24, November 2025

President-elect Issa Tchiroma in Gambia after fleeing for his safety ⁰

Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who is contesting the outcome of the presidential election, has fled to The Gambia for his safety, The Gambian government has said.

Tchiroma Bakary has insisted he is the legitimate winner of the 12 October election, alleging that the result was rigged to give President Paul Biya, 92, an eighth term.

The Gambian information ministry said on Sunday that Tchiroma Bakary arrived on 7 November and was allowed to stay on humanitarian grounds.

Cameroon’s government had threatened to put him on trial for allegedly inciting violent post-election demonstrations. He denied the allegation, and blamed the security forces for a crackdown on protesters.

The government put the number of people killed in post-election violence at 16, but other organisations have given a higher death toll.

Tchiroma Bakary has repeatedly promised to resist Biya’s government until his “victory” in the election is recognised.

Biya, the world’s oldest president, has been in power for 43 years, and was declared the winner with 53.7% of the vote amid allegations of fraud.

Tchiroma Bakary, who served in Biya’s government for many years, came second with 35.2%.

His resistance tactics have included calling for street protests and “ghost town” operations aimed at bringing cities and towns to a standstill.

Tchiroma Bakary: From government spin doctor to Cameroon president’s main rival

The 92-year-old president who never loses

Until The Gambian government confirmed his presence, his whereabouts had remained a mystery although there was speculation that he had fled to another country in the region.

“He is being hosted temporarily in The Gambia purely on humanitarian grounds in the spirit of African solidarity and for the purpose of ensuring his safety while discussions continue to pursue a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the post-electoral tensions in Cameroon,” The Gambian government said in a statement.

The Gambian authorities said the country would not be used as a “base for subversive activity against any state”.

The BBC has reached out to the Cameroonian government for comment.

Reacting to the announcement, The Gambia’s main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) criticised the government for withholding the announcement of Tchiroma Bakary’s arrival until Sunday.

It said it raised “serious questions about transparency, accountability, and respect for The Gambian people’s right to know what actions are taken in their name”.

However, the party said it was proud that Tchiroma Bakary could find “safe sanctuary” in The Gambia, adding that it was fully aware of how “despotism operates and how dissenters are treated”.

Source: BBC

21, November 2025

Yaoundé: Indonesia Intensifies Interactive Promotion Via Exhibition ⁰

Indonesia’s commitment to boosting its profile in Cameroon was solidified by Ambassador Agung Cahaya Sumirat, who used the “Discover Indonesia” exhibition as a key platform for promotion.

“We want to continue intensifying interactive and integrated promotion of Indonesia so that Indonesia’s profile gains more space in the hearts of the Cameroonian people,” said Ambassador Agung in a press release from the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Yaoundé in Jakarta, Wednesday, November 19, 2025, as quoted by Antara.

Ambassador Agung, who is also concurrently the Indonesian Ambassador to Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic, welcomed the high enthusiasm of the Cameroonian public for Indonesia’s various promotional activities.

KBRI Yaoundé presented the first-ever integrated exhibition themed “Discover Indonesia” at PlaYce Yaoundé from November 14–16, 2025. The exhibition featured information on Indonesia’s history and diplomacy, the diversity of Nusantara’s arts and culture, such as traditional musical instruments and regional clothing, as well as opportunities for higher education scholarships for Cameroonian students.

The event also served traditional Indonesian culinary items such as kue lumpur (mud cake), cassava chips, tahu isi (stuffed tofu), dadar gulung (rolled coconut pancake), and bakwan (vegetable fritters).

The atmosphere of the exhibition became more festive, according to the statement, when the Mandau Dance and mass dances were performed, accompanied by songs like Tabola Bale, Gemu Fa Mi Re, and Hioko Tobelo.

“Discover Indonesia,” which also served as a promotional event for the Trade Expo Indonesia and the Bali & Beyond Travel Fair 2026, included a business desk showcasing various authentic Indonesian products, ranging from processed snacks and cosmetics to helmets.

A number of business visitors showed interest in learning more about import opportunities, distribution, and potential collaborations with Indonesian entrepreneurs. A visitor named Youssouph admitted he was happy because he “got a new picture of Indonesia.”

Meanwhile, another visitor, Claudine Ngodem, who came with her family, appreciated the batik coloring activity, which she found interesting and educational for children. ***

Source: Radio Republic Indonesia

21, November 2025

Cameroon’s Critical Shortage of Incubators Puts Thousands of Newborns at Risk ⁰

Cameroon loses nearly 10,000 newborns every year due to a severe lack of incubators and trained paediatric staff. The problem is especially acute in conflict-affected regions like the Northwest, where hospitals such as Bamenda Regional Hospital operate far below required capacity—only six incubators for nearly 20 babies, many of whom are pre-term and vulnerable to infections when forced to share equipment.

Mission hospitals face similar shortages. Mbingo Baptist Hospital, one of the country’s top referral centers, runs on just four incubators, a situation worsened by the Anglophone Crisis and COVID-19, which drastically reduced patient access. Nationally, Cameroon records high child mortality: nearly 90,000 low-birth-weight babies are born annually, and about 10,000 die from preventable causes. The country’s under-five mortality rate remains far above global averages.

Experts say the crisis is driven by chronic underfunding. Cameroon allocates only around 4% of its national budget to health, far below the 15% Abuja Declaration benchmark. Despite incubators being relatively affordable, most hospitals lack them, and paediatric specialists are also in short supply—only about 200 paediatricians serve 15 million children, with many doctors leaving the country for better conditions.

Efforts to improve the situation are emerging. MP Peter Njume has launched a Parliamentary Caucus on Health Financing to push for increased domestic funding. Meanwhile, a coalition led by Professor Pius Tih and the African Children’s Healthcare Fund is working to build Cameroon’s first dedicated paediatric hospital, which would include modern neonatal care equipment and specialist staff.

With children making up nearly half of Cameroon’s population, experts warn that expanding paediatric services is urgent if the country hopes to reach universal health coverage by 2030.

Source: Trendsafrica

21, November 2025

Switzerland tests Cameroon’s openness with post-election mediation offer ⁰

Switzerland positioned itself once again as a potential mediation partner in Cameroon. Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter sent a congratulatory message to President Paul Biya on 7 November, following his re-election, and released the message publicly on 19 November. She stated Switzerland’s readiness to mobilise its diplomatic and institutional expertise at a time when the post-election climate remains tense and contested. The offer places Yaoundé before a test of its willingness to pursue inclusive political dialogue.

“The Swiss Confederation follows the post-electoral situation in Cameroon closely,” Keller-Sutter wrote, calling on political actors to engage in “constructive dialogue” capable of producing political solutions that reflect the aspirations of the entire population, “notably those of youth and women.” By explicitly targeting these groups, Bern anchored its message in both political stability and social expectations beyond electoral litigation alone.

A Diplomatic Offer Grounded in Longstanding Partnership

Beyond protocol, the Swiss letter carries specific diplomatic weight. It reiterates Bern’s readiness to support Cameroon in designing inclusive political solutions. “As a long-standing partner to Cameroon, Switzerland stands ready to share its expertise in this field,” Keller-Sutter said. Switzerland’s expertise covers mediation, governance, political dialogue and peace processes—areas where Swiss diplomacy enjoys an established international reputation.

The offer aligns with Switzerland’s past involvement in the Anglophone crisis that has affected the North-West and South-West regions since late October 2016. In 2019, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) said it had been “mandated” by a majority of stakeholders to facilitate negotiations between the Cameroonian government, political opposition and separatist actors.

This process, conducted with the Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, produced several preparatory meetings in Switzerland. Despite initial optimism, disagreements among the parties slowed the initiative, which did not result in a formal dialogue. Still, this experience remains a reference for observers who view Switzerland as a credible interlocutor to support crisis resolution and to assess the willingness of actors to commit to negotiation.

Post-Election Tensions Raise Stakes for Dialogue

The 12 October 2025 presidential election also left behind a tense environment marked by disputes, opposition claims and accusations of irregularities. The Constitutional Council declared Paul Biya the winner with 53.66% of the vote, but the political landscape remains polarised. Against this backdrop, Switzerland’s initiative appears as a facilitation offer designed to prevent political escalation and encourage a return to consultation. It also tests the readiness of authorities and political forces to accept a structured mediation framework.

The Swiss message comes as Biya, inaugurated on 6 November, declared that youth and women would lie at the centre of his new seven-year term, emphasising reforms and stronger engagement with citizen expectations. Switzerland, consistent with its neutral mediation posture, now seeks to support institutional stability during Cameroon’s new political phase. How Yaoundé receives this offer will provide a critical indicator of the political system’s openness and its ability to manage medium-term destabilisation risks.

Source: Sbbc

21, November 2025

Joël Monefong’s Masterstroke: Douala Port signs landmark PPP to become Central Africa’s first true smart port ⁰

Renowned Central African infrastructure financier and port development expert Joël Daniel Monefong has secured one of the most ambitious contracts of his career by signing, through his company Innovendi Data Technologies and Communication Ltd, a far-reaching public-private partnership with the Port Authority of Douala (PAD) for the complete digital transformation of the Douala-Bonabéri port into Central Africa’s first fully operational Smart Port.

The agreement, signed on 17 November 2025, gives Innovendi the responsibility for the design, full financing, construction, operation, maintenance and future upgrading of a dedicated hybrid 4G/5G telecommunications infrastructure, coupled with a comprehensive suite of Smart Port digital services aimed at dramatically improving operational performance, slashing cargo and vessel dwell times, and restoring the port’s regional competitiveness.

According to the terms disclosed by the PAD, the entire project is 100 % financed by Innovendi and its financial partners, meaning the Cameroonian port authority will undertake this large-scale digital revolution at zero initial capital cost. The technological package includes a private hybrid 4G/5G network delivering ultra-high-speed, low-latency connectivity across the entire port zone; Internet of Things (IoT) platforms for real-time cargo tracking, predictive maintenance and equipment monitoring; edge-cloud infrastructure for on-site critical data processing; state-of-the-art cybersecurity systems; and intelligent digital interfaces to modernise access control, traffic management, video surveillance and overall cargo handling.

In exchange for these exclusive rights, Innovendi will pay the PAD an upfront entry fee, an annual fixed fee, a variable fee indexed to port traffic volumes, plus all applicable regulatory charges — thereby creating a new and recurring revenue stream for the public port authority.

Cyrus Ngo’o, Director-General of the PAD, declared that the convention is the culmination of several months of intense negotiations and announced that technical specifications will now be finalised urgently to allow work to begin in the coming weeks. He underlined that the new digital ecosystem will bring “considerable gains in operational fluidity, a sharp reduction in vessel and cargo waiting times, strengthened security and a drastic limitation of human error”.

For his part, Joël Monefong, CEO of Innovendi, described the project as “an extremely ambitious undertaking that will definitively position Douala-Bonabéri as the first truly accomplished Smart Port in Central Africa, with digitalisation acting as the primary growth and competitiveness driver”.

This landmark contract perfectly aligns with the PAD’s strategic objective of consolidating Douala’s historic role as the leading logistics hub of the Gulf of Guinea, at a time when the port is facing increasing competition from the more modern facilities at Kribi (Cameroon), Lomé (Togo), Tema (Ghana), Pointe-Noire (Congo) and Lagos (Nigeria). The expected efficiency gains are set to attract new shipping lines, improve service quality for shippers and freight forwarders, and enable the port to absorb the region’s fast-growing trade volumes.

Beyond its operational impact, the project is also presented as carrying major socioeconomic benefits: direct and indirect job creation, advanced training programmes for young Cameroonian engineers and technicians, systematic involvement of local SMEs in implementation, and a structured transfer of cutting-edge technological expertise throughout the duration of the partnership.

Although Innovendi Data Technologies and Communication Ltd remains a relatively young player with a still-limited public portfolio, the contract takes on an entirely different dimension when seen through the lens of its promoter. With this Douala Smart Port project, Joël Monefong — already a recognised heavyweight in African infrastructure finance who has personally structured multi-billion-dollar PPPs, advised presidents and port authorities across the continent (notably as Technical Advisor No.1 at Kribi and lead financial architect of the >USD 1 billion Banana deep-water port in DRC alongside DP World) — opens a new and highly strategic chapter, this time combining his financial engineering mastery with direct operational responsibility for one of the most emblematic digital transformation projects in sub-Saharan Africa today.

Culled from Business in Cameroon by Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

19, November 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo attends White House dinner alongside Saudi crown prince ⁰

Superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo attended a White House black-tie dinner alongside the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday night.

Speaking ahead of the event, US President Donald Trump said it was an “honour” to host Ronaldo, whose starring role in the Saudi football league has seen him become a face of the country’s modernisation drive.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman wants to reduce the country’s dependence on oil revenues by diversifying into other areas including sports and tourism.

A White House official confirmed earlier in the day that Ronaldo would attend, but did not say if he was part of bin Salman’s official delegation.

Many critics claim Saudi’s investment is aimed at gaining legitimacy and deflecting attention from its human rights record and the environmental impact of its oil industry – a practice referred to as ‘sportswashing’.

Trump used his speech at the dinner to praise closer ties with Saudi Arabia, labelling the country a “major non-Nato ally”. Earlier in the day, Trump hosted the Saudi crown prince in the Oval Office.

Turning to the Portuguese soccer star, Trump told the gathered guests: “My son is a big fan of Ronaldo”.

“And Baron (Trump) got to meet him, and I think he respects his father a little bit more now, just the fact that I introduced you.”

Also at the dinner was tech billionaire Elon Musk, who joined other influential business leaders including Apple CEO Tim Cook. It is the first time Musk has been to the White House since stepping down as the head of the Trump administration’s Department for Government Efficiency (Doge) in April.

A dramatic feud between Trump and the Tesla tycoon played out publicly for months, and included Musk announcing that he would set up a new political party.

Ronaldo’s attendance at the White House, meanwhile, marks one of his first known visits to the US since 2016.

In the interim he has faced an allegation of sexual assault. Kathryn Mayorga alleged that Ronaldo raped her in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2009, which he denied.

“I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me. Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in,” he said in a statement in 2018.

In 2019, US prosecutors said Ronaldo would not face charges because the claims could not be proven.

In early 2023, Ronaldo made the jump to Saudi Arabia when he became the face of the Saudi Pro League and captain of Al Nassr – the football club owned by sovereign wealth fund PIF which is chaired by the crown prince.

‘Things happen’ – Trump defends Saudi crown prince over Khashoggi killing

In an industry where players are paid extraordinary amounts of money, Ronaldo’s pay deal with Saudi Arabia was astronomical. The footballer was reportedly paid $200m (£152m) a year – or more than half a million dollars a day.

Then in June this year, he signed a new two-year deal for a reported total of $400m (£300m) and became football’s first billionaire player, according to Bloomberg, with a net worth of $1.4bn.

That’s a lot of money for a 40-year-old footballer in the twilight of his career.

But, according to Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa programme at Chatham House, Saudi Arabia has “invested heavily in high profile events and individuals to put the kingdom on the map” in terms of sports and tourism in its quest for modernism.

Ronaldo has referred to bin Salman as “our boss” in an interview with broadcaster Piers Morgan.

Earlier this month, he appeared at a Ministry of Tourism event in Riyadh where he talked up the kingdom’s development projects and his hopes for the 2034 FIFA World Cup being held in Saudi Arabia.

Source: BBC

19, November 2025

Tchiroma not giving up on stolen victory ⁰

From his base in self-imposed exile, opposition ace Issa Tchiroma Bakary is not giving up on his position as the legitimate occupant of the Cameroonian presidency.

This is almost two weeks after Tchiroma’s former ally President Paul Biya, 92, was sworn in for an eighth term in office which he had occupied since 1982.

The former railway engineer worked under Cameroon’s second president as employment minister between 2019 to 2025 and previously communication minister from 2009 to 2019 and that of transport from 1992 to 1996.

Far from being daunted by Biya clinging onto power, Tchiroma continues to see himself as the legal holder of the “elected President of the Republic” and has since appointed Alce Nkom as his official spokesperson.

The 76-year-old is reportedly living in exile in an unnamed neighbouring country and is said to be busy restructuring what he calls the “Elected Presidency of the Republic” by making new appointments.

According to a “decree” of appointment dated November 17, 2025, and reviewed by the APA (African Press Agency), Nkom, a prominent defender of fundamental freedoms in Cameroon and a leading member of civil society, is authorised “to speak on behalf of the President-elect and to represent his positions in institutional, diplomatic, and media exchanges.”

On November 9, Issa Tchiroma issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Biya regime to release all prisoners arbitrarily arrested over their opinions or ”for supporting the truth”.

He warned: “After 48 hours, you will bear the consequences.” This appointment comes amid a climate of profound political crisis. On November 6, Paul Biya, 92, was sworn in before both houses of Parliament meeting in congress in Yaoundé, beginning a new term after more than four decades at the head of the country, since 1982.

According to the official results proclaimed by the Constitutional Council on October 27, two weeks after the October 12 election, Mr. Biya received 53.66 percent of the vote, compared to 31.19 percent for Mr. Tchiroma Bakary of the National Salvation Front of Cameroon (FSNC).

Contesting these results, the leader of the FSNC declared that there are now “two presidents”: “the one elected by the Cameroonian people, which is me, and the one appointed by the president of the Constitutional Council, whom you know.”

Mobilisation and allegations of violence

The document signed by Mr. Tchiroma Bakary refers to “the sovereign will of the Cameroonian people expressed during the presidential election of October 12, 2025” and evokes “the institutional
hostage-taking preventing the full and free expression of this sovereignty.”

In a video message posted on Facebook on Wednesday, November 5, the opposition leader praised the success of the “ghost town” day he had called for, stating that “nearly a hundred of our children fell on the field of honour so that we might regain our freedom.”

However, no official figures have been released by the Cameroonian authorities.

The decree emphasises “the need for clear, legitimate and responsible communication from the elected presidency to national and international public opinion,” a mission now entrusted to Ms. Nkom, known for her commitment to the defense of human rights.

Source: APANews

18, November 2025

President-elect Issa Tchiroma appoints Barrister Alice Nkom as spokesperson ⁰

Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has declared himself President-elect following the disputed October presidential election.

He has also announced the appointment of a prominent lawyer and civil society advocate, Maître Alice Nkom, as his official spokesperson.

In a statement released on Monday on his verified social media handle, Tchiroma issued a decree under the title “President-Elect of the Republic” designating Nkom to speak on his behalf.

“Me Alice Nkom, a lawyer at the Bar of Cameroon, a defender of fundamental freedoms and a prominent figure of civil society, is appointed as the Official Spokesperson for the President-Elect of the Republic of Cameroon,” the decree read.

According to the announcement, Nkom is authorised to represent Tchiroma’s positions in institutional, diplomatic and media exchanges, and to coordinate communication for the Presidency-Elect.

He added that the appointment was with immediate effect and will be communicated to national and international partners through appropriate channels.

Tchiroma justified the move by citing what he described as “institutional hostage-taking” that hinders the free expression of the people’s will, insisting that his declaration reflects the sovereign choice of Cameroonians in the October 12 poll.

Nkom, widely respected for her human rights advocacy and defence of civil liberties, is expected to give greater visibility to Tchiroma’s camp as Cameroon grapples with heightened political tensions following President Paul Biya’s swearing-in for another term.

Meanwhile, the Cameroon News Agency reported that she has welcomed her appointment in a Facebook post, quoting her as saying, “Today, a new page opens for our country. The President-elect, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has called upon me to assume the responsibility of spokesperson for the President-elect’s Office.

“I have accepted with respect, with seriousness, and with a profound sense of duty. This mission is not that of one woman alone. It belongs to the Cameroonian people, to their sovereign will, to their desire to take control of their destiny.”

“I commit to: faithfully carrying the voice of the President-elect, sharing his vision with clarity, defending the truth with consistency, serving every Cameroonian man and woman with loyalty.

“It is with humility and determination that I take part in this decisive stage, to accompany the change that the people expect and deserve. The voice of the President-elect will be strong. My word will be clear.

“The truth will be non-negotiable. And Cameroon enters an era of courage, responsibility, and transparency.”

Source: Daily Trust

18, November 2025

World Bank Group Appoints Paschal Donohoe as Managing Director ⁰

The World Bank Group today announced the appointment of Paschal Donohoe as Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer. Donohoe has served as Ireland’s Minister for Finance since January 2025, and as President of the Eurogroup of finance ministers since July 2020. His extensive experience spans both the public and private sectors, including nearly a decade at Procter & Gamble.

“Paschal brings more than twenty years of public service, and knows firsthand how good policies can unleash private capital mobilization, boost growth, and generate jobs,” said World Bank Group President Ajay Banga. “He also brings extensive knowledge of how investors, private sector, financial companies, technology firms, and others operate – from his near decade of experience in the private sector. This combination will be invaluable at ensuring the World Bank Group delivers more impact at scale.”

As Chief Knowledge Officer, Donohoe will lead on shaping, managing, and leveraging the institution’s Knowledge Bank—a force multiplier in the mission to fight poverty and improve quality of life in emerging markets and developing economies. He will ensure that the World Bank Group offers its sovereign and private clients proven solutions that can be used at scale, based on the best combination of expertise in regulations, technological advances, and development innovations. He will also be responsible for the World Bank Group’s strategic engagement with governments, civil society, foundations and philanthropies.

“It is a tremendous honor to take up this role at the World Bank, as Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer,” said Paschal Donohoe. “In more than twenty years as a public representative, my motivation has been to improve the lives of all of the people I represent and to foster engagement and cooperation as the best means of progressing vital issues.”

“By encouraging collaboration with, and between, governments and global institutions we can make progress and meet the challenges we face head-on. This has been a key and continuous theme of my public life and the work that I have done. The need for this has never been greater than it is today. I look forward to playing a central role at the World Bank in making the case for this cooperation at a time of great change in our world.”

Donohoe has been recognized with several honors, including European of the Year by the European Movement of Ireland, and the prestigious Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur from the French Government.

He will start in the new role on November 24.

17, November 2025

Yaoundé: US Secretary Rubio’s call with the Picture ⁰

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with President Paul Biya to congratulate him on his inauguration.

During their conversation, the Secretary and the President discussed deepening the partnership between the United States and Cameroon to advance shared goals, including strengthening security as well as achieving regional peace and prosperity for both nations.

The Secretary commended Cameroon for its role as a partner in the fight against terrorism.