24, February 2024

Buea: Additional troops deployed ahead of Mountain Race of Hope ⁰

Cameroon has deployed additional troops to the country’s war-torn English-speaking region of Southwest to ensure security of Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, Africa’s oldest international athletic competition, an official said on Friday.

“The local people are proud of this event and they want it to be successful. The forces of law and order have been deployed everywhere,” the region’s governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai told reporters in Buea, chief town of the region where the race will take place on Saturday.

“We must remain vigilant, denounce all the suspected individuals who will be hanging around,” he added.

Residents said that police and military patrols have intensified in the town since Monday.

Separatist fighters who are active in the region since 2017 have threatened to disrupt the annual event.

Last year, blasts went off in three locations just a few minutes after the race began.

About 600 athletes from four continents will take part in the competition, according to organizers.

Source: Xinhuanet

23, February 2024

George Elokobi believes FA Cup run has brought Maidstone into global focus ⁰

George Elokobi believes Maidstone’s FA Cup adventure has catapulted them onto the global stage.

The Stones are the first team outside of the top five divisions to reach the fifth round since Blyth Spartans in 1978.

Their run, including the memorable 2-1 win at Ipswich last month, has captured the imagination from Kent to Cameroon and beyond.

They face a trip to another Sky Bet Championship side, Coventry, on Monday night bidding to become the first sixth-tier team to reach the quarter-finals.

“It’s an incredible achievement, not just for ourselves but for the community, Maidstone United, and our fanbase,” said Cameroon-born boss Elokobi.

“But we have also gained so much admiration globally, how we have gone about our FA Cup run, how we’ve approached it as a football club.

“Now we have kids coming up to us saying ‘we want to emulate what you have done’.

“It’s historic and a lot of the people around the city and elsewhere who aren’t even connected with Maidstone, they’ve told me their new team is Maidstone United. That shows you what the players have done.

“It’s a huge moment for myself. It’s a huge moment for my community back in Cameroon. It’s a huge moment for our football club. For Africa as well. It’s huge.

“The FA Cup is regarded as one of the best competitions in the world and for Maidstone to be in the fifth round, against a Championship side in Coventry, a club full of history, it’s an inspirational moment for myself and I’m ever so proud to be the leader of the club.”

Even if they do not pull off another shock against the Sky Blues, Maidstone will still have won more matches in the competition than the eventual winners.

Their journey began with victory at Steyning in September in the second qualifying round before beating Winchester City, Torquay, Chesham, Barrow and Stevenage before their Portman Road heroics set up a meeting with the 1987 FA Cup winners.

“It’s a day with for no pressure for us,” added Elokobi. “We are Maidstone United Football Club. There shouldn’t be any pressure on us.

“We will go and enjoy the occasion. It’s a historic day for our football club.”

Source: UK Sports

23, February 2024

China remained Cameroon’s leading supplier in 2022 ⁰

The National Institute of Statistics recently issued a statement, providing data on Cameroon’s trade exchanges in 2022. According to the document, Cameroon imported goods worth CFA775.8 billion FCFA from China over the period, representing 15.8% of its total imports.

Even though China maintained its leading position, it did lose a bit of its market share, dropping 1.2% from the previous year. In 2021, China’s share was at 17%, the same as in 2020. The report highlighted that Cameroon mainly imported items like machinery, metals, chemicals, plastics, transport equipment, stone works, and insecticides from China. This variety shows the range of goods Cameroon gets from one of its key trading partners. Cameroon’s imports come from 190 countries, totaling CFA4911.4 billion in 2022.

However, when it comes to exports, China ranks as the 6th biggest buyer of goods from Cameroon, purchasing CFA173.2 billion worth of Cameroonian products in 2022. This accounts for only 5% of Cameroon’s exports, a significant drop from 25.8% in 2021. The Netherlands has taken over as the top buyer, importing goods worth CFA932.1 billion from Cameroon, 26.8% of total Cameroon’s exports. The Netherlands gained 14 percentage points, while China lost over 20 points compared to the previous year.

Source: Business in Cameroon

22, February 2024

Biya increases family allowances and public sector salaries ⁰

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya signed two decrees yesterday approving the increase in both family allowances and the salaries of public sector employees. The fist decree concerns family allowances provided by the National Social Insurance Fund and the Ministry of Finance, which the President raised to CFA4500 monthly per dependent child. This adjustment represents a more than 60% increase from the previous rate of CFA2800 FCFA, reflecting a substantial boost in support for workers’ families.

The second decree issued by President Biya enhances the basic monthly salary of both civilian and military personnel by 5%. This latest raise, coming just a year after a 5.2% increase in 2023, took effect from February 1, 2024, according to an official statement signed by Magloire Séraphin Fouda, the Secretary-General of the Prime Minister’s office.

This salary adjustment was part of a series of measures aimed at preserving purchasing power in response to a 15% hike in fuel prices in February. As a reminder, the cost per liter of super and diesel climbed to CFA840 and CFA828, respectively.

Although useful, these increases in salaries and allowances may have a limited impact on people’s purchasing power. According to a report on inflation trends in 2023 and outlooks for 2024, released on February 13, 2024, by the National Institute of Statistics (INS), fuel price increases are expected to directly or indirectly affect other prices, including transportation, foodstuffs, and manufactured goods. The national statistician predicts that the inflation rate will stabilize around 7% in 2024, while the government aims to reduce this rate to 4%, down from 7.4% in 2023.

Furthermore, these raises are expected to increase state personnel expenses. According to the 2024 Finance Law, these expenses are projected to reach CFA1,698 billion, marking an 8.1% increase over the previous year. The budget includes projected salaries of CFA1,357 billion, pensions of CFA269.7 billion, and other personnel expenses amounting to CFA71.3 billion.

Source: Business in Cameroon

22, February 2024

Former Indomitable Lions coach Artur Jorge dies ⁰

Former Cameroon, Portugal and European Cup-winning Porto coach Artur Jorge has died aged 78, his family announced on Thursday.

Jorge led Porto to their maiden continental trophy with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the 1987 European Cup final in Vienna.

He also won seven Portuguese league titles, four as a player with Benfica and three as Porto boss, before leading Paris Saint-Germain to their second French top-flight triumph in 1994.

“It is with deep sadness that the family of Artur Jorge Braga de Melo Teixeira announces his death this morning in Lisbon following a long illness,” his family said in a statement reported by Portuguese media.

Jorge, who came through the Porto youth system but only played a handful of games for the senior team, first became head coach of the club in 1984.

He left following the European Cup triumph but returned for a second spell in 1989, winning a third league title at the helm.

“His death leaves Porto FC without a legend,” said the club in a statement.

Jorge had two stints in charge of the Portuguese national team, firstly from 1990-1991 while also Porto coach, and again from 1996-1997.

He was Switzerland boss for Euro 1996 and also coached the Cameroon national side but failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.

Jorge will be fondly remembered in Paris, having led PSG to league and French Cup trophies after also enjoying a two-year stint in charge of Racing Paris.

“Artur Jorge is the greatest coach I have known,” said former PSG president Michel Denisot.

“Educated, cultured, passionate, strategic, uncompromising… with him PSG grew very quickly.”

As a striker, he scored more 100 goals for Benfica as they won four league titles in five years in the early 1970s.

Source: Supersports

22, February 2024

Kremlin lashes out after Joe Biden aims sweary barb at Vladimir Putin ⁰

The Kremlin has accused Joe Biden of attempting to appear like a “Hollywood cowboy” after the US president called Vladimir Putin “a crazy SOB”.

Mr Biden made the comments at a public fundraising event on Wednesday in California, warning about the threat of nuclear conflict.

In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called it a poor attempt to appear like a “Hollywood cowboy”.

He added that such vocabulary “debases America itself”.

In a brief speech in San Francisco, Mr Biden said: “We have a crazy SOB like that guy Putin, and others, and we always have to worry about nuclear conflict, but the existential threat to humanity is climate.”

It is not the first time the US president has used the offensive term. In a hot-mic slip in 2022, Mr Biden called a Fox News journalist a “son of a bitch”.

He has also called Mr Putin a “butcher” and a “war criminal” in the past.

The Kremlin spokesman said it was “unlikely to infringe on our president, President Putin. But it debases those who use such vocabulary”.

Mr Peskov said the remark was “probably some kind of attempt to look like a Hollywood cowboy. But honestly I don’t think it’s possible”.

“Has Mr Putin ever used one crude word to address you? This has never happened. Therefore, I think that such vocabulary debases America itself,” he added.

In California, Mr Biden also took aim at Donald Trump, who he is likely to face off against in November’s presidential election.

Mr Trump has appeared to compare himself to Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition activist who died in jail last week.

The Republican has not assigned blame to Mr Putin for Navalny’s death, while Mr Biden said there can be “no doubt” the Russian president was responsible.

“If I stood here 10 to 15 years ago and said all this, you’d all think I should be committed,” Mr Biden said.

Last week, Mr Putin raised some eyebrows when he said he would rather Mr Biden take the presidency over Mr Trump in November.

“He’s more experienced, he’s predictable, he’s an old-style politician,” Mr Putin told Russian TV.

Source: BBC

20, February 2024

Biya sacks his new Spy Chief Jean-Pierre Robins Ghoumo ⁰

91-year-old President Biya has sacked the Director General of External Research, Jean-Pierre Robins Ghoumo barely two months after he took over from Léopold Maxime Eko Eko.

The reason for sacking Ghoumo remains unclear but the external intelligence agency has struggled to steady itself following the arrest of former director Léopold Maxime Eko Eko.

Cameroon Intelligence Report gathered from reliable sources in Yaoundé that Ghoumo is widely believed to be loyal to Eko Eko and not Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh who is currently running state affairs in Yaoundé. A well-placed source hinted that Ghoumo’s dismissal points to possible failure to execute his assignments satisfactorily.

Jean-Pierre Robins Ghoumo was appointed director of Cameroon’s intelligence service in December, but was told by Biya’s top aides that he will never be granted access to the files of his predecessor, Léopold Maxime Eko Eko, currently in jail.

By Rita Akana in Yaoundé

20, February 2024

Marseille sack Gattuso and replaced him with Gasset recently fired by Ivory Coast ⁰

Marseille have sacked Gennaro Gattuso as their manager and replaced him with Jean-Louis Gasset.

Gattuso took over at the French club in late September and leaves with the club ninth in Ligue 1.

The Italian claimed just nine wins from his 24 matches as manager, losing six times during his spell in charge.

Gasset, 70, was recently sacked by Ivory Coast after the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations, before they went on to win the tournament.

“Olympique de Marseille announces the end of its collaboration with Gennaro Gattuso,” Marseille said in a statement.

“Marseille would like to extend its special thanks to Gennaro and his entire staff for the unfailing commitment and professionalism they have shown on a daily basis, and wishes them all the best for the future.”

Gattuso joined Marseille as a replacement for now Villarreal manager Marcelino, who himself had only been at the helm in the south of France for three months.

Gattuso, who as a player won the World Cup with Italy in 2006, has also had spells managing AC Milan, Napoli and Valencia.

After a slow start to his time in France, four straight league wins in December took Marseille up to sixth in the table.

But Marseille have not won any of their last six Ligue 1 matches, four of which have ended in draws.

Gattuso took charge of 15 league matches at the Stade Velodrome, winning five, drawing five and losing five.

Marseille were also knocked out of the Coupe de France last month after a penalty shootout defeat to league rivals Rennes.

Despite the poor run of form, Marseille remain in the Europa League. Finishing second in Group B behind English debutants Brighton, Marseille host Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday (20:00 GMT) in the second leg of their knockout round play-off match, having drawn 2-2 last week.

Source: BBC

20, February 2024

Football: Kylian Mbappe agrees Real Madrid deal to join in summer ⁰

Paris St-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe has agreed to join Real Madrid this summer.

The France captain, 25, has told PSG he intends to leave the club with his contract expiring in June.

Mbappe has not signed a contract with Real yet, but the deal could be announced once it is no longer possible for the clubs to meet in this season’s Champions League.

The World Cup winner is PSG’s record goalscorer with 244 goals.

Mbappe wanted his future sorted before March, so on 13 February, before training, he met PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and told him he was leaving and joining Real.

After reports emerged last Thursday that he would leave, Mbappe was left out of the starting line-up for Saturday’s match against Nantes, but came off the bench to score a penalty as PSG went 14 points clear at the top of Ligue 1.

He is set to sign a five-year deal with Real, earning 15m euros (£12.8m) a season, plus a 150m euro (£128m) signing-on bonus to be paid over five years, and he will keep a percentage of his image rights.

Real manager Carlo Ancelotti has already thought how he will use Mbappe in his team, with England midfielder Jude Bellingham playing a deeper role, Brazilian Vinicius Jr playing on the left and Mbappe playing left of centre.

If Croatia midfielder Luka Modric leaves this summer, then Mbappe would inherit the number 10 shirt he wears for France.

PSG are 2-0 up against Real Sociedad after the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, while Real lead RB Leipzig 1-0.

How have we got here?

Mbappe won the French title with Monaco before joining PSG as an 18-year-old in 2017, initially on loan before a 180m euro (£165.7m) move.

Overall, he has 244 goals and 93 assists in 291 games for PSG and has helped the club to five Ligue 1 title wins.

Mbappe was set to leave PSG on a free transfer at the end of the 2021-22 season but ultimately signed a two-year contract extension, with the option of a further year.

However, after Mbappe told PSG he would not agree to the additional 12 months of the deal, he was not selected for their pre-season tour to Japan last July.

He subsequently refused to meet with representatives of Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, who made a world record £259m offer for him.

He later returned to first-team training following what PSG said were “very constructive and positive” talks.

Mbappe turned down a move to Real when he agreed to his current deal with PSG in May 2022.

He has a one-year extension clause, so it is expected his departure will involve either a sale with a transfer fee or financial sacrifices on the player’s part.

“He is no doubt one of the players anyone would love to have on his side. He is an amazing player,” former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon told the BBC’s Football News Show.

“We have very young players – he will join Vinicius, Rodrygo, Bellingham – and I think we have a very strong team. That’s why we are leading La Liga and also we’ve won all our matches in the Champions League.

“So, for him it would be fantastic. Every fan of Real Madrid would like to see him playing in the Bernabeu.

“He will leave a mark. If he continues to play as he has up until now, for sure he will be one of the important players we have had in our history.”

Source: BBC

20, February 2024

Ambazonia Interim Government: No option but armed Amba fighters to fight off Yaoundé aggression ⁰

There is no option left for the people of Southern Cameroons but armed Amba fighters to fight off the genocide campaign the French Cameroun regime in Yaoundé is exercising in the Ambazonia homeland, says Vice President Dabney Yerima.

“The Southern Cameroons struggle has its roots in strong historic facts and faith and Southern Cameroons young men and women are now willing to make sacrifices for the complete liberation of their homeland. The struggle will emerge triumphant,” Dabney Yerima said on Monday during a zoom meeting with some Ground Zero commanders.

The exiled Southern Cameroons leader said British Southern Cameroons will be independent through sacrifices and that soon and very soon, the world will eventually witness an independent Federal Republic of Ambazonia with the French Cameroun regime wiped off its face.

The Ambazonia Interim Government official said the recent surprise Amba operation in Buea exposed the frailty and weakness of the Biya French Cameroun regime, and drove it closer to downfall.

“After more than six years, the people of Southern Cameroons are still steadfast and fighting to inflict painful losses upon the French Cameroun enemy’s ranks,” Dabney Yerima stated.

By Chi Prudence Asong