French Cameroun Far North Crisis: Biya regime begs displaced civilians to return

17, December 2021

French Cameroun Far North Crisis: Biya regime begs displaced civilians to return 0

The U.N.’s refugee agency (UNHCR) says the number of Cameroonians fleeing communal violence in the north of the country to neighboring Chad has reached 85,000. Cameroon has dispatched a delegation to Chad to convince those who fled the fighting over water resources to return home.

UNHCR says the total number of people who have fled this month has increased to 100,000. Most have fled to neighboring Chad, but 15,000 are hiding in safer Cameroonians towns and villages.

Fighting broke out in the Cameroonian border village of Ouloumsa two weeks ago between Arab Choua cattle herders and Mousgoum fishers, sending tens of thousands fleeing to Chad.

Cameroonian officials said the clashes over water resources left villages and markets torched, plantations destroyed, and livestock killed or stolen.

The UNHCR representative in Chad, Papa Kysma Sylla, said the needs of fleeing civilians is increasing by the day.

“We are on an emergency mode openly declared from our headquarters, so we created a coordination with several NGOs and UN agencies (like) WFP, UNICEF, Red Cross,” Sylla said. “So we are all providing assistance and mobilizing money and or human resources.”

Mahamat Kerimo Sale, mayor of the N’djamena 9 district in Chad, spoke to VOA via messaging application.

Sale said the president of Chad’s Transitional Military Council, Mahamat Deby, gave instructions to Chadians to peacefully welcome civilians fleeing the conflicts in Cameroon. He said they are providing basic needs like food and water and aid groups and UN agencies like UNICEF are also helping with soap and blankets to reduce the suffering of those displaced from Cameroon.

Sale said members of the clashing communities who fled Cameroon are kept separately to avoid conflict in Chad.

Cameroon’s government this week dispatched a delegation to Chad to assist those who fled the violence.

Territorial administration minister Paul Atanga Nji led the delegation of ministers, military officials, and lawmakers. He thanked Chad’s government and people for the care given to displaced Cameroonians. He also asked the displaced to return to their homes in Cameroon and make peace with their neighbors.

“As much as we preach peace, unity, harmony and living together, we are trying to sensitize the population that they should not take the laws into their hands and that if there is any problem, they have to go to the closest administrative authorities or the forces of law and order and complain,” he said. “If because of land or grazer and farmers problems, you start killing and looting, I think it is not a very good example. We are in a state of law.”

Nji said so far 6,000 Cameroonians who fled to Chad have agreed to return home.

Cameroonian authorities said they have deployed troops to the areas in conflict to ensure the safety of all citizens.

Source: VOA

Biya crimes, bloodshed sole aftermaths of Francophone army soldiers deployed to Southern Cameroons

17, December 2021

Biya crimes, bloodshed sole aftermaths of Francophone army soldiers deployed to Southern Cameroons 0

The Vice President of the Southern Cameroons Interim Government, Dabney Yerima says five years of the Biya French Cameroun war in the Federal Republic of Ambazonia had no other result for Southern Cameroonians but bloodshed and murder.

Dabney Yerima made the comments during a zoom presentation to the Southern Cameroons German Think Tank on Wednesday, during which the exiled Ambazonia leader congratulated His Grace Archbishop Andrew Nkea for winning the Cameroon Concord Person of the Year.

Speaking of the dire situation in Southern Cameroons after five years of the Biya French Cameroun war, Vice President Dabney Yerima said, “The aftermaths of five years of war in Southern Cameroons is Biya crimes, bloodshed, and the complete destruction of Southern Cameroons.”

Dabney Yerima then underscored the need for the people of Southern Cameroons to rule their own country, stressing that the Federal Republic of Ambazonia must be run by Ambazonians.

Elsewhere in his comments, Vice President Dabney Yerima said cooperation among all Southern Cameroons restoration groups will benefit the marginalized people of British Southern Cameroons.

By Isong Asu in London

Amba fighters make fresh gains against Cameroon gov’t forces in Eyumojock

17, December 2021

Amba fighters make fresh gains against Cameroon gov’t forces in Eyumojock 0

A spokesman for Southern Cameroons Self Defense forces in Eyumojock Sub Division in Manyu say Amba fighters from the popular Manyu Liberation Council have carried out attacks against several targets in Otu, Ekok and Obang area.

In an audio message aired in the Ejagham language, the spokesman said Amba fighters struck the gendarmerie post in Otu, Ekok and the poorly constructed army barracks in Obang.

We gathered that the attacks came in response to the escalation of arrests and killings by Cameroon government army soldiers against Southern Cameroons civilians. Amba fighters have also vowed larger attacks unless Yaoundé stops its ongoing war in Southern Cameroons.

Cameroon government military has been intensifying its attacks against Amba fighters across Southern Cameroons and killing more civilians including children. This has pushed Ambazonia fighters to launch further operations targeting the Francophone army soldiers deployed to Southern Cameroons.

A majority of Southern Cameroonians believe that Amba fighters have the right to hit back at those killing British Southern Cameroons women and children and violating the sovereignty of their homeland.

Ambazonians say Biya and his French Cameroun political elites should realize that the more attacks it conducts against Southern Cameroons civilians, the more painful retaliatory strikes will be carried out against Cameroon government military facilities.

By Takor Charles Enow in Ekok with additional reporting and editing by Isong Asu in London

Southern Cameroons Crisis, Boko Haram threatens player safety at AFCON with Sadio Mane set to be close to conflict zone

16, December 2021

Southern Cameroons Crisis, Boko Haram threatens player safety at AFCON with Sadio Mane set to be close to conflict zone 0

Serious security concerns have been raised ahead of the upcoming AFCON tournament set to be hosted by Cameroon.

This comes from Simon Hughes at The Athletic, with the journalist noting that a handful of Premier League talents, including Liverpool’s Sadio Mane, could be put in danger due to escalating conflict in the region.

“Twenty-four teams will play matches in six venues across the country, one of which is in Bafoussam – close to the border of the Anglophone zone,” the reporter wrote. “Each of Senegal’s group games will be staged in the city and this will bring Liverpool’s Sadio Mane as well as Chelsea’s Edourd Mendy and Watford’s Ismailla Sarr (if fit) into close contract with an area of conflict.

The danger hardly ends there as far as the club’s African contingent are concerned, with there being some concern over the potential safety of Mo Salah.

“The border with Nigeria has been described to The Athletic as ‘porous’ and there are sharp security fears about the staging of Nigeria’s group games in Garoua, an hour and a half drive into Cameroon,” Hughes added.

“One of their opponents is Egypt, for whom Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is the captain.

“The Egyptians will not be staying in the region and instead will fly for each of their fixtures from Douala in South-West Cameroon.

“The news that Cameroon’s security services recently conducted anti-terror simulation exercises, including a mock attack on a stadium, was certainly not missed in Cairo.”

There’s an obvious benefit for a club like Liverpool when it comes to the potential postponement or cancellation of this year’s AFCON – selfishly, it would help our chances of domestic success having our top goalscorer and Mane available.

That being said, it’s far from being selfish to expect a high standard of player safety at a major international tournament, particularly in light of the additional COVID-19 concerns raised.

If there is deemed to be a genuine threat to that, we at the Empire of the Kop (with all due respect to the AFCON) can’t see how the competition in question can be allowed to go ahead.

Source: Empire of the Kop

Africa Cup of Nations: Yerima says military drill at Nsimalen airport won’t provide French Cameroun with security

16, December 2021

Africa Cup of Nations: Yerima says military drill at Nsimalen airport won’t provide French Cameroun with security 0

The Southern Cameroons Interim Government has dismissed the Biya regime recent military drill at the Yaoundé Nsimalen International airport saying that football teams and fans coming into the divided Cameroon in January will face one of the capabilities the Ambazonia Revolutionary Guards have developed.

The Ambazonia Interim Government says no military drill can bring security and safety for French Cameroun and football teams including football fans. Yaoundé recently staged a security drill at the Yaoundé Nsimalen International airport in a bid to inform international public opinion that the Biya administration was more than ready to host the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Vice President of the Southern Cameroons Interim Government, Dabney Yerima said the Nsimalen drill represents a French Cameroun retreat and its weak points. Yerima noted that Ambazonia Revolutionary Guards will take the war of liberation deep inside French Cameroun during the Africa Cup of Nations as Amba fighters continue to improve their strategic capabilities.

Yerima also observed that the Nsimalen drill was a message to the Sawa people in French Cameroun that Biya and his gang only care about Centre and South regions.

For Southern Cameroonians living in Ground Zero, Vice President Dabney Yerima opined that the Nsimalen drill is a confirmation that they live in Africa’s largest open-air prison known in Yaoundé as South West and North West regions.

By Chi Prudence Asong with files from Isong Asu

Corrupt France: Macron defends his record without formally declaring run for presidency

16, December 2021

Corrupt France: Macron defends his record without formally declaring run for presidency 0

French President Emmanuel Macron declared his future “ambitions” for the country but declined to formally declare he was running for a second term in a lengthy prime-time TV interview on Wednesday that saw him defend his record as an economic reformer.

After a rare two-hour press conference last week to outline his European ambitions, the 43-year-old head of state sat down with journalists from the TF1 channel as campaigning ahead of next April’s vote hots up.

“If your question is ‘are you looking ahead?’,’do you have ambitions for our country, for French people beyond next April?’. Clearly,” the centrist replied when asked if he would be running for another five-year term.

“I never thought that we could do everything in five years,” he said during the interview which was pre-recorded but broadcast on Wednesday evening.

But he argued he needed to stay focused on governing before giving a “firm and sincere response” about his candidacy to the country.

As well as his recent media work, the country’s youngest-ever president when elected in 2017 has also been touring small-town and rural France in recent weeks in what has resembled grassroots campaigning.

Like his predecessors including Francois Mitterrand and Nicolas Sarkozy, observers say he appears intent on playing for time, using the presidential megaphone and the benefits of his office until as late as possible.

“I’ll keep going until the final quarter of an hour,” he said.

France’s role holding the rotating presidency of the European Union from January 1, which will see Macron set the official EU agenda, is also seen as another factor favouring a late declaration.

Level field?

Recent gains in the polls from some of his opponents next year might also explain his sudden willingness to open up to the media after years of keeping journalists at arm’s length.

On Friday, RTL radio is set to broadcast a special event in which he answers questions from school children.

Last week, a poll by the Elabe survey group showed the former investment banker losing the second round of the election on April 24 for the first time to right-winger Valerie Pecresse from the Republicans party.

Pecresse, the combative head of the greater Paris region and a former minister under Sarkozy, has enjoyed a huge bounce in the polls since clinching her party’s nomination on December 4.

She led criticism about Wednesday night’s TV interview which she said was evidence of an uneven playing field for those eyeing the Elysee Palace.

“We can’t have a president-candidate who has television channels open up for him whenever he wants it and is campaigning for hours on end, while his opponents get five minutes on a panel to respond to him,” she said on Monday.

She has promised to complain to France’s media regulator, the CSA, which monitors the time given to presidential candidates to ensure each of them gets a fair billing.

Regrets

Macron was asked repeatedly about mistakes early in his campaign when he was accused of talking down to voters, one of the factors behind a huge backlash from anti-government protesters known as “yellow vests”.

“I’ve learned to have a lot more respect for everyone, I think I can say,” Macron said, admitting that his “desire to shake things up” had sometimes been counter-productive.

“With some of my words I hurt people,” he said.

Socialist party politician Boris Vallaud decried the interview as a “like a public confession without a single new idea.”

Macron defended his reforms to labour laws, making it easier for companies to fire workers, as well as tax cuts which he said had made the country able to confront the Covid-19 crisis in a stronger position.

Unemployment in France fell to 8.1 percent in the last quarter, down from 9.5 percent when Macron was elected, but remains above the average of the other countries that use the euro.

He also implied that major pension reform, which he abandoned when the Covid-19 pandemic began, would be part of his programme for a second term.

He admitted that his initial ideas were too “anxiety-inducing” and needed to be reformulated, but the objective would remain the same.

“We need to be prepared for the idea of having to work for longer,” he said.

Source: AFP

488 journalists imprisoned, 46 killed in 2021

16, December 2021

488 journalists imprisoned, 46 killed in 2021 0

There are currently 488 media professionals imprisoned around the world, the highest number since Reporters Without Borders began counting more than 25 years ago, the NGO announced Thursday.

By contrast, the number killed this year — 46 — was the lowest since it began issuing annual tallies, due to the relative stabilisation of conflicts in the Middle East.

“The number of journalists detained in connection with their work has never been this high since RSF began publishing its annual round-up in 1995,” the NGO, which battles for freedom of the press, said in a statement.

The number has risen by some 20 percent over the past year thanks largely to crackdowns on the media in Myanmar, Belarus and Hong Kong.

RSF said it had also never seen so many female journalists detained, with the overall number of 60 representing a third more than 2020.

China leads the way for imprisoned journalists with 127, thanks in large part to the national security law it imposed on Hong Kong, undermining many of its long-standing democratic freedoms.

‘People’s tribunal’

Myanmar was second with 53, followed by Vietnam (43), Belarus (32) and Saudi Arabia (31).

The falling number of deaths since a peak in 2016 reflects changing dynamics in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, where a reduction in conflict means fewer journalists have been drawn to the region.

Most of the 46 killings were assassinations: “65 percent were deliberately targeted and eliminated,” the report said.

The most dangerous countries were once again Mexico and Afghanistan, with seven and six journalist deaths respectively, followed by Yemen and India with four apiece.

RSF also counted 65 journalists and colleagues held as hostages around the world.

All are in the Middle East — Syria (44), Iraq (11) and Yemen (9) — apart from French journalist Olivier Dubois, held in Mali since April.

A “people’s tribunal” to achieve justice for murdered journalists opened in The Hague last month to defend media freedoms in an age of increasing authoritarianism and populism.

Set up by a coalition of press freedom organisations, the hearings lasting six months will focus on the unsolved cases of three journalists murdered in Mexico, Sri Lanka and Syria.

While it has no legal powers to convict anyone, the tribunal aims to raise awareness, pressure governments and gather evidence through what it calls its form of “grassroots justice”.

The tribunal was organised by Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and Reporters Without Borders.

Source: AFP

SAMUEL ETO’O: TOO EARLY TO JUDGE BUT…

15, December 2021

SAMUEL ETO’O: TOO EARLY TO JUDGE BUT… 0

After three days on the job, I still believe it is still too early to judge or draw conclusions about Samuel Eto’o.

However, the noise on social media in the run-up to his election about how he could not handle the job made many to feel that once he got the job, he would start by conducting himself as a bull in a China shop by demolishing all what was already at the federation’s headquarters.

On the contrary, he is pointing his collaborators in the right direction by instilling discipline in a place where discipline had taken French leave of the federation.

No genuine endeavor can succeed if discipline is lacking. Eto’o knows this principle only too well. He did not succeed in making tons of money by making indiscipline his companion.

The old workers at FECAFOOT are still struggling as the wind of change continues to blow. Yesterday, they did not know that the  times were changing and they thought they could come to work at anytime. Late-coming, as we were taught in primary school, is a sign of indiscipline. Eto’o does not condone indiscipline.

He is already indicating that there is a new sheriff in town and he is not going to accept the old bad ways that have dumped the federation into a pretty mess.

He has come with the carrot and stick approach, which is the hallmark of good managers. Those who do their work accordingly get the kudos, those who are stuck with their bad habits will hear very bad news.

The Sheriff has already inspected facilities in Yaounde and where works are still underway, he is urging the contractors to use the best possible materials. He is not settling for anything sub-standard.

In his view, Cameroon and Cameroonians deserve better. You cannot be one of the best in the world only to give your country the worst. That is not Eto’o.

He has already begun chopping off the excess fat in the budget by cutting down on unnecessary cost.

Yesterday, all expensive dishes on the Federation’s menu were deleted. The country is going through hard times, with young men being the primary victims of the mismanagement that has become the country’s hallmark. Eto’o is not happy about that. Youths are at the center of his actions. He was to give them hope and trust. He was to inject unalloyed patriotism in them.

 Eto’o is hellbent on cutting cost within his administrative space. Puff-puff, beans and pap are on the menu and any federation worker who is hungry can feast on that.

He loves leading by example and he was on hand yesterday to eat his bowl of puff-puff and beans. Any FECAFOOT worker who does not love our beloved puff-puff and beans can buy whatever he wants to eat. The football  federation known as  FECAFOOT cannot become FECAFOOD. Good leaders manage the budget prudently.

Today, he is in the South region to inspect sports facilities and to meet with youths who are looking up to him. He has promised to deliver Cameroon’s football from its malaise of yesteryears and the plan is already underway.

A visit to the Minister of Sports on Monday resulted in an agreement for  the supervisory authority to support his determined efforts aimed at giving football in Cameroon a face-lift and a good name.

The world is watching and Eto’o knows he must not disappoint. Every move of his is being scrutinized, and rightly so, because he must deliver on his mandate. To whom more is given, more is expected.

However, Cameroonians must be patient. The cancer of corruption and internal fighting  had destroyed the very foundation on which the Federation was built.

It takes time to rebuild and if Cameroonians can rid themselves of their post-appointment trauma and legendary jealousy, they will be able to see a savior in Eto’o and he will do his best to restore  our faith in our football federation.

By Dr. Joachim Arrey

Biya military aggressions have left over 1700 Anglophone young men dead

15, December 2021

Biya military aggressions have left over 1700 Anglophone young men dead 0

The Ambazonia Interim Government says more than 1700 Southern Cameroons young men have lost their lives ever since the 88-year old Paul Biya launched a bloody military onslaught against the people of West Cameroon roughly five years ago.

The Vice President of the Ambazonia Interim Government, Dabney Yerima, in a statement released on Monday, announced that 1700 young men including university graduates have been killed and 1200 others sustained injuries as a result of the incessant Biya regime military attacks in Southern Cameroons.

Vice President Dabney Yerima in the statement highlighted that the situation of Southern Cameroons rural women is fairly dire; and the level of Francophone army violence against them has soared.

Dabney Yerima pointed out that the devastating French Cameroun military campaign has deprived British Southern Cameroonians of their basic rights to access health services as hospitals and medical centers are in ruins and in very unhygienic conditions that encourage the spread of infectious diseases such as Covid-19.

Yerima went on to note that thousands of Southern Cameroons children who are presently living in the forest suffer from malnutrition.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

UK: Nearly 100 Conservative MPs revolt against Boris Johnson over new Covid-19 restrictions

15, December 2021

UK: Nearly 100 Conservative MPs revolt against Boris Johnson over new Covid-19 restrictions 0

Almost 100 Conservative lawmakers voted on Tuesday against new coronavirus restrictions, dealing a major blow to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s authority and raising questions about his leadership.

After a day of frenzied failed lobbying, Johnson was handed the biggest rebellion against his government so far by his party over measures he said were necessary to curb the spread of the new Omicron variant.

The new rules, which included ordering people to wear masks in public places and use COVID-19 passes for some venues, passed thanks largely to the main opposition Labour Party.

But the revolt piles pressure on Johnson, already under fire over scandals such as reported parties in his Downing Street office last year – when Britain was in a COVID-19 lockdown – and a pricey refurbishment of his apartment.

Rebelling lawmakers said the vote was a warning shot that he needed to change how the government was operating, or he would face a leadership challenge.

Some 99 Conservatives opposed plans for the COVID passes, a much higher number of rebels than was expected. Originally the official figure was put at 98, but the number was later revised upward.

Among those voting against the government was lawmaker Louie French who was only elected as a Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) at the start of the month, while media reported that former Prime Minister Theresa May was among 17 others who abstained.

Many Conservatives say some of the new measures are draconian, with several questioning the introduction of a certificate of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test to enter some venues, such as nightclubs.

Others used the votes as an opportunity to vent their anger at Johnson, believing the man who helped the Conservatives win a large majority at a 2019 election is squandering the party’s successes by self-inflicted missteps and gaffes.

But despite the rumblings of discontent, Conservative Party insiders say there is not enough of a groundswell against Johnson to dislodge him now, although they hope the vote will be a “wake-up call” for the prime minister to reset his agenda.

“He’s got to now be in some danger,” Conservative lawmaker Geoffrey Clifton-Brown told Sky News. “And he’s got to realise that because if he doesn’t realise that, then he will be in much bigger danger … I’m still backing him. But he’s got to change.”

‘Huge spike’

Britain reported 59,610 new COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, the highest figure since early January and the fifth highest recorded since the outbreak of the pandemic in March last year.

More than 5,300 cases of Omicron have been recorded, with 10 people hospitalised. One person has died after contracting the variant, which is set to become the dominant strain in the capital London.

Before the vote, the government had mounted a campaign to keep lawmakers in check, with Johnson warning his ministers there was a “huge spike” in Omicron cases heading Britain’s way, and that the measures were needed to protect people.

Ministers tried to win over the Conservative rebels, noting that people who have not had two vaccinations can instead offer proof of a negative lateral flow test to gain access to indoor venues of more than 500 people.

Health minister Sajid Javid told lawmakers he firmly believed in “individual liberty” but that “the responsible decision to take is…to move to plan B in England”.

But their arguments fell on deaf ears. In addition to the 99 Conservatives who voted against the passes, 40 voted against expanding the requirement for mask wearing.

“I am sure that the prime minister will understand the strength of feeling within the party about the constraint of liberties,” Conservative former minister David Jones told Reuters. “He is a libertarian himself and I have no doubt that he will listen to the message from his party.”

Source: REUTERS

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