Politics

19, January 2017

Gambia: Adama Barrow sworn in as new President ⁰

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously approved a resolution endorsing efforts by some West African countries to ensure the respect of “the will of the people” in The Gambia. The 15-member body on Thursday approved a Senegal-drafted resolution expressing “full support” to Gambia’s new President Adama Barrow and calling on ex-leader Yahya Jammeh to step down. The resolution calls on the council to give “its full support” to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to ensure that Barrow’s election victory on December 1 is respected by “political means first.” Senegal presented the draft resolution to the council on Wednesday, requesting UN approval for ECOWAS to take “all necessary measures” to force Jammeh to cede power to Barrow.

The harsh language of the resolution was dropped during negotiations late Wednesday because some UNSC members objected to backing military action, according to diplomats. The vote came shortly after Barrow was sworn in as Gambia’s new president. Barrow, 51, was sworn in inside Gambia’s embassy in neighboring Senegal, where he had been remaining after Jammeh refused to endorse the results of the presidential election. “This is a victory of the Gambian nation. Our flag will now fly high among those of the most democratic nations of the world,” Barrow said, waving to crowds in Senegal’s capital Dakar.

Jammeh, who lost the votes by a slim margin to Barrow, first accepted the defeat but then changed his mind and said there were irregularities in a recount. Following the UN vote, Senegalese troops moved across the border into The Gambia. “They entered this afternoon,” army spokesman Colonel Abdoul Ndiaye told AFP. Troops from Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria began building up along Gambia’s border with Senegal hours before Jammeh’s mandate was to expire by January 19.

During the swearing-in ceremony, Barrow called on members of Gambia’s small-size military to pledge loyalty to him as the commander in chief. “I command the chief of defense staff and officers of high command to demonstrate their loyalty to me as commander in chief without any delay,” Barrow said. “I command all members of the armed forces to remain in their barracks, those found wanting or in possession of firearms without my order will be considered rebels,” he added. Gambia’s army chief Ousman Badjie had said earlier on Thursday that his troops would not get involved in the country’s deepening “political dispute.” He also said that troops would not prevent foreign forces from entering The Gambia.

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19, January 2017

Kah Walla says Consortium leaders to be charged with treason, secession, terrorism ⁰

The only prominent female politician in Cameroon, Kah Walla has met with the detained leaders of the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium. Kah Walla issued a statement after the meeting which was sent to our London news desk some few hours ago. Below is the press release from Madam Kah Wall:

Very happy to report that we have seen Barrister Nkongho Felix Balla and Dr. Fontem Neba today. They are both well and in strong spirits. They report being literally kidnapped from the South West region on Tuesday 17 January and brought to Yaoundé by car, via Douala in the very early hours of Wednesday morning. They are being held at the SED (Sécretariat d’Etat à la Défense). Since their arrival there they have been treated humanely.

The charges brought against them are of extreme gravity including secession, treason, inciting rebellion and acts of terrorism. These charges require that we as Cameroonians mobilize and act swiftly, non-violently, but with mass determination, to ensure their IMMEDIATE RELEASE. If we do not mobilize quickly, efficiently and effectively, these leaders will pay a very heavy price.

Dr. Fontem Neba and Barrister Nkongho Balla have been part of the leadership of a movement that will forever change the perspective of how we determine the future of Cameroon. We must not let them pay the price of decades in prison or even their lives for these unfounded charges. The Deputy Secretary General of the Cameroon People’s Party and myself as President of the CPP joined a delegation of lawyers from the South West who had traveled to meet with Balla and Fontem.

We discussed the importance of mobilization with them. We are asking all political and civil society organizations and all citizens to follow the lead of the lawyers as they mobilize for the IMMEDIATE RELEASE of Dr. Fontem and Barrister Balla. We must not cede to the fear that the government is trying to instill in us. It is time to STAND UP! Stand Up for Nkongho Balla and Fontem Neba, Stand Up for all those who have sacrificed their lives in this movement. Stand Up for Bobga and Tassang, stand up for the many who stood in the streets of Buea, Bamenda, Kumba and throughout the SW and NW.

It is in the eye of the storm, that the strength of the people will be known. STAND UP, STAND UP, STAND UP! We must act without violence and with utmost determination to obtain freedom for these leaders! As we receive information on precise non-violent action to be taken, we will relay here.

Note: As we left the SED, we were informed that Mancho BBC had been brought there in the night. We were unable to see him, but will provide more information on his situation as we receive it.

18, January 2017

Southern Cameroons : Time to elect your new own Government is NOW! ⁰

DEAR AMBAZONIANS,

The ghost town strikes are a wonderful and effective way of resistance against an illegitimate occupation army which may not be much longer loyal to such a senile, untrustworthy embezzler like Mr. Biya. Even France will drop him soon for his incompetent and illegal actions. Nevertheless while the human rights violations and arrests of Ambazonian leaders are increasing still, the Ambazonian population should be aware, that no little scattered, lousy “army” of corrupt dictators has any chance against 8 million determined Ambazonians, and that Ambazonia can open its constituent assembly or government all the same right now, because it does not need any OK from foreign nations for that. And as soon as the occupation forces try to close any ministry of the (interim) Ambazonia Government, it can re-open that ministry immediately at just another location! Be tactical and confuse your enemy!

Also the UN has granted Ambazonia independence since 1984 and the UN Convention for the LAW of the SEA grants Ambazonia full property of its oil and gas as well up to 200 miles from the shore, so Ambazonia can actually forbid Sonara and La Kleptocratique du Craboon the stealing of the oil. As soon as Ambazonia promises Exxon and British Petrol some higher share (without being pulled over the table!), the USA and UK and Nigeria and even may be Spain will support Ambazonia by allowing an own Ambazonia Army to defend from the French. And together with a new Constitution of Ambazonia, which guarantees that the revenues of the oil (taxes) and agricultural exports will flow back to the Ambazonian People, Ambazonia will become unbeatable and the admired pearl of Africa. And on top of that, the new Ambazonia Government can organize a referendum soon after, in which the many tribes can vote on a new name for the nation, which is not a colonizer’s name anymore, but a native languages name. How about “Baland”, the land of the many Ba Peoples, Ba-kossi, Banso, Bali, Bafaw, Balundu, Ba-ngwa, Ba-kweri, Bayangi, Bafut …. ?

Yet for now, the Ambazonian diaspora can get expertise from the UN and Norway on how to regain control over its resources and territory and transform oil into wealth, as well as from all BRIC countries on how to open the Ambazonia National Bank and issue a new currency by attracting its futures to foreign investors, and to force France / Switzerland this way to send Biya into permanent exile retirement and bring him before International Court for his human rights violations and embezzlements. Don’t hesitate, just do it! Overcome intertribal ditchfights before your common enemy and start teamworking! Elect your new own Government NOW!

By Christoph Messner

18, January 2017

European Parliament elects new president ⁰

Antonio Tajani of the European People’s Party (EPP) has been elected as the European Parliament’s new president. The 63-year-old Italian defeated another Italian, S&D socialist Gianni Pitella, on Tuesday and is set to replace Germany’s Martin Schulz.

In the past, Tajani served as the spokesman for former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and as a European commissioner.

The battle among the two Italians was won by Tajani on a vote of 351-282 in the decisive final round, which only the top two candidates managed to enter.

Before voting began, the EEP, the largest group in the block’s legislature, formed a coalition with the ALDE liberals, that gave Tajani the required lead over Pittella.

Members of the European Parliament take part in a plenary session marking the election of the assembly’s new President in Strasbourg, eastern France, on January 17, 2016. (Photos by AFP)

“This was as democratic process and as I said today, I will be the president of all, I will respect all members of parliament and all groups,” said Tajani.

“We must devote our attention to all those who are in tough living conditions,” he added while giving a short acceptance speech, during which he also dedicated his victory to the victims of a deadly August earthquake in central Italy and all those injured by terrorism.

In a statement issued to congratulate Tajani, Pittella noted that it had been some time since the European Parliament had elected a president “in a fully transparent and open competition without any pre-arranged deals.”

“Today, the political landscape in the European Parliament is dramatically changed with the birth of a new conservative block. We will constructively oppose this block,” added Pittella.

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17, January 2017

“La Republique is attempting to drive the Anglophone resistance underground” ¹

Following the recent decision by the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, Rene Sadi Emmanuel banning the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium and the Southern Cameroons National Council including the subsequent arrest of the leaders of the Consortium, reactions have been pouring into our European news desk.

The Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the Cameroon Concord News Group, the Right Honorable Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai pointed out to our Dublin Bureau Chief, Diamond Ebs Esoh that “La Republique is attempting to drive the Anglophone resistance underground. That will fail.” Our Chairman observed.

Mr Agbaw-Ebai said “What is ongoing is a revolution and by banning the Consortium, Biya and his gang have just energized the revolution.”

With the Southern Cameroons National Council, the Anglophone media guru noted that “The SCNC is an international organization operating worldwide. It has a tremendous capacity to talk to Southern Cameroons and enforce its decision from any part of the world. It does not need Biya to operate.”

By Chi Prudence Asong in Dublin

17, January 2017

US: 26 House Democrats boycotting Trump’s inauguration ⁰

More than two dozen Democratic lawmakers have announced their boycott of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, particularly over Russia’s alleged meddling in the 2016 election and his criticism of a civil rights leader.

Some Democrats have said they will be protesting in Washington, DC, and in their districts instead of participating in the swearing-in ceremony of the 45th president of the United States on Friday.

All the 26 lawmakers, who will be shunning Trump’s inauguration, are members of the House of Representatives; no senators have said they are boycotting the event.

Some of the Democrats had declared their absence during the oath ceremony on the Capitol Hill prior to Trump’s row with African American civil rights icon and Democratic Congressman John Lewis.

African American civil rights icon and Democratic Congressman John Lewis

Last week, Trump sparked outrage by condemning Lewis after the congressman said he would boycott the president-elect’s inauguration because he doesn’t see him as the “legitimate” president in light of reports of Russian interference. “You cannot be at home with something that you feel that is wrong,” Lewis said.

In a Twitter outburst on Saturday, Trump said Lewis, the Representative for Georgia’s 5th congressional district, should spend more time trying to fix his “horrible” and “crime-infested” district rather than “complaining” about the Russia’s role in the US presidential election.

Earlier this month, the US intelligence community released an unclassified 25-page report, claiming that the Russian government had directed hackers to target various Democratic Party organizations and operatives to influence the outcome of the election.

The intelligence community’s document accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of personally ordering his government to help Trump win the November election.

US President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City, January 11, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)

Meanwhile, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has denounced the intelligence community’s report on the alleged Russian meddling as a politically motivated “press release.”

Speaking at a news conference on January 9, Assange called the report politically motivated and damaging to the intelligence community’s reputation.

James Jatras, a former US Senate policy adviser and diplomat, told Press TV recently that the outgoing US administration, mainstream media and intelligence community are spreading the Russian hacking fiction in order to undermine Trump’s presidency and potential efforts to mend ties with Moscow

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17, January 2017

Ghogomu Paul Mingo announces end of Ad Hoc Committee mission, attacks the Consortium ⁰

The head of the so-called Ad Hoc Committee has announced in a press release issued in the French language that negotiations between the Biya Francophone regime and the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium have come to an end. The pronouncement came as Southern Cameroonians are observing day-two of the civil disobedience campaign earlier decreed by the Consortium.

The regime had established the Francophone dominated Ad Hoc Interdepartmental Committee to review and propose solutions to the problems identified with respect to the demands of Anglophone teachers. This committee, chaired by Professor Ghogomu Paul Mingo, held two meetings with representatives of striking teachers in Bamenda. The last one took place on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 January.

The Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium made it abundantly clear to Ghogomu Paul Mingo and his team of inexperienced negotiators that the demands of the Common Law Lawyers and the Anglophone teachers were linked to the marginalization policy instituted by the Francophone regime in Yaounde.

It was evident the Ad Hoc Committee had to fail in its attempt to induce trade unionists to lift their call to strike. In a communiqué released yesterday Monday 16 January 2017, Professor Ghogomu Paul Mingo, announced the end of his mission and blamed West Cameroon leaders for erecting a stone wall during the dialogue process. The light weight political elite from the Bamenda province of Southern Cameroons also accused the new generation of Anglophone leader of taken parents and students hostage for political reasons.

By Rita Akana

16, January 2017

Gambia: A tale of two Heads of State ⁰

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) announced last week that they will no longer recognize President Yahya Jammeh as the Head of State of the Gambia from the 20th of January 2017 if he refuses to cede power to President-elect Adama Barrow.

The idea of resorting to the deployment of military force in the country was also discussed last Friday during the visit of the ECOWAS leaders in the Gambia which was attended by Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for West and Sahel Africa.

To ensure that the electoral verdict is respected, Chambas said that ECOWAS should ask the Security Council to approve the deployment of military troops in the Gambia if President Jammeh refuses to give up power. Jammeh warned the international community last week that the crisis will be resolved in accordance with the laws in force in the Gambia and that an “external interference” will not be accepted.

The steps to resolve the crisis through dialogue are continuing while ECOWAS has asked President-elect Adama Barrow to stay put in Senegal, while negotiations continue for his likely inauguration on the 19th of January. De facto, Barrow finds himself by force of circumstances outside the country while Jammeh who received the support of the Army barricades in Banjul.

A private meeting of the Chiefs of Staff of ECOWAS was held last Saturday in Abuja to reflect on the deployment of a force called Group Military Intervention (ECOMIG) in the Gambia if power does not handed to the President-elect. The ECOWAS Chiefs of Staff have started to set up troops for a possible deployment in The Gambia. In this controversial circumstances, many political commentators fear of another Libya as Nigerian leader, Buhari and the other ECOWAS heads of state have been blowing the heat and cold for Adama Barrow inauguration.

By Chi Prudence Asong

15, January 2017

Southern Cameroons ghost town operation begins tomorrow ¹

The Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium, CACSC has declared that tomorrow Monday the 16^th of January 2017 and Tuesday the 17^th be observed as days of civil disobedience. The much respected members of the Consortium have also hinted of the possibility of extending the ghost town operations indefinitely if Yaounde fails to hold an immediate referendum in West Cameroon. The information is contained in a statement released after the two day meeting held with members of the Francophone Ad Hoc Committee put in place to continue to deceive Southern Cameroonians to remain with La Republique du Cameroun.

The West Cameroon leaders stated in the release that talks with the French speaking Cameroonians were cordial and some Francophone government ministers showed signs of good faith. The leaders revealed that all 18 points tabled were properly examined. But added that federalism which is a key factor in the on-going Anglophone uprising was avoided by the Francophone political elites. The Francophones however opined that federalism can only be discussed in the Francophone dominated National Assembly in Yaounde.

At the close of the Bamenda meeting which ended in a deadlock, the Southern Cameroon leaders announced a major ghost town operation beginning tomorrow. The leaders pointed out that the civil disobedience campaign is a counter to the Francophone government’s continuous militarization of West Cameroon, the excessive use of force by La Republique’s security apparatus on unarmed Anglophone civilians and the deliberate silence on the part of the Biya Francophone Beti Ewondo regime to seek lasting solutions to the Anglophone problem. Southern Cameroon leaders also called for the unconditional release of all youths arrested in the defunct North West and South West regions.

Cameroon Concord News Group has deployed a cream of reporters to bring to our readers updates on the ghost operations beginning tomorrow.

By Chi Prudence Asong in Bamenda

14, January 2017

Iran says it won’t allow reopening of new nuclear case ⁰

A senior Iranian official says the country’s landmark nuclear agreement with the P5+1 group of countries is non-negotiable and Tehran will never allow any new nuclear case to be opened against it. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for European and American Affairs Majid Takht-e Ravanchi made the remarks on Friday, adding that it was “not only Iran’s stance but also that of all the P5+1 member states.”

The nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was clinched between Iran and the P5+1 group – the US, Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany – in July 2015. As per the accord, which came into force in January 2016, the six world powers committed to lifting nuclear-relation sanctions against Iran and the Islamic Republic agreed to limit its nuclear work in certain areas.

Takht-e Ravanchi’s comments were made after recent provocative remarks by US President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, who had said he would call for a “full review” of the JCPOA. The Iranian diplomat further said that at a recent session of the JCPOA oversight committee, known as the Joint Commission, all participants stressed that no country would be allowed to affect the deal’s implementation.

The need for all relevant parties to fully honor their obligations under the nuclear accord was stressed in the joint statement released following the meeting, Takht-e Ravanchi added. The main agenda of the meeting was to discuss Washington’s controversial extension of its so-called Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) for yet another 10 years, which Tehran views as a violation of the JCPOA. The law, which authorizes the US president to re-impose bans against Iran, was first adopted in 1996 to punish investments in the Islamic Republic over its nuclear program and its support for anti-Israeli resistance groups.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry official went on to say that the US delegation also pledged that the sanctions law would have no “executive effect” on the JCPOA implementation. The sixth meeting of the commission, held in the Austrian capital Vienna on Tuesday, was called by European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini following a request by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Following the talks, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi, who headed Tehran’s delegation, said the country “explained its concern on the extension,” adding, “I think the joint commission took Iran’s concern very seriously.”

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