Monthly Archives: December 2019

Ambazonia: UN Humanitarian Coordinator Condemns Killing of Abducted Aid Worker

2, December 2019

Ambazonia: UN Humanitarian Coordinator Condemns Killing of Abducted Aid Worker 0

The Humanitarian Coordinator in Cameroon, Ms. Allegra Baiocchi, strongly condemns the killing of an aid worker in north-west Cameroon. “I am deeply saddened by the news of the horrific execution of an aid worker last night. On behalf of the United Nations and the wider humanitarian community, our deepest condolences go to his family, friends and colleagues,” said Ms. Baiocchi.

On 30 November, Mr. Pascal Ngwayi, of COMINSUD, a local NGO and UN partner, was abducted and later killed by armed men in Donga Mantung Division of the North West Region. At the time of his abduction, Mr. Ngwayi was carrying out a humanitarian assessment to ensure people in need received timely and appropriate support. “Humanitarian workers risk everything to provide aid to people most in need. They must be respected and protected, not targeted. The continued attacks on aid workers only increase the suffering of civilians, as we are unable to safely carry out operations,” added Ms. Baiocchi.

The deliberate targeting of aid and aid workers constitutes a war crime. The United Nations renews the call for all armed actors to ensure the protection of aid workers, to fully uphold international human rights and humanitarian law and to respect the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, independence and impartiality.

In the North West and South West regions of Cameroon, the humanitarian community is working to bring lifesaving assistance to the most vulnerable people, in line with the 2019 Humanitarian Response Plan.

Southern Cameroons War: UN Secretary General is no better than Biya

2, December 2019

Southern Cameroons War: UN Secretary General is no better than Biya 0

The result of UN Secretary General, Guterres’ sold out diplomacy – a Potemkin Village of fake dialogue accompanied by violence and censorship. Guterres is no better than Biya. At least Biya is officially senile. What is Guterres’ excuse?

Now on December 1 Guterres’ resident coordinator in Yaoundé has issued a statement about a death — it’s good she does this, but she has remained silent on many, many killings by Biya’s forces, like Guterres has: “Yaounde, 1 December 2019 – The Humanitarian Coordinator in Cameroon, Ms. Allegra Baiocchi, strongly condemns the killing of an aid worker in north-west Cameroon. “I am deeply saddened by the news of the horrific execution of an aid worker last night. On behalf of the United Nations and the wider humanitarian community, our deepest condolences go to his family, friends and colleagues,” said Ms. Baiocchi.  On 30 November, Mr. Pascal Ngwayi, of COMINSUD, a local NGO and UN partner, was abducted and later killed by armed men in Donga Mantung Division of the North West Region.” We’ll have more on this.

On November 28 Guterres was silent again about Cameroon, the continued lock up of a sick journalist (Guterres in his sick away enjoys and continues his retaliation against investigative journalism which asks how he spends public money, today in Lisbon) – while “Yaoundé Special Criminal Court decision to reject a request for Amadou Vamoulké’s provisional release although two medical reports say this journalist needs treatment abroad and his continuing detention violates Cameroonian law.

On November 5 before 8 am Inner City Press in writing asked Guterres, Stephane Dujarric, Melissa Fleming and of course Amina J. Mohammed, “November 5-2: On Cameroon and press freedom, what are the belated comments and actions of SG Guterres on that the South West Chapter of Cameroon Journalists Trade Union have showed up in court for their detained colleague, Samuel Wazizi.

Five days later, nothing at all. Nor on Cameroon peacekeepers’ sexual abuse. Guterres and the other three are entirely corrupt. And see their partners in censorship. US President Trump has written to the U.S. Congress, cutting off trade benefits to Biya’s Cameroon: “I am taking this step because I have determined that the Government of Cameroon currently engages in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, contravening the eligibility requirements of section 104 of the (African Growth and Opportunity Act).”

Trump took this action while Guterres covers up Cameroon “peacekeepers” rapes of children in CAR, and torching of villages in SW and NW. The dialogue of which Guterres made so much, while banning all Press questions about it, is dead.

Culled from Inner City Press

Boko Haram: Nigerian govt explains donation of vehicles to Cameroonian vigilantes

2, December 2019

Boko Haram: Nigerian govt explains donation of vehicles to Cameroonian vigilantes 0

The Borno State Government said it had donated patrol vehicles to members of Cameroonian vigilante to enhance fight against insurgents in border communities of the state.

Mr Isa Gusau, the Special Adviser on Public Relation and Media Strategy to Gov. Babagana Zulum, made the disclosure in a statement on Monday in Maiduguri.

Gusau dismissed as misleading reports indicating that the vehicles donated by the state government to 150 members of the Cameroonian vigilante violated Nigeria’s sovereignty and military protocols.

He explained that representatives of the government presented vehicles to the Cameroonian vigilante in concert with the Headquarters, 5 Brigade Nigerian Army Cell of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Damasak, Mobbar Local Government Area of the state.

Gusau noted that Zulum was a member of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum established with support of the Federal Government and UN Security Council Committee on counter-terrorism.

He added that the gesture was in line with the forum spirit to enhance cooperation on cross border security among member states.

Gusau said: “Gov. Zulum operational arrangements with the 150 Cameroonian vigilante ‎happened with full involvement of the Nigerian Army’s component in the MNJTF currently fighting Boko Haram in eight regions affected by the insurgents’ attacks in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republics.

“The Cameroonian vigilantes are operating in parts of northern Borno; located in the shores of the Lake Chad, and they are operating under the coordination and command of the Nigerian Army Cell of the MNJTF.

“One of the key benefits of having these vigilantes is the latitude to generate and pass on intelligence from border communities in Cameroon and to also pursue insurgents who occasionally flee from Nigerian territories to border communities in Cameroon where Nigerian troops may be constrained to engage them.

“The main objective of the Lake Chad Basin Governor’s Forum is to ease cross border cooperation in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the affected countries.”

Source: Pmnews

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Commonwealth, AU, OIF Call for Peace and Unity

2, December 2019

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Commonwealth, AU, OIF Call for Peace and Unity 0

Three international organizations have ended an official visit to Cameroon with a call for efforts to restore security, justice and the conditions for the resumption of normal life in English-speaking northwest and southwest regions of the country hit by the separatist crisis that has killed over 3,000 people. The Commonwealth, African Union, and International Organization of La Francophonie delegation says it is convinced dialogue remains the preferred path for peace to return, but that the government should start implementing the recommendations of the last major national dialogue it organized. Some, however, have been critical of government efforts.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission, says after exchanging views with Cameroonian President Paul Biya, Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, representatives of the main political parties, religious leaders, youth representatives and a cross-section of Cameroonians,  the organizations are convinced that there is a yearning for peace to return to the restive English-speaking regions.

He says they noted that a majority of Cameroonians welcomed the convening of the Grand National Dialogue from September 30 to October 4,  in which Cameroon’s government  consulted with political party leaders, activists, opinion leaders, traditional rulers, lawmakers and clergy, and are anxiously waiting for the government to implement its recommendations.  Those recommendations include establishing some sort of special status for the minority English-speaking regions, to be considered by the country’s parliament.  It also backed enforcement of the constitutional language giving English and French equal status and saying they must be used in all public offices and documents.  It also backed continuing the process of decentralization by giving more powers and resources to local councils. 

Mahamat participated in the tripartite mission with  International Organization of La Francophonie Secretary General Louise Mushikiwabo and Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland to encourage national peace efforts.

Mahamat said after their meetings in Yaounde, they observed that a large majority of Cameroonians supported the convening of the major national dialogue and believe it aided their quest for peace.  He said they were convinced that dialogue remains the only path to peace, and asked the government to implement the recommendations of the national dialogue.

After the national dialogue, hundreds of prisoners were freed when Biya ordered a halt to court proceedings against them, saying he was implementing the recommendations of the dialogue.

However, Albert Mvomo, an official of the opposition Cameroon United Party, says Biya’s government has not been doing enough to solve the crisis. He says the AU, OIF and Commonwealth delegation should have proposed sanctions to force Biya to solve the crisis.

He says the three organizations, like any international organization, should force the government in Yaounde to solve the crisis in the English-speaking regions through economic and diplomatic sanctions. He says Cameroon’s government shows no serious sign of wanting to stop the crisis.

Mvomo said the growing number of displaced people in towns and villages in the French-speaking regions showed the government has not been doing much to stop the separatist conflicts.

Simon Munzo,  an Anglophone leader who took part at the national dialogue, says while some recommendations would require legislation, Cameroon should have started showing serious signs that it wants peace to return by restoring public infrastructure and villages and towns destroyed by the fighting for the population to return. 

“We expect the government to maintain the momentum through the implementation of the recommendations of the dialogue,” said Munzo. “Some of them require legislation. Others do not, for example rebuilding schools and bridges and all of that. You do not need legislation for that except in terms of budgeting. Now, there are other aspects that will require modifying the constitution.”

Separatists have insisted on social media that they do not recognize the outcome of the national dialogue and will be ready to negotiate with the Yaounde government only on the terms of the separation of the English-speaking and French-speaking parts of Cameroon.

Source: VOA

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Amba fighters fire at Camairco plane

1, December 2019

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Amba fighters fire at Camairco plane 0

Southern Cameroonian fighters have fired at a Camairco plane in Bamenda, as the airliner was about to land at the Bamenda airport.

The airliner, which has been grounded in Bamenda, took some bullets and will not be flying for sometime.

The incident that occurred today December 1st 2109 is a clear indication that the Southern Cameroons crisis is far from over despite the optimism generated by the Major National Dialogue held in Yaounde in October 2019.

Camairco is now among other state corporations which have been affected by the crisis.

PAMOL, CDC, and SONARA have been hit hard by the crisis and this is a severe blow to the cash-strapped Yaounde government that is still hoping that time will help solve a problem that has become a millstone around its neck.

Since the commencement of the crisis, the government of Cameroon has lost more than USD 50 billion due to the war and the country’s economy is in a free fall.

Unemployment has reached unbearable levels and insecurity is heading for the sky, especially in Yaounde and Douala which are the country’s most economically active cities.

According to a source at the Unity Palace, government officials are really concerned by the declining economy and they fear that the country’s increasing isolation at the international level may make things worse.

The source, which elected anonymity, said that there was fear among government officials, especially those who still hold that the government should not negotiate with Southern Cameroonians because in their view, negotiating with people who have taken up weapons against their country will be like promoting terrorism.

As the economy continues its race to the bottom, many analysts hold that the government might finally come to its senses.

Many state corporations are already having huge liquidity issues, and a corporation like ENEO, the country’s inefficient power utility, has not paid its workers for more than three months.

SONARA is down and what is left of it is not really delivering the revenue the government needs to pay some of its bills.

This explains why a huge chunk of next year’s budget has been allocated to the repairs of the units of the national oil refinery that were heavily damaged in a fire whose origin remains a mystery.

Meanwhile, to cushion the impact of the economic crisis the country is dealing with, the government last week surreptitiously rushed a high-level delegation to Washington to negotiate with the Trump Administration on the country’s readmission into AGOA, an economic program that gives poor African countries like Cameroon access to the huge and lucrative American market.

After having made a lot of noise about the country’s sovereignty and insisting that Cameroon’s dismissal from AGOA will not hurt the country, the government had to eat its words.

America is Cameroon’s ally in the war against terrorism on the continent and American economic assistance to the Central African country has been helping it to stave off some of the social and economic pressure that could help bring down the corrupt and ineffective Yaounde government.

It was on this grounds that a high-level delegation headed to Washington to plead for clemency after having insulted Americans.

However, the mission to Washington has not gone very well as Washington is insisting that the Yaounde govern must stop conducting itself as a rogue regime.

The delegation met with U.S. under-secretary of State for African Affairs, Tibor Nagy, who advised the government delegation that there would be conditions to be met if the country would continue to enjoy free and unfettered access to the U.S. market.

Among the conditions are a release of all political prisoners in the country, a release of all Southern Cameroonians arrested due to the crisis, the holding of an inclusive dialogue as requested by the international community and the cessation of military operations in the two English-speaking regions of the country.

Yaounde is therefore looking at ways of complying with the conditions without losing face. Its politicians have already begun admitting that the government had made mistakes and that Southern Cameroonians should forgive and forget.

In this regard, there is a flurry of activities taking place in Yaounde to find lasting solutions to the crisis that has put the country in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

With the arrival last week of the heads of the AU, Commonwealth and the Francophonie in Yaounde, it is clear that the noose around the government’s neck is getting tighter.

The pressure is mounting and the country’s low energy prime minister has been busy all weekend holding meetings on how to find sustainable solutions to the issues that triggered the Southern Cameroons crisis.

The weeks ahead will be producing some good news, but the news might be coming too late as Southern Cameroonians have been radicalized and many simply want a total disconnection from East Cameroon because of the long years of pain and suffering inflicted on them by the country’s military.

The world needs a solution from the Yaounde government and some of the government’s allies are already running out patience with a government that has been at best ineffective throughout this conflict.

If it needs to regain the confidence of its allies, it must swallow its pride and approve the Canadian-sponsored, American-supported Swiss initiative that has also been approved by the European Union.

Time is of the essence. The government has been cornered and it must act fast and effectively if genuine peace and confidence have to return to Cameroon.

By Kingsley Betek and Joyce Ekinde in Yaounde

Football: Euro 2020 draw puts Portugal, France and Germany in same group

1, December 2019

Football: Euro 2020 draw puts Portugal, France and Germany in same group 0

Reigning European champions Portugal will come up against World Cup winners France and Germany in the standout group at Euro 2020 following Saturday’s draw for the tournament in Bucharest, as England came out alongside Croatia.

Neither France nor Portugal were in Pot One for the 24-team competition being held in 12 cities across Europe, making them the dangerous teams to avoid for the top seeds.

In the event, they came out together in an incredibly tough Group F alongside Germany, who will play group games at home in Munich. That is where Joachim Loew’s team will face France in their first match on June 16.

Group F will be completed by one of the winners of the play-offs to be played next March, leaving open several possibilities including Hungary, who will play at home in Budapest should they make it.

France beat Germany in the semi-finals of Euro 2016 on home soil, before losing in the final to a Portugal side who claimed the title for the first time.

View image on Twitter

Meanwhile, England were drawn with Croatia and the Czech Republic in Group D, with Gareth Southgate’s team to play home group games at Wembley, which will also be the venue for the semi-finals and final.

That section will be completed by the team to emerge victorious from Path C in the play-offs, between Serbia, Norway, Israel and Scotland. The latter have the added incentive of knowing they will play home games in Glasgow in the group stage should they qualify.

England faced the Czech Republic in qualifying, winning 5-0 at Wembley but suffering their only defeat of the campaign in Prague, where they went down 2-1 in October.

England will kick off at home to Croatia on June 14 in a repeat of the 2018 World Cup semi-final, which was won by the Croatians.

However, should England win their group they will have to play the runners-up from Group F, setting up a possible clash with Germany, France or Portugal in the last 16.

Elsewhere, Italy will face Turkey in Rome in the tournament’s opening game on June 12, with Switzerland and Euro 2016 semi-finalists Wales also in that section, Group A.

Spain will take on Sweden and Poland as well as a play-off winner in Group E.

The month-long tournament will conclude with the final in London on July 12.

(AFP)

Iran: Official points to more open elections

1, December 2019

Iran: Official points to more open elections 0

A senior Iranian official has suggested in an interview with AFP that authorities may be more open than in the past in approving candidates for a looming parliamentary election.

“We don’t consider ourselves immune from criticism. We may also accept that mistakes have been made in the past,” said Guardian Council spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhodaee.

“But for the next legislative elections we are trying to reduce our mistakes and respect the rights of candidates.”

Kadkhodaee was speaking to AFP on the eve of the opening on Sunday of the registration of candidates for the parliamentary election to be held on February 21.

The Guardian Council, which is under the control of ultra-conservatives, is responsible for organising and monitoring elections in Iran, including vetting candidates.

“If we insist on enforcing the law, we’ll be able to satisfy as many candidates as possible,” said Kadkhodaee.

In the past, the council has faced accusations in Iran, particularly by reformists, of barring candidates more on political than constitutional grounds.

In November, President Hassan Rouhani, a moderate conservative, called on the council to stick to the letter of the law in view of the forthcoming election.

At Iran’s last parliamentary election in February 2016, the Council authorised 6,229 candidates for the 290 seats at stake — just over 51 percent of those who sought to stand.

In the interview, Kadkhodaee said a higher number of successful candidates should also lead to a “higher participation rate”.

Source: AFP

Israel: Thousands in Tel Aviv rally to demand Netanyahu’s resignation

1, December 2019

Israel: Thousands in Tel Aviv rally to demand Netanyahu’s resignation 0

Thousands of Israeli protesters have held demonstrations in Tel Aviv to demand Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation over his corruption charges.

At least 6,000 people were at the gathering in the Habima Square of Tel Aviv, Israel’s Channel 12 estimated.

Netanyahu is “the most cowardly prime minister we’ve ever had,” a demonstrator told Yedioth Ahronoth (Ynet), adding that the premier “needs to resign and go plead his case in court.”

Israel is “sick of the corruption”, another protester said. “We need to send Bibi home,” she said.

A same rally had been held last Saturday in Tel Aviv, where hundreds of demonstrators urged Netanyahu to leave office.

Protesters chanted “Bibi go home,” and waved signs reading: “Netanyahu, let go already,” “Netanyahu, you should quit,” and “The corrupt should go home.” 

“What you see here is absurd. We have a man who is charged with three major crimes. And he still believes he wants to be [a] prime minister. I mean this is crazy,” a protester said.

Netanyahu’s political opponents and demonstrators have moved to capitalize on the indictment on charges relating to corruption, bribery and breach of trust against him, hoping to strip the weakened 70-year-old leader of power.

Netanyahu rivals, protesters move to bring him down after corruption indictment

Netanyahu has vowed to stay in office while he fights the criminal charges, which include bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in one case, and additional fraud and breach of trust charges in another two cases.

Last Saturday, Benny Gantz, the leader of center-left Blue and White political alliance and Netanyahu’s main challenger in the two elections this year, called on the Israeli premier to step down, but still offered to form a coalition administration with his Likud political party if there are any chances.

“In light of the circumstances, I call to form a unity administration that is as broad as possible under my leadership,” Gantz said at a press conference in Tel Aviv.

He added, “I will be prime minister for the first two years while Netanyahu can work on his legal issues. If he is acquitted, he can come back and be prime minister.”

An opinion poll recently revealed that more than half of people in the occupied territories believe that Netanyahu must quit after being indicted on a series of corruption charges.

According to the survey conducted by Channel 13 and published last Friday evening, 56% said the charges leveled against Netanyahu were too much for him to continue as the Israeli leader, while 35% said he needed not step down and the remaining 9% of the respondents said they didn’t know.

Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, are suspected of wrongfully accepting $264,000 worth of jewelry, cigars, champagne and other gifts from wealthy businessmen for political favors in one case.

Is political career of Netanyahu nearing its end?

The Israeli prime minister is also accused of interfering with regulatory bodies and lawmakers on behalf of the biggest selling newspaper in the occupied territories, Ynet, in exchange for positive news coverage and favorable stories about him.

Israeli lawmakers have less than a month to organize a coalition and select a lawmaker to lead a majority administration. There are strong indications that the legislators will not succeed.

Israel will have to hold elections for the third time this year in case Knesset members fail to garner 61 seats in the 120-seat legislature.

Source: Presstv

«< 18 19 20 21 22