25, July 2025

US wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies aged 71 ⁰

Hulk Hogan, one of America’s best-known wrestling stars, has died at the age of 71.

The star, born Terry Gene Bollea and known for his flowing blond hair and iconic handlebar moustache, died at his home in Florida on Thursday.

Hogan began his professional wrestling career in 1977, but shot to fame after signing for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), as it was known before it became World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), in 1983.

He was one of the most prominent characters as the popularity of wrestling exploded, and later became well-known for his reality show, Hogan Knows Best, which aired on VH1 from 2005 to 2007.

Hogan’s manager Chris Volo said the wrestler suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, and died surrounded by his family.

More recently, Hogan had been a vocal a supporter of US president Donald Trump.

In a post on his social media site Truth Social, Trump wrote that he had “lost a great friend today”, the “Hulkster”.

“Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart. He gave an absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention, that was one of the highlights of the entire week,” Trump wrote in the post, referencing his slogan, Make America Great Again.

The WWE star had neck surgery in May and heart surgery in June.

In a post on Instagram, his family wrote that they had “lost a legend”.

“May we all take solace in the wonderful memories he left behind for the millions of fans worldwide whose lives he touched for more than four decades,” they wrote. “He will be missed, but never forgotten.”

Police officials said on Thursday that emergency services responded to a medical call at 10:00 EST (15:00 BST), where they found Hogan experiencing a serious medical issue.

He was taken to a hospital where he died at 11:17. There will be an investigation, they said, but there is no suspicious activity surrounding his death.

Source: BBC

24, July 2025

Togo: Furious protests at move to cement ruling family’s grip on power ⁰

A new constitution that has allowed Togo’s long-time head of state Faure Gnassingbé to shift to a new role as all-powerful prime minister – and escape the constraint of presidential term limits – has triggered anger on the streets of the capital, Lomé. Protests are set to continue this Friday.

At least five demonstrators have died while confronting official security forces in recent weeks.

But it is not the orthodox political opposition – predictably crushed in local elections last week – that has mobilised frustrated young Togolese people.

Instead it is musicians, bloggers and activists who have tapped into popular anger and weariness with a regime that has been in power – under the leadership of Faure Gnassingbé or, before him – his father Gnassingbé Éyadéma, for almost six decades.

That outstrips even Cameroon’s 92-year old President Paul Biya – who has just confirmed his intention to stand for an eighth successive term in elections later this year – or Gabon’s father-and-son presidents, Omar Bongo and Ali Bongo, latter of whom was deposed in a coup in August 2023.

The lessons of that episode did not escape Faure Gnassingbé, a shrewd and often discreet operator who quickly moved to devise a new constitutional structure for Togo, to prolong his own hold on power while playing down his personal profile, in a bid to defuse accusations of dynastic rule.

He will no longer need to stand for re-election in his own name.

The 59-year-old holds the premiership because his Union pour la République (Unir) party dominates the national assembly – and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future, thanks to a constituency map gerrymandered to over-represent its northern heartlands and understate the voting weight of the pro-opposition coastal south.

Gilbert Bawara, Togo’s civil service and labour minister, maintains the 2024 election was above board, with “all the major political actors and parties” taking part.

“The government cannot be held responsible for the weakness of the opposition,” Bawara told BBC Focus on Africa TV last week.

He added that those with a genuine reason to demonstrate could do so within the law, blaming activists abroad for inciting “young people to attack security forces” in an attempt to destabilise the country.

The new constitutional framework was announced at short notice in early 2024 and quickly approved by the compliant government-dominated national assembly. There was no attempt to secure general public approval through a referendum.

A one-year transition concluded this May as Gnassingbé – who had been head of state since 2005 – gave up the presidency and was installed in the premiership, a post now strengthened to hold all executive power and total authority over the armed forces.

To occupy the presidency, a role now reduced to a purely ceremonial function, legislators chose the 86-year old former business minister, Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové.

Source: BBC

23, July 2025

Over 80 apply to run for the Unity Palace ⁰

Over 80 candidates have submitted applications to run for Cameroon’s presidency, said the country’s electoral body Elections Cameroon (Elecam) on Tuesday.

On the list of applicants released by Elecam were incumbent President Paul Biya, and opposition leaders Maurice Kamto and Joshua Osih.

Two former ministers and allies of Biya, Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari, also applied for the presidential candidacy, which involves seven females and 26 independent candidates.

The final list of those qualified to run for the election will be published 60 days before the voting day after Elecam reviews the applications.

The presidential election will begin on Oct. 12.

Source: Xinhuanet

22, July 2025

92-year-old Biya struggling to woo young Cameroonians ⁰

92-year-old president Paul Biya is struggling to get the support of young Cameroonians.

Even before the world’s oldest president announced that he will seek an eighth term in office, his social media profiles left experts in no doubt.

By the time 92-year-old Biya announced last week that he would run for re-election as Cameroon’s president, he had already been increasing his online presence for several months.

Daily posts on Facebook and X (previously Twitter) represent a significant break from his earlier, infrequent participation.

However, analysts tell the BBC that Biya’s attempts to win over young people ahead of the October election are likely to fail.

“Cameroon has over 5.4 million social media users, but 95% of young people rely on WhatsApp – a platform where presidential communication is nearly non-existent,” says Rostant Tane, the director of Media Intelligence Sarl and author of the Cameroon 2024 Multimedia Audience Study.

“There’s no regional segmentation, no interactivity, and very little effort to speak the digital language of young people,” he adds.

“Many know that it is not Paul Biya himself who is writing – which creates distance and limits trust,” says Hervé Tiwa, a lecturer in communication sciences.

“Their communication remains very top-down without any real interaction – comments ignored or deleted, a lack of personalised responses… This gives the impression of a strategy that is more cosmetic than participatory.”

Cameroon’s population is overwhelmingly youthful. Over 60% of the population is under the age of 25, and more than half of the electorate is under the age of 30, implying that they could influence the election’s outcome.

“Political communication must serve democracy and transparency and not just be used as a marketing tool,” says 27-year-old communications specialist Ulrich Donfack.

Youths want to see concrete action on issues that affect them, agrees Falone Ngu, who is also 27.

“Cameroon’s youth are not just looking for flashy graphics or slogans in the media! They want opportunities, change and hope,” says the social enterprise founder, who did reserve some praise for the president’s social media team for realising that “leadership and digitalisation go hand in hand”.

Unemployment is high in Cameroon, with even the most qualified young people holding multiple university degrees struggling to find work. Corruption and security are also major concerns.

Instead of focusing on those difficulties, numerous posts on Biya’s social media sites highlight his 43-year record in power, which occurred before much of the population was born.

According to communication strategist Aristide Mabatto, Biya’s team is currently distributing snippets in French and English from over 300 speeches the president has given over the years.

One recent, poignant example was based on a speech from 2000 that chastised people for lecturing others but not preaching by example. That came just two days after one of Biya’s most steadfast allies condemned his rule and abandoned him.

Source: Chronicle.ng

22, July 2025

Ekema Patrick: Dead but the family’s agony lingers! ⁰

The once notorious mayor of Buea in Cameroon’s Southwest region, Patrick Ekema, might have died some six years ago, but his name is still on the lips of many residents of Buea for various reasons.

For the settlers who came from other regions of Cameroon and who could not adapt to the rules of the council, Patrick Ekema who died on October 27, 2019, seemingly of a heart attack, was a vilain who did not deserve to live.

In their view, Ekema was just against them because they held a different political point of view which did not tie in well with Ekema’s political perspective.

But for most natives of Buea, Ekema who belonged to the ruling Cameroon Peoples’ Democratic Movement (CPDM) was simply working according to the dictates of his political party.

The locals who have been gradually reduced to a minority in their own land hold that the Buea Council needed a leader like Ekema Patrick to ensure that there are no land grabs and chaos on the city’s streets.

Over five years after his death, the Cameroon Concord News sent its correspondent, Rita Akana, to Buea to find out what the people of the city of Buea still think of Patrick Ekema of blessed memory.

“I am a small business owner. I deal in construction materials. During Ekema’s time he wanted us to open our shops on Mondays even when the separatist fighters threatened to burn our businesses if we disobeyed them. If we did not open our businesses on Monday, the mayor would seal our shops for a long period of time and this was a challenging period for us. We were caught between the government which wanted us to disrespect the separatist fighters and the separatists who were permanently threatening to burn down our shops,” a business owner in Molyko, Buea, who elected anonymity, said.

“Ekema was a millstone around our necks and many people really wanted him dead, especially the separatist fighters who saw him as someone who was hurting their cause. Many people who were affected by his policies and knew they could not hurt him thought he could be indirectly hurt. I heard that separatist fighters were even targeting his family but it seemed the family was well protected by the military,” he added.

Also speaking to our correspondent was a former separatist fighter, known by his nickname of ‘Dangerboy’ who was based in Fako Division. The fighter, who now keeps a low profile and operates a small business in Buea town said Patrick Ekema was a source of frustration to the separatists.

“Patrick Ekema made sure ghost town operations did not have the desired impact. We were frustrated. We wanted to demonstrate to the Yaounde government that we were in total control of our land and that the population was complying with our instructions,” he said.

“We had on many occasions plotted to take Ekema down but he had very good security around him and his family. We knew that if we hurt either his child or wife, he would have a change of mind. But we never succeeded. When he died, we thought we could take our revenge on his family, but we were told he had moved his family to another country. We were helpless as we could not do anything. I hear the family is either in America or the Canada. It is a good thing that they are out of the country because Ekema had stepped on many toes,” he stressed.

Our correspondent, Rita Akana, also went to the Great Soppo market which was adversely impacted by the separatists’ ghost town operations and a local vegetable saleswoman said she remembered that period which was very stressful.

“The battle between Ekema and the separatists was a very bad moment for us the small traders. Ekema, who was with the government, wanted us to come to the market on Mondays, but the separatists had warned that mondays were days where ‘ghost towns’ had been decreed throughout the two English-speaking regions of the country. We were scared of the separatists but we were also scared of Mayor Ekema Patrick who had the police and military behind him. It was stressful,” she said.

“The separatists wanted to kill Ekema if they had their way but state security was giving him the protection he needed. Many of us were scared for his innocent children and wife. If the separatists could lay their hands on his family, they would not hesitate to take their revenge. I don’t know if Ekema’s family is in Buea or Cameroon, but I pray that they should continue being safe wherever they are. Though things are getting better, it must be pointed out that there are still many bitter separatists who could hurt Ekema’s family if they had that opportunity. It is in the interest of the family to continue hiding wherever it is. The rebellion could be winding down but it is not over. I even hear that there are huge fights within Ekema’s family. I hear the huge house he built for his children has been taken over by his own family. There is a lot happening within the Ekema family too,” she pointed out.

Cameroon Concord News has plans to produce special papers on Ekema on the 6th anniversary of his death. He may be gone, but his family’s agony still lingers. Violence is on the rise in Cameroon and the government’s grip on the country is weakening. The two English-speaking regions of Cameroon may not be in the news as they used to be but security for families considered to be frontline workers of the abhorred government is almost non-existent.

The killings and abductions by separatists and government soldiers are slowly declining but life in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon is very uncertain.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Editor in Chief

22, July 2025

Bello Bouba runs for president: Is he still a minister? ⁰

No official announcement has confirmed Bello Bouba Maïgari’s resignation as Minister of Tourism and Leisure, but on July 28, he declared his candidacy for the October 2025 presidential election. This marks a clear break for the leader of the National Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP), a party that had supported President Paul Biya in the last four presidential elections. His announcement signals a decisive split from the presidential majority and, by extension, a de facto exit from a government he served for over 20 years.

On July 3, Maïgari told a German television channel he had already begun the process of resigning from the government. He stated, “You won’t have to wait long to know what I’ve done. This letter must be addressed to the appropriate authority, that is to say, the President of the Republic, Head of State, who appoints his ministers.” He added that “for a candidate expected to face the national electorate, it’s essential to have all the necessary time to prepare and carry out a campaign across the country. A task hardly compatible with ministerial responsibilities.”

His close associates confirm Maïgari has resigned. Saidou Maïdadi, the UNDP’s national communications secretary and a close ally, responded to questions about the resignation by listing several signs that Maïgari is no longer in charge at the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure. Maïdadi stated, “He has left his official residence and returned to his private home, cleared out his offices, stopped going to work, had his bodyguards withdrawn, and returned state vehicles to the Director of General Affairs.” Maïdadi concluded, “The minister submitted his resignation to the appropriate authority.”

Maïgari’s last official appearance as Minister of State for Tourism and Leisure was on June 23, when he presided over a ceremony for signing agreements with new managers of tourist site lodges, five days before announcing his candidacy.

There has been no official statement from the government on Maïgari’s departure, despite some ruling party voices demanding his resignation and calling his presidential bid a betrayal.

The situation is unusual compared to the handling of another ruling coalition ally’s resignation. Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary of Employment and Vocational Training, leader of the National Front for the Salvation of Cameroon (FNSC), tendered his resignation and was officially replaced by Mounouna Foutsou. Foutsou, who is Minister of Youth and Civic Education, has served as acting Minister of Employment and Vocational Training since June 27, following a presidential decision.

At the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure, Secretary-General Paul Marcel Ndioro à Mamoun has been managing day-to-day affairs for the past few weeks. Meanwhile, Bello Bouba Maïgari submitted his presidential candidacy on July 18 and continues to hold consultations at his Yaounde residence, meeting with political figures in hopes of nominating a single opposition candidate.

Source: Sbbc

22, July 2025

Southern Cameroons: North West seeks XAF47 Bln to upgrade infrastructure ⁰

The Northwest Regional Assembly unveiled a 47 billion CFA francs development plan during the Northwest Economic Forum, held in Bamenda from July 13 to 14, 2025. The plan primarily focuses on infrastructure development across five strategic areas.

Specifically, the region aims to raise 12 billion CFA francs to boost electricity access by 30% over five years in Bamenda, Fundong, Ndop, and Kumbo, the region’s main towns.

Over 15 billion CFA francs are needed for road rehabilitation. Regional officials expect this to improve connectivity and cut travel times by 40% between Bamenda, Mbengwi, Wum, and Nkambé.

The regional executive is also working on an 8 billion CFA francs project to modernize the Bamenda airport. The goal is to reopen it and boost air traffic, tourism, and regional trade.

Alongside the urban electrification project, the Northwest region plans to develop a network of mini solar power stations. This project, valued at 5 billion CFA francs, will supply 20,000 households in rural villages such as Njinkom, Belo, and Bali.

Finally, the Northwest region plans to secure 7 billion CFA francs for its digital connectivity project. This initiative is expected to expand broadband access by 50% within three years in Bamenda, Ndop, Fundong, and surrounding rural communities.

Addressing investors at the forum, Fru Angwafo III, President of the Regional Assembly, stated, “We are not here to ask for permission, we are here to make deals.”

Source: Business in Cameroon

21, July 2025

Atanga Nji warns against disorder ahead of presidential election ⁰

Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji said on Wednesday that the government will “not tolerate” any election disorder in the country.

“We are vigilant and will not tolerate any act to destabilize the elections,” Nji told reporters at the start of the first bi-annual conference of regional governors 2025, which brought together governors of the 10 regions of the country to deliberate on how to best organize presidential election scheduled for Oct. 12.

“As the primary authorities in charge of law and order at the local level, you are expected to use your expertise and experience to take necessary measures before, during and after this presidential election to ensure that it runs smoothly, and more importantly, to make the population feel the State’s presence, and support all parties involved in the electoral process,” Nji told the governors.

The minister expressed concerns that local media were fueling political disorder in the build up to the election. “Programs and debates are organized just to sabotage government actions, vilify members of government, preach tribal hatred, promote terrorism and other irresponsible slogans,” he said, adding that the government was working on “mechanisms” to check excesses in the media.

Officials said that additional security measures will be taken to maintain peace and order before, during and after the election.

Source: Xinhua

21, July 2025

Foundation stone for fake Kribi refinery ⁰

Cameroon has laid the foundation stone for the construction of a new oil refinery and petroleum reserve depot in the southern part of the country, according to the state-run National Hydrocarbons Corporation (SNH).

The refinery, which is constructed on a 250-hectare site within the Kribi industrial port zone, will have a processing capacity of 30,000 barrels per day, said Nathalie Moudiki, who represented the executive general manager of SNH at the occasion on Thursday.

She added that the fuel storage terminal will have an initial capacity ranging from 250,000 to 300,000 cubic meters.

The new refinery is designed to process Cameroon’s crude oil, aiming to reduce fuel imports by 30 percent, according to SNH.

The construction works are expected to take 18 months. It will be Cameroon’s second oil refinery upon completion. The country’s lone refinery in the seaside resort town of Limbe has been shut down since 2019 following a devastating fire. Cameroon has since relied on imported refined fuel.

Source: Xinhuanet

19, July 2025

Biya, 92, submits files for presidential election candidacy ⁰

The candidacy application files of Cameroonian President Paul Biya for the presidential election were submitted on Thursday, according to the country’s electoral body, Elections Cameroon (Elecam).

The files were submitted by Jean Kuete, secretary general of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) party.

Kuete told reporters after officially submitting the files that CPDM is “fully ready for the election any time”.

On Sunday, Biya, 92, officially announced that he will run for the upcoming presidential election. He became president in 1982, and was re-elected president in 1984, 1988, 1992, 1997, 2004, 2011 and 2018.

The Elecam said that Biya is among some nine political leaders who have already submitted their application files for the election.

The deadline to submit the application is July 21, according to the country’s electoral code. Cameroon’s presidential election is scheduled for Oct. 12.

Source: Xinhuanet