Monthly Archives: March 2019

6, March 2019

Southern Cameroons Crisis-Maurice Kamto Affair: Yaounde 1, Washington Nil ⁰

Yaoundé has denounced political pressure coming from the United States on its management of the Maurice Kamto Affair and the crisis in Southern Cameroons observing that foreign governments should stay clear of the domestic affairs of sovereign nations.

Communications Minister, Rene Emmanuel Sadi issued the statement following remarks that came from Tibor Nagy, the US top diplomat on African affairs who reportedly said on French radio that, the Cameroonian government was aware that Maurice Kamto was arrested and imprisoned for lame and ridiculous reasons and called for his immediate release.

“I think it would be very wise to release him. Because, whether true or false, he is perceived to have been incarcerated for his political activities and this is unacceptable” said Tibor Nagy

Hon. Tibor Nagy also called on the Biya Francophone Beti Ewondo regime to be more serious in the management of the crisis in Southern Cameroons. In his reaction to the Tibor Nagy interview in France, Minister Rene Sadi noted with contempt for the Trump administration that Tibor Nagy’s words “not only denote the lack of knowledge of the issues and facts concerning the arrest of Mr. Kamto and many of his supporters, as well as the situation in the North West and South West regions but betray a serious impulse barely veiled and unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign country.”

Emmanuel Rene Sadi repeated the Biya regime’s popular inaccurate stereotype that Cameroon is a state of law and that Kamto and his supporters of the Movement for the Renaissance of Cameroon are subject to the rules that govern the republic.

Kamto and his supporters are prosecuted for common law crimes, including insurrection, hostility against the homeland, rebellion and the destruction of public property inside the country and in several diplomatic missions abroad. Tibor Nagy is expected in Cameroon on March 17 as part of an African tour. Both parties will no doubt have the opportunity to explain themselves.

Rita Akana in Yaounde

6, March 2019

Francophone Crisis: Maurice Kamto vs Paul Biya – What the AU Proposed ⁰

An AU delegation met with the Cameroonian government after discussing solutions to the post-election stalemate with Movement for the Renaissance of Cameroon (MRC) opposition leader Maurice Kamto on December 20, 2018, Africa Info reports. The delegation presented President Paul Biya’s administration with a proposal that was geared at defusing the impasse gripping the country after the disputed November presidential elections, and also address the crisis in the two English-speaking regions.

The AU proposed that:

1. Creating the post of vice-president of the Republic during the next parliamentary session in March, to be occupied by Maurice Kamto. The VP would succeed the president

2. Creating a coalition government

3. Changing the electoral code and the Constitution as proposed by Kamto and the other opposition parties before the next elections

4. To give Kamto the responsibility of solving the Anglophone crisis (A UN proposal to the African Union)

5. Organizing Cameroon’s presidential elections within 3 years

Kamto expressed his reservations about the VP post being linked to presidential succession, preferring that the president choose a running mate for elections. As for the government of national unity, he told the commission that it did not interest his team to be part of a government of “slaves and future prisoners”. This did not go down well with the AU delegation but they accepted his stance.

Kamto has accepted these AU proposals:

1. The responsibility to resolve the Anglophone crisis

2. The amendment of the electoral code and certain aspects of the Constitution

3. And the organization of presidential elections within 3 years

This explains why on his return from Addis Ababa, Kamto delivered an “appeasement” speech after he initially presented his proposals for amendments to the Constitution and the electoral code. The reason MRC later took to the streets is because information (reportedly leaked by a Biya government minister) reached the party that the Biya regime did not intend to implement the proposals of the African Union. The government source said Biya’s administration is playing for time so that the momentum for change is lost before the March session in Parliament to discuss the AU proposals.

The government intends to appoint one of Biya’s proteges, Presidency Secretary-General Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh as the vice-president, according to the government source. Kamto then realized that there are people in the government benefiting from the war in the North West and South West, and it was not in their interest for the war to end.

Source: All Africa.Com

6, March 2019

Southern Cameroons War: 208 Ambazonians killed, 875 injured in 2019 ⁰

Cameroon government forces have killed 208 Southern Cameroonians in the Northern and Southern Zones of West Cameroon in the first week of February 2019, according to a Cameroon Intelligence Report and Cameroon Concord News monitoring group.

Four Cameroon government army soldiers were killed by Ambazonia Restoration Forces during the same period in the Mezam County in the Northern Zone. More than 875 Southern Cameroonians have been injured during 2019 clashes – the highest number of injuries in a single year ever since President Biya declared war against Anglophone Cameroonians.

Nearly 109 of those Southern Cameroonians killed and 600 of those injured were young university graduates and teenagers. Thirteen members of the Ambazonia Self Defense Council armed group were among the fatalities.

Approximately 90 percent of the fatalities and nearly 65 percent of the injuries took place after Defense Minister, Joseph Beti Assomo secretly ordered Francophone Beti-Ewondo soldiers to carry out an extermination campaign in Southern Cameroons.

According to eyewitness report, several hospitals were attacked by troops loyal to the regime in Yaounde as government soldiers searched for injured Southern Cameroonians. Hundreds of Southern Cameroonians have been injured by live ammunition with the crisis showing no signs of ending.

The Francophone dominated government has used deadly force against unarmed Southern Cameroons civilians, provoking serious condemnation from several human rights groups and an unprecedented action from the current US administration.

But in the absence of meaningful diplomacy, and with the blessing of the French government headed by Emmanuel Macron, Francophone soldiers continue to kill hundreds of Southern Cameroons citizens. Cameroon government soldier’s shocking use of force against English speaking Southern Cameroonians has resulted in the deaths of scores of innocent civilians.

Hundreds of Southern Cameroonians have sustained gunshot injuries, mainly to the limbs, and an estimated 569 people have devastating, disabling wounds that need specialist limb reconstruction treatment and long-term rehabilitation. That number continues to rise every day. 39 people have been paralyzed due to spinal cord injuries, and 77 people have permanent vision loss in both the Northern and Southern Zones in Southern Cameroons.

Four clergies including an American missionary were killed by Cameroon government forces and dozens of Roman Catholic seminarians injured. A senior political observer noted that:

“If someone had told me in 1982 that Biya could be this wicked, I would not have believed it. Why is he sending soldiers to burn down people’s houses in villages that do not even know anything about the rebellion that is taking place in the country? Has he got children? Does he know about the law of karma? There is no way that he and his collaborators will avoid the long hand of karma. They will live long to bury their children for their evil. The following will cry for years before dying.

Paul Biya
Joseph Beti Assomou
Rene Sadi
Fame Ndongo
Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh
Atanga Nji
Issa Tchiroma
Joseph Owona
Tabetando
Marcel Niat Njifenji
Cayaye Yegue Djibril
Achidi Achu
Nalova Lyonga
Peter Mafany Musonge
Laurent Esso

All CPDM parliamentarians in the Northwest and Southwest regions.

All Northwest and Southwest senators. Their silence in the face of this genocide is clearly an approval of it.

All army generals who are ordering these massacres.

The SDOs and DOs in the two English-speaking regions of the country

The foot soldiers who are blindly implementing the orders to kill innocent people. May they suffer from the worst form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The governors of the SW and NW regions.

I wish all of these people a long life for them to go through the most violent health disorders. Cameroon belongs to them. I hope they will never leave it behind them. I will want to see them buried with Cameroon.”

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

6, March 2019

US to suspend development assistance over Southern Cameroons crisis ⁰

In an interview granted the Paris-based Jeune Afrique magazine, Ambassador Tibor Nagy, President Trump’s “Mr. Africa” expressed American frustration with the Biya regime over its poor handling of the Anglophone crisis. Ambassador Nagy, who will be visiting Cameroon as part of an African tour told Jeune Afrique that: “I have received more e-mails about the Cameroon Anglophone crisis than on any other problem in Africa –at least 10 to 20 every day with photos and very disturbing videos of people be-headed with machetes; and other atrocities committed by Cameroonian security forces.” He expressed US concern Yaoundé authorities have either failed to realize the gravity of the escalating Anglophone crisis; or they are in denial there’s an insurgency and have refused to address it. [Read a synthesis of the interview below that was published in Jeune Afrique in French.]

Jeune Afrique-In Cameroon, the US recently suspended some military assistance…

“The USA announced that it has suspended its military cooperation with Cameroon and this is indeed unfortunate because Cameroon is an important partner in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the northern parts of the country. But we have very strict rules and regulations concerning military cooperation. America does not support militaries that commit human rights abuses. Some of the sanctions, especially those dealing with direct military assistance went into effect immediately after it was established that Cameroonian soldiers committed gross human rights violations. Generally, there has been a reduction of US assistance to Cameroon because of the way the government is handling the Anglophone crisis. We are worried that the government has either failed to realize the gravity of the situation; or is in denial, and refuses to address the crisis. This is particularly frustrating because we know there are certain things that the government could have done to defuse the tension.

Jeune Afrique-So, these targeted sanctions went into effect immediately…

“I have received more e-mails about the Cameroon Anglophone crisis than on any other problem in Africa –at least 10 to 20 every day with photos and very disturbing videos of people be-headed with machetes; and other atrocities committed by Cameroonian security forces. Granted, the government can legitimately claim that radical separatists’ forces have also committed atrocities; they are preventing schools and hospitals from functioning normally and even targeting people who violate their orders.

Jeune Afrique-Will America suspend all assistance to Cameroon?

“Generally speaking, US humanitarian assistance does not go through the government; what this means is that assistance in areas like HIV/AIDS prevention for example will continue to be delivered directly to those in need using partner NGOs. But the government must de-escalate the situation; failure which, the US will suspend all development assistance; in addition to military assistance that has already been suspended.“

Ambassador Tibor Nagy,

Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs

6, March 2019

Nigeria to expel Southern Cameroons refugees ⁰

Nigerian has accused Cameroon of violating UN Protocols after Cameroon expelled Nigerian refugees fleeing Boko Haram back to Nigeria. Nigeria violated the same Protocols when they kidnapped Ambazonia leaders and renditioned them to Cameroun where they are standing trial in a Kangaroo military tribunal. Biya has just paid Buhari back in his own coins, and Nigeria is threatening retaliation which puts the Anglophone refugees in Nigeria in jeopardy.

The Nigerian National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMIDP) has expressed concern over the ejection of Nigerian refugees by the government of Cameroon despite passionate appeals to Cameroon not to chase out the victims of Boko Haram attacks from Rann Local Government Area of Borno State.

In a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja, NCRMIDP Commissioner, Hajia Sadiya Umar noted: “It is highly regrettable and sad to note that despite the passionate appeal made by the Nigerian Authorities to the Government of Cameroon not to chase out the victims of Boko Haram attacks from Rann Local Government Area of Borno State, this appeal has been ignored.

“Information reaching us is that the Cameroonian Government has thrown out the displaced persons from Rann who ran into Cameroon for safety in total disregard for the appeal. And it’s a clear breach of the United Nations Charter and Convention on the protection of displaced persons which both countries endorsed,” Umar said.

According to her, the United Nations Convention on Refugees and its 167 Protocol states that no contracting state shall expel or return a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his or her life or freedom will be threatened on account of his or her race, religion or nationality membership of a particular social group or political opinion”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Jan.14, persistent attacks in Rann compelled residents of the area to run into Cameroon territories for their safety. The commissioner, however, noted that from the onset the Cameroon Government threatened to chase the Nigerian Refugees out. She said that the Nigerian Government had to remind its Cameroon counterpart of its obligation to the displaced Nigerians bearing in mind the UN convention.

“Unfortunately, today Cameroon Government has made good its earlier threat by throwing the Nigerian refugees back to the country in large number.” Umar also said that in due course, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs would take appropriate steps on the matter.

“Meanwhile, it is worthy of mention to state that Nigeria is currently hosting many Cameroonian refugees located at Cross River, Benue, Akwa-Ibom, Taraba states and some of them in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja since October 2017. And we continue to provide them with relief, care and maintenance items. This is a clear demonstration of our commitment to international community,” she said.

5, March 2019

US: Clinton rules out another presidential run ⁰

Hillary Clinton has for the first time ruled out running for president in 2020.

“I’m not running, but I’m going to keep on working and speaking and standing up for what I believe,” Clinton said Monday in an interview with News 12, a local TV channel in New York.

Clinton was the frontrunner in 2016 but ended up losing to Donald Trump. “I want to be sure that people understand I’m going to keep speaking out,” Clinton said.

“I’m not going anywhere. What’s at stake in our country, the kinds of things that are happening right now, are deeply troubling to me.”

Clinton has held meetings with some of the Democrats who are now vying for the party nomination or considering a run. CNN has reported that they include former vice president Joe Biden, who has not yet said if he is running.

“I’ve told every one of them, don’t take anything for granted, even though we have a long list of real problems and broken promises from this administration that need to be highlighted,” Clinton said.

Asked if she would run again for some kind of public office, she seemed to avoid ruling that out.

“I don’t think so, but I love living in New York and I’m so grateful that I had the chance to be a senator for eight years and to work with people across our state,” said the former secretary of state and senator for New York state.

AFP

5, March 2019

Ambazonia Crisis: Roman Catholic Bishops are shutting down schools ⁰

The Saint Joseph College in Sasse, Buea will be shutting its doors amid the growing insecurity, the Bishop of Buea, Immanuel Bushu said on Sunday.

Regular clashes between security forces and separatist fighters in Buea has made learning difficult and put the life of the students at risk forcing authorities to shut down the school, the Bishop said.

However, at least 200 students will be transferred to Tiko where they will camp at Christ the King College and prepare for the General Certificate of Education(GCE Exams) that will equally be written there.

The decision to shut down the Saint Joseph’s College Sasse was taken after a series of meetings during the week following the alleged kidnap and release of the principal on Sunday February 24.

A final meeting was reportedly held with parents, school and Catholic authorities on Sunday during which it was finally decided to shut down the academic establishment.

This is the second school that has been shut down in just over two weeks in the Anglophone regions after Saint Augustine College in Kumbo was equally closed down by school authorities following the kidnap and release of over 150 students by gunmen.

Journal du Cameroun

5, March 2019

UNDP says CFA 172 billion required for Cameroon relief aid ⁰

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said Monday CFA 172 billion is needed to provide emergency assistance to 2.3 million people in Cameroon this year.“In 2018, the humanitarian response in Cameroon was the least funded in Africa. At the beginning of this year, I appeal to everyone to redouble their efforts and support our plan for the people of Cameroon,” said Allegra Baiocchi, UNDP representative and humanitarian coordinator.

Quoted in the report, he called for the mobilization of the international community, considering that “a peaceful Cameroon where no one is left behind is not only essential for the country’s development, but also vital for the stability of the sub-region.”

The CFA172 billion must be used to ensure the protection, food security, education and access to health care of the men, women, girls and boys most affected by the crises.

“Considering the diversity of areas of intervention, needs and vulnerabilities, humanitarian actors have agreed to implement different strategies depending on whether they operate in the Far North, in the Northwest and South West regions or in those affected by the Central African, Adamaoua, East and North crisis,” the report noted.

Journal du Cameroun.Com

5, March 2019

African finance ministers are in Yaounde!! ⁰

African finance ministers and experts began a five-day meeting Monday in Cameroon’s capital Yaounde to discuss policy actions and measures required for productive transformation on the continent.

“Africa has 30 percent of all the national resources of the world, but at the same moment what we can see is that poverty is growing. So all those countries of the African Union decided to come here to Cameroon to discuss how we can move forward so as to transform more our economies,” Louis Paul Motaze, Cameroon’s finance minister who chaired the opening ceremony, told reporters.

The meeting is organized by African Union Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration in collaboration with the government of Cameroon.

“We do think in Cameroon that transforming the economy must lead to transforming our national resources so as to create more jobs for youths in particular. So this meeting is very important and we are expecting a lot of decisions and resolutions that can enable our economies to grow,” Motaze said.

Resolutions reached at the meeting are expected to be forwarded to the African Union summit in July for consideration and approval.

Xinhuanet

5, March 2019

Fire ravages about 200 shops in Yaounde ⁰

About 200 shops at Elig Edzoa market, one of the largest markets in Cameroon’s capital of Yaounde, have been ravaged by fire, according to a police report Monday.

It is reported that the fire broke out early Monday morning. “We still do not know what caused the fire. Almost all the shops in the market have been burned down. People also sustained injuries,” said the report.

Ruins from the fire were still scattered in the market.

“I have lost everything in my shop including household utensils, building material, electrical equipment worth millions of CFA francs. My neighbours have lost everything as well.” Lilian Muring who owns a shop in the market revealed.

Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji said the government has opened formal inquiries into the tragedy.

Xinhuanet