11, January 2025

Unity Palace: Biya receives 2025 New Year Wishes ⁰

Members of the Diplomatic Corps and National Dignitaries presented New Year wishes to the 91-year-old BIYA at Unity Palace on 10 January 2025.

The ceremony reportedly started at the Hall of Ambassadors where Mostafa Bouh, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps acknowledged Cameroon’s hospitality and efforts to strengthen multilateralism. Bouh congratulated Biya on CAF’s decision to confer the Excellence Award recognition for his outstanding contribution to the growth of football on the African continent.

Ambassador Mostafa Bouh lauded the recent inscription of the Ngondo festival of the Sawa people on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list on 4 December 2024.

BIYA responded with gratitude and recalled his message for more solidarity and constructive dialogue in the resolution of conflicts around the world. He reiterated Cameroon’s position for a peaceful, just, prosperous and inclusive international community.

He also expressed his profound gratitude to the Diplomatic Corps for their massive support on the election of Cameroonian-born Philemon Yang as President of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The second and last phase of the ceremony organised at the Banquet Hall opened the floor to National Dignitaries, including Members of Parliament, the judiciary, Members of Government, defence and security forces, political and religious authorities, businesspersons, trade union leaders, and staff of the Presidency of the Republic.

Culled from the PRC

10, January 2025

Manyu Diaspora: A senior Nyene Mawn queen has died in France ⁰

A prominent member of the Manyu Women International Association (Nyene Mawn) Lady Mbi Angel died Friday in France.

Here’s how the Nyene Mawn family announced her passing on a social media post.

Death of Queen Mbi Angel of NYENE MAWN France

Queen Mbi Angel has died in France. Lady Mbi Angel was the rock on which Nyene Mawn was built when we rebranded in Belgium last year and who provided Nyene Mawn with the stability and strength that our great association needed.

The death of our beloved sister Mbi Angel is a moment of the greatest sadness for all members of the Nyene Mawn family all over the world.

Nyene Mawn queens are mourning profoundly the passing of a cherished Manyu iron lady and a much-loved Manyu woman. We all in Nyene Mawn know her loss will be deeply felt throughout all Nyene Mawn branches all over the world and in our great Manyu constituency.

Rest in peace Queen Mbi Angel!

Please a detail Nyene Mawn funeral arrangement will be announce in the coming days.

Sign: Mami Patience Abangma

President-General

Nyene Mawn

10, January 2025

Biya will die soon ⁰

The clock is ticking on whether President Biya will continue as head of state beyond the 2025 presidential elections.

The 91-year-old leader and his acolytes would not say if he is preparing to step down this year or face a forced eviction out of the Unity Palace by angry Cameroonians.

The failed leader has still not made a decision on whether he will run for the upcoming elections and go beyond 2025.

While senior Roman Catholic Bishops are demanding that he resigns, ambassadors from the US, UK and Canada have also been pushing his Minister of Territorial Administration; Paul Atanga Nji to convince Biya to accept that time has come for him to leave the political stage.

Our Yaoundé city reporter said late yesterday that the dictator after forty-two years in power is still not sure that Cameroon as a nation has options if he decides to step down.

With age now telling on him and his health failing at catastrophic rapidity, we of the Concord Group believe that sooner or later it will happen and Cameroonians have to prepare.

However, if Biya does decide to go on beyond 2025, he will end up in the Kondengui Maximum Security Prison in Yaoundé with many of his most trusted allies.

Our informants in Etoudi watching him as he struggles to receive New Year wishes from his cronies have all admitted that the presidential part of Biya has left him and he will die soon.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

9, January 2025

“Biya has realized that the time has come to leave” Joshua Osih ⁰

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), Joshua Osih, met the press on Tuesday 7 January 2025. This is a traditional meeting that the SDF leader honours at the beginning of each year.

The business tycoon took the opportunity to revisit President Biya’s message to the nation on 31 January 2024, as well as the statements made by Roman Catholic bishops.

According to Joshua Osih, Biya himself has noted that the time has come to leave and this is what the Cameroonian Bishops have noticed, although they are not alone. Joshua Osih stated that the bishops have simply made public what everyone else is thinking.

‘When you listen to the President of the Republic on 31 December, the least you can do is give us an assessment. If you can’t tell us what you’ve done in a year, if you cannot tell us what you’ve done in 42 years. Unfortunately, it has to be said that Biya is incapable of doing so. He has also realised that the time has come to leave. The Catholic Bishops have noticed this, and they are not alone. Everyone has seen it. But they have a platform that others don’t have. That’s why, from this platform, they have said out loud what others think in silence’, Joshua Osih told teleasu.tv journalists.

Hon. Osih described Cameroon as a country at the end of its tether. According to Joshua Osih, the end-of-year celebrations are a clear sign of failure, epitomised by the President of the Republic.

‘The Cameroonian majority has always been a silent majority. When you see how the end-of-year celebrations went today, with deserted streets and very little music, you understand that Cameroon is at the end of its tether. And the person who embodies this failure, all he can do to save us from a bloodbath, is to leave’, said Joshua Osih.

By Rita Akana in Yaoundé

9, January 2025

Football: Eto’o in Cairo ⁰

Samuel Eto’o, the four-time African Player of the Year, this week visited Cairo where he met Egypt’s Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhi and congratulated the new board of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA).

Eto’o, currently the president of the Cameroonian Football Association, congratulated the new board members, headed by FIFA and CAF executive board member Hani Abu Rida, after they won elections last month by acclamation. They will lead the EFA for the next four years.

“Thank you for coming to congratulate Abu Rida, the ‘godfather of Egyptian football’. Glad to meet you again in Egypt,” Sobhi told Eto’o, who had made a surprise visit to the EFA headquarters.

Eto’o was also in Egypt to support Cameroon’s Under-18 women’s football team who are to meet their Egyptian counterparts in the African qualifications for the FIFA U-18 world Cup. The home game is to take place on Sunday 12 January at the 30 June Stadium. The return game is scheduled for 18 January in Cameroon.

Eto’o, 43, joined Barcelona in 2004 where he scored 130 goals in five seasons, winning La Liga three times and the UEFA Champions League once.

As a member of the Cameroon national team, he was part of the squad that won the gold medal at the 2000 Olympics. He also won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002. He is the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations with 18 goals.

Eto’o also participated in four World Cups.

He announced his retirement from international football in August 2014.

Source: ahramonline

9, January 2025

Football: Manchester United eye move for Cameroonian star Bryan Mbeumo ⁰

Premier League giants Manchester United are in the market for another forward as they lose hope of keeping Marcus Rashford, pushing them to consider a move for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo.

The Cameroonian attacker has been impressive for Brentofrd and could be set for a move to Old Trafford to join international teammate Andre Onana.

According to reports from England, the Red Devils are reportedly heavily invested in a potential deal for Mbeumo, especially considering the Cameroonian’s current form with Brentford.

In 20 matches with Brentford this season, Mbeumo has already scored 13 goals, providing three assists in the process, and is one of the most in-form players in the Premier League at the moment.

Given Mbeumo’s impressive performances this season, including four-goal contributions in his last two games, Manchester United are reportedly willing to pay as much as £43 million for the Cameroon international.

The Red Devils’ pursuit of Mbeumo could be linked to the possible departure of Rashford, who seems ever closer to the Old Trafford exit door.

After being left out of the matchday squad to face Manchester City by Ruben Amorim, Rashford starred in a tell-all documentary, where he confirmed that he was in search of a new challenge, possibly outside Manchester United.

The England international is reportedly now deemed transferrable by Manchester United, amidst interest from AC Milan, Juventus, Napoli, and Borussia Dortmund for a possible January switch.

Should they lose Rashford in January, Manchester United will likely step up efforts to persuade Brentford to part ways with Mbeumo.

Source: Pulsesports

9, January 2025

US: fire erupts in Hollywood Hills ⁰

A fire has broken out in the Hollywood Hills, causing LA Fire Department chief Kristin Crowley to abruptly leave a press conference at which she was giving an update on the fires

The blaze, named the Sunset Fire by the LA Fire Department, has triggered mandatory evacuations, including areas dotted with celebrity homes

There are now at least six fires raging in Los Angeles and its neighbouring Ventura county. Apart from one in Woodley, which has decreased in size, the others are 0% contained, officials say

Five people are confirmed dead and more than 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate from the Eaton fire. Another 37,000 have been evacuated because of Palisades inferno

Palisades, the first blaze to break out on Tuesday, has become the most destructive in LA’s history – and is still growing, officials say

Firefighters in Los Angeles are experiencing a shortage of water and are resorting to taking water from swimming pools and ponds

LA Mayor Karen Bass defended her absence when the wildfires broke out – she was in Africa as part of a delegation. Bass has also faced criticism amid reports she cut more than $17m from the fire department’s budget last summer.

Source: BBC

9, January 2025

Coup d’état in Chad: Government says attempt at destabilization thwarted ⁰

The government of Chad has insisted the situation in capitol N’Djamena is stable after gunshots were heard near the presidential palace.

Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said in a video apparently recorded within the palace complex that there had been a “little incident” but that “everything is calm”.

Sources close to the African state’s government said clashes had occurred between security forces and “terrorist elements”.

The French news agency AFP quoted Koulamallah as saying that 18 attackers and a member of the security forces had been killed.

Chad is a landlocked country in northern-central Africa which, since gaining independence from France in 1960, has seen frequent periods of instability and fighting, most recently between government forces and those of Islamist group Boko Haram.

It is led by President Mahamat Déby, who was installed by the military in 2021 after his father, Idriss Déby, was killed in a battle with rebel forces after 30 years in power.

Following the incident on Wednesday, tanks were seen in the area and all roads leading to the palace were closed, the AFP said.

In the video, posted to Facebook, Koulamallah is seen surrounded by members of the government forces.

“Nothing serious has happened,” he says.

“We are here and we will defend our country at the price of our blood. Be calm.

“This whole attempt at destabilisation has been thwarted.”

He is then seen taking photos and raising his fist with the soldiers.

Koulamallah was quoted by AFP as saying the assault had been launched by a 24-man commando unit, adding that six of the attackers had suffered injuries.

A further three members of the government forces also suffered injuries, he added.

The incident came just hours after a visit to the former French territory by China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, who met Déby and other senior officials.

Source: BBC

8, January 2025

TRACE AWARDS VOTING OFFICIALLY OPEN ⁰

The Awards ceremony is set to take place in Zanzibar on 26 February 2025, bringing together a selection of the continent’s and its diaspora’s greatest musical talents. Trace invites fans to vote for their favourite artists and stand a chance to win an all expense paid trip to the awards.

Public votes accounts for 50% of the final decision and can make a difference in determining the winners. The remaining 50% of the votes will be determined by a panel of entertainment industry players.

Voting is officially opened at www.traceawards.plus and closes on 15 February 2025.

A Celebration of African Musical Diversity

The Trace Awards highlight the richness and excellence of Afro music by recognising artists from over 30 countries across Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and Europe. They compete in 24 categories celebrating rhythms such as Afrobeat, Amapiano, Bongo Flava, Rumba, Dancehall, Hip-Hop, Afro-Pop, Zouk, Kizomba, Genge, Coupé-Décalé, Gospel, Rap, Raï, Kompa, RnB, and more.

Why Vote?

By voting, fans have the opportunity to contribute to the recognition and promotion of their favourite artists both on the continent and internationally.

Two voters will be randomly selected to receive an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the Trace Awards in Zanzibar (Terms and Conditions apply).

TRACE AWARDS 2025 NOMINEES

GLOBAL AWARDS

Song of the Year (sponsored by Johnnie Walker)

Tyla – Jump (South Africa)
Tyler ICU – Mnike (South Africa)
Titom & Yuppe – Tshwala Bam (South Africa)
Tamsir x Team Paiya – Coup du Marteau (Ivory Coast)
Asake & Travis Scott – Active (Nigeria)
Tems – Love me Jeje (Nigeria)
Burna Boy – Higher (Nigeria)
Rema & Shallipopi – Benin Boys (Nigeria)
Diamond Platnumz – Komasawa (Tanzania)

Album of the Year

Burna Boy – I Told Them (Nigeria)
Asake – Lungu Boy (Nigeria)
Rema – Heis (Nigeria)
Josey – Vibration Universelle (Ivory Coast)
Amaarae – Fountain Baby (Ghana)
King Promise – True To Self (Ghana)
Stonebwoy – 5th Dimension (Ghana)
Toofan – Stamina (Togo)

Best Collaboration

Titom & Yuppe & Burna Boy – Tshwala Bam (Remix) (South Africa/Nigeria)
Neyna & MC Acondize – Nu Ka Sta Para (Cape Verde)
Kocee ft. Patoranking – Credit Alert (Cameroon/Nigeria)
Asake & Wizkid – MMS (Nigeria)
Rema & Shallipopi – Benin Boys (Nigeria)
Odumodublvck & Black Sherif – Woto Woto Seasoning (Ghana)
Tamsir & Team Paiya – Coup du Marteau (Ivory Coast)

Best Music Video

Meji Alabi for Rema “DND” (Nigeria)
TG Omori for Kizz Daniel & Davido “Twe Twe” (Nigeria)
Director folex for Zuchu feat Innoss’ B “Nani” (Remix) (Tanzania/DRC)
Nabil Elderking for Tyla “Jump” (South Africa)
Mikey Oshai for Ayra Starr “Commas” (Nigeria)
Seoute Emmanuel for Toofan “C Pas Normal” (Togo)
Ach’B for Innoss’ B “Sete” (DRC)
Edgar Esteve for Asake & Wizkid “MMS” (Nigeria)
Kmame for Titom & Yuppe “Tshwala Bam” (South Africa)

Best Dancer

Ikorodu Boys (Nigeria)
Dancegod Lloyd (Ghana)
Incredible Zigi (Ghana)
Kamo Mphela (South Africa)
Telminho (Angola)
Makhadzi (South Africa)
Ordinateur (Ivory Coast)
Issac Kalonji (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Best DJ

Tyler ICU – Mnike (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles – Wadibusa (South Africa)
DJ Tunez – Apala Disco Remix (Nigeria)
DJ Nelasta – Eros (Angola)
DJ Spinall ft. Tyla & Omah Lay – One Call (Nigeria)
DJ Neptune ft. Qing Madi – Honest (Nigeria)
DJ Moh Green – Kelele (Algeria)
DJ Maphorisa – Mnike (South Africa)
Kabza De Small – Imithandazo (South Africa)

Best Hip-Hop Artist (sponsored by Hot 97)

Nasty C (South Africa)
Didi B (Ivory Coast)
Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
Suspect 95 (Ivory Coast
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Young Lunya (Tanzania)
Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)

PAN – AFRICAN AWARDS

Best Global African Artist

Tyla (South Africa)
Tyler ICU (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Asake (Nigeria/USA)
Rema (Nigeria)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Best Male Artist

Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Asake (Nigeria)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Rema (Nigeria)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Stonebwoy (Ghana)

Best Female Artist

Tyla (South Africa)
Makhadzi (South Africa)
Chelsea Dinorath (Angola)
Josey (Ivory Coast)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Tems (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Best Newcomer (sponsored by Johnnie Walker)

Nkosazana Daughter (South Africa)
Himra (Ivory Coast)
Sabrina (Cameroon)
Mia Guissé (Senegal)
Shallipopi (Nigeria)
Qing Madi (Nigeria)
Abigail Chams (Tanzania)

Best Live Performance

Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Ayra Starr – 21: The World Tour (Nigeria)
Burna Boy – I Told Them (Nigeria)
Tyla (South Africa)
Yemi Alade – African Rebel Tour (Nigeria)
Didi B – Mojo Trone Tour (Ivory Coast)
Diamond Platnumz – Wasafi Festival (Tanzania)

Best Producer

Kelvin Momo – Sewe(South Africa)
P.Priime – MMS(Nigeria)
DJ Maphorisa – Mnike (South Africa)
Tam Sir – Coup du Marteau (Ivory Coast)
Sarz – Happiness (Nigeria)
Jae 5 – Perfect Combi (Ghana)
KDDO f For Certain (Party Next Door) (Nigeria)
London – Ozeba (Nigeria)
Kabza De Small – Imithandazo (South Africa)

Best Gospel Artist

Spirit of Praise 10 (South Africa)
KS Bloom (Ivory Coast)
Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
Ada Ehi (Nigeria)
Bella Kombo (Tanzania)
Israël Mbonyi (Rwanda)

REGIONAL AWARDS

Best Artist – Eastern Africa

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Bien (Kenya)
Joshua Baraka (Uganda)
Harmonize (Tanzania)
Rophnan (Ethiopia)
Marioo (Tanzania)
Zuchu (Tanzania)
Nandy (Tanzania)

Best Artist Western Africa Anglophone

Seyi Vibez (Nigeria)
Adekunle Gold (Nigeria)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Tems (Nigeria)
Chike (Nigeria)
Simi (Nigeria)
KiDi (Ghana)

Best Artist – Southern Africa

Titom & Yuppe (South Africa)
De Mthuda (South Africa)
Inkabi Zezewe (South Africa)
Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)
Tyla (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
Tyler ICU (South Africa)

Best Artist Francophone Africa

Didi B (Ivory Coast)
Josey (Ivory Coast)
Tidiane Mario (Congo)
Gaz Mawete (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Wally B. Seck (Senegal)
PhillBill (Cameroon)

Best Artist Lusophone Africa

Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe)
Landrick (Angola)
Chelseaa Dinorath (Angola)
Twenty Fingers (Mozambique)
Mr Bow (Mozambique)
Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)

Best Artist – Tanzania

Mbosso (Zanzibar)
Diamond Platnumz(Tanzania)
Zuchu (Zanzibar)
Marioo (Tanzania)
Nandy(Tanzania)
Alikiba(Tanzania)
Jux (Tanzania)
Harmonize (Tanzania)

INTERNATIONAL AND DIASPORA AWARDS

Best Artist – Europe

Central Cee (United Kingdom)
Kalash (France/Martinique)
Darkoo (United Kingdom)
Joe Dwet File (France/Haiti)
Jungeli (France)
Franglish (France)
Aya Nakamura (France/Mali)

Best Artist – Brazil

Racionais MC’s (Brazil)
MC IG (Brazil)
Péricles (Brazil)
Tasha & Tracie (Brazil)
Ludmilla (Brazil)
Duquesa (Brazil)

Best Artist – Caribbean

Venssy (French Guiana)
Mathieu White (Guadeloupe)
Meryl (Martinique)
Nesly (French Guiana)
Shenseea (Jamaica)
Kenny Haiti (Haiti)
Krys (Guadeloupe)

Best Artist

Indian Ocean: Barth (Reunion)
Goulam (Comoros)
PLL (Reunion)
Kalipsxau (Reunion)
Léa Churros (Reunion)
Jamily Jeanne (Mauritius)

For press inquiries, sponsorship opportunities, and more information, please contact:
awards@trace.plus

8, January 2025

Minister René Sadi says no conflict between government and the Catholic Church ⁰

The Cameroonian government denies any conflict with religious denominations, particularly the Catholic Church, following recent statements by clergy members opposing President Paul Biya’s potential candidacy in the upcoming presidential election (scheduled for October 2025).

In a press release on January 7, Minister of Communication René Emmanuel Sadi reiterated that Cameroon is a secular state where religions coexist peacefully with public authorities. However, he described the stance taken by some Catholic clergy on Biya’s potential candidacy as “pure speculation,” noting that the president has yet to announce his intentions.

The controversy began on December 25 when Archbishop Samuel Kleda of Douala told Radio France Internationale (RFI) that a Biya candidacy in the next election “is not realistic.” President Biya subsequently declared in his New Year’s address that his “resolve to serve” remains strong, a statement widely interpreted as a hint at his intention to run.

Following this, bishops from Yagoua, Bafoussam, and Ngaoundéré used their sermons to call for leadership change in the country. Minister Sadi expressed regret over the “vehemence” of these positions, which he characterized as focusing solely on the presidential race and based on an “unwarranted interpretation” of the president’s remarks.

Source: Business in Cameroon