23, August 2024

Yaoundé: Joint investigation uncovers child benefit fraud in the military and police ⁰

A joint investigation by Cameroon’s Ministries of Finance, Defense, and General Delegation for National Security has uncovered widespread fraud involving fake birth certificates submitted by military and police personnel to claim child allowances.

Between 2010 and 2021, 12,846 fake birth certificates were declared for children of military personnel, while 4,300 retirees had at least one false declaration. The investigation was launched after the Ministry of Finance noticed a sharp increase in child allowance payments to retired military and police personnel.

The child benefit is granted based on the number of children over 16 years old (for military personnel) and over 20 years old (for police officers) that retirees claim to have raised. The Ministry of Finance explained that the “explosion” in allowance payments between 2010 and 2021 threatened the sustainability of the pension system.

The fraudulent claims led to the suspension of child benefit payments, causing discontent among beneficiaries. In response to complaints from retirees, the Ministry of Finance clarified the situation and implemented a system to regularize the claims.

Of the 110 cases received, 52 have been resolved, resulting in the restoration of benefit increases for August 2024 with retroactive payment for July, the Finance Ministry indicates.

Source: Sbbc

23, August 2024

Football: Mbappe set for ‘beautiful’ Bernabeu debut ⁰

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said striker Kylian Mbappe will enjoy a “beautiful day” when he makes his home debut for the Spanish giants on Sunday in La Liga.

Los Blancos face Real Valladolid in their first match at the Santiago Bernabeu this season with supporters clamouring to see the French superstar in action.

Mbappe scored on his debut for Madrid in Warsaw against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup win but could not find the net in a 1-1 league draw at Mallorca.

“I think it will be a beautiful day for Mbappe, to play at the Bernabeu for the first time in a Real Madrid shirt,” Ancelotti told reporters Friday.

“The fans are very excited about him, and he will have a great game, because of the quality he has — the fans will enjoy themselves.”

Mbappe was linked with Real Madrid for several years while at Paris Saint-Germain and was finally able to make his dream move this summer at the end of his contract in France.

With Mbappe joining Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes and Jude Bellingham in attack, Ancelotti has complained his team have lacked balance in their first two matches.

The coach said Bellingham suffered a knock in training and was being looked at by medical staff ahead of the Valladolid clash.

“We have prepared well for the game on Sunday… we know very well what happened against Mallorca and we have tried to fix it for this weekend,” said Ancelotti.

“I think facing Valladolid will be a good test… we lacked balance at times and we have to work on that.

“It’s not so hard to look for a solution when the problem is clear, there is also a clear solution.”

Vinicius, Mbappe, Rodrygo and to some extent Bellingham prefer to play coming in from the left.

“I won’t tell them we have to play on the other wing when in the last years we’ve won two Champions Leagues playing (from the left),” said Ancelotti.

Madrid lifted a Champions League and La Liga double last season and in 2022 under Ancelotti and after adding Mbappe to their ranks are firm favourites to triumph again in Spain this season.

Source: AFP

23, August 2024

Kamala Harris accepts Democratic nomination, vows to be president ‘for all Americans’ ⁰

US Vice President Kamala Harris accepted her party’s historic presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night, seizing one of her few remaining opportunities to address an audience of millions. Harris detailed her life story and contrasted her vision with her opponent Donald Trump’s, inviting Americans to chart a “new way forward”.

Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic presidential nomination in Chicago on Thursday in front of a rapturous crowd, pledging a “new way forward” if she beats Republican Donald Trump in November’s blockbuster election.

“On behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on earth, I accept your nomination to be president of the United States of America,” the 59-year-old said to huge cheers.

“I will be a president who unites us around our highest aspirations,” she said.

A sea of waving Stars and Stripes flags and chants of “USA” filled the arena as jubilant Democrats anointed Harris as their standard-bearer.

Harris pledged to be a “president for all Americans” as she reaches out to undecided voters after one of the most stunning upheavals in US political history.

With the November election, Americans have a “fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past – a chance to chart a new way forward”, she promised.

She laid out her personal story as a child of a single working mother and her career as a prosecutor, saying she has the background and experience to serve the country in contrast to Trump, who she said only works for himself and “his billionaire friends”.

The convention became a giant party to celebrate Harris’s astonishing ascent.

The first Black woman nominee for a major party, Harris has wiped out former president Trump’s lead in some polls, drawn enormous crowds and raised record funds.

Now her challenge is to introduce herself to a country still getting used to the new Democratic candidate.

“I know there are people of various political views watching tonight. And I want you to know: I promise to be a president for all Americans,” Harris said.

Harris recounted her prosecutorial career fighting for victims of sexual abuse and gun crime, highlighting the fact that in Trump she now faces the first convicted felon ever to seek the White House.

The Democrats have been riding a wave of energy and enthusiasm since Harris took on the mantle from Biden a month ago.

President Joe Biden gave a farewell speech on the first day of the convention and said Thursday he had called Harris to wish her luck.

“I am proud to watch my partner Kamala Harris accept our nomination for president. She will be an outstanding president because she is fighting for our future,” Biden, who is on holiday in California, also said on X.

Democrats are trying to temper their hopes, knowing that Harris faces a tough sprint to a nail-biting election on November 5, which as in 2020 may be decided by a handful of votes in key states.

From Barack and Michelle Obama to Bill Clinton, senior figures have warned all week that Harris has a brutal fight on her hands to beat Trump.

The 78-year-old Republican nominee believed he was cruising to a stunning return to power against Biden, but has been unsettled by the sudden Democratic switch to a much younger opponent – and one looking to make history as the first woman president.

Trump is increasingly resorting to personal insults, racially charged attacks, and dark rhetoric.

He gave a play-by-play commentary on Harris’s speech on his Truth Social platform, accusing her of making the United States a “failing nation” while part of the Biden administration.

“She’s done nothing for three and a half years but talk, and that’s what she’s doing tonight, she’s complaining about everything but doing nothing!” he wrote.

Source: AFP

22, August 2024

NYENE MAWN: All roads lead to Belgium ⁰

The Belgian capital is where NYENE MAWN, the new Manyu organization has chosen for its launch and all roads are actually leading to Brussels.

Despite threats by the MOHWA leadership to discipline MOHWA members who will be in Brussels for the event, many members of the erstwhile MOHWA Europe are on their way to Belgium.

Speaking to the Cameroon Concord News Group’s correspondent in Western Europe about the event, a member of MOHWA who has walked away from MOHWA Global said that the formation of NYENE MAWN was a welcome relief.

“I am happy that NYENE MAWN will finally see the light of day. As women, we just want to socialize and bring some development to Manyu Division but with MOHWA GLOBAL, the road ahead was bumpy and the waters were permanently murky. The rules were like shifting sands and the organization’s constitution was replaced with the President’s word. I was completely frustrated by such an approach. I hope NYENE MAWN will serve as an example to others,” the lady who elected anonymity said.

“We are in Belgium not just to launch our organization but also to demonstrate how united and effective we can be in organizing big events like this one. Our members have already begun arriving, especially those from Africa and we are really energized,” the lady pointed out.

“I know our launch is a big blow to MOHWA as many people have walked away from MOHWA GLOBAL, but we will do our best not to compete with anybody. We will reach out to other sister organizations when and if necessary, especially when Manyu development is concerned,” she stressed.

Asked about the threats of discipline hanging over MOHWA members like her who are attending the launch in Belgium like the Sword of Damocles, the lady simply said “why end a relationship that is bound to end? If we are already in Brussels, it is because we know what we want. The past is the past and we are focused on the future.”

The launch, which will take place over the weekend, will help the leaders of NYENE MAWN to refine their strategy with a view to solidifying unity within the organization.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Group Chairman and Editor-in-chief

Cameroon Concord News Group

22, August 2024

Manyu Division: Minister Victor Mengot is the son of promise ⁰

As Manyu Division faces leadership issues, it is emerging that without a selfless and responsible leader, Manyu, a division struggling with development issues, will never make any giant strides forward if a young, dynamic and experienced leader does not emerge from the crowd of people waiting in the wings to lead the most difficult political constituency in Cameroon.

While Manyu Division is endowed with many academically bright personalities, it is becoming obvious that academic brilliance alone will not take Manyus to the land of promise. Leadership is key and support for leaders is essential.

Senior political commentators both in Yaoundé and in the diaspora have opined that Manyu needs youthful leadership that is capable of pointing the Division in the right direction. Such leadership should be selfless, determined and audacious if the Division has to head in a different development direction.

Over the last several years, Manyu has not really had its fair share of appointments in government and this has adversely impacted the Division when it comes to development.

Manyu development issues have been compounded over the years by the devastating war of liberation of Southern Cameroons which has ruined many lives, leaving many children in rural Manyu without the education they need to face an uncertain future.

In that crowd of Manyu son and daughters ready to take a top government position to give Manyu a new lease on life is Victor Mengot, currently in charge of special duties at the presidency. As the fighting played out, Mengot did not fold his hands waiting for the government to address all the concerns. Though a victim of the fighting, following the razing of his home in his native Mbijong, Mengot sought peaceful solutions to the problem.

In his own way and in synergy with other Manyu elites, the Minister in charge of Special Duties at the Presidency expressed his opinion on how to address the crisis, sometimes leading peaceful efforts at addressing the problems which has made Southern Cameroons ungovernable, especially in his native Manyu Division. He maintains that solutions to the crisis have to be sought from home – community after community.

“Systematically, we want to tackle the problem from the roots… each community should identify theirs who are taking part in the crisis and find a way to bring them back on the rails,” he said on state media.

He pointed out that a community-centered strategic plan of action had to include monitoring the activities of outlaws and secessionists as well as push through the virtues of dialogue and harmonious co-existence.

Mengot stressed that the government plan is geared towards bringing peace to our villages and communities. He furthered that Manyus know that the people who have been disturbing the peace are our children. “They have been kidnapping, burning houses and structures. Our communities are suffering; the economy of our region has deteriorated to the level where we don’t know how many years we will take to bring back the level it was in 2016.”

But Minister Victor Mengot’s demonstration of leadership did not only end with words. When the Mamfe District hospital was razed, Victor Mengot immediately mobilized the Manyu community in Cameroon and much money was raised to alleviate the pain of the suffering masses. He understood the importance of that hospital to the people of Manyu and behind the scenes; he called on other Manyu elites to join his fundraising efforts.

That was a demonstration of leadership. Though imperfect, Mengot continues to do his best and his leadership needs help from the people of Manyu. Manyus should stand behind Mengot for him to continue displaying such leadership skills which can help give Manyu a shot in the arm.

Perfect people do not exist on earth and only seeing a man’s weaknesses does not bode well for a Division like Manyu whose politicians are already declining in strength and are gradually leaving the political arena due to age.

While other people may be jockeying in Yaoundé to jump into the spotlight, Manyus must understand that those who have the experience of working in government and providing leadership are usually the most appropriate to point the people in the right direction.

Manyu needs development. Its infrastructure is falling apart. The people are looking at their political elite to point them in the right direction. For now, Minister Victor Mengot has to play that role and the people of Manyu should stand by him in the interest of the Division. Seeking to contest his leadership only weakens the Division’s chances of having someone in a key position in government.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with editorial input from Dr. Joachim Arrey

21, August 2024

Southern Cameroons Crisis: 48 attacks targeted schools in 2024 ⁰

Cameroon recorded 48 attacks on schools between January and June 2024, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports in a statement released on World Humanitarian Day (August 19). “Such instability affects children’s right to education,” lamented the UN, without specifying where these attacks occurred. However, several international reports revealed attacks by separatist armed groups in the crisis-affected regions of the Northwest and Southwest.

One of the most notable attacks occurred in October 2020 when armed separatists targeted the Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy in Kumba, resulting in the deaths of eight students. In February 2022, similar attacks were carried out on the Molyko public primary school and the Catholic college “Queen of the Rosary.”

Since the outbreak of the separatist conflict in 2017, over 700,000 children have been unable to attend school due to the ongoing violence.

The UN also reported 18 attacks on healthcare facilities during the same period.

Source: Sbbc

21, August 2024

Cameroon’s Export Revenue to the EU Falls by 22% in 2023 ⁰

In 2023, Cameroon’s export revenue to the European Union (EU) totaled CFA1,524.6 billion, down from CFA1,964.4 billion in 2022, according to a report by the National Institute of Statistics (INS). This represents a 22.4% decline year-over-year, reversing a trend of increasing export revenue to the EU since 2020. The decrease is primarily due to a 33.3% drop in revenue from hydrocarbon sales.

On the other hand, Cameroon’s imports from the EU have increased during the same period. The value of goods imported from the EU rose to CFA1,323 billion in 2023, up from CFA1,267 billion in 2022, marking a 4.4% year-over-year increase.

Despite the decline in export revenue, Cameroon still maintained a trade surplus of CFA201.5 billion with the EU. However, this surplus is 71% lower compared to 2022, when it was CFA697.6 billion. The INS report suggests that while the trade balance remains positive, the significant drop in trade with the EU highlights the need to reduce imports of certain products that negatively impact the trade balance, and to invigorate and diversify export activities.

In 2023, fuel and lubricants were the most expensive imports from the EU, accounting for 22.4% of total imports. This was followed by wheat and barley at 10.8%, medicines (including veterinary) at 4.8%, and unroasted malt at 3.6%. The main exports from Cameroon to the EU in 2023 included crude oil, which made up 42.6% of exports, followed by raw cocoa beans at 17%, liquefied natural gas at 15.1%, and sawn timber at 7%.

Source: Business in Cameroon

21, August 2024

Nigerians outraged by president’s new plane ⁰

Many Nigerians have reacted with outrage after a new plane was bought for President Bola Tinubu at a time when the economy is experiencing its worst crisis in a generation.

The purchase comes less than two weeks after thousands took to the streets across the country to protest at rising hunger and the cost of living.

Elected last year to lead Africa’s most populous country, Mr Tinubu has introduced several economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, which have contributed to high inflation, currently over 30%.

President Tinubu said the reforms were necessary to cut government spending and stimulate long-term growth.

In January, the Nigerian president announced a 60% reduction in the size of official travel delegations, including his own entourage.

However on Monday, the president departed for France using a newly acquired Airbus A330, which has become the latest addition to the presidential fleet of more than five aircraft.

The cost of the plane has not been disclosed, and nor has the reason for his trip.

X user @Fdmlearn said it wasn’t right that Nigerians were being told to undergo economic pain while the government was buying a new plane for the president.

“Wait so despite the Tinubu led Government telling Nigerians to bear the economic hardship and wait for a better tomorrow, they were busy paying cash for a new private Jet to add to the presidential fleet that has over 6 aircraft’s already?”.

Another X user @RealOlaudah was even more angry.

“Let’s tell ourselves the truth. Tinubu’s new Airbus presidential aircraft purchase for N150 billion at a time of penury, hunger, and want shows how wicked, selfish, self-indulgent, and insensitive to the plight of the average Nigerian he really is.”

However, @Timi_The_Law says he supports the president’s decision as the plane is not personal but belongs to the office of the president.

“Tinubu’s decision to buy a new plane is the right one. The plane belongs to the office of the president, and future presidents will enjoy it,” he posted.

It is not known if lawmakers approved the purchase, which was not mentioned in this year’s budget.

In a statement on X, President Tinubu’s media aide Bayo Onanuga said the new plane would actually save money.

“The new plane, bought far below the market price, saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly,” the statement read in part.

The new presidential jet was recently released to the Nigerian government after it was seized by a Chinese firm, Zhangson Investment Co. Limited, which obtained a Paris court order to seize some Nigerian government assets following an investment dispute with Ogun state in south-west Nigeria.

The 15-year-old plane, with a market value of $600m (£460m) is said to have an elaborate configuration for VIPs and replaces the country’s 19-year-old Boeing BBJ 737-700.

Nigerian officials have previously said that the presidential fleet had a high maintenance cost due to the age of its planes.

In June, lawmakers recommended the purchase of two new aircraft for the president and his deputy, saying the old ones were not safe.

Last month, lawmakers passed a supplementary budget, which sought to raise the 2024 budget from 28.7 trillion naira ($18bn; £14bn) to 35.06 trillion naira.

It is not known if the purchase of the new plane was included in this budget.

The BBC has reached out to the Senate President and the Office of the National Security Adviser but is yet to get a response.

Source: BBC

21, August 2024

‘Yes she can’: Obamas laud Harris at Democratic National Convention ⁰

Former US president Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama were welcomed to the stage with rapturous applause at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Tuesday. Barack Obama told the crowd that Vice President Kamala Harris, the party’s presidential nominee, is “someone who sees you and hears you and will get up every single day and fight for you”.

Barack Obama told fellow Democrats in Chicago on Tuesday that “the torch has been passed” to Harris and that the United States was ready for her to become president.

Former president Obama, who was greeted with rapturous applause and cheers at the packed arena hosting the party’s nominating convention, said Harris would fight for Americans and called her November election opponent Donald Trump “dangerous”.

“Kamala Harris is ready for the job. This is a person who has spent her life fighting for people who need a voice,” he said.

Obama called Harris “someone who sees you and hears you and will get up every single day and fight for you”.

“Yes she can,” Obama said of Harris, prompting the boisterous crowd to repeatedly chant the phrase, recalling Obama’s own “Yes we can” campaign slogan.

Before his stardust performance, his wife and former US first lady Michelle Obama told convention attendees “something magically wonderful is in the air”.

“It’s the contagious power of hope,” she said, calling Harris “my girl” and saying that hope – another rallying cry of her husband’s successful 2008 campaign – “is making a comeback”.

The Obamas’ turn amped up the already buoyant mood in Chicago where President Joe Biden delivered his own emotional speech late Monday less than a month after ending his re-election bid.

“In 2012 I got to vote for [Barack Obama], and everyone was pushing Michelle Obama to run for president, but now we have Kamala. So I just think that this is, in a sense, them passing on the torch,” said attendee Tomara Hall, 35, from California.

Source: AFP

20, August 2024

Paramount ruler of Buea greeted by lively groups during visit to Britain ⁰

The Supreme Leader of the Bakweris in Buea His Royal Highness Dr. Robert Esuka Mbella Endeley was greeted by a mammoth crowd and a warm welcome during his first official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Naliomo spoke to prominent Cameroonian elites and community leaders and announced his plan to build a multipurpose cultural centre in Buea the chief city in the South West region. The Buea monarch revealed that the centre will focus on culture, entrepreneurship and innovation, community and intellectual leadership.

His Royal Highness Dr. Robert Esuka Mbella Endeley toured the Midlands, visited Buckingham palace and the Cameroon embassy in London.

On his colourful arrival in the beautiful city of Leicester, the King of Buea was greeted by the welcoming beats of his people led by senior Bakweri notables including William Gobina, Andrew Mokake and Lady Fotabong.

Olivia Ebangha Tambe president of the Manyu Women Association in London UK said she was so proud, so happy and so honoured to meet Chief Endeley V. Olivia Ebangha Tambe furthered that Manyu Women in London were saying through her voice that they respect the king and were paying homage.

The Saturday 17 August Leicester visit witnessed the participation of top Cameroonian entrepreneurs.

His Royal Highness Dr. Robert Esuka Mbella Endeley also spoke in private to a group of leading figures including Prince Julian Ebai, Charles Mambo and the Cameroon High Commissioner HE Fotabong on a range of issues.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with files