17, July 2017

Many feared dead after Cameroon military vessel capsizes in Debuncha ⁰

The regime in Yaoundé has confirmed that a logistics boat of the Rapid Intervention Battalion, BIR that left the Douala metropolis en route to Mudemba on Sunday the 16th of July 2017 disappeared with 30 soldiers on-board.

The CPDM government statement said, the ship was heading to the Bakassi peninsula and the crew was headed by Lieutenant Colonel Moussa. We understand the logistics boat of the Rapid Intervention Battalion sank to the bottom of the waters at Debuncha in the South West region.

President Biya has reportedly set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shipwreck en route to Bakassi. A crisis unit has been working since yesterday at the Ministry of Defense in Yaoundé and Limbé.

A statement by Joseph Beti Assomo, the minister delegate at the presidency in charge of defense, revealed that three soldiers were rescued after the boat capsized. The outcome of this sad incident is expected soon from the commission of inquiry chaired by the Secretary of State for Defense in charge of the Gendarmerie.

By Rita Akana
Cameroon Concord News

16, July 2017

Clinton Njie: Tottenham’s Cameroon forward heading to Marseille ⁰

Tottenham forward Clinton Njie is to join French side Marseille on a permanent deal after the two clubs agreed a deal.

The Cameroon international, 23, was on loan to the Ligue 1 club last season, scoring four goals.

Njie joined Spurs from Lyon in 2015 for a reported £10m and made 14 appearances for the club, though he suffered a serious knee injury in December 2015.

“We wish Clinton all the best for the future,” Tottenham said.

Source: BBC

16, July 2017

Eight dead in Senegal soccer stadium crush ⁰

Eight people were killed during Senegal’s soccer league cup final in Dakar on Saturday, the sports minister told AFP, as a wall collapsed onto clashing supporters, triggering a panicked crush. Sports Minister Matar Ba said a young girl was among the dead, while around 60 injured fans had been taken to health facilities in Dakar.

He vowed “strong measures so that such an event will never be repeated in Senegal,” speaking to AFP by phone. A mass deployment of firefighters and ambulances remained at the scene late Saturday. An AFP journalist who attended the match described a stadium bursting with people for the long-awaited clash between local teams US Ouakam and Stade de Mbour.

At 2-1 during extra time, US Ouakam supporters began throwing stones at Stade de Mbour fans, causing spectators to begin vacating their seats in a rush, the journalist said. Part of a wall supporting bleachers seating fans from both sides then collapsed, while police had begun firing tear gas and panic spread in the stadium leading to a crush.

“All of a sudden when the wall fell… we knew exactly that some of our own had lost their lives because the wall fell directly onto people,” said Cheikh Maba Diop, a witness who helped evacuate victims from the stadium and lost a friend in the tragedy.

Also speaking at the scene, soccer fan Mara Die Diouf said policing at the stadium had been inadequate. Diouf described police retreating from an area separating the two teams’ supporters once projectiles began being thrown, triggering dangerous movements by spectators unable to defend themselves.

AFP journalists at the scene saw belongings covered in blood at the site, with a pair of glasses and clothing strewn among broken pieces of concrete. Campaigning for Senegal’s legislative elections due on July 30 would on Sunday be suspended in respect for the victims, said a spokesman for President Macky Sall.

Sall also wanted “punishments serving as a warning,” following the tragedy, spokesman El Hamidou Kasse said on TFM television. Senegal’s safety record at large gatherings has been heavily criticized this year after the death of dozens of people at a religious retreat in April, when a fire ripped through makeshift shelters.

(Source: AFP)

16, July 2017

6 months in, Trump’s approval rating lowest in 70 years ⁰

US President Donald Trump’s six-month approval rating is the lowest of any president in polls in 70 years, a new survey shows. An ABC News/Washington Post poll released on Sunday surveyed people’s opinion about Trump’s competence on the world stage, his effectiveness, the GOP healthcare plan as well as his handling of Russia’s alleged role in the 2016 election.

Only 36 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance, down 6 points from his 100-day mark, which itself was a low. The previous president, whose approval rating was very close to this level at or near six months, was Gerald Ford, who received 39 percent in February 1975.

Sixty-three percent of Americans polled believe it was not appropriate for Trump’s son, son-in-law and campaign manager to have meetings with a Russian lawyer during the campaign for the presidential election last year. Also, 6 in 10 believe Russia sought to influence the campaign, and among those who believe so, 67 percent say Trump’s aides helped, similar to results released in April.

Nonetheless, the Russia controversy is only one of Trump’s troubles. Just 38 percent say he is making significant progress toward his goals, while 55 percent believe otherwise. Two-thirds do not trust his ability to negotiate with other world leaders specifically with Russian President Vladimir Putin on America’s behalf. And about half argue that the US leadership has become weaker under Trump, whereas just 27 percent say it has grown stronger. With regard to his party’s signature campaign issue which is to replace Obamacare, Americans by a 2-1 margin prefer it over the Republican plan, 50-24 percent.

Overall, Trump’s job approval rating, after six months in office, is 4 points lower than his predecessor Barack Obama’s career low, which came in his sixth year, according to the poll. Forty-eight percent “strongly” disapprove of Trump’s job performance, again slightly surpassing the strongest disapproval of Obama’s career, in his fifth year. The president’s 58 percent overall disapproval is 7 points higher than the next-highest disapproval rating at six months which belongs to President Bill Clinton in 1993, the poll shows.

Source: Presstv

16, July 2017

Biya regime warns Bafia Diocese of severe options over remains of late Bishop Balla ⁰

The Biya regime has threatened the pastoral leadership of the Diocese of Bafia over the remains of the late Bishop Balla brutally murdered recently. The administrator of the Diocese of Bafia, Vicar General Abraham Kome has been told that he will be held accountable if the late Bishop’s body is not collected from a mortuary in Yaoundé.

The letter from the judicial police comes after an earlier declaration from the attorney general of the Center region that the remains had long been handed over to the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church.

Ever since the Bishop was assassinated, Catholics in Cameroon have been tirelessly trying to save their Church from the effects of a regime whose intimidation, killings of numerous clergies and bullying have harmed many.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai
Cameroon Concord News

15, July 2017

Russia says ‘Too many’ spies operating at US embassy in Moscow ⁰

Russia says the US is sheltering “too many” spies at its embassy in Moscow, warning that it may expel some American diplomats amid a deepening diplomatic row between the two countries. “There are too many CIA and Pentagon intelligence employees under the roof of the American diplomatic mission whose activities do not correspond to their status,” Russia’s Tass news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying on Friday.

She also reminded that the public must have heard about the “adventures” of some of the US spies, adding that “everything was available to the public – wigs, disguises and installations with performances.” Zakharova was apparently referring to the January remarks by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who said Moscow had foiled several intelligence activities involving US nationals working under diplomatic cover while wearing disguises, among them men dressing as women.

In one of the incidents, a disguised diplomat wearing a wig and false eyebrows penetrated into the US embassy after hitting the security officer and refusing to show his ID card. Elsewhere in her comments, Zakharova said Russia is prepared to expel US diplomats and shut down some American compounds if Washington fails to reopen two Russian recreational estates that were closed in the US.

In December 2016, former US president Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian officials from the US and seized two pieces of property belonging to the Kremlin. Washington said the measure was taken in response to Russia’s alleged hacking of US political groups during the 2016 presidential election, an accusation flatly denied by Moscow.

The Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman warned that his country “will have to take reciprocal measures” if the issue of the confiscated compounds is not resolved. She further complained that US officials were not issuing visas to Russian diplomats to allow Moscow to replace the expelled employees.

Zakharova also expressed hope that the US will take “a more constructive approach” to resolve the dispute over the seized properties after Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart, Donald Trump, met face-to-face for the first time on the sidelines of the G20 summit in the German city of Hamburg last week.

On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow may retaliate Washington’s measures. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said Moscow’s patience was running out in its diplomatic row with the US, saying Washington should either correct its 2016 decision to expel Russian politicians and “illegally” seize Russian compounds or wait for “measures of reciprocity.”

Source: Presstv

15, July 2017

La Republique to begin direct flights to the Bamenda-Bafut airport ⁰

The Bafut airport in the Bamenda County is set to begin receiving airplanes from La Republique du Cameroun. With no roads linking Bamenda and the West region, the man representing Francophone interest in the county, Governor Adolphe Lele Lafrique and the General Manager of Camairco, Ernest Dikoum have ascertained the readiness of the airport ahead of the inaugural flight on 20th July 2017 inaugural flight.

During an evaluation visit to the airport the GM of the Cameroon Airlines company and the Governor were satisfied with the state of equipment and the enthusiasm of the staff. The Director of the Airport’s management Corporation (ADC), Angu Anyangwe Richard and the civil aviation team leader, Mukete Simon took the visiting delegation round the different installation including the Control Tower which they confirm was in good working condition and eagerly waiting for planes.

A brand new automatic weather station which is indispensable during landing and takeoff of flights was presented to the visiting delegation by the head of the metro-logical facility, Tamfu Julius. Airport authorities noted that repairs works are on course to check cracks and grass on the run way. They also reassured the officials that potable water will be made available at the airport and a standby generator has already been installed to pre-empt eventual blackouts.

With regards to airport safety, they expressed satisfaction with the equipment and readiness of the Fire Brigade. Other issues related to security were discussed during a close door session. Governor, Adolphe Lele Lafrique reassured Camairco boss of the assistance of the administration and security forces. The launch of direct flights to Bamenda is in line with the new policy of the national carrier to capitalize and develop internal and sub-regional flights.

Source: CRTV

15, July 2017

Far North governor meets victims of Waza attack ⁰

The Governor of the Far North Region has visited the victims of the recent suicide attack in Waza in the Logone et Shari Division. Governor Mijiyawa Bakari was at the Maroua Regional Hospital with an encouragement package from President Biya to the victims who are receiving treatment after a suicide bomber ignited her explosive belt at a makeshift restaurant in the town of Waza.

Financial support provided by the 84 year old dictator to the victims was handed over to each of them with words of consolation from the Presidency. 15 people have died from the incident while close to 40 others were injured in the attack. The Governor revealed that the suicide bomber was a young lady who pretended to be a client at the restaurant.

Defense and security forces neutralized one of the suicide bombers before she ignited her explosive while a third is said to be a large. Governor Bakari reassured the population that the security situation in the region is under government control. He however called on the population to remain vigilant as the terrorists have changed their tactics and mode of operation.

He said that in previous attacks, suicide bombers came by day and in small numbers of one a two bomb carriers but in the latest case, about four or more made the trip with the aim of causing pain and sorrow. The Governor also congratulated members of vigilante groups and the defense and security forces for their bravery and urged them to adapt their strategies to the new menaces posed by the Boko haram terrorist group.

Shortly after the incident, the Minister of Communication made public a press release to shed light on the incident. He indicated that a second female suicide bomber who was heading to the camp of the Rapid Intervention Battalion, BIR in Waza, was shot by soldiers and the local bomb squad immediately deactivated her explosive to avoid further casualties. The release added that fourteen people, including two suicide bombers, lost their lives and thirty-five people were injured in the double bombings.

Soldiers from the BIR patrol unit immediately secured the sites of the explosion, rescued the wounded and evacuated them to appropriate health facilities. The Minister of Communication hinted that President Biya has prescribed emergency measures to the competent authorities to ensure that the injured were properly taken care of.

Source: CRTV

14, July 2017

Maroua: Gendarme opens fire on colleagues ⁰

A young gendarmerie officer opened fire today Friday, July 14, 2017 on his comrades in service at the Gendarmerie legion at Kousseri, in the Far North region.

The officer killed four and seriously wounded one of his colleagues. Unconfirmed reports say the killings are linked to a love affair with the young officer’s wife.

The victims are:
– Captain Ondoua, company commander (deceased)
– Gendarme Ndengue Carole, deceased
– Gendarme May Bébé, deceased
– Gendarme Moulioum, Injured

A civilian lady working in the kitchen department named as Madam Ibrahim was also killed. The alleged murderer has been identified as Constable Jude Woumessi

14, July 2017

Minister Issa Tchiroma’s silence of the lamb ⁰

For two months now, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the Minister of Communication and so-called government spokesman has not held a press conference. To be sure, Tchiroma’s last meeting with the press was on the 27th of April, 2017. The Minister of Communication’s silence seems strange to many political commentators in Yaoundé, the nation’s capital and has given rise to many reactions.

Mindful of the fact that a lot has been happening including the assassination of the Bishop of Bafia, some analyst have attempted to explain Issa Tchiroma’s silence by evoking a medical evacuation to Europe. However, a lot of under-the-table talk is currently going on in Cameroon and the least that can be said is that for almost two months, we have not seen Minister Issa Tchiroma intervene spontaneously on the different subjects of the day.

Rumour is circulating that President Biya no longer needs his services following sweeping declarations he made at the beginning of the Southern Cameroons uprising. One of Minister Tchiroma’s secretaries recently opined that, “We no longer have any information from the presidency and my boss can only speak with the approval of the hierarchy. He does not invent anything. What he says comes from the presidency.”

By Rita Akana
Cameroon Concord News