomo, says government would take measures to ensure the security of players, fans and others during the African Women Cup of Nations slated for November in Yaounde and Limbe.

Camair-Co’s Ex Director General, Jean Paul Nana Sandjo, denies American Nationality and denounces witch-hunt:

According to The Times Journal, The former Director General of the ailing national airline, Camair-Co, Jean Paul Nana Sandjo, recently announced to all, that he was neither seeking to flee Cameroon nor was beign investigated for financial impropriety as was being bandied by the press across the nation.

NCC Creates Excellence Award for Socially Responsible Journalism:

The National Communication Council has announced the creation of a Media Excellence and Responsible Journalism Award scheme, dubbed Excell’Com, in a bid to uphold ethically sound journalism.

14, September 2016

Niamey: Boko Haram kills 5 Nigerien soldiers, injures 6 others ⁰

Nigeria-based Boko Haram Takfiri militants have attacked soldiers in neighboring Niger, with reports saying more than two dozen people have been killed in the fighting.

Niger’s Defense Ministry said late Tuesday that the attack on its soldiers had been carried out a day earlier near the village of Toumour, about 65 kilometers northeast of the town of Diffa.

Nigerien armed forces spokesman Colonel Moustapha Michel Ledru said five soldiers had been killed and six others injured as a result of the fighting, which also saw at least 30 militants killed.

The official, who was delivering a statement on Niger’s national television, said two Boko Haram militants had been arrested and the army confiscated a large quantity of arms and ammunition.

The clashes came less than a week after two Nigerien soldiers were declared dead after their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device during a patrol near Barwa locality in Diffa.

Presstv

14, September 2016

Cameroon honours outgoing French ambassador ⁰

The government of Cameroon has honoured the outgoing French ambassador to Cameroon, Christine Robichon with the status of the Officer of the Order of Valour. Ambassador Robichon was decorated during a farewell state dinner offered in her honour by the President of the Republic at the Yaounde Monte Febe Hotel.

The Minister of External Relations, Lejeune Mbella Mbella saluted the efforts of the diplomat in reinforcing bilateral ties between Cameroon and France. The Minister reviewed the ambassador’s contribution and that of France in helping Cameroon in the fight against Boko Haram terrorism.

Minister Mbella Mbella further observed that France has always been a reliable development partner to Cameroon and cited the recent C2D programme that has seen the injection of over FCFA 400 billion into the Cameroonian economy. The External Relations Minister praised Robichon’s efforts in championing the visit of the French President, François Holland to Cameroon.

He transmitted the message of appreciation from the Head of State to Christine Robichon for her role in the relations which he termed excellent. The dinner was attended by some 20 prominent personalities of the state including ten cabinet ministers.

CRTV

14, September 2016

West Region: 4 killed on the Bafoussam-Mbouda Highway ⁰

4 people were killed on Tuesday afternoon in a traffic accident that occurred on the Bafoussam-Mbouda highway in the West region. According to initial testimonies, the accident happened when the driver of a small car attempted to overtake another vehicle at a dangerous corner. The overtaking car was violently struck by a large passenger bus.

4 deaths were recorded on the tile and Cameroon Concord News gathered there were many cases of serious injuries which were transported to health infrastructures in the region. Less than a month ago, 8 persons lost their lives on the same spot.

By Rita Akana

14, September 2016

UN voices concerns over continued violations of international law in Southeast Turkey ⁰

The UN high commissioner for human rights has voiced concerns over allegations of continued violations of international law in southeast Turkey.

Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein made the remarks during a speech at the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council held in Geneva on Tuesday.

“We have received repeated and serious allegations of on-going violations of international law as well as human rights concerns, including civilian deaths, extrajudicial killings and massive displacement,” he said.

While adding that his concerns over people’s rights in the region remain “acute,” the high commissioner stressed that sufficient consideration must be lent toward the humanitarian and protection requirements for the thousands who have been displaced and affected by Ankara’s actions in the region.

Presstv

13, September 2016

War on Corruption: A new tenant in Kondengui ¹

There is a new tenant in the Yaounde Central Prison in Kondengui. Jerome Ondobo Mono, Mayor of Ntui in the Mbam and Kim division for over ten years and who also held the position of Chief Financial Officer in the Stabilization Fund of the Cameroon Hydrocarbons Company was recently arrested in a case of embezzlement.

Mr Jerome Ondolo Mono, a chartered member and one of the most prominent barons of the CPDM crime syndicate in his locality, was chairman of the CPDM departmental coordination committee in the Mbam and Kim northwest (Ngambe Tikar ) at the last renewal of the basic organs of the party.

Rumours had circulated that this elite from Mbam and Kim was invited to meet President Biya at Baden Baden, where the Head of State was stationed during a private trip to Europe to discuss a ministerial portfolio. Ondobo Mono Jerome, we can now reveal is in the central prison in Yaounde and has been charged for siphoning 500 million FCFA.

Ebong Kingsley with files from Cameroon-info.net

12, September 2016

9/11: Saudi Arabia feeling the heat ⁰

Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies in the Persian Gulf region have expressed dissatisfaction about recent legislation in the US that would enable the families of the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks to lodge complaints against Riyadh and demand reparations over the kingdom’s alleged role. The group of the six Arab nations, known as the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council ([P]GCC), issued a statement on Monday, claiming that the legislation was against international law and posed risks to relations between countries.

The head of the six-nation group said the law was “contrary to the foundations and principles of relations between states and the principle of sovereign immunity enjoyed by states.” “Such laws will negatively affect the international efforts and international cooperation to combat terrorism,” Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani added and hoped that the US would cast aside the bill.

In separate statements, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, both members of the group, expressed concerns about the consequences of the congressional move on relations between the United State and other countries. The September 11 legislation was approved Friday in the US House of Representatives. It had initially gained the endorsement of the Senate. However, the White House has hinted that President Barack Obama may veto the move over concerns that it could prompt other countries to pursue similar lawsuits against the US.

Observers say, however, that Obama is more concerned about the economic impacts of the legislation as officials in oil-rich Saudi Arabia have previously threatened that any legal action against Riyadh over the 9/11 attacks would prompt them to rethink their future investment plans in the US. Sunday marked the 15th anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001 which saw nearly 3,000 killed in hijacked plane attacks in New York, the Washington, D.C. area and Pennsylvania.

Fifteen of the nineteen hijackers were Saudi nationals. In July, excerpts of a congressional report on 9/11 were released which found that some of the hijackers had ties to Saudi government officials. However, the allegations have never been substantiated by an official body in the US. The government in Riyadh has strongly denied any role in the incidents and has lobbied against the bill. The [P]GCC, a body which also includes Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, is strongly influenced by Saudi Arabia and has a record of obeying the official policy of Riyadh in dealing with regional and international developments.

Presstv

11, September 2016

Cameroon: Finance Minister sends off French ambassador ⁰

The outgoing French ambassador to Cameroon Christine Robichon has described her three years diplomatic mission to Cameroon as successful with major achievements recorded. She made the revelation on Tuesday the 6^th of September 2016 in Yaounde after an audience Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey.

Christine Robichon and Finance minister Alamine held economic discourse on some issues of common interest for the two countries. After the brief meeting she received a gift from Alamine Ousmane Mey paid for by the Cameroon tax payer.

The outgoing ambassador was appointed to Cameroon on the 25^th of October 2013 after haven served in various capacities as a diplomat in Africa, the Middle East, United States of America and the United Nations.

CRTV