28, July 2023
Congo Republic President Denis Sassou Nguesso called on Friday for an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine, saying a peace plan put forward by African leaders deserved attention.
Nguesso spoke at a Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said the peace proposal would be discussed later in the day.
Source: France 24
28, July 2023
He went to Russia to beg as usual, using the Russia-Africa Summit as an excuse or a pretext, but Cameroon’s President, Paul Biya, also known as the Lion man, will be leaving the Russian capital, Moscow, with a bloodshot eye.
Russia may be in need of allies but it does not have money to give to irresponsible governments like the Yaoundé regime which has been on a begging spree for decades.
Russia has already forgiven some of the continent’s debt but this does not imply it has money to distribute to African leaders who have clearly demonstrated that their relationship with money is causing death and destruction in their countries.
The Yaoundé government, led by the country’s collapsing president, Paul Biya, is an example of a government which cannot use in a responsible manner, any money given to it by its allies and international organizations.
If Mr. Biya will have anything of import, it might be assurances from the “Russian Czar” that it would not overthrow the corrupt and moribund Yaounde government which has been in power for over four decades and has nothing to show for its existence.
Russia has been the brain behind the anti-French sentiments across West Africa and these sentiments are resulting in the overthrow of pro-French and incompetent leaders in French-speaking West African countries, with Mohammed Bazoum of Niger Republic being the latest victim.
For some years now, Yaoundé has been the target of Wagner Group forces and this has rattled the beleaguered Yaoundé government which has been weakened by corruption, Boko Haram and Ambazonian fighters who are regrouping to finally take back their beloved Southern Cameroons.
By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai
28, July 2023
90-year-old President Biya is unable to walk because of ill health.
Biya left the nation’s capital Yaoundé today, accompanied by his wife, Chantal and a sea of cabinet ministers to attend the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit in Saint-Petersburg.
The Cameroonian dictator is making headline news in Moscow for the wrong reasons and has come to be regarded as something of a joke and a global laughing stock.
In an incident in Saint-Petersburg captured on camera despite the best efforts of his wife Chantal Biya, the 90-year-old president was making his way to shake hands with President Putin but could hardly move and the Russian leader had his first laugh since the beginning of the Ukraine counteroffensive.
It is likely that Biya is the most parodied politician alive today.
His wife was quick to step in and helped Biya the rest of the way to the conference hall. He is now too old and unable to walk.
Cameroon, a once-prosperous nation of 25 million people in Sub Saharan Africa, has struggled ever since Biya came to power.
Biya is accused of using widespread violence to win several disputed elections, according to Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
The country is suffering hyperinflation and facing a powerful secessionist movement in the English speaking regions known as the Ambazonia Interim Government.
By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai
27, July 2023
Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum has taken to social media to say that democracy will be “safeguarded” across the country, a day after he was seized by members of the presidential guard in a military coup attempt.
Bazoum, who was reportedly detained by some disgruntled members of the Elite Presidential Guard, vowed on Thursday to safeguard the hard-earned democracy in the West African country located in the turbulent Sahel region.
In a Thursday post on the social media platform Twitter, which is being rebranded as X, Bazoum said, “hard-won gains will be safeguarded” and that Nigeriens who love democracy will see it.
Bazoum’s statements came hours after men dressed in military attire claimed to have overthrown his government, dissolving the constitution, and closing the borders.
His remarks were echoed by Niger’s Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou, who confirmed that the president was in good health.
Massoudou said he had spoken to the president and he is “in good health”, and has not been harmed by the military.
He asserted that the elected government remained the “legitimate and legal authority” of the country, insisting that, “The legal and legitimate power is the one exercised by the elected president of Niger Mohamed Bazoum.”
The top diplomat described the actions of the group of soldiers at the presidential palace as “an attempted coup d’etat” but said, “the totality of the army was not behind the coup.”
He called on “mutinous officers to return to their ranks” in an interview with French television station France 24, adding that mediation efforts had started, including those by the president of Nigeria who is “dialoguing with the military”.
Meanwhile, the attempted power grab drew strong condemnation from the United Nations and several governments.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he “strongly condemns the unconstitutional change in government” in Niger.
The foreign minister of Niger’s former colonial power France, Catherine Colonna, condemned the coup attempt, claiming Paris was opposed to “all attempts to take power by force”.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Berlin was following the events in Niger with “very great concern”.
“Violence is not a means to enforce political or personal interests,” said the ministry in a statement, which also called for Bazoum’s immediate release by the organizers of the coup.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had spoken to Bazoum to offer Washington’s support.
The president of neighboring Benin, Patrice Talon, will head to Niamey for mediation efforts, the head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said.
In the meantime, the coupsters said “all institutions” in the country would be suspended, borders were closed and a curfew imposed “until further notice” from 10 pm to 5 am.
“We, the defense and security forces… have decided to put an end to the regime” of President Bazoum, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane said in a televised address late Wednesday.
Also on Wednesday, Niger’s presidency said that members of the presidential guard (PG) had started an “anti-republican” movement “in vain”.
The president’s office said, “Elements of the Presidential Guard (PG) had a fit of temper… (and) tried unsuccessfully to gain the support of the national armed forces and the national guard”.
It said the army and national guard were ready to attack the PG elements if they did not take a new disposition.
Bazoum was elected in April 2021, taking the helm of the impoverished country. He is one of a dwindling number of pro-Western leaders in the Sahel region, fighting against the extremists’ insurgency.
Source: Presstv
27, July 2023
Second-half goals from Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala gave Nigeria a stunning 3-2 win over Australia at the Women’s World Cup on Thursday to leave the co-hosts in danger of an early exit.
In front of 49,156 screaming and chanting Australian fans in Brisbane, the Matildas missed a golden chance to reach the last 16 and instead now face a must-win final group game against Canada.
Nigeria top Group B and play Ireland, who are out of contention for the knockout stages, in their last group match.
After the two teams went into the break locked at 1-1 thanks to two stoppage-time goals, Ohale put Nigeria in front in the 65th minute when she headed home after Australian keeper Mackenzie Arnold could only parry a shot into her path.
Oshoala, who came on as a replacement after half-time, then took advantage of a mix-up between Arnold and defender Alanna Kennedy to get between them and fire home from an acute angle.
Australia got one back through Kennedy in the 10th minute of stoppage time but the Nigerians held on for a famous victory.
A Nigeria win seemed highly improbable after a first period which Australia dominated.
The Matildas spent much of the first half in complete control, although they struggled to break down the Nigerian defence.
Nigeria frustrated Olympic champions Canada in their opening 0-0 draw and did the same to the Matildas, who lacked the penetration that an injured Sam Kerr would have given them.
Australia finally got a reward for their dominance in the first minute of stoppage time when a poor goal kick from Nigerian keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was picked off and Caitlin Foord’s low cross was met by Emily van Egmond, who calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.
But any hopes of taking a 1-0 lead into the break were dashed in the last play of the half, Rasheedat Ajibade cutting inside and shooting for goal, with the ball deflecting into the path of Uchenna Kanu, who beat Arnold’s despairing dive.
The second half was more even but Australia were unable to break through and once Nigeria took a two-goal lead the home side never looked like coming back, despite the 11 minutes of stoppage time and Kennedy’s late goal.
Culled from AFP with additional reporting by Ewang Miriam Metchane
27, July 2023
Biya left Yaoundé today, accompanied by his wife, Chantal and a sea of cabinet ministers to attend the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit which will be held in Saint-Petersburg from 26 to 30 July 2023.
The official delegation of the 90-year-old includes Lejeune MBELLA MBELLA, Minister of External Relations, Samuel MVONDO AYOLO, Minister, Director of the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency of the Republic, Joseph BETI ASSOMO, Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defense, Louis Paul MOTAZE, Minister of Finance, Emmanuel NGANOU DJOUMESSI, Minister of Public Works, Luc Magloire MBARGA ATANGANA, Minister of Trade, MENGOT Victor ARREY-NKONGHO, Minister in charge of Special Duties at the Presidency of the Republic, Alamine OUSMANE MEY, Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Vice-Admiral Joseph FOUDA, Special Adviser to the President of the Republic, MAHAMAT PABA SALE, Ambassador of Cameroon to Russia and Simon Pierre BIKELE, Chief of State Protocol.
The trip, which will be one of the most closely watched visits to Russia in decades, comes at a time when the Russian unprovoked attack on Ukraine is developing into a hydra-headed conflict.
The Cameroonian dictator is making the trip less than 48 hours after his return from Geneva, Switzerland.
By Rita Akana
27, July 2023
Soldiers claimed to have overthrown Niger’s government on Thursday after members of the Presidential Guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum.
Disgruntled members of the elite Presidential Guard sealed off access to the president’s residence and offices in the capital Niamey on Wednesday, and after talks broke down “refused to release the president”, a presidential source said.
“We, the defence and security forces … have decided to put an end to the regime” of President Bazoum, said Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane in a televised address, surrounded by nine other uniformed soldiers.
They said “all institutions” in the country would be suspended, borders were closed, and a curfew had been imposed “until further notice”.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union both decried what they called an “attempted coup d’état”.
A source close to Bazoum used the same term, saying the bid was “doomed to fail”.
The head of ECOWAS said Benin President Patrice Talon was heading to Niger in a mediation bid, after the latest bout of turbulence to hit the region.
President Talon was expected to arrive in Niamey Thursday to speak with both sides to resolve the crisis, after a meeting in Abuja Wednesday with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Nigerian leader said President Talon would mediate with both the Presidential Guard and Bazoum with a view to finding an agreement.
One of a dwindling group of pro-Western leaders in the Sahel, Bazoum was elected in 2021, taking the helm of a country burdened by a poverty and a history of chronic instability.
In a message on Twitter, the president’s office said “elements of the Presidential Guard (PG) had a fit of temper… (and) tried unsuccessfully to gain the support of the national armed forces and the national guard”.
“The army and national guard are ready to attack the elements of the PG who are involved in this fit of temper if they do not return to a better disposition,” the presidency said.
Niger’s Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou on Thursday told FRANCE 24 the elected government was the “legitimate and legal authority” in the country.
“The legal and legitimate power is the one exercised by the elected president of Niger Mohamed Bazoum,” being held by the Presidential Guard members, Massoudou said, adding that the detained leader was “in good health”.
‘Madness’
UN chief Antonio Guterres was able to talk to Bazoum on Wednesday afternoon, his spokesman said, and “expressed his full support and solidarity”.
The United States has demanded Bazoum’s release, saying it was “deeply concerned”.
Hours after his detention, Bazoum’s supporters tried to approach the complex where he was being held, but were dispersed by members of the Presidential Guard who fired warning shots, an AFP reporter saw.
One person was hurt, but it was not immediately clear if he was injured by a bullet or from falling as the crowd scattered.
The parties of Niger’s ruling coalition in Niamey denounced “a suicidal and anti-republican madness” in a statement, saying that “certain elements of the presidential guard sequestered the President” and his family, as well as the interior minister.
ECOWAS called for Bazoum’s immediate and unconditional release, and warned all those involved would be held responsible for his safety.
The European Union said it “associates itself” with the ECOWAS statement and attacked “any attempt to destabilise democracy and threaten the stability” of Niger.
France – Niger’s former colonial power – and neighbouring Algeria also issued condemnations, as did the World Bank which said it “strongly condemns any attempt to seize power by force” or “destabilise” Niger.
Instability
The landlocked Sahel state has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960, and numerous other attempts.
Bazoum, a former interior minister, was right-hand man to former president Mahamadou Issoufou, who voluntarily stepped down after two terms.
Their handover in April 2021, after elections won by Bazoum in a two-round contest against former president Mahamane Ousmane, marked Niger’s first peaceful transition of power since independence.
But reminders of the troubled past have never been far away.
An attempted coup took place just days before Bazoum’s inauguration, according to a security source at the time.
Several people were arrested, including the suspected ringleader, an air force captain named Sani Gourouza, and former interior minister Ousmane Cisse.
Five people, including Gourouza, were jailed in February for 20 years while Cisse was acquitted.
A second bid to oust Bazoum occurred last March “while the president … was in Turkey”, according to a Niger official, who said an arrest was made. The authorities have never commented publicly on the incident.
Poverty and jihadism
Niger is two-thirds desert and ranks close to the bottom of the UN’s Human Development Index, a benchmark of prosperity.
It has a surging population of 22.4 million, driven by a birth rate averaging seven children per woman.
Niger is struggling with two jihadist campaigns – one in the southwest, which swept in from Mali in 2015, and the other in the southeast, involving jihadists from northeastern Nigeria.
Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes, stoking a humanitarian crisis and further straining the economy.
The poorly equipped military is receiving training and logistical support from the United States and France, which have bases in the country.
Niger last year became the hub of France’s anti-jihadist Sahel operations.
The mission was reconfigured after French forces quit Mali and Burkina Faso after falling out with the ruling juntas in those countries.
Source: AFP
26, July 2023
Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe has refused to meet officials from Al Hilal, dealing a potentially fatal blow to the Saudis’ ambitious hopes of completing a world record 300-million-euro ($333 million) swoop.
The French star has refused “any discussion with the representatives of the Al-Hilal club, present in Paris this Wednesday,” reported L’Equipe sports daily.
According to the report, a delegation from the Saudi club came to Paris to finalise the transfer of Brazilian Malcom from Zenit Saint Petersburg.
They also wanted to present their project to Mbappe while in the French capital.
“This approach will not succeed,” added L’Equipe because the entourage of the 24-year-old player “refused any discussions with the representatives of the Saudi club”.
“The captain of Les Bleus has never considered this option,” the report added.
Riyadh-based Al Hilal had been given permission to open talks with Mbappe despite him never having expressed an interest in moving to the fast-growing Saudi league.
Mbappe has one year left on his contract with PSG, who want him to leave now rather than for nothing next summer.
But Mbappe is refusing to sign a new contract and the French champions believe he has already struck a deal to move to Real Madrid next year.
Source: AFP
26, July 2023
Cameroon government officials do not know how many people were inside a building in Ngaoundere, Adamawa region when it collapsed.
At least four people have now been confirmed dead after the lifeless bodies of a woman, her two children and her younger sister were pulled from the rubble of a four-storey uncompleted building on Tuesday July 25, 2023, in the Côte D’Azur vicinity in Baladji, Ngaoundere, Adamawa Region.
Cameroon Concord News understands authorities are still searching for 42 unaccounted people.
A huge section of the building was reduced to rubble when it crashed to the ground on Tuesday.
The number of fatalities and people unaccounted for has not been updated by the Francophone dominated police and gendarmerie force.
In a statement late on Tuesday, Cameroon government spokesman Minister Rene Emmanuel Sadi said that councils have been given firm instructions to control and stop building constructions that do not comply with norms in their municipalities.
Rene Sadi’s empty press release was in reaction to the 4-storey building collapse in Douala on Sunday, July 23 that killed more than 37 people.
The Governor of Adamawa Region, Kildadi Taguieke Bouka visited the scene of the incident and told reporters that search will continue for survivors.
By Soter Agbaw-Ebai with files from Rita Akana
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28, July 2023
Niger: General Abdourahamane Tchiani declared new leader following coup 0
General Abdourahamane Tchiani is the new leader of Niger following a military takeover, state television reported Friday, two days after the country’s president was detained by members of his own guard.
Tchiani, the head of the Presidential Guard, has been named “president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland,” a statement said.
Appearing on state television, the general said soldiers had seized power to the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel country.
The country’s elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, has been detained by the putschists since Wednesday morning.
Earlier on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron described the coup as “dangerous” for the region as Western powers scramble to preserve a key ally in the insurgent-stricken Sahel.
“This coup is completely illegitimate and profoundly dangerous, for Nigeriens, for Niger and for the whole region,” Macron said.
Macron said he had spoken to Bazoum, who is being held in his palace, and called for him to be reinstated.
Niger’s government had been seen by many in the international community as a bulwark against Islamist militancy in a vast, arid region that is beset by security challenges.
‘Last bastion of democracy in the Sahel’: Uncertainty in Niger prompts concern among allies
French and UN troops were in recent years forced to withdraw from neighbouring Mali, but Paris still has 1,500 soldiers in Niger. Bazoum’s overthrow could put the future of their deployment in doubt.
Macron, speaking during a visit to Papua New Guinea, said it was imperative that the constitutional order be restored and vowed to support regional groupings like ECOWAS in mediation or sanctions against putschists.
Source: Reuters