4, March 2026

Hope Sona Ebai: iconic South West figure goes home to rest ⁰

The passing to eternity of the renowned board chairman of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), His Royal Highness Chief Hope Sona Ebai is not merely the departure of a great South West business and political figure; it is the quiet dimming of a particular kind of leadership in Anglophone Cameroon forged not in the spotlight of daily operations, but in the steady glow of stewardship.

Chief Hope Sona Ebai as board chairman of the CDC will always live in the margins of Cameroon history. He was never the loudest voice in the room but this fertile mind from Manyemen town was often the final one to speak each time President Biya tasked South West elites with holding both ambition and restraint in delicate balance.

When such a very powerful and refined intellectual figure passes, what lingers is not simply his résumé or the shareholder value accrued under his watch both in Cameroon and Nigeria. It is the tone they set. The culture they guarded and the productive moments deep within the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) the world’s leading cocoa authority and Cameroon’s National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC).

His Royal Highness Chief Hope Sona Ebai understood that power, at its best, is custodial. To him, power is borrowed and it is temporary and must be exercised with humility. His true work as a prominent South West elite was often preventative and he always reminded English speaking Cameroonians to look at the bigger picture. In everything he did during his time in the National Cocoa and Coffee Board, Chief Hope Sona Ebai reminded everyone around him that legacy matters and that trust, once fractured, rarely fully returns.

The passing of such a great figure from the Nguti sub constituency in the South West region invites uncomfortable introspection and begs some seventy million dollar questions: what does governance mean in an age of relentless acceleration? Who guards the guardians? Are Cameroonian boards still sanctuaries of independent judgment, or have they become ceremonial extensions of executive ambition?

As a distinguished chairman of the CDC, Chief Hope Sona Ebai’s life offered both inspiration and warning. Inspiration, because Chief Hope Sona Ebai was a very principled gentleman who shaped the CDC establishment and warning, because his absence now leaves a vacuum — not just of authority, but of moral gravity.

In mourning Chief Hope Sona Ebai, we are reminded that leadership at the highest levels is less about control and more about conscience. His role at the CDC though symbolic, represented something profound. Chief Hope Sona Ebai had the discipline to listen, the courage to take action and the wisdom to step back when necessary.

All in all, perhaps the measure of a successful board chairman during this difficult period in Anglophone Cameroon is this: Did the CDC become stronger than Chief Hope Sona Ebai? Did CDC learn to govern itself with integrity as taught by Chief Hope Soan Ebai? Is CDC now serving not only its investors, but its employees, its communities, and its future?

When such a man with a good heart and a good head on his shoulders passes, the biggest agro-industrial plant in West Africa may open the next morning as usual. But inside the halls Chief Hope Sona Ebai once presided over, there will be silence — and within that silence, a question.

Who will now hold the long view?

Chief Hope Sona Ebai was appointed chairman of the board of directors of the CDC on 27 May 2021. An internationally renowned expert in the cocoa sector, he was an unsuccessful candidate in 2016 for the position of Executive Director of the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO).

He was the first General Manager of Cameroon’s National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC) and had nearly 30 years of experience in the cocoa economy in Cameroon, Africa and around the world. After heading the ONCC for seven years, Chief Hope Sona Ebai spent 11 years as Secretary General of the Cocoa Producing Countries Alliance (COPAL), which accounts for 75% of global cocoa bean production. From this position at COPAL, he was instrumental in organizing the summits of heads of state of African cocoa-producing countries in Abuja in 2006 and Accra in 2007. He was also credited with organizing four international conferences on cocoa research.

His arrival on the board of directors of the CDC, Cameroon’s second largest employer after the public administration greatly contributed to the product diversification that the CDC has been seeking for several years.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

3, March 2026

Yaoundé urges citizens in Middle East to exercise caution amid Iran-US war ⁰

Cameroon on March 1 urged its citizens in the Middle East to exercise caution as security conditions deteriorate amid escalating clashes involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

In a statement, Felix Mbayu, Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations, called on Cameroonians in the region to remain highly vigilant and strictly comply with security directives issued by local authorities.

The warning follows what the government described as a worsening security situation marked by airstrikes, intensified military operations and retaliatory attacks involving several countries in the Gulf.

Tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated in recent days into direct confrontation. Washington and Israel have carried out airstrikes on Iranian territory. In response, Tehran launched missile attacks against Israel and several Gulf states hosting U.S. military facilities, including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

The escalation has shifted the crisis from diplomatic tensions to open conflict, raising concerns about broader regional instability. The presence of foreign military bases, energy infrastructure and key shipping routes has heightened risks for Gulf states and expatriate communities.

Yaounde advised its nationals to follow local emergency instructions, limit non-essential travel and observe any temporary restrictions imposed by authorities. The ministry also urged citizens to remain calm and maintain regular contact with Cameroonian diplomatic missions.

Cameroon said its embassies in Tel Aviv and Riyadh, which also covers Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Cairo, remain operational, along with its consulates general in Jeddah and Dubai.

A crisis monitoring unit has been activated in Yaounde to provide continuous oversight of developments, coordinate diplomatic responses and serve as a contact point for families in Cameroon. Dedicated telephone numbers and an email address have been made available.

Cameroonian authorities did not comment on the substance of the conflict but said their priority is the protection of nationals in a highly volatile security environment.

Source: Business in Cameroon

3, March 2026

Archbishop Nkea says the Holy Father is coming as a Pastor, not a politician ⁰

Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea, Archbishop of Bamenda and President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (CENC), has spoken to Vatican News about the upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV to Cameroon, scheduled from April 15 to April 18, 2026.

Speaking from Bamenda, capital of the North West region and one of the main epicentres of the Anglophone crisis, the prelate said expectations surrounding the visit are high. The Pope is due to travel to Yaoundé, Douala and Bamenda. The city has been affected by violence since late 2016, when a separatist conflict emerged from professional grievances raised by teachers and lawyers.

Archbishop Nkea said the Pope’s decision to visit the region despite ongoing tensions carries strong symbolic significance. “It is significant that the Holy Father chose not to wait for tensions to subside but to come while the situation remains volatile,” he said, adding that the local Church has warmly welcomed the decision.

A tense sociopolitical climate

The visit comes against the backdrop of tensions following the October 2025 presidential election. It also takes place amid continuing secessionist demands in the North West and South West regions, as well as recurring attacks by armed groups in the Far North.

Addressing political interpretations prompted by the announcement, the Archbishop of Bamenda stressed the spiritual nature of the trip. He said the Pope is not coming as a politician or merely as a head of state, but merely as a pastor and a man of God.

Beyond the Catholic community, the visit is widely seen as a message to the nation at a time when efforts to ease sociopolitical tensions remain challenging. Archbishop Nkea described Pope Leo XIV as an ambassador of peace and an apostle of reconciliation.

In a context marked by continuing instability in the Far North, North West and South West, the papal visit is expected to serve as a pastoral gesture and a sign of solidarity with populations affected by the crises.

Source: Sbbc

3, March 2026

Ambazonia Crisis: Belgium arrests 4 over alleged war crimes ⁰

Belgian authorities said on Tuesday they had arrested four people as part of a probe targeting a Cameroonian secessionist group over possible war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The two English-speaking regions of Francophone-majority Cameroon, in the northwest and southwest, have been plagued since 2016 by a conflict between separatists and state forces.

Belgian prosecutors said the arrests followed simultaneous searches in Antwerp and the Flemish town of Londerzeel on Sunday.

They came within an investigation launched last summer focusing on individuals residing in Belgium and suspected to be part of the leadership of the Ambazonia Defence Forces, a separatist group.

“Money is reportedly being raised for the armed struggle and for the purchase of arms and ammunition, and instructions for attacks and liquidations are said to be given from Belgium,” Belgium’s federal prosecutor office said.

Three of the suspects were remanded in custody by the investigating judge, it added.

The conflict in Cameroon erupted after President Paul Biya, who has ruled for more than four decades, violently suppressed peaceful protests by English speakers, many of whom feel marginalised.

The anglophone community comprises about 20 percent of the population.

At least 6,000 civilians have been killed since the conflict began, according to Human Rights Watch.

Belgian prosecutors said they were collaborating with authorities in Norway and the United States, where similar probes are being conducted.

The arrests in Belgium follow arrests in both Norway and the United States.

Source: AFP

2, March 2026

Indomitable Lions: Pagou invites 30 home-based players for training camp ⁰

Cameroon’s quest to discover the next generation of stars has officially begun, as national team coach David Pagou unveiled a 30-man squad drawn exclusively from the domestic league for a special training camp in Yaoundé.

The five-day camp, scheduled to run from March 6 to March 10, 2026, forms part of preparations for the upcoming March international break. More importantly, it signals a deliberate shift toward identifying and grooming home-based talent capable of strengthening the Cameroon national football team, famously known as the Indomitable Lions.

Pagou has made it clear that this camp is not just routine preparation — it is a talent discovery mission. By selecting players solely from the local league, the coach aims to widen the national team pool and give deserving domestic performers a genuine opportunity to stake their claim.

Among the standout names are youngsters Rony Baliag Nougi and Essinguila Mbinde, both members of Cameroon’s U17 side. The duo recently featured at the Uniffac U17 tournament held in DR Congo in February, where the young Lions emerged champions — a triumph that underlined the growing promise within the country’s youth ranks.

Their inclusion in the senior preparatory camp highlights Pagou’s willingness to fast-track exceptional youth prospects into the broader national setup.

The squad features four goalkeepers, a solid defensive contingent, a dynamic midfield group, and a promising selection of attacking options. For many of the invited players, this camp represents a career-defining opportunity, a platform to impress the technical team and possibly secure future call-ups to the senior national squad.

With competition intensifying ahead of upcoming international engagements, the Yaoundé camp could prove pivotal in shaping the next chapter of the Indomitable Lions.

As Cameroon continues its rebuilding process, all eyes will be on these home-based stars to see who rises to the occasion and takes a decisive step toward wearing the famous green, red, and yellow on the international stage.

Below is the squad:

GOALKEEPERS

Marc Janvier Nomo Onguene

Ismael Michel Nwoagou Fansu

Manuel Maurice Nkolulou

Housseini Ousmanou

DEFENDERS

Lalmaine Abdoulhabdoullah Adamou Lifa

David Fenda Alaba

Bogard Eyong Bessem Agbor

Joseph Alexandre Nde

Cyril Dominique Maikte

Serges Valery Elondou Ndomzo

Henri Claude Balladjaka Ahmadou

Barkagil Franck Sterly Peto

Essinguila Mbinde

MIDFIELDERS

Mael Fernandez Monyabe

Jean Oussama Arsène Mekila

Sébastien Noah Arnauissa Fady Ousmanou

Konrad Nfanseu Sinyam

Junior Landry Nkouam

Pollanko Ghangle Rettensi

Jephter Arrey Oduak

Patrick Clovert Fongang

FORWARDS

Ambroise Y. Sow

Undi Evouma

Eden Créoly Nyeme

Jules Armand Kobi Boulma

Dylan Kouam Mbappe Akim

Rony Baliag Nougi

Source: Africa Soccer

2, March 2026

Southern Cameroons: 2nd edition of South West Cultural Festival held in Buea ⁰

People perform during the 2nd edition of the South West Cultural Festival in Buea, the capital of the Southwest Region of Cameroon, Feb. 28, 2026. (Photo by Muleng Timngum/Xinhua)

People dressed in traditional attire attend a carnival parade during the 2nd edition of the South West Cultural Festival in Buea, the capital of the Southwest Region of Cameroon, Feb. 28, 2026. (Photo by Muleng Timngum/Xinhua)

Performers showcase the diverse cultures of the Southwest Region during the 2nd edition of the South West Cultural Festival in Buea, the capital of the Southwest Region of Cameroon, Feb. 28, 2026. (Photo by Muleng Timngum/Xinhua)

Vendors display traditional products during the 2nd edition of the South West Cultural Festival in Buea, the capital of the Southwest Region of Cameroon, Feb. 28, 2026. (Photo by Muleng Timngum/Xinhua)

2, March 2026

Unending attack on medics and healthcare professionals in Cameroon’s separatist war; an unacceptable disgrace ⁰

In the shadow of nearly nine years of war in Cameroon, the line between professional medical practice and armed conflict has grown dangerously thin. What should be a neutral commitment to saving lives have, for many healthcare workers, become grounds for suspicion, arrest, and abuse. The conflict is pitting the separatist movement of Southern Cameroonians (Ambazonians) against the government of 93-year-old Paul Biya, who has been in power since 1982. The conflict has created an environment in which doctors, nurses and many other health professionals are increasingly forced to choose between their ethical duty and their personal safety.

In July 2020, Cameroon Concord News interviewed Peter Ngute in Kumba and Mary Tata in Bamenda, both practicing medics who had been arrested and detained for five months by Cameroonian security forces. In 2022, we spoke with many healthcare professionals and nurses, among them Enow Arrey Lucy who was harassed by government authorities for doing their jobs. Authorities accused them of aiding and abetting separatist fighters in Kumbo and other parts of the two English parts of the country. All were ultimately released without charge. However, they all allege that during their detention they were subjected to torture and inhumane treatment. Peter said, “were punished not for taking up arms, but for treating wounded individuals who arrived at their facilities. And this cannot be right because we are only doing our jobs”.

Their accounts mirror a broader pattern documented by Amnesty International, which reports longstanding and serious human rights violations committed by government security forces, militias, and armed groups in the Anglophone regions during the ongoing conflict. These violations include unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and torture. Within this climate of repression, healthcare workers have become particularly vulnerable. Both Médecins Sans Frontières and Human Rights Watch have documented cases in which medical personnel were accused of aiding combatants, detained on terrorism-related charges and harassed simply for carrying out their professional duties.

The legal framework protecting them is unambiguous. Cameroon ratified the Geneva Conventions in 1963, along with the First and Second Additional Protocols in 1984 and Protocol III in 2021. Under international humanitarian law, medical professionals must be permitted to treat the wounded and sick without discrimination. Medical neutrality is not optional, it is a binding obligation. Yet multiple testimonies suggest that, in practice, healthcare workers are being criminalised for adhering to that very principle.

Cameroon Concord News has gathered additional disturbing accounts. Dr. Tita Augustine, Susan Ndi, a radiologist, and nurse Adeline Nzouepet Sah are among several healthcare professionals who describe their lives as having been irreversibly altered after being accused of supporting separatist fighters. Arrests, threats, and intimidation have followed allegations that stem solely from the provision of medical care. Their experiences point to a troubling pattern upon which impartial treatment is increasingly equated with complicity.

Despite repeated requests for comment, authorities in Yaoundé have declined to respond to questions from Cameroon Concord News. Security forces have reportedly justified detentions by alleging that certain healthcare providers are supporting terrorism. However, such accusations raise fundamental questions about whether the state is conflating medical duty with political allegiance.

The persistent targeting of medics reflects a broader and deeply troubling reality in a conflict that has claimed more than 9,000 lives. When doctors and nurses are detained, intimidated, or tortured, entire communities lose access to essential and lifesaving care. The erosion of medical neutrality not only violates international law but also deepens civilian suffering.

The cases of Adeline Nzouepet Sah, Dr Tita Augustine and Susan Ndi, among many underscore the urgent need for international scrutiny, credible investigations, and accountability mechanisms. Without meaningful protection for healthcare professionals, the humanitarian cost of the conflict will continue to rise among those who are only stated offence is saving lives.

By Rita Akana in Yaoundé

2, March 2026

Iran says Israeli PM’s fate unclear after ‘surprise’ missile attack on his office ⁰

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the fate of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is uncertain following “purposeful and surprise” attacks on his office and the residence of the regime’s air force commander.

In a statement on Monday, the IRGC said Iranian Armed Forces heavily attacked the office of Israel’s criminal prime minister and the residence of commander of the Israeli air force.

They were hit during “purposeful and surprise” attacks by Kheybar missiles, the elite force stated.

According to the statement, the 10th phase of Iran’s successful missile attacks on occupied territories focuses on the Israeli regime’s premises.

The IRGC said it would later announce the achievements of the attacks and provide further information.

The United States and Israel launched a joint war of aggression against Iran early on Saturday, assassinating Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several senior military commanders before attacking military and civilian sites across the country.

Iranian armed forces have responded with massive missile and drone strikes, hitting strategic targets deep inside the Israeli-occupied territories as well as American military bases scattered across the region.

Iranian authorities say the retaliatory attacks will continue as long as necessary and that it will be the Islamic Republic that will decide when and how the war will end.

Source: Presstv

1, March 2026

Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, the martyred Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces ⁰

Major General Seyed Abdolrahim Mousavi, the Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, attained martyrdom in a cowardly Israeli-American aggression on Saturday.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, was also martyred in the Saturday aggression, alongside many top-ranking military commanders and defense officials.

Major General Mousavi succeeded Major General Mohammad Bagheri following the 12-day war in June last year and carried forward the remarkable legacy of his predecessor.

He played a particularly vital role in the June 2025 war, leading the Iranian armed forces in their retaliatory operations that forced the Israeli regime to beg for surrender.

Mousavi previously served as the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army and played an instrumental role in bolstering the might of the army.

On August 21, 2017, he was promoted from Brigadier General to Major General and appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army by the Leader, replacing Seyed Ataollah Salehi.

Later, on May 28, 2019, Ayatollah Khamenei appointed him as the commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base, while he continued to serve as the army’s top commander.

Mousavi was born in 1960 in the holy city of Qom in central Iran. He was a graduate of the Army’s Ground Forces Officers’ University and held a doctorate in defense studies from the Supreme National Defense University. He joined the Iranian army in 1979.

During the years of the Imposed War in the 1980s, Major General Mousavi served in the Army’s artillery unit on various fronts, including the western battlefields in Kurdistan (28th Kurdistan Division) and the southwestern fronts (33rd Artillery Group of the Ground Forces) in Khuzestan province.

He participated in many operations such as Valfajr 4, Valfajr 9, Beit al-Moqaddas 5, Qader, Nasr, and several others. He is recognized as a veteran of the war.

After the Imposed War ended in 1997, he completed the Advanced Command and Staff Course (DAFOS) and later earned a doctoral degree in defense management at the Supreme National Defense University.

From 1999 to 2005, he served as the Chief of Joint Staff of the Army, and from 2008 to 2016, he was Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Army. Following that, from 2016 to 2017, he held the position of Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces.

Mousavi held several significant leadership positions within Iran’s military. From 1999 to 2005, he served as the Chief of Joint Staff of the Army, later assuming the role of Deputy Commander-in-Chief from 2008 to 2016.

In 2016, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, a position he held until 2017, when he was named Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, a role he held until today.

Additionally, since May 2019, served as the Commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base, further solidifying his central role in the country’s military strategy and operations.

Major General Mousavi also served as the Commander of Imam Ali (PBUH) Officers’ University, where he contributed to the training and development of military personnel.

He also led the Army’s Northeast Operational Base, overseeing strategic operations in the region.

In addition, he was the Deputy for Training and the Deputy for Planning and Programs within the Army Ground Forces, playing a key role in shaping military preparedness and strategy.

Mousavi’s expertise in operations led to his appointment as the Head of Operations for the Army, and later, he became the Director of the Army Strategic Studies Center, where he engaged in high-level research and policy development.

Source: Presstv

1, March 2026

Miss Cameroon 2025 Dismissed ⁰

The reign of Josiane Harangada Golonga, elected Miss Cameroon on July 12, 2025, has ended abruptly. In a statement dated Feb. 25, 2026, the Miss Cameroon Organizing Committee (Comica) announced her “immediate removal,” citing “serious and repeated breaches of contractual obligations.”

Among the grievances cited were unjustified absences from several “major official events,” remarks deemed disrespectful toward the institution, the “unilateral cessation” of activities linked to her mandate, and the use of a personal manager “in violation of contractual clauses.” Despite “several requests for explanations, warnings and formal notices,” Comica said the titleholder remained in “culpable silence,” reflecting a refusal to honor her commitments.

The committee consequently stripped her of “all rights, privileges and benefits attached to the title of Miss Cameroon 2025.” The decision, signed by Ingrid Solange Amougou, president of Comica, took effect on Feb. 25, 2026, the date of notification. First runner-up Audrey Moutongo has been called upon to “ensure continuity of the function and preserve the image of the institution.”

The titleholder has implicitly challenged that account. Josiane Golonga is seeking two months of unpaid salary and the return of her official vehicle. She denies the accusations of “job abandonment” and breach of contract.

Before her removal, a final formal notice had been sent to her, giving her five days to appear at the committee’s headquarters or be considered to have resigned. The episode highlights recurring tensions between titleholders and the organization within a contractual framework that is regularly contested.

A pageant repeatedly shaken by scandals

The case is part of a series of crises that have marked the pageant’s recent history since its relaunch in 2002. In 2018, the Dec. 30, 2017 election was suspended following a complaint challenging the results. Caroline Aimée Nséké was ultimately confirmed in her role by the Yaoundé-Center Administrative Court of First Instance on July 3, 2018. The complaining candidate had sought 30 million CFA francs and the annulment of the vote.

In 2017, Julie Cheugueu Nguimfack, elected Miss Cameroon 2016, was removed for “indiscipline” and failure to comply with the code of conduct. Her crown was passed to her fourth runner-up, Ange Michèle Minkata, after several withdrawals. The former Miss denounced “maneuvers” by Comica in an open letter.

Over the years, allegations of embezzlement, harassment and disputes over sponsors’ prizes have also tarnished the pageant’s image, undermining its credibility.

State intervention: an attempt to regain control

In December 2018, citing “repeated incidents” affecting the pageant’s image, the state decided to “reclaim” the Miss Cameroon concept. The Ministry of Arts and Culture said at the time it aimed to “preserve the image of this event” and ensure its “efficient” organization.

Held under the high patronage of First Lady Chantal Biya and financially supported by the state, the pageant was presented as a national symbol. Comica resumed organizing the event in 2019 under the leadership of Ingrid Solange Amougou. Tensions, however, persist.

A structural crisis?

The recurrence of removals, legal disputes and public controversies raises questions about the pageant’s governance, including contractual ambiguity, diverging expectations, deficient communication or an imbalance in the relationship between candidates and the organization.

Presented as a showcase of culture and of “beauty, excellence and hope,” Miss Cameroon has repeatedly been overshadowed by institutional crises. The removal of the 2025 titleholder thus extends beyond an individual case and raises a broader question: can the pageant restore stability and credibility over the long term? Behind the spotlight, the issues now appear to lie in governance and transparency.

Source: Sbbc