1, April 2023

Football: Madrid’s Ancelotti confirms ‘exciting’ Brazil interest ⁰

Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the interest of the Brazilian national team in hiring him and his excitement at the prospect, but said Saturday he wanted to fulfil his contract with Real Madrid.

The Italian said the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) want him to replace Tite, after the coach stepped down following the Selecao’s World Cup 2022 surprise quarter-final exit, with Ramon Menezes currently in charge on an interim basis.

Ancelotti’s contract with Real Madrid ends in June 2024 and the veteran Italian, 63, says he will respect his deal with the Spanish champions.

“Yes, the reality is that the Brazilian national team want me, I love that and it excites me,” Ancelotti told a news conference.

“After that, you have to respect the contract, a contract that I want to see out.”

Ancelotti said he is happy at Real Madrid in his second spell at the club, but that nobody knows what could happen in the future.

“Everyone can say what they want, and then there’s the reality,” added Ancelotti.

“In my case, it’s quite simple. I have a contract and I want to see it out, because I like Real Madrid, I like this club and anything that can happen after that is in the future, and nobody knows the future.”

Madrid are currently second in La Liga, trailing leaders Barcelona by 12 points.

Ancelotti’s side host Real Valladolid on Sunday in the top flight before facing Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg on Wednesday.

Source: AFP

31, March 2023

Biya meets New UN Special Representative for Central Africa ⁰

Mr Abdou Abarry, United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) was received in audience at Unity Palace on 29 March 2023 by the 90-year-old Cameroonian dictator Paul BIYA.

As usual, the new UN Diplomat, an alumnus of the International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC), said it was an absolute privilege and honour to have been received by Mr Biya to whom he conveyed the special salutations of the UN Secretary General.

“I conveyed to him the special greetings of Mr Antonio Guterres – his good friend and a good friend of Cameroon,” he said.

31, March 2023

Mile 16 Buea: 10 students killed as truck crashes into GTHS Ombe school bus ⁰

Ten students from GTHS Ombe were killed today following a collision involving a minibus and a truck transporting sand at Mile 16.

Several others were seriously injured when the minibus crashed on the main road linking Ombe to Buea the chief city in the South West region.

Cameroon Concord News gathered that the ten students died at the scene while the truck driver and minibus driver were arrested.

The Mile 16 road was closed for about five hours while police officers gathered evidence.

By Besong Eunice Nchong

31, March 2023

East Asia and Pacific Regional Growth to Accelerate as China Rebounds ⁰

Growth in developing East Asia and the Pacific is forecast to accelerate in 2023 as China’s economy reopens, while the pace of growth in most of the economies in the rest of the region is anticipated to ease after a strong rebound last year, a World Bank report said on Thursday.

Economic performance across the region, while robust, could be held back this year by slowing global growth, elevated commodity prices, and tightening financial conditions in response to persistent inflation, according to the World Bank’s East Asia and Pacific April 2023 Economic Update.

Growth in developing East Asia and the Pacific is forecast to accelerate to 5.1% in 2023 from 3.5% in 2022, as China’s reopening helps the economy rebound to a 5.1% pace from 3% last year. Growth in the region outside China is anticipated to moderate to 4.9% from the robust post-COVID-19 rebound of 5.8% in 2022, as inflation and elevated household debt in some countries weigh on consumption.

“Most major economies of East Asia and the Pacific have come through the difficulties of the pandemic but must now navigate a changed global landscape,” said World Bank East Asia and Pacific Vice President Manuela V. Ferro. “To regain momentum, there is work left to do to boost innovation, productivity, and to set the foundations for a greener recovery.”

Among the larger economies of the region, most, including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, are anticipated to grow more modestly in 2023 than in 2022. Most Pacific Island countries are forecast to grow faster in 2023, but Fiji’s exceptionally strong economic pace in 2022 is likely to moderate.

Most countries in the EAP region have seen two decades of higher and more stable growth than economies in other regions. The result has been a striking decline in poverty and, in the last decade, also a decline in inequality. However, the catch-up to the per capita income levels of advanced economies has stalled in recent years as productivity growth and the pace of structural reforms has slowed. Addressing the significant “reform gap,” especially in services, could magnify the impact of the digital revolution and boost productivity in sectors from retail and finance to education and health.

The economies of the region must also cope with three important challenges as policymakers act to sustain and accelerate economic growth in the aftermath of COVID-19. Rising tensions between major trading partners will affect trade, investment, and technology flows across the region. The rapid aging of the major economies of East and Southeast Asia heralds a new set of challenges and risks with implications for economic growth, fiscal balances, and health. Finally, the region is particularly exposed to climate risks, in part due to the high density of population and economic activity along its coasts.

“De-globalization, aging, and climate change are casting a shadow over the growth prospects of a region that has thrived through trade and is growing old fast,” said World Bank East Asia and Pacific Chief Economist Aaditya Mattoo. “However, promoting trade, addressing population dynamics, and enhancing climate resilience could strengthen growth.”

30, March 2023

Pope Francis’ health improving after overnight stay in hospital ⁰

Pope Francis’ health is stabilising, according to a spokesperson for the Vatican. The Pontiff was admitted to hospital yesterday with a respiratory infection, sparking fears for his wellbeing.

But he has reportedly had a good night’s rest and is now working from hospital.

Nurses are optimistic that he could recover in time for Palm Sunday celebrations, but a discharge date has not yet been confirmed.

Source: France 24

30, March 2023

Indomitable Lions: Rigobert Song has done worse than his predecessors! ⁰

In one year at the head of the Indomitable Lions, Rigobert Song has done worse than his predecessors. He has recorded only 3 victories in 12 games with the Cameroonian selection. A catastrophic record that makes a lot of noise in the country where many are calling for his departure.

Big favorite for these qualifiers, Cameroon have still not validated their ticket for the final phase of AFCON 2023, two days from the end. Worse, the Indomitable Lions are relegated to second place in Group C, capped by Namibia.

The Cameroonians were held in check by the Brave Warriors in Yaoundé (1-1). The Lions recorded a new disappointment, this time losing against their opponents in a relocated match in South Africa (1-2).

A new setback which brings back to the carpet the balance sheet of Rigobert Song on the Cameroonian bench while the coach of the Indomitable Lions recently celebrated his one year as coach of the A team.

Rigobert Song, 46, was appointed at the head of the Cameroonian national football team in March 2022. The former coach of the Olympic team has never been able to make his mark, despite his multiple unsuccessful attempts.

His disappointing coaching displays were characterized by persistent defeats that pushed Cameroon out of their usual standards.

Since he took office, the former central defender has taken part in twelve games, recording only three victories against Burundi, Algeria and Brazil, during the last World Cup.

Although no decision has yet been made regarding his future, it is likely that Rigobert Song will soon be forced out of office, if the situation remains as it is now.

Source: AfrikPage

30, March 2023

BEAC forecasts slightly weaker economic growth in 2023 ⁰

Economic growth in the Cemac region is projected at 2.7% this year, the central bank Beac reported on March 27 following its first 2023 monetary policy committee meeting. This shows a slight decline compared to the 2.9% recorded last year.

“Growth in 2023 will mainly be driven by a strong dynamic in the non-oil sector,” the bank said, stressing that the oil and gas sector, which traditionally supports growth, will experience a setback.

Moreover, the central bank expects an improvement in the region’s foreign exchange reserves. According to the CPM’s projections, they should guarantee 4.9 months of imports over the year, compared with only 3.9 months in 2022.

Source: Business in Cameroon

29, March 2023

Key Pope Francis adviser quits Vatican abuse body over failures ⁰

The most influential member of a Vatican commission on tackling clerical sex abuse said Wednesday he has quit over “structural and practical issues” which made it “impossible” for him to continue.

Hans Zollner, the public face of Pope Francis’s efforts to tackle the global paedophilia scandal, said he had “grown increasingly concerned” over how the papal advisory body works, “particularly in the areas of responsibility, compliance, accountability and transparency”.

His resignation from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is the latest blow to a working group dogged by controversy.

US Cardinal Sean O’Malley, the body’s head, said early Wednesday that Zollner had resigned due to a heavy workload.

But German Jesuit priest and renowned academic Zollner, one of the leading experts in the fight against child abuse in the Catholic Church, said he had “noticed issues that need to be urgently addressed and which have made it impossible for me to continue further”.

In a statement, he slammed “a lack of clarity” regarding the selection process of members and staff, and “inadequate” financial accountability.

“Furthermore, there should be transparency on how decisions are taken in the commission. Too often, there was insufficient information and vague communication”, he said in a statement.

“It is due to these structural and practical issues that led me to disassociate myself from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors”.

‘Making him pay’

Zollner was the last remaining founding member of the group, which was set up by Pope Francis in 2014 as he strove to rid the Catholic Church of the scourge of sex abuse by clerics.

Problems emerged as early as 2017, when abuse survivor Marie Collins resigned as a member of the commission, saying the body was under-resourced and faced fierce resistance within high echelons of the church.

Fellow commission member and survivor Peter Saunders also quit later that year.

The pope accepted Zollner’s request to step down “with the deepest of thanks for his many years of service”, O’Malley said.

Francis has vowed a zero-tolerance stance on abuse and has changed the law so that suspected cases must be reported, but victims’ associations say he still has not gone far enough.

Francesco Zanardi, founder of Italian survivors group Rete L’Abuso (The Abuse Network), told AFP Wednesday that Zollner had been “very honest” about the paedophile priest problem within the church “and the Vatican is making him pay”.

Zollner had been increasingly sidelined over the last few years, Zanardi said.

The pope has recently tried to strengthen the commission, which was originally limited in its mandate, by making it part of the Vatican office that processes clergy sex abuse cases.

He has also tasked it with helping local churches set up survivor centres, where those who have been abused can seek help and justice.

But Zanardi said that while Zollner had been a rare contradictory voice, the commission itself was “absolutely useless”.

Source: AFP

29, March 2023

14 Cameroonians rescued, 13 others still missing after boat capsizes in Caribbean ⁰

At least 14 people from the African nation of Cameroon were rescued from waters in the eastern Caribbean early Tuesday after their boat capsized, but three people were dead and 13 others missing, authorities in St. Kitts said.

The group had departed Antigua early Tuesday aboard a boat carrying 32 passengers that apparently was en route to the U.S. Virgin Islands when it sank near the island of St. Kitts, Anthony Comrie, head of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, said at a news conference. He said the group had been staying on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, but left there a week ago for Antigua.

“My government has been making every effort to be helpful to these brothers and sisters from Africa who were marooned on Antigua, including by granting them residence and the opportunity to work,” Antigua Prime Minister Gaston Browne said.

He said the Cameroonians apparently arrived in Antigua as tourists but intended to migrate to other countries. Browne said his administration has contacted the U.N. High Commission for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration for counsel on how to treat the survivors as refugees, adding that they are welcome in Antigua.

Cameroon has been rocked by conflict since English-speaking separatists in the Central African country launched a rebellion in 2017. More than 3,300 people have died in the conflict, which has displaced more than 750,000 others, according to the United Nations.

The boat was stolen in Antigua, and 16 people aboard it were rescued, including two Antiguans, Comrie said. The nationalities of those who died or missing were unknown, officials said.

Browne said authorities would investigate what he called an “unlawful and dreadful affair,” including the involvement of local residents.

“All of the facts surrounding today’s calamity are not yet known,” he said.

The boat sank about 40 miles northwest of Antigua for unknown reasons, Col. Telbert Benjamin, chief of defense for Antigua and Barbuda’s Defense Force, told the government’s media outlet.

“The vessel went down in relatively deep water, and so recovery … might be a bit of a challenge,” Benjamin said.

Source: AP

28, March 2023

Rigobert Song under pressure: Qualification for next AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire now uncertain ⁰

Qualification for the next Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire is now uncertain for the Indomitable Lions.

The lions were held to a 1-1 all draw last week in Yaoundé by a compact Namibian side that successfully won the return leg staged in the Dobsonville Stadium in the suburbs of Johannesburg in South Africa today.

Namibia opened the scoring in the 54th minute through Peter Shaluille, who scored in the first leg in Yaoundé.

The Indomitable Lions, who were playing in a 4-2-4 formation, were unable to react and in the 78th minute, Jean-Charles Castelleto committed a foul 30 meters from his goal which proved fatal as the score was increased by Namibia from a free kick executed by Absalom Limbondi.

Leading 2-0 with 10 minutes to go, the Indomitable Lions, despite the substitutions made by a frustrated Rigobert Song, continued to be confused and without ideas in their game. Vincent Aboubakar pulled one back in the 91st minute following a long ball in the Namibian area from Jean-Charles Castelleto but that proved insufficient to avoid defeat. Rigobert Song’s record since taking over as manager on 28 February 2022 is now 3 wins, 4 draws and 5 defeats.

The Indomitable Lions, who have one more elimination match to play in September against Burundi, are now 2nd in their group of 3 teams with 4 points while Namibia has 5. Only one country will qualify from this group for the 30th Africa Cup of Nations scheduled from 13 January to 11 February 2024 in Côte d’Ivoire.

Cameroon, 5 times African champion (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002 and 2017) and 20 participations in the AFCON, has not missed any final phase of this major tournament since the 2013 edition in South Africa and 2012 in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

By Staff Lady Nelly Epupa with files from Rita Akana