Monthly Archives: June 2017

UK: Uncertainty looms as British voters prepare for historic vote

8, June 2017

UK: Uncertainty looms as British voters prepare for historic vote 0

Millions of British people are preparing to cast their votes in Thursday’s general election, which has defied all initial projections and seems to be much closer than many, including Prime Minister Theresa May, had predicted.

In a time when Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU) is a certainty and a round of tough negotiations with the bloc is around the corner, the ruling Conservatives are set to go head to head with a Labour Party that has slowly but steadily become a worthy opponent under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn.

The Vote

In mid-April, May called for a general election and overstepped earlier pledges of not doing so before 2020. Back then, the move was largely viewed as part of a cheap opportunistic strategy to win a more decisive majority in Parliament given Labour’s state of disarray.

However, Corbyn was able to turn the tide and reduce a 20-point gap with the Tories to well within the margin of error.

British Prime Minister Theresa May (Photo by AFP)

The vote owes its significance largely to Brexit. A historic EU referendum in June last year showed that some 52 percent of people in England were in favor of cutting the UK’s decades-long membership in the bloc

Both Corbyn and May, who was then Home Secretary, opposed the divorce but failed to sway voters.

Today, May is leading the country out of the EU and wants a stronger negotiating position after the vote while Corbyn leads a formidable opposition and, much to May’s annoyance, seeks a more active Brexit involvement for the Parliament.

The Campaign

May was off to a bad start by announcing that she would not be participating in any live debates with Corbyn or other party leaders, insisting that direct interaction with voters is more beneficial.

The decision prompted backlash among Tory and other voters alike, who wanted to see if May can handle the popular Labour leader.

The decision helped Corbyn, who took part in a much-anticipated BBC debate and bagged an easy win in a night that May had sent Home Secretary Amber Rudd to represent her.

UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (Photo by AFP)

Besides Corbyn, leaders of other parties have also deemed May’s decision as a sign of weakness and fear. The string of bad luck continued for May and her party as she was forced to reverse many of the unpopular pledges the Tories had made in their election manifesto, “Forward Together.”

Corbyn, on the other hand, scored big with voters by making popular pledges in his “For the Many not the Few” in terms of both domestic and foreign policy. The issue of security was a key debate point in the wake of the recent wave of terror attacks that rocked the UK.

The Outcome

This is arguably one of the most unpredictable UK elections in a long time. It has seen many traditional Tory and Labour supporters jump ship, with former Labour leader Toby Blair openly campaigning against his own party and in favor of the Liberal Democrats.

The fierce campaign has also drawn a clear line between the wealthy and the average class, with the former leaning towards May and her team.

Meanwhile, a surge in young voter registrations has tipped the scale in favor of Corbyn, who has attracted the most supporters in the 18-24 age bracket. The June 8 vote is certainly a milestone that sets the UK’s economic and political paths for the years coming.

Source: Presstv

Eto’o angers Southern Cameroonians

8, June 2017

Eto’o angers Southern Cameroonians 0

French Cameroon football legend and 2017 UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Samuel Eto’o has reportedly angered Southern Cameroonians following comments he made recently on state radio and television. The 36 year football controversial footballer and former captain of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun visited the top managers of the Cameroon Radio Television at Mballa II on Tuesday the 6th June 2017.

The footballer who failed to raise a finger against the rapes, arrests and extra judicial killings going on in West Cameroon  appreciated the new management at CRTV, describing it as dynamic and professional and echoed President Biya’s provocative message for a one and indivisible Cameroon. Cat calls reportedly greeted Eto’o’s speech and some of the operation managers of the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium have cautioned the footballer to stay clear of Southern Cameroon issues.

After helping to oust his fellow French speaking compatriot from the presidency of the African Football Confederation, Eto’o revealed his willingness to work with Issa Hayatou and the other new executives of the Cameroon National Football Academy, ANAFOOT if his services were solicited. He was received by the general manager and his vice, Charles Ndongo and Emanuel Wongibe respectively.

By Chi Prudence Asong

Cameroon Concord News

 

Southern Cameroon Crisis: Military Tribunal rejects bail for detainees

7, June 2017

Southern Cameroon Crisis: Military Tribunal rejects bail for detainees 0

The Yaoundé Military Tribunal has rejected the appeal by defense counsel of the Southern Cameroonians incarcerated at the Kondengui prison. The Francophone presiding judge Mbezoa Abega citing article 246 of the Penal Code said the crimes allegedly committed by the 27 detainees were so heavy that a provisional release cannot be accepted. The case was adjourned to June 29, 2017.

A mammoth Anglophone crowd that stormed the court premise were disappointed with the court’s decision, Barrister Claude Assira said, “We were very hopeful because formerly the legal department agreed with us that what we asked for will be obtained but we were very surprised that the court rejected it. We are very disappointed. We asked for a simple bail but they read it otherwise and gave the decision.”

After the court’s decision, one detainee Julius Ndasi collapsed and was ferried to the hospital. Mancho Bibixy who is on hunger strike appeared in court in a ramshackle way, dressed in short trouser, bare feet and unbuttoned sky-blue shirt.

Source: Cameroon info.net

 

Southern Cameroon in shock as Roman Catholic priest found dead in home

7, June 2017

Southern Cameroon in shock as Roman Catholic priest found dead in home 0

A Southern Cameroon Roman Catholic priest serving with the Mamfe Diocese at Nguti was found dead today Wednesday in his room. Father Augustine Ndi was onetime Parish priest at the Saint Joseph Parish in Mamfe in the late 80s and early 1990s.  He also had a spell in Akwaya and reportedly fell out of favour with Bishop Emeritus Francis Lysinge. Cameroon Concord News was reliably informed that police were treating his death as suspicious.

We also gathered that the late Augustine Ndi had openly backed the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium and in many of his homilies advocated for the restoration of Southern Cameroon independence. Medics say his body showed no sign of fatigue or illness. The cataclysm continues within the Catholic Church.

We still do not know how and who killed Father Abbé DJAMA who was also found dead in his room like Augustine NDI and Bishop Jean Marie BALLA whose body was discovered in the waters of river Sanaga. The Holy Roman Catholic Church including CPDM government officials are maintaining a kind of deliberate silence. According to leaks of the results of the autopsy, the genital organs of Bishop BALLA were mutilated. His left arm was broken. No drop of water was found in his lungs. Signs of torture were visible on his body. His sandals were worn upside down leading to the conclusion that it was not a natural death, nor was it a suicide by drowning.

At the height of ambivalent skepticism, a Rear Admiral of the Cameroonian Navy said that his team had recovered the body of the Bishop, while a Malian fisherman announced that it was he who discovered the body floating above the water and tied it to the foot of a tree before alerting the rescue teams. The Vatican has removed hits ambassador Monsignor Pioro PIOPPO from Yaoundé to a new post in Indonesia.

By Rita Akana

Cameroon Concord News

Bamenda: Fire destroys Top Star hotel

6, June 2017

Bamenda: Fire destroys Top Star hotel 0

A hotel in Bamenda, North West region has been ravaged by fire.  There was consternation and panic at the Top Star hotel premises as workers ran from one end to another struggling to put off the fire. Police preliminary findings say the incident occurred as a result of a gas leakage from the bakery department.

Chunks of smoke accompanied by wild fire were seen all over the building. The forces of law and order who arrived the scene managed to prevent the local population from looting.

Some reports have suggested that the incident was the handiwork of the Southern Cameroons Defense Force. The hotel management reportedly subbed the ghost town operations going on in Southern Cameroon.

Source: Cameroon Info.Net

Cameroon has arrested nearly 30 soldiers fighting the Nigerian terror group Boko Haram

6, June 2017

Cameroon has arrested nearly 30 soldiers fighting the Nigerian terror group Boko Haram 0

Cameroon has arrested nearly 30 soldiers fighting the Nigerian terror group Boko Haram in the wake of their protest against their conditions that also demanded the payment of bonuses. The soldiers on Sunday “set about stopping traffic with barricades on national route number one,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement broadcast on state radio on Monday.

The men were demanding that they be immediately relieved from duty, as well as “the payment of bonuses for ‘international soldiers’ in line with those granted to their comrades from UN peace keeping missions,” the statement said. The soldiers were transferred from the Zigue area in the far north to capital Yaounde where they were placed under arrest and a judicial investigation was opened, the ministry said.

Traffic along the northern route was restored. Cameroonian soldiers engaged in the fight against Boko Haram often complain about their conditions, but this is the first time a group have demonstrated for leave or greater pay.

Though Boko Haram was born in Nigeria, the Daesh-affiliated group has carried out frequent attacks in Cameroon, Chad and Niger, prompting the formation of a 10,000-strong regional force to fight back. Some 200,000 Cameroonians from the far north region near Nigeria have left their villages in fear of the violence.

(Source: AFP)

Issa Hayatou, Enow Ngatchu installed

6, June 2017

Issa Hayatou, Enow Ngatchu installed 0

The Cameroon National Football Academy, ANAFOOT will soon take off in earnest following the installation of the pioneer executive management board. Issa Hayatou, Carl Enow Ngatchu and Jules Mejime were installed into as the Board chair, Director General and Deputy Director General respectively.

The installation ritual was performed by the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Bidoung Mpkatt at the Yaoundé Multi-purpose Sports Complex. Extending warm handshakes to the three man team, the Minister advised them to immediately get to work.

They are expected to put begin the management of an academy that was created by the Head of State in 2010 to promote and professionalize football.

Source: CRTV

EU will give 50mn euros to fund African force in Sahel

6, June 2017

EU will give 50mn euros to fund African force in Sahel 0

The European Union says it plans to spend 50 million euros to finance the establishment of a joint African military force in the Sahel region with the declared aim of fighting terrorism, among other threats.

Announcing the bid in Mali’s capital of Bamako on Monday, the European Union’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini says the bloc asserted that the funding will help pay for the troops battle illegal immigration, cross-border crime and militant activity.

“Stability and development of the Sahel region are crucial not only for Africa but also for Europe,” said the EU’s top diplomat, noting that “this contribution will arrive very quickly and I hope (it) will set out the right path to other partners of the Sahel G5.”

The military force will be made up of troops from Mauritania, Mali, Chad, Burkina Faso and Niger, known as the Sahel G-5. The group approved plans in March to build a contingent of 5,000 members made up of soldiers, police officers as well as civilians.

However, Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop stated on Monday that leaders of the five nations had decided the new force would consist of up to 10,000 soldiers and police officers and become operational by the end of the year.

“The heads of state of the Sahel G5 who met in Riyadh, [Saudi Arabia] just a few weeks ago decided to bring the number from 5,000 men to 10,000 men. This really shows their engagement because this is a vast area,” Diop declared.

Neither Mogherini nor Diop, however, elaborated on the role of the Saudi kingdom in the establishment of the African military force.

The initial decision to establish the G5 Sahel force in the semi-arid region south of the Sahara was made in November 2015, during a summit in Chad’s capital of N’Djamena.

French President Emmanuel Macron (2R) poses with French troops during his visit to the France’s Barkhane counter-terrorism operation in Africa’s Sahel region in Gao, northern Mali, on May 19, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

More than 3,000 French military forces as well as 12,000 UN troops have been engaged in Mali – a former French colony — since 2013, when al-Qaeda-linked elements and Tuareg militants waged an insurgency in the north of the country.

Although the militants were largely driven out by a French-led military operation in January 2013, they continue to wage attacks on the country’s military forces in the arid remote north.

Since 2015, the attacks have spread to the center and south of the impoverished nation, often spilling over into neighboring countries, including Burkina Faso and Niger.

Source: Presstv

Bishop Jean Marie Beniot search team compensated with fufu and eru meal and a bottle of beer

5, June 2017

Bishop Jean Marie Beniot search team compensated with fufu and eru meal and a bottle of beer 0

The members of the fishing community who were called to help in the search for the remains of the late Bishop of Bafia, His Lordship Jean Marie Beniot Balla say they have been forgotten by the CPDM regime. To be sure, the body of the late prelate was found dead on May the 2nd, an autopsy conducted and the corps handed over to the Roman Catholic Church and family.

To find the missing prelate on May 31, 2017, fourteen local divers were recruited by the CPDM leadership in Ebebda. Once the body was discovered, the divers in a typical CPDM pattern were abandoned by the administrative authorities, who had promised them some form of compensation.

For three days, the divers left their families to try to find the bishop and today no one is looking at them. The so-called Anglophone governor of the Central region and the political elites of Bafia have all left and the divers do not know who to confront.

For 72 hours, these men actively participated in the search for the late Man of God but promises made to them have not been kept. The mayor of Ebebda,  Syrinus Awono, had assured the divers  from the beginning of this story that President Biya had put everything at his disposal so that the search operation was well conducted. Unfortunately, at the end of the operation, the mayor only gave the divers a fufu and eru meal worth 500 FCFA and a bottle of beer.

By Rita Akana

Cameroon Concord News

Barrister Ben Muna says Anglophones can only have federation Not independence

5, June 2017

Barrister Ben Muna says Anglophones can only have federation Not independence 0

The lead counsel for the detained leaders of the Cameron Anglophone Civil Society Consortium, Ben Muna has said that the much talk about independence of Southern Cameroon is not realistic and cannot be achieved even after 100 years.

Barrister Bernard Muna in an exclusive interview with The Guardian Post Newspaper said independence can only be obtained if the people of former Southern Cameroon wage war against La Republique but he quickly says that cannot happen because they lack weapons, army and resources.

According to Barrister Bernard Muna, only Federalism can be achieved and can only be gotten if the testis of the Biya regime is held firmly. He also said there could be a court decision Wednesday June 7, 2017 which will see leaders of the Consortium released bu the said, “ I urge the court not to follow the logic of military prosecutor who seems to be saying that bail might be granted only to Agbor Balla and Dr Fontem. All 28 accused persons should be treated equally especially as they are being tried jointly.”

But Barrister Ben Muna said anybody who does not want the two leaders to accept conditional bail until all others are released is just using them as fodder to achieve their own ambitions.

Source: Cameroon Info.Net

 

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