3, July 2023

Cameroon spent CFAF45.7bln on fish imports in 2021 ⁰

Cameroon spent CFAF45.7 billion on fish imports in 2021, according to the 2021 sectoral note on the animal industry and fisheries sub-segment published by the stats institute INS. That year, fourteen countries supplied 60,554 tons of frozen fish to Cameroon but, there were three main suppliers, the Netherlands, Uruguay, and Mauritania notably. They accounted for over 70% of Cameroon’s fish imports during the said period.

The Netherlands was the leading supplier, accounting for almost 24,500 tons of fish valued at just over CFAF22.8 billion. It was followed by Uruguay, the Latin American country that signed a framework agreement with Cameroon, in 2022, to intensify cooperation -that framework was submitted to be reviewed by President Paul Biya in June 2023. The country supplied Cameroon with over 12,000 tons of fish, worth more than CFAF4 billion.

During the period under review, Mauritania supplied the Cameroonian market with 7,237 tons of fish, valued at a little over CFAF7.5 billion. Two other African countries closed the top5 of Cameroon’s fish suppliers in 2021. These are Angola (6,802 tons for CFAF3.1 billion spent) and Senegal (2,393 tons for just over CFAF1.5 billion).

Although China has become Cameroon’s leading trade partner in recent years, it was the 10th largest supplier of frozen fish in 2021. According to INS data, it exported only 573 tons of fish to Cameroon behind India (1,555 tons), Spain (1,478 tons), Morocco (1,163 tons), Argentina (998 tons), and even Russia (881 tons).

Officials have noted that frozen fish, along with rice, significantly impact Cameroon’s trade balance despite its approximately 400 kilometers of coastline renowned for its fish stock. Unfortunately, this coastline is mainly exploited by foreign fishermen who supply the commercial circuits of their home countries.

Source: Business in Cameroon

3, July 2023

FECAFOOT: Fresh Crisis Hits Football, 24 Refs Suspended ⁰

There appears to be fresh crisis within the Cameroon football circle after 24 referees were suspended.

The suspension according to the Cameroon Football Referees Association in a statement, was effected following their alleged involvement in betting and match fixing.

The statement revealed that the suspended referees include main referees and their assistants in football, futsal and beach soccer.

“The suspended referees are exempted from all refereeing-related activities and throughout the national territory for their direct or indirect involvement in sports betting games and match-fixing, transactions related to competitions and matches,” the release said.

The President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), Samuel Eto’o is still under investigation after he agreed to be an ambassador to a betting company which is against the FIFA ethical operation.

Since the emergence of Eto’o, a former international and African footballer of the year, Cameroon’s football has been dogged in several controversies.

Source: The Heritage Times

3, July 2023

Douala: Six crew kidnapped from Panama-flagged cargo vessel ⁰

A Panama-flagged general cargo vessel was boarded by criminals last Friday at the Douala anchorage in Cameroon, resulting in six crewmembers being kidnapped, according to maritime security consultancy Ambrey.

The vessel was approximately 0.8 nautical miles offshore at the time and had a 1.84m freeboard. The ship remains in the anchorage.

The waters around the Gulf of Guinea have become a hotspot for piracy in recent years with multiple attacks reported by Splash in the first half of this year.

Source: Splash 247

2, July 2023

Sisiku Ayuk Tabe’s continued stay in Kondengui, a sweet lesson of resistance and sacrifice ⁰

The Vice President of the Ambazonia Interim Government says President Sisiku Ayuk Tabe’s continued detention in the Kondengui Maximum Security Prison in Yaoundé is teaching every Southern Cameroonian the sweet lesson of resistance, sacrifice and martyrdom.

Dabney Yerima said on Thursday that the occupied Federal Republic of Ambazonia has over the last six years been defending itself against French Cameroun, CEMAC and French aggression and will continue to do so until Southern Cameroonians get to Buea.

“Restoration forces are planning a massive self defense operation beginning October 1 to end the illusion of those who had a fixation about the defeat of Ambazonia” Yerima added.

Vice President Dabney Yerima emphasized that Amba fighters have succeeded in making great progress in the hit-and-run strategy implemented by the Interim Government.

Despite the confusion created by some so-called Southern Cameroons front line leaders in Europe and the US, the Ambazonia Interim Government has managed to turn into a solid power bloc and become the only hope for the marginalized people of Southern Cameroons.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai