Monthly Archives: October 2016

Chadian Leader in Yaounde to comfort the Cameroonian people

29, October 2016

Chadian Leader in Yaounde to comfort the Cameroonian people 0

President Biya has thanked his Chadian counterpart and Chairman of the African Union for coming to comfort the Cameroonian people after the railway accident that shocked the entire nation. The Chadian leader Idriss Deby Itno paid a 48 hour visit to Cameroon on Friday, October 28, 2016.

The two heads of State met head-to-head at the Unity Palace during a dinner offered by the presidential couple. Paul Biya thanked Deby for his presence after the tragic train accident on the 21st of October at Eséka. Said Biya, “As soon as you were informed of the rail disaster in my country, you sent us the condolences of the Chadian people and those of the people of the African continent in your capacity as Chairman of the African Union. This tragedy, this disaster, this event, shocked the entire Cameroonian people. Many of our compatriots have died … So many others were wounded.”

Biya added that “in addition to your message of condolence, you wanted to come in person today to bring us the comfort of your friendship. Thank you, Mr. President and dear brother. It is in trouble, they say, that one recognizes his true friends.”

President Biya did not miss the opportunity to magnify the relations linking the two countries in Central Africa. “These links are based on woven relations in history, between two neighboring peoples who have much in common. In the latest period, these relationships have shown that when the safety or even the existence of our country was threatened, we were able together to face and reverse the common enemy.”  President Deby will leave Cameroon today, October 29, 2016.

By Sama Ernest

Eseka train disaster: Biya comes under attack for not appointing a broader commission

29, October 2016

Eseka train disaster: Biya comes under attack for not appointing a broader commission 0

Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh has called on the CPDM government dominated commission to publish its findings on the October 21, 2016 Eséka tragedy immediately. The man widely believed to be the only credible challenger to the 83 year old Cameroonian dictator, made the appeal at the Yaoundé Central Hospital on October 28, 2016 as he donated blood to those badly wounded in the train crash.

The winner of The Guardian Post Awards 2015 told news reporters that he considered his gesture a patriotic act: “I came to donate blood, which is an act of citizenship in the sense of our solidarity towards our compatriots who are now survivors,” said Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh.

Dr Fomunyoh added that the Cameroonian people were waiting for the truth about the accident. He criticized President Biya for not appointing a broader commission with independent personalities and religious authorities.

By Ebong Kingsley

UNICEF has negotiated the release of 876 children held in detention by Nigerian government forces

28, October 2016

UNICEF has negotiated the release of 876 children held in detention by Nigerian government forces 0

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has negotiated the release of scores of children held in detention by Nigerian government forces for their possible association with the Boko Haram Takfiri militants. UNICEF’s Manuel Fontaine said after visiting the capital city of the northeastern state of Borno on Friday that “876 children had been held in the barracks in Maiduguri.”

It was not immediately clear how long they had been detained, but the army routinely keeps close tabs on civilians who have been living in areas that had been under the control of the militants on suspicion that they too might be linked to terrorist activities. Rights groups say there is no proper legal process for such civilians, including the children, since they do not get formally charged and some end up in so-called rehabilitation centers, which the groups say have lots of resemblance to prisons.

The United Nations insists that children should not be kept in detention. “We fear that there are still kids who are being at least temporarily detained because they are being released from Boko Haram areas by the army but then kept for a while,” Fontaine, UNICEF’S regional director for Western and Central Africa, told reporters by telephone. He gave no details of the ages of the children or how long they had been held at the barracks.

Meanwhile, despite the government’s fight against the militants, the security situation remains volatile in Borno and its capital Maiduguri because Boko Haram still stages terrorist attacks and bombings, often using women or teenagers for the attacks. Fontaine also said the conflict, which has killed thousands and displaced more than two million, had separated about 20,000 children from their parents, of which 5,000 had since been reunited with their families.

“Once we get children out, there is a major issue of stigmatization in the communities,” Fontaine said. “There is a sense that children who have been associated with Boko Haram for a while, could be, and in some cases we have some evidence, are rejected by community and people around them.”

This was also a problem for the girls freed from the town of Chibok, he said. Nigeria this month negotiated the release of 21 of more than 200 girls Boko Haram kidnapped in April 2014. Boko Haram started its campaign of militancy in 2009 with the aim of toppling the central government in Nigeria. The group has pledged allegiance to the Daesh Takfiri terrorists.

Presstv

Republican vice presidential candidate says massive voter fraud underway in US

28, October 2016

Republican vice presidential candidate says massive voter fraud underway in US 0

US Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence says the mainstream media is biased against Donald Trump, and there are “many instances” of voter fraud in the run up to the November 8 election. Republican presidential nominee Trump has recently intensified his criticism of the American electoral system. He calls the election process rigged, and says the media is colluding with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in order to win the White House.

He has questioned the legitimacy of the US elections, saying that he believed the vote was already being “rigged” at many polling places. During his final presidential debate with Clinton last week, Trump declared that he might not accept the results of the November 8 presidential election if there is evidence it was rigged.

In an interview with CBS News on Friday, Trump’s running mate, Pence, said, “Make no mistake about it, there are many instances in our lifetimes of voter fraud in individual polling places and in certain jurisdictions.” “Donald Trump and I are just calling on people to respectfully participate in the electoral process. We want a victory on Election Day, but we also want it to be a victory for American democracy,” he stated.

Donald Trump speaks at an event on October 15, 2016 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. (Photo by AFP)

The governor of Indiana rejected claims of critics that Trump’s “rigging” rhetoric may encourage violence by his supporters if he loses the presidential election.

“We certainly would denounce any calls for anything other people being vigorously involved in the electoral process,” he said. “I have to tell you, I really don’t see it. The people that rallying around our team, rallying around our cause, love this country, are passionate about this country and are anxious to see change,” the GOP vice presidential nominee stated.

He went on to accuse the media of unfairly backing Clinton. “The level of negative coverage about my running mate in many quarters in the national media has just been overwhelming compared to any negative coverage or frankly the avalanche of scandals coming out of Hillary Clinton’s years as secretary of State,” Pence said.

Attendees stand during the National Anthem at a rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at Cross Insurance Center on October 15, 2016 in Bangor, Maine. (Photo by AFP)

According to a recent poll released, 41 percent of American voters are saying the 2016 election could be “stolen” from Trump due to widespread voter fraud.

And 73 percent of Republican voters think the election could be stolen from the billionaire businessman, while 17 percent of Democrats agree with the prospect of rigging.

American writer and political commentator Stephen Lendman said on October 17 Washington has been rigging elections for nearly 200 years in order to keep anti-establishment candidates away from the White House.

Presstv

Camrail agrees to pay 1.5 million FCFA to families of victims of the Eseka train accident

28, October 2016

Camrail agrees to pay 1.5 million FCFA to families of victims of the Eseka train accident 0

The Cameroon Railway Company and its insurer have agreed to provide assistance to the families of victims of the Eseka train tragedy. Under the agreement, Camrail and its insurance company will contribute up to 1.5million FCFA for each victim family. The money will be used finance funeral arrangements. The beneficiaries must obtain the necessary documents including the death certificate and national identity card.

As tension continues to mount in the country ever since the train crash occurred, senior administrators of Camrail have been shuttling between hospital units in Douala and Yaoundé visiting the wounded. 120 injured are still in hospitals in Douala, Yaounde and Edea.

By Fru James

President Idriss Deby of Chad expected in Yaounde

28, October 2016

President Idriss Deby of Chad expected in Yaounde 0

The President of the Republic of Chad and current Chairman of the African Union, Idriss Deby Itno will begin a two day state visit to Cameroon today Friday the 28th of October 2016.The Chadian dictator is expected in Yaounde at about 3:00pm local time.

President Idriss Deby will be received at the Nsimalen International airport by his Cameroonian counterpart Paul Biya. The two men will have a brief discussion at the Hilton Hotel in Yaounde.

Idriss Deby Itno and Biya will have a tete a tete at the Unity Palace at 5:00pm.Chad and Cameroon are neighbouring countries that share strong bilateral ties. Both countries are currently combating the terrorist group Boko Haram. The Chad – Cameroon pipeline project remains concrete example of the brotherly ties that both countries share. The Idriss Deby visit ends on Saturday.

CRTV

Biya offers 20 million FCFA to the finalists of the Cup of Cameroon

27, October 2016

Biya offers 20 million FCFA to the finalists of the Cup of Cameroon 0

President Paul Biya has handed over the sum of 20 million francs CFA in small bags via the Minister of Sports, Bidouang Mkpatt to the representatives of Bamboutos Mbouda FC and Apejes of Mfou. State radio and television that covered the ceremony on October the 26th in Yaounde reported that the money was given to the two finalists of the Cup of Cameroon as a motivation package from the President of the Republic.

The major event which closes the sport season in Cameroon has been scheduled for Sunday the 30th of October 2016 at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde. The final ceremony of the Cup of Cameroon will be chaired by the Head of State Paul Biya.  Aimé Léon Zang, President of Ajepes Mfou and François Bikoro of Bamboutos showered praises on the 83 year old leader for the money received.

By Ebong Kingsley

2 babies who survived the Eseka train crash reunited with their Dad

27, October 2016

2 babies who survived the Eseka train crash reunited with their Dad 0

Two babies who survived the Eseka Train crash have been reunited with their biological dad. Mamadou Apraw, the father of the kids came and duly presented authentic documentation that linked him to the children but according to administrative procedures, he had to wait a little longer.

Apraw was surprise to find out that the two children were alive and that gave him a reason to smile even in pain and sorrow following the death of his wife who unfortunately was among the over 76 deaths.

The native of the Far North Region based in Douala, has been authorized to reunite with his children at the Regional Delegation of Social Affairs in the Littoral Region. His emotional testimony on National television on Wednesday the 26th of October 2016 was a kind of good news to Cameroonians even as the nation is still in a state of shock and disbelief.

CRTV

Disgraced former general manager of SIC, Giles Roger Belinga in hospital

27, October 2016

Disgraced former general manager of SIC, Giles Roger Belinga in hospital 0

Cameroon-info.net has reported that the former general manager of the Cameroon Real Estate Company, SIC was rushed to the Yaounde General Hospital after he suffered a stroke. The disgraced Giles Roger Belinga has been in intensive care at the Yaounde General Hospital for almost a week.

Ever since he was imprisoned, family sources say his health has deteriorated. He was arrested by agents of Operation Sparrow hawk and was sentenced to 35 years in prison and ordered to pay the sum of 3 billion FCFA to the State of Cameroon, on the 27th of September 2007.

After an appeal, his sentence and fine were reduced to 20 years in prison and 233 million FCFA respectively. He again lodged another appeal with the Supreme Court which was subsequently referred back to the Special Criminal Court.

Arrested on February the 26th, 2006, Giles Roger Belinga is being held in a cell at the Secretariat for Defence in the gendarmerie headquarters in Yaoundé. He was charged with embezzlement of public funds.

By Chi Prudence Asong

Cardinal Tumi honoured in Yaounde

27, October 2016

Cardinal Tumi honoured in Yaounde 0

Cardinal Christian Tumi, the former Archbishop Emeritus of Douala, age 86, has been made doctor honoris causa of the Catholic University of Yaoundé Central Africa (AFU).

The ceremony was held on Wednesday October the 26th 2016 at the campus of the institution located in Nkolbisson neighbourhood in Yaounde.

The honorary doctorate is the third award for the famous retired Roman Catholic Cardinal, after the Integrity Award five years ago by Transparency International and the Cardinal Von Galen prize received in 2008 from Human Life International in recognition of nearly half a century of pastoral care for the family.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

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