Monthly Archives: October 2020

US Politics: Biden and Trump focus on the Midwest in the US presidential election finale

31, October 2020

US Politics: Biden and Trump focus on the Midwest in the US presidential election finale 0

Barack Obama will join forces with Joe Biden in Michigan as Donald Trump goes all in on the crucial state of Pennsylvania Saturday and the two candidates dig deep on the final weekend before Tuesday’s US presidential election.

For the first time since the start of the campaign, Biden, 77, will be joined on stage by his former boss and most popular campaigner, former President Barack Obama.

They’ll put on two drive-in rallies in the cities of Flint and Detroit in Michigan. Stevie Wonder is expected to be the musical guest of the evening.

Trump, 74, won the industrial state by a narrow margin of 0.2 points in 2016 — but this year the former vice president leads by seven points.

This puts him in pole position to take its 16 electoral votes, a sizable leap towards the 270 he needs to win the White House.

For the past week Obama has put his popularity at the service of his former vice president, hosting several rallies at which he repeatedly slammed Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, notably in Florida and Pennsylvania.

But Trump — who has dismissed Obama’s rallies as much smaller than his own — will himself head to Pennsylvania Saturday, where he will host three rallies, a sign of how key the state is to his own path to 270 votes.

He won Pennsylvania, where Biden was born, by a razor-thin margin against Hillary Clinton in 2016. Every ballot will therefore count on November 3 if he hopes to claim its 20 electoral votes once more.

Biden will follow suit there both Sunday and Monday in a clear sign that his campaign also sees the Keystone State as absolutely crucial to victory.

Millions voting early

On Friday the two candidates battled over the American Midwest, barnstorming three heartland states each as they chased every last vote in a region that propelled the Republican to victory in 2016.

But the race was overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic, with infections spiking across the country. More than 94,000 new infections were recorded Friday — a new high for the second day running — and total cases passed nine million.

Nevertheless Trump, who has long said the virus will “disappear,” remained defiant at rallies in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

“We just want normal,” he told supporters — many of them unmasked — at an outdoor rally near Detroit as he pushed states to relax public health restrictions and resume daily life.

He again bucked the advice of his own administration’s health experts and downplayed the threat of the coronavirus, saying “if you get it, you’re going to get better, and then you’re going to be immune.”

The virus has killed nearly 230,000 Americans.

US hospitals are bracing as infections soar in nearly every state, with winter flu season looming.

The outbreak has ravaged the economy, and while there have been signs of recovery, millions remain jobless.

Trump has touted the economic successes of his presidency, including positive GDP figures Thursday. But US stocks closed out their worst week since March, highlighting concerns about a shaky recovery.

And with voters concerned about the health hazards of crowded polling stations on November 3, a record 86 million have already cast early ballots by mail or in person.

‘Turn Texas blue?’

After a campaign largely muted by the pandemic, Biden is on the offensive, pushing Trump onto the back foot in unexpected battlegrounds like Texas, a large, traditionally conservative bastion now rated a toss-up by multiple analysts.

On Friday, the state reported that a staggering nine million residents had already voted, surpassing its 2016 total.

Biden’s running mate Kamala Harris visited Texas Friday in a bid to turn the state Democratic for the first time since president Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Biden winning there would be a major blow to Trump, but the president dismissed the notion, saying: “Texas, we’re doing very well.”

Biden also stumped Friday in Wisconsin and in Minnesota, where he sharpened his attacks on the president on everything from Trump seeking to dismantle Obama-era health care protections and keeping his taxes secret to climate change and trade policy with China.

“We can not afford four more years of Donald Trump,” the Democrat said at a socially distanced drive-in rally in St. Paul, Minnesota.

“So honk your horn if you want America to lead again!” he said, embracing the awkward pandemic-era campaign trend of rallying supporters in their vehicles.

In Iowa, he attacked Trump over his handling of the pandemic, telling another drive-in rally in Des Moines that Trump has “given up (and) waved the white flag.”

(AFP)

Saudi Foreign Minister opens Kingdom’s embassy building in Yaounde

31, October 2020

Saudi Foreign Minister opens Kingdom’s embassy building in Yaounde 0

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, inaugurated in the Cameroonian capital Yaoundé today (Thursday) the building of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Cameroon, with the participation of the Minister of Foreign Relations of the Republic of Cameroon Mbella Mbella.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Relations of the Republic of Cameroon was received by the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Abdul Ilah Al-Shuaibi.

In the context, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, met at the Presidential Palace, Minister of State, Secretary General at the Presidency, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh.

During the meeting, they reviewed the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and discussed means of developing them in various fields, in addition to discussing issues of common interest.

The meeting was attended by Assistant Minister of State for African Countries Affairs, Ambassador Dr. Sami Al-Saleh, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Cameroon Abdul-Ilah Al-Shuaibi, and Director General of the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdul Rahman bin Arkan Al-Daoud.

Source: Alkhaleej

Kumba Massacre: ‘Mass of Angels’ to be held in Germany

31, October 2020

Kumba Massacre: ‘Mass of Angels’ to be held in Germany 0

‘A mass of the Angels’ will be held on Sunday for the eight school children killed in Kumba by unidentified gunmen.

The Parish Priest of the Cameroon Catholic Community in Mulhein an der Ruhr in Germany Revered Father Constant Leke said the children will be sorrowfully missed by everyone.

A Mass of the Angels will be held in St. Mariae Rosenkranz Mülheim an der Ruhr Church on Sunday afternoon at 3pm.

The Chairman of the Pastoral Council the MbangFon Wara Julius has also invited the entire Cameroon Christian community in the Nordrhein Westphalia province in Germany to be a part of the special Holy Mass.

Cameroon’s unwinnable war

At the heart of the crisis, which started in 2016, was a strike by teachers and lawyers, in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon. The professionals, supported by citizens of their areas, protested the unfair use of the French language and unjustified appointments of French speakers in their territories. Cameroon is a bilingual country. By 2017, the situation had spiralled out of control and developed into a fully-fledged separatist war. Both government forces and separatists are now bogged down in a conflict, that observers say, can only be resolved through dialogue.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai in Mulheim

Cameroon legend Geremi opposed to Africa Cup matches in Europe

31, October 2020

Cameroon legend Geremi opposed to Africa Cup matches in Europe 0

Cameroon football legend Geremi Njitap says African countries must not be allowed to stage Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Europe during the coronavirus pandemic.

There have been reports that Senegal and Guinea-Bissau were “discussing” moving back-to-back matches during November from Dakar and Bissau to Portugal.

Senegal had to postpone at the last minute this month a warm-up match when eight of the visiting Mauritania delegation tested positive for Covid-19.

However, that was the only friendly international in the continent during October to be cancelled while two in Portugal and one in Turkey involving African teams were called off due to coronavirus.

Answering a question from AFP at a videoconference organised by the Netherlands-based global professional footballers’ union FIFPro, Geremi said: “I do not believe CAF will allow that.

“This is an African competition and there is no way matches can be played in Europe,” said the former Real Madrid, Chelsea and Cameroon defender-cum-midfielder and FIFPro board member.

“Of course, staging qualifiers in Europe would be better for most of the players because that is where they are based.

“I have no objection to friendly internationals involving African countries being staged in Europe, but not Cup of Nations nor World Cup qualifiers.

“African football supporters will not accept that — they want to cheer their heroes on even if the numbers at grounds may be severely limited by the pandemic.”

FIFPro general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann warned that health protocols “do not change one bit” whether matches are staged in Africa or Europe.

“It is very important to make clear that the responsibilities and obligations of federations in terms of health protocols do not change.

“During the international window this month, many footballers in Europe contracted the virus after being with national teams.

“Irrespective of whether matches are staged in Africa or Europe, federations need to do a better job than they did this month when providing health safeguards.

– ‘Big risk’ –

“Otherwise, there is a big risk of many positive cases which can impact on how Africa proceeds with qualifying for the Cup of Nations and World Cup.”

There are 48 Cup of Nations qualifiers scheduled between November 9 and 17, including defending champions Algeria playing Zimbabwe at home and away.

Geremi was also asked if he agreed with 1995 World, European and African Footballer of the Year and now Liberia president George Weah that Covid-19 posed a huge threat to African football.

“Football is more than a religion in Africa and an Africa without football is unimaginable,” said the former star who made 118 appearances for the Cameroon national team, the Indomitable Lions.

“Kids love football, and many poor families see the sport as a path to a better life if a child can develop their talents and secure a professional contract.

“Governments and companies cannot stop putting money into football,” he said, reacting to the fears of Weah that there will be a “large drop-off” in funding from the public and private sectors.

“Where these (sponsorships) no longer exist, many clubs will collapse and leagues will close permanently,” Weah told a recent videoconference organised by the Africa Sports Ventures group.

“It is my considered opinion that the future of sport in Africa is bleak, and not guaranteed to recover,” said the ex-Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Chelsea, Manchester City and Marseille forward.

“Health and economic recovery take absolute priority, however it is important that the global funding being raised should recognise the social importance of sport.”

Source: AFP

Biya regime tortures, abuses Southern Cameroons children in prison

31, October 2020

Biya regime tortures, abuses Southern Cameroons children in prison 0

Southern Cameroons Vice President says Ambazonian children detained by the French Cameroun army soldiers are exposed to unbearable torture and various forms of abuse and the practices have apparently been legitimized by the Biya Francophone regime’s judiciary.

Vice President Dabney Yerima said in a conversation with Cameroon Intelligence Report that there are currently 1500 Southern Cameroons children behind bars at Buea, Kumba, New Bell and Kondengui detention centers, and the detainees include Ambazonian children who have nothing to do with the crisis with La Republique du Cameroun.

Comrade Dabney Yerima observed that the Kondengui and New Bell prisons are heavily congested, and Southern Cameroons child prisoners are kept there in close proximity to each other in squalid and unsanitary conditions.

The exiled Ambazonian leader pointed out that if children in other parts of the world were treated like this, it would have attracted wide and strong condemnation from the European Union and the United Nations.

The French Cameroun military court in Yaoundé continues to sentence many Southern Cameroons minors in secret hearings and without any legal representation.

Yerima noted that female detainees are also subjected to horrifying treatment. Cameroon Concord News Group gathered that most of the Southern Cameroonians reportedly being detained were arrested at checkpoints and at their homes in Ground Zero.

According to testimonies collected by some clergies of the Roman Catholic Church, the Ambazonian children were often blindfolded and handcuffed, and were subjected to physical and verbal abuse during their arrest and transportation to Douala and Yaounde. A majority of the kids were arrested at night and deprived of sleep before being interrogated.

By Besong Eunice Nchong

US: Cameroonian asylum-seeker who says he was abused in detention fights deportation

30, October 2020

US: Cameroonian asylum-seeker who says he was abused in detention fights deportation 0

The asylum-seeker from Cameroon said he resisted when guards insisted he sign what he was told were deportation papers. They wanted his fingerprints.

His thumb and index finger were broken in the struggle in September at the Mississippi lockup.

Within days, he and other Cameroonians were transferred to Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, a rural town southwest of Dallas. There, he and another Cameroonian are waiting to hear about a complaint filed this month by the Southern Poverty Law Center, Freedom for Immigrants, and others that alleges their civil rights were violated by physical abuse that amounted to torture in Mississippi.

“I’m just trying to hold onto another day,” the man said in a phone interview with The Dallas Morning News. He’s known as C.A. in a civil rights complaint to the Department of Homeland Security. He asked that his name be withheld because he fears more persecution if he’s deported to his birth country.

His story raises questions about what happens to people in the sprawling and secretive civil justice system that governs immigrants.

C.A. and another immigrant detained at Prairieland are among the eight Cameroonians who are part of the complaint.

Source: The Dallas Morning

United Nations, African Union complicit in Kumba kids massacre’

30, October 2020

United Nations, African Union complicit in Kumba kids massacre’ 0

The international community has come under criticism for its handling of the crisis in Cameroon, where radicals killed eight children last weekend.

Twelve other children were injured when a group of unidentified armed men attacked the Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy in Kumba, in the south-west.

While no group has claimed responsibility of the attack, the region is mired in conflict between the army and militants advocating for self-rule of the English-speaking region.

According to the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, more than 1 000 students and teachers have been threatened, abducted, injured or killed by armed groups or state security forces in affected regions between 2017 and 2019.

More than 770 000 civilians have been displaced.

Another organisation, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (GCR2P), said despite escalating violence during 2020, the African Union (AU) and United Nations Security Council (UNSC) had failed to treat the deadly conflict in Cameroon with the seriousness that it deserved.

GCR2P believes the two organisations should help facilitate a ceasefire and an inclusive dialogue between the government and separatist groups, mediated by a neutral player on neutral territory.

Separatists claim marginalization of English speaking regions by the government, which is dominated by French speakers.

Matthias Naab, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Cameroon, this week denounced the attack is the worst atrocity since the resumption of the school year.

Schools reopened on October 5, seven months after closure because of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Source:  CAJ News

Pope Francis appeals for peace in Cameroon after deadly school attack

30, October 2020

Pope Francis appeals for peace in Cameroon after deadly school attack 0

Pope Francis appealed for an end to violence in Cameroon Wednesday after seven students were killed in an attack on a school in the city of Kumba.

“I participate in the suffering of the families of the young students barbarically killed last Saturday in Kumba, in Cameroon. I feel great bewilderment at such a cruel and senseless act, which tore the young innocents from life while they were attending lessons at school,” Pope Francis said at the end of his general audience Oct. 28.

“May God enlighten hearts, so that similar gestures may never be repeated again and so that the tormented regions of the northwest and southwest of the country may finally find peace. I hope that the weapons will remain silent and that the safety of all and the right of every young person to education and the future can be guaranteed.”

Gunmen attacked Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy, a school in Cameroon’s Southwest region, on Oct. 24 and opened fire on students in a classroom. A local education official told Reuters that all seven victims of the attack were between 12 and 14 years old.

Bishop Agapitus Nfon of Kumba will offer a Mass for the repose of the souls of the murdered students and for the consolation of their bereaved families at the diocese’s Sacred Heart Cathedral Oct. 30.

“We shall also pray for the forgiveness and conversion of the Herod(s), the perpetrators of this heinous and barbarous act, while asking our loving Father in heaven to intervene for a lasting solution to be found so that true justice and peace may reign,” Bishop Nfon said in a statement shared with ACI Africa, CNA’s African news partner.

“Let us pray that by the power of the Holy Spirit He may turn the wicked and stone hearts of the Herod(s) (the murderers of our children) into hearts of love and flesh.”

The school attack took place amid conflict between separatists and government forces in the English-speaking territories in the country’s Northwest Region and Southwest Region. Tensions escalated after Francophone teachers and judges were sent to work in the historically marginalized Anglophone regions in 2016, and the dispute has come to be known as the Anglophone Crisis.

Schools in the Anglophone regions of the nation, which is located at the junction of western and central Africa, were previously closed due to the skirmishes. In September, separatist leaders in the country called for the resumption of schooling in the warring regions. The government announced the reopening of learning institutions for Oct. 5.

After the attack, Bishop Nfon questioned this reversal on the region’s schools: “Were they not allowed to go to school by those who previously restricted them for the past four years? How could they then ask children to go to school and turn around to massacre them?”

The bishop also noted that the killings came less than a year after 22 people, including children and pregnant women, were killed in another attack in the Diocese of Kumbo in the Ngarbuh village in February.

“What is holding back those concerned, I mean the international bodies and the government of Cameroon, to look for a lasting solution to this problem that will restore justice and peace?” the bishop asked.

“We are painfully weeping and pondering; what is so important other than peace that will make us sit back in indifference and watch tender and precious lives being wasted away?”

Source: Catholic News Agency

Southern Cameroons International Conference Starts Today

30, October 2020

Southern Cameroons International Conference Starts Today 0

The International Conference on the Armed Conflict in the Southern Cameroons will start today October 30th in the USA.

Though initially planned for March 2020, the COVID pandemic forced the organizers to re-schedule and convert to a virtual event. Cameroon Concord News Group understands that the planning team has been working very hard over the past few months to put together a virtual event that would allow significant deliberation and opportunities to interact with other conference delegates and observers.

The virtual Southern Cameroons Auditorium has also been designed to enable participants engage with others throughout the conference.

Amongst those scheduled to speak during this 3-day Conference are H.E. Dr Amos Sawyer, Ambassador Herman Cohen, Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh, Pa Augustine Ndangam, Frontline leaders, Civil Society, German Parliamentarians and French Parliamentarians. International observers will be present including the United States Congress, diplomats, international non-governmental organizations and many more.

Some 700 delegates have so far been approved to participate in Working Groups and through the various Working Groups, delegates will assess, analyze and propose a path out of the conflict that addresses the root causes in a sustainable manner.

There has been a very strong grassroots involvement with ordinary citizens, those internally displaced and refugees participating in the process.

The conference continues to accept 2-minute video statements from Southern Cameroonians with proposals on the way forward. The people of Southern Cameroons are encourage to kindly record a 2-minute video using your cell phone and send to this WhatsApp number: +13126177280

Algerian president Tebboune transferred to German hospital amid Covid-19 fears

29, October 2020

Algerian president Tebboune transferred to German hospital amid Covid-19 fears 0

Algeria’s president was transferred from hospital in Algiers to Germany on Wednesday, officials said, days after the 74-year-old went into self-isolation following reports of suspected coronavirus cases among his aides.

“The President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune was transferred… to Germany for in-depth medical examinations on the recommendation of medical staff,” a statement from the presidency said.

The transfer comes after officials said Saturday that Tebboune had “voluntarily” gone into self-isolation for five days amid reports several officials in the presidency and government had contracted the Covid-19 disease.

On Tuesday, Tebboune, a heavy smoker, was admitted into a “specialised care unit” in a military hospital in Algeria’s capital.

The presidency said at the time that his “state of health does not raise any concern”, but gave no further details.

On Wednesday, Tebboune had been expected to inaugurate the prayer hall of the new Grand Mosque in Algiers, the third largest in the world.

The president’s hospitalisation also comes ahead of a referendum on November 1 on constitutional reforms that the government hopes will satisfy a protest movement. The vote is a flagship initiative of Tebboune.

Algeria has seen a resurgence in novel coronavirus cases in recent weeks.

Over 57,000 cases have been recorded in the country of 44 million, including more than 1,940 deaths.

(AFP)

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