Monthly Archives: October 2017

5, October 2017

Togo: Thousands protest against ruling family ⁰

Thousands of protesters have turned out in the West African state of Togo for the second day running, in a campaign aimed at forcing out President Faure Gnassingbe.

On Thursday,demonstrators converged from three points in the capital Lome for what was billed as a “march of anger” against a family which has ruled Togo for 50 years, culminating in a rally on the seafront.

“Demonstrators have used rocks to block the road from Gakpoto to St. Joseph’s school, and others are preventing cars from going through,” Amnesty International’s director for Togo, Aime Adi, said.

In Atikoume district, angry youths refused to follow the march itinerary set down by the 14-party opposition coalition, and said they would block streets, an AFP journalist saw.

However, in some neighborhoods on the march route, tension that was noticeable on Wednesday seemed to have eased somewhat.

Marchers said they would maintain pressure on the Gnassingbe government.

“I am not tired and I will never be tired so long as the struggle is not over. Even if we have to march every day, I will be there,” said a protester.

Demonstrators have used rocks to block the road from Gakpoto to St Joseph’s school as they take part in a march through the streets of Lome on October 5, 2017, during a demonstration against Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe. (Photo by AFP)

In the north of the country — a region previously seen as reliably pro-government — several other rallies, also drawing thousands of people, took place in the northern cities of Sokode, Bafilo and Dapaong, local residents told AFP.

However, there were no protests in the far northern town of Mango, where a young man was killed in a demonstration on September 20, which was followed by a crackdown by the authorities.

The protests are the seventh in a wave of agitation that began in August. At least four people have been killed and dozens injured.

The government is proposing an overhaul of the constitution under which presidential terms would be limited to two five-year spells in office.

Gnassingbe, in power since the death of his father in 2005, was re-elected in 2010 and again in 2015, in votes that the opposition denounced as unfair.

If the two-term limit applies from the next elections, scheduled in 2020, he could theoretically remain in office until 2030.

As a result, the opposition wants the two-term restriction to be applied retroactively by restoring the 1992 constitution, in order to force Gnassingbe from office.

The president’s father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, ruled the country with an iron fist from 1967 until his death in 2005.

According to a source close to the presidency, the proposed change to the constitution will be put to a referendum “by the end of the year.”

(Source: AFP)

5, October 2017

Southern Cameroons Crisis: UK urges Biya regime to dialogue with the Governing Council ⁰

In a statement issued on October 4, 2017, The British Minister of African Affairs Rory Stewart has stressed that the UK is “deeply concerned” about the various reports of deaths and violence recorded in Southern Cameroons. He appealed to the Biya government and the leadership of the Southern Cameroons Ambazonia Governing Council to restrained.

“We invite both parties to create an atmosphere of trust, avoid provocative acts, to the forces of order to respect human rights and to act in order to ensure the protection of men and their property “Says Rory Steward.

The British Government called on the Governing Council and the Government of Cameroon to reject acts of violence, to dialogue and to take urgent action to find solutions to the demands raised by Southern Cameroonians.

The reaction of the British Government comes after that of the Trump administration. Washington said on Wednesday that “the use of force by the Cameroonian government to restrict freedom of expression and the peaceful assembly and the violence of the demonstrators are unacceptable “. The White House urged the Government of Cameroon to respect human rights and freedom of expression, including access to the Internet.

Chi Prudence Asong, CCN

5, October 2017

French Cameroun soldier kills colleague ⁰

A second grade soldier killed his superior on Wednesday night in Mora in the Mayo-Sava Division, Far North region.

The incident took place at the Mora Gendarmerie Brigade, which is home to the Joint Multinational Force. Captain Ayissi was coldly shot by the second grade soldier after a lively exchange.

The executioner immediately killed himself. The motives of the drama are still unknown.

This new shooting between French Cameroonian soldiers takes place a little over three months, after that of Kousseri in the Logone-et-Chari where a gendarme killed his comrades.

By Chi Prudence Asong, CCN

5, October 2017

An Open Letter to the Anglophone Diaspora ⁰

October 5, 2017.

Dear Fellow Anglophones:

I know you are still shocked by the scale of what happened on October 1, 2017, in our beloved country. It is unfortunate, indeed revolting, that such disproportionate force had been used on armless and peaceful demonstrators. We wish other methods could have been used to resolve the issues that have pitted the English-speaking minority against a government that has decided to bring death and destruction to its own people. My heart really bleeds for the families that have lost loved ones and those who have been physically and psychologically scarred.

Of course, it will be hard to forget such ferocious brutality and I know your minds are full of revenge. I clearly understand your pain and your pain is clearly mine. We never chose to be Anglophones. We were born in West Cameroon by our parents who were made Anglophones by the United Nations against their will. It was never their choice. It was an imposition that has hurt us for more than five decades and if proper measures are not taken, it will hurt future generations. But revenge has never really addressed any issues. A progressive people never really focus on the negative side of things. Progressive people will always stick to the positive side in order to come up with new and innovative ways that will help to cushion the impact of any disaster that has befallen them.

Our people are in dire straits and this is the time they need some consolation from us. I know a lot has been published about Sunday’s violence, but talking and writing will not address all the issues. We currently have many people lying in hospitals across West Cameroon and I know many people want to help. This is a great moment for us to further tell the world that we are united for a purpose and that the slogan – one-for-all and all-for-one – is real.

To this end, we should immediately set up a Gofundme for those who are in agony in our hospitals. Our minds are full of the milk of human kindness. Let us share that milk with those who are struggling to save their lives in our hospitals. Of course, we will not always agree on many things, but when we disagree, we should avoid to bedisagreeable. Issues of money can easily split people, but since we know why we are raising these funds, we should go ahead and do it in a way that will portray us as a constructive people.

However, be mindful that there will be detractors who may use this opportunity to split us, but we must stick together as a people with a common objective. We may not be able to repair the damage done to the bodies of our brothers and sisters by the bullets sprayed by the country’s military, but we can make them and their families know that we can be there for them in their darkest moment.

The last time I checked, we are over two million abroad and if each of us chips in just a dollar, we will be able to pay for hospitalization, medication and a little gift for those of our brothers and sisters whose lives are hanging by the thread in our hospitals back home. There is power in numbers, let us make the most of our numbers. I have no illusions that some people will not contribute, as they don’t agree with what our brothers back home have been doing. Some of us are still in denial of the marginalization that has been ours for more than five decades. I will urge those who believe in this cause which is designed to right the wrongs of the past to be tolerant of their views. We must understand that it takes all sorts to make the world. But we must act like Jews who believe in collective action to improve upon their fate.

Let us also understand that there will be time for the bereaved families to bury their dead. And when that time comes, we should be there, at least financially, for those families that have lost their loved ones.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the moment for us to ensure that those families that are in pain get some relief, no matter how small. I know such fundraising initiatives had existed when this struggle started. I would urge all Anglophones of goodwill to set up bank accounts wherever they are, especially in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, Germany, France and Nigeria where there are huge concentrations of Anglophones. Let us understand that united we stand and divided we fall. We may disagree on the final objective, the strategy to achieve our goal and who should be our leader, but we must agree that those who are in pain need our help. Let us not fail them as they and their families are looking up to us. This is not the moment for us to start bickering on who is a federalist or a secessionist. Let us bear in mind that the big picture is for our people to know a better life.

Thank you for your understanding and may God bless you all.

Joachim Arrey

About the Author: The author of this piece is a keen observer of Cameroon’s political and economic landscape. He has published extensively on the country’s political and economic development, especially in the early 90s when the wind of change was blowing across the African continent. He has served as a translator, technical writer, journalist and editor for several international organizations and corporations across the globe. He studied communication at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom and technical writing in George Brown College in Toronto, Canada. He is also a trained translator and holds a Ph.D.

5, October 2017

17 dead in Nigeria boat capsize ⁰

At least 17 people drowned when a boat ferrying around 60 passengers capsized in northwest Nigeria, the National Emergency Management (NEMA) said on Wednesday.

The boat smashed into a tree trunk in the rain-swollen River Niger on Tuesday.

“So far 17 bodies have been removed from the water, 12 yesterday and another five this morning”, NEMA coordinator Suleiman Karim told AFP.

Another 17 passengers were rescued by emergency workers and local divers, Karim said.

“We are still searching for at least 26 people because the 60-passenger boat was full at the time of the accident”, he said.

The number on board may have been higher as ferries in the riverine region are usually overloaded, Karim said.

A pirogue is seen as the Benue river overflows following heavy rains, in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, on September 1, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

The boat had left Jilbabo village in Kebbi state and was heading to Tetebo village in neighboring Niger state in central Nigeria when the accident happened.

Capsizes are a frequent occurrence in Nigeria, where overcrowding is common and unscrupulous operators flout health and safety norms.

The accident rate typically rises in the May-September rainy season when rivers swell.

Last month 74 people were killed in three separate boat capsizes in northern Nigeria, according to emergency services.

In one instance 56 people drowned when an overloaded boat sank carrying 150 passengers in Kebbi state.

The boat was ferrying local traders from neighboring Niger Republic to a market in Nigeria.

(Photo by AFP)

5, October 2017

US deeply concerned about violence and the loss of human life in Southern Cameroons ⁰

Violence in Cameroon

Press Statement

Heather Nauert

Department Spokesperson

Washington, DC

October 4, 2017

The United States is deeply concerned about violence and the loss of human life in protests that have taken place in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon since October 1. The Cameroonian government’s use of force to restrict free expression and peaceful assembly, and violence by protestors, are unacceptable. We urge the Government of Cameroon to respect human rights and freedom of expression, including access to the internet. We call on all sides to exercise restraint from further violence, and engage in dialogue for a peaceful, durable resolution.

5, October 2017

Southern Cameroons mourns Mayor Martin Fon Yembe ⁰

I am greatly saddened with the death of my dear friend Martin Yembe. Martin was a passionate defender of human and peoples’ rights. He was a fallen general in the defence of our people. The Southern Cameroons and Lebialem in particular have lost an irreplaceable hero.

Martin took the risk to undertake a detailed investigation of the perennial damage and carnage carried out by land grabbers across our international boundary with the criminal intent of altering the said international boundary protected by a binding international treaty.

The unimpeachable report which was commissioned by the SCNC documented the criminal acts of provocation and unprovoked aggression perpetrated against our peace-loving people of Lebialem. That report forms part of an increasing body of evidence that supports the preplanned nature of the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity against our people.

Martin, you have gone so soon. But your contributions to the improvement of our dire human condition will live on. Your premature death follows the predictable visit of the angel of death. But the future of the cause you lived and died for will not be determined by the angel of death and apologists of genocide. It will be determined by the sovereign will of the righteous oppressed.

With history our witness, the sovereign will of the righteous oppressed will, as it has done with absolute precision, prevail. But history has already retained that you and most us opted for dialogue but it was rejected and criminalized.

The irrepressible mirror of history captured every moment of the unfolding preplanned genocide that claimed your life and that of hundreds of victims with absolute accuracy. It could not have been otherwise. Indeed, the last images that transposed your transition with that of hundreds of other victims vividly show some of the principal ideologues and actors mobilizing people from the divide with messages portraying the victims as terrorists, thus by conduct and words encouraging soldiers deployed for the purpose to massacre unarmed civilians protected as such by the Geneva Conventions 1949 which Cameroon ratified since 1963.

But for God, the ultimate Judge, how come that with the arrogance of absolute power, and justice of the barrel of the gun at their beg and command, they came out every so often to record their crimes in the soul of time? Martin, God will administer Justice at a time of His choice.

May God bless your gentle soul dear friend and brother.

Chief Charles A.Taku

4, October 2017

Buea Province blockade is tearing apart business communities ⁰

The Francophone governor of the Buea Province of Southern Cameroons, Bernard Okalia Bilai, signed a second order yesterday in connection with the Southern Camerons crisis. This so-called decree prohibits “all entry and exit” in the Region. Beyond the fact that this part of Ambazonia is thus cut off from the entire Southern Cameroons and neigbouring La Republique du Cameroun , the Buea Province still has a strong military presence with French Cameroun soldiers parading the streets.

On Monday, October 2, 2017 in the early hours, elements of the police and the gendarmerie, those of the army and the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) were already posted in the streets and main round abouts. Identity checks have also been erected and in a systematic way that all those who are not in possession of their national identity cards (CNI) are questioned.

As of September 28, 2017, in order to maintain French Cameroun dominance of the territory in his command, the Governor signed a first order that prohibited any movement in the Region. This order was to stifle the October 1 celebrations that were held successfully throughout Southern Cameroons.

Two days after October 1, the signs of the Southern Cameroons independence day celebrations remain very visible. In Molyko- Buea, for example, one can still see enormous rocks and piles of shards of bottles lying on the roadway.

By Rita Akana, CCN

4, October 2017

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Helicopter Attack Targets Governing Council Chairman’s residence ⁰

Latest report from the Manyu State in Southern Cameroons said that gunshots were heard around the residence of the Chairman of the Governing Council, Sesekou Ayuk Tabe in Ewelle village. Cameroon Concord News can now confirm that military helicopters fired the shots and destroyed the compound.

Meanwhile, there are several reports in Francophone newspapers that the Biya Francophone Beti Ewondo regime has issued an arrest warrant for the Chairman over lame and ridiculous claims of embezzlement during his time at AS Sonel. The Southern Cameroons Ambazonia Governing Council office has refused to disclose his whereabouts, saying he was at “secure location” in the USA.

Our Chief correspondent in Mamfe reported that martial law has been declared in order to prevent what the French Cameroun media painted as increased terrorism from the Southern Cameroons Defense Force.

French Cameroun Armed Forces have completely taken over the administration of Southern Cameroons to impose Francophone constitutional order and guarantee President Biya’s continued stay in power in Yaoundé. All cross border trade with the Federal Republic of Nigeria have been abolished, CCN gathered from military intelligence files.

A well placed source in Buea confirmed that all airports in Southern Cameroons were now closed.

This item is still developing

By Sama Ernest, CCN

4, October 2017

Trump expels 15 Cuban diplomats from US over mysterious health attacks ⁰

US President Donald Trump has ordered the expulsion of 15 Cuban diplomats from the country, escalating his response to a series of mysterious health “attacks.” A State Department official told reporters on Tuesday that the employees had seven days to leave Havana’s embassy in Washington.

The official said a list of the personnel the US wants out of the country was given to the Cuban embassy, although he added that they were not declared “persona non grata.” “The decision was made due to Cuba’s failure to take appropriate steps to protect our diplomats in accordance with its obligations under the Vienna Convention,” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement. “This order will ensure equity in our respective diplomatic operations.”

So far, 22 US embassy staff have fallen ill due to the mysterious sonic attack. Those affected have exhibited physical symptoms including dizziness, headache, fatigue, hearing loss, difficulty sleeping and cognitive issues. According to US officials, the move was in no way a punishment for Havana and that the Trump administration only wanted to ensure both countries have a similar number of diplomats in their capitals.

“We continue to maintain diplomatic relations with Cuba,” Tillerson said, adding the US “will continue to cooperate with Cuba as we pursue the investigation into these attacks.” The decision, however, would further undermine a short-lived thaw between the two sides which was achieved under former US President Barack Obama in 2015 ending a half-century of hostility.

Washington is said to be preparing to send back a large number of Cuban diplomats as a row over alleged “health attacks” intensifies.

In response to the latest move, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said, “MINREX (Foreign Ministry) strongly protests and denounces this unfounded and unacceptable … eminently political decision.” Washington has responded “in a hasty, inappropriate and unthinking manner and without evidence on the alleged facts in which Cuba has no responsibility,” Rodriguez told reporters on Tuesday.

The US State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Cuban government must ensure that the illnesses would not continue before personnel in either embassy could resume their work.

Rodriguez said that their investigation team has not identified “perpetrators, or persons with motivation or means, nor has the presence of suspicious persons.” He also said that Havana is not “familiarized” with equipment that might have caused the attacks and that it immediately tightened the security for US diplomats.

Culled from Presstv