30, June 2017

Yaounde: Philemon Yang pretending to be incharge ⁰

Prime Minister Philemon Yang has chaired the June 2017 session of the ministerial cabinet forum. The meeting took place on the 29th of June 2017 at the Prime Minister’s office. Focus was on the 2018 draft budget to be presented before the National Assembly in October 2017.

During the conclave, two members of government made submissions. They included the Minister of Finance and the Minister Delegate at the Ministry of the Economy, Plannig and Regional Development.

Finance Minister, Alamine Ousmane Mey made public a report on the 2018 budget. He observed that the three year plan, the African Cup of Nations 2019 and a census of State employees are some aspects that were taken into account in elaborating the budget.

The Minister Delegate at the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Yaoba Abdoulaye discussed the strategic guidelines of the Public Investment Budget for 2018. These guidelines, he argued, were necessary to ensure an efficient and optimal execution of the 2018 Pubic Investment Budget.

Source: CRTV

29, June 2017

Yaounde: National Assembly grants Biya regime sweeping new powers to jail soldiers ⁰

Francophone members of parliament at the National Assembly on Wednesday the 28th of June 2017 adopted a bill on the code of military justice in Cameroon clearing the way for the Biya regime to jail the 30 soldiers who recently staged a demonstration over unpaid bonuses in the Far North.

CRTV reported that debates on the bill lasted only 5 hours and centered on the recent protest, the rights of detainees and atrocities caused by military officers. A segment of the CPDM bill also highlighted the arbitrary arrest of people linked to the upheavals rocking Southern Cameroons.

The bill including that which punishes offences against Civil Aviation safety were defended by the Minister Delegate at the Presidency of the Republic in charge Defense Joseph Beti Assomo, and the Minister of State, Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Laurent Esso.

The only finger raised against the bill came from the SDF- Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Joseph Mbah Ndam who observed that section 14 of the intentional covenant for political and civil right- a UN instrument, prescribes that civilians should not be tried in the military tribunal. However, Joseph Beti Assomo pointed out that justice, equity and disciplines are the army’s priorities.

The defense minister made a surprise announcement that the regime is on deck to increase performance and targets the recruitment of 5000 soldiers and 2500 Gendarme officers in the coming days.

By Sama Ernest with files from CRTV

29, June 2017

Troubled trial of Ambazonia leaders in Yaounde postponed ⁰

The trial of the leaders of the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society has again been postponed to the 27th of July 2017. The Francophone military tribunal in Yaoundé opened the legal process on the 13th of February, and in May, the defense requested the provisional release of the accused.

The President Biya teleguided court rejected the application on the 8th of June and for the eighth time running, Dr. Fontem Neba, Dr. Barrister Felix Nkongho Agbor and Mancho Bibixy have seen their trial postponed to the 27th of July.

The Anglophone leaders including 25 others, whose arrests have raised a wave of indignation in the country and at the international level, are prosecuted for acts of terrorism, hostility against the fatherland, secession, revolution, insurrection, outrage against the President of the Republic, outrage against organized bodies and public officials, group rebellion, civil war and propagation of false news.

By Rita Akana
Cameroon Concord News

29, June 2017

CPDM Diaspora forum opens in Yaounde ⁰

The Prime Minister and Head of Government, Philemon Yang has opened the so-called first-ever Cameroon Diaspora Forum. The forum began on the 28th of June 2017 in Yaoundé. The three-day forum is taking place under the theme, “Cameroon and its Diaspora, acting together for the development of the nation.”

Chairing the opening ceremony on behalf of the Head of State, the Prime Minister called on Cameroonians in the Diaspora to take advantage of the investment incentives instituted by President Paul Biya in 2013 to make Cameroon a destination of preference for investors.

Prime Minister Philemon Yang also exhorted participants to exchange expertise in crucial domains including health, education, agriculture, culture and technology. The event is an opportunity to lay bare investment opportunities especially for investors from the Diaspora, the aim being to boost the country’s economy more so as this group contributed 0,7% of the country’s GDP in 2009. However, the forum is actually being attended by French speaking Cameroonians seeking cheap funding from the CPDM regime.

Source: CRTV

29, June 2017

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to China: Dortmund star edges closer to record-breaking transfer ⁰

Announced everywhere since the beginning of the transfer window, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may eventually leave Europe. According to the authoritative German news magazine, Bild, the Dortmund striker is moving closer to a deal in China.

The Tianjin Quanjin seems to have decided to take out their heavy artillery in order to recruit the top scorer of the last Bundesliga season. Shu Yuhui, the rich president of the club, is ready to offer more than 80 million euros to the Borussia player.

The 28-year-old Gabonese international would be offered an annual salary of 30 million euros-an astronomical proposal that would make him the highest-paid player in the world, ahead of Ezequiel Lavezzi (27.5 million).

In eastern China, Aubameyang would evolve under the command of Fabio Cannavaro alongside Axel Wistsel and certainly Anthony Modeste if he is about to join the Tianjin club.

Camcordnews Desk

29, June 2017

Russia to respond ‘in proportion’ to US strike on Syria ⁰

Russia has said it will react “in proportion” to any US military actions against Syria on the pretense of preventing a chemical attack. “We will react with dignity, in proportion to the real situation that may take place,” said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday during a press conference.

Lavrov added that he hoped the US would not use its intelligence assessments concerning the Syrian government’s alleged intentions to further provoke the country. “I expect that our partners in the region – American, European – will also have an open and comprehensible approach aimed at de-escalation through normalization of the humanitarian situation,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov cautioned the US against any unilateral action in Syria. He further added that Syrian army troops pose no threat to US forces, and that the US attacks on the Syrian armed forces are provocative in nature.

On Monday, US Press Secretary Sean Spicer claimed that the US had “identified potential preparations” for an attack “that would likely result in the mass murder of civilians, including innocent children.”

He added that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian military would “pay a heavy price” if they went ahead with the alleged plan. The Pentagon claims that it has seen activities linked with chemical weapons at Shayrat airfield in Homs province that was hit by American missiles in April.

Different foreign-backed terrorist groups have been wreaking havoc in Syria since 2011. Over the past few months, Syrian forces have made sweeping gains against Takfiri elements, who have lately increased their acts of violence across the country following a series of defeats on the ground.

Source: Presstv

29, June 2017

Biya meets Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs ⁰

Zhang Ming, Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs has held very intensive and productive talks with the Cameroonian dictator, President Biya. Both men met at the Unity Palace on Wednesday the 28th of June 2017.

After the meeting with the Head of State, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming said he was delighted with the friendly and excellent cooperation ties that exist between Cameroon and China. Thus, his two-day visit is another step aimed at solidifying these ties, especially in the economic sector.

President Paul BIYA’s next visit to China was also highlighted during the discussions. The 84 year old Cameroonian leader received an invitation from his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping on the 11th of January 2017. The Chinese official was accompanied by the Chinese Ambassador to Cameroon, Wei Wenshua.

Source: PRC

28, June 2017

Cameroon repatriates 887 Nigerian refugees ⁰

About 887 Nigerian refugees from Cameroon on Tuesday arrived in Banki, Borno State following a request from the Cameroonian government to Nigeria to facilitate their return. Hanson Tamfu, the External Relations Officer, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, Nigeria, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr. Tamfu said that the request was prompted by fear and suspicions of the Cameroonian authorities that among the refugees might include some elements of Boko Haram. “The returnees arrived in six trucks sent by Nigerian authorities following the meeting with the governor of the far north region of Cameroon on June 19.

“During the meeting, Nigeria was requested to cause the return of refugees, which the Cameroonian authority suspects may also compromise some elements of Boko Haram whose activities have increased tremendously in recent times. “Consequently, the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on June 26 dispatched the buses to transport the refugees,’’ Tamfu said.

Mr. Tamfu said that the latest group of returnees comprises 233 females, 187 males, 236 girls, and 231 boys who were living in host communities in Kolofata, a far north region of Cameroon. He said it was reported that most of them do not have much in terms of personal effects but a few items in plastic sacks while some returned completely empty handed.

Mr. Tamfu said that UNHCR responded immediately by providing wet feeding, adding that it also would contact the National Emergency Management Agency and the Borno SEMA to continue with food provision. He said that more returnees had indicated interest to leave Minawowa Camp in Cameroon, adding that they were anxious to return following the media reports about improved security back home.

He said they were also eager to return on hearing the government’s decision to distribute food to all the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the official registered returnees from Cameroon through Banki now stood at 19,257.

Source: Premium Times

28, June 2017

Controversial appointments: Biya loses credibility on the Pondi-Daniel Abwa nomination, late Peter Agbor Tabi replaced ⁰

President Paul Biya on Tuesday carried out a major shake up at the head of state universities and higher institutions of learning in Cameroon. Four new rectors were appointed by the 84 year old leader. Adolphe Minkoa She, professor of law who after so many failed attempts has now taken the reins at the University of Yaoundé 2 in Soa, where he is now rector.

Florence Uphie Chinje Melo, former director of Mipromalo (a company specialize in the promotion of local materials), is now the rector of the University of Ngaoundéré. The historian, Idrissou Alioum, former inspector at the Ministry of Higher Education, is the new rector of the University of Maroua in the Far North.

A senior Chemistry lecturer, Prof. Horace Ngomo Manga, who moonlighted as Secretary General at the Ministry of Higher Education was appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea. Biya also made some changes in some of the faculties. Awono Onana left the directorate of the polytechnic school. He is the new Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Yaoundé I.

The University of Yaoundé 1 recorded a funny CPDM readjustment. The former Secretary General, Prof. Jean Emmanuel Pondi, was raised to the rank of Vice-Rector while Prof. Daniel Abwa was demoted from the post of Vice-Rector to that of Secretary General. Lucien Ayissi, Professor of Philosophy, is the new Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Yaoundé.

The so-called mathematician and former cabinet minister Maurice Tchuente was made chairman of the board of the University of Yaoundé 2 replacing the late Minister Peter Agbor Tabi. Salomon Eheth, formerly in charge of the civil cabinet at the presidency, is the new director of the Institute of International Relations of Cameroon (Iric).

Retirements:
Four rectors were sent to retirement. They are Nalova Lyonga, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, Edward Ako Oben who reached the age limit but named pro Chancellor of the university of Buea, Henri Amvan Zollo ex-rector of the University of Ngaoundere and Ibrahim Adamou, former rector of the University of Yaoundé 2.

By Chi Prudence Asong
Cameroon Concord News

28, June 2017

Battle for Syria: President Assad visits Russian-run air base in Latakia ⁰

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has paid a visit to a Russian-run air base in the country’s western coastal province of Latakia, from which Russian fighter jets conduct airstrikes against Daesh terrorists and foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants.

The Syrian leader inspected a single-seat, twin-engine and super-maneuverable Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jet as well as armored vehicles at Hmeimim base southeast of the provincial capital city of Latakia on Tuesday, and met with a number of Russian military commanders there, Syria’s official news agency SANA reported.

Chief of Russia’s General Staff Valery Gerasimov accompanied Assad during the visit. “The Syrian people will not forget the support of their Russian brothers,” Assad wrote in the base visitors’ book, AFP reported.
Russian Defense Ministry issues a statement noting that during the visit, Assad and Gerasimov had held talks at the base on “coordination between Syrian government forces and Russia’s air force”.

Source: Presstv