Monthly Archives: November 2024

30, November 2024

419: Cameroonian, Thailand woman arrested in ‘CP’ export scam ⁰

A Cameroonian man and a Thai woman have been arrested for operating a company that deceived buyers into thinking it was affiliated with a major agribusiness company, resulting in more than 3.5 million baht in damages, police say.

Police from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) executed a warrant on Saturday to arrest Etienne Kukwa, 35, and a 36-year-old Kanchanaburi native, identified only as Wipaporn, on charges of defrauding the public and entering fraudulent information into a computer system.

Authorities were acting on reports filed by Thai and Malaysian import-export businesses, which claimed the duo had set up a company named CP Processing to mislead clients into believing it was connected to the well-known Thai conglomerate with a similar name. The real CP is authorised to export raw livestock to Malaysia.

The suspects managed to secure orders for raw chicken worth 3.58 million baht, but the orders were never delivered.

Complainants indicated that the duo’s actions not only caused financial losses but also harmed the reputation of the original company.

Ms Wipaporn was listed as the president of the fraudulent enterprise and was found to have made transfers to Mr Kukwa.

The woman was apprehended in Wang Thong Lang district of Bangkok, while the Cameroon national was apprehended in Bang Phongphang in Yan Nawa district.

Authorities seized 70,500 baht in cash, 14 bank passbooks, two passports, 11 communication devices and 17 credit cards. Bank accounts containing 2 million baht have also been frozen.

Both suspects have denied the charges, but police claim to have strong evidence and will pursue legal action.

Source: Bangkok Post

30, November 2024

Biya regime resumes land dispute with British American Tobacco over Bastos Property ⁰

The land dispute between the Cameroonian government and British American Tobacco (BAT) over a 4-hectare property in Bastos, an upscale neighborhood in Yaoundé, has reignited. The Minister of State Property and Land Affairs, Henri Eyébé Ayissi, has reversed his earlier decision in this contentious case, adding a new twist to the ongoing saga.

On June 20, 2024, the minister issued a decree allowing the government to exercise its preemption rights over the disputed land, originally owned by BAT. The land was then returned to local families. However, on July 31, 2024, Eyébé Ayissi rescinded this decree, citing “very high instructions” from President Paul Biya, conveyed through a letter from Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, Secretary-General of the Presidency. BAT had previously denounced the government’s seizure of its property, prompting this intervention.

In a surprising move, Eyébé Ayissi reinstated the June 20 decree on November 25, 2024. This decision followed a formal appeal filed by lawyer Olivier Chi Nouako on behalf of the families who had received the land. Eyébé Ayissi acknowledged that he might have overinterpreted the president’s instructions from the June 26 letter, noting that it did not explicitly require the repeal of the June 20 decree.

With this latest development, the dispute is likely heading back to court. BAT had already taken legal action to reclaim the property and signaled its willingness to escalate the case to international courts if necessary. After a July 11 hearing at the Administrative Court in Yaoundé, BAT’s lawyers indicated that they were prepared to pursue all available legal remedies.

Beyond the legal wrangling, the case highlights allegations of high-level maneuvering by influential figures seeking control of the land. Sources claim that the local families who initially regained ownership of the property under the June 20 decree quickly sold it to prominent individuals, including some close to the presidency.

Source: Business in Cameroon

30, November 2024

French Cameroon: 20 killed after boat capsize in Far North ⁰

At least 20 people were killed on Thursday after a boat capsized in Cameroon’s Far North region, according to witnesses and security sources.

The boat capsized as it was transporting passengers from Darak island in the Logone-et-Chari division of region, witnesses told Xinhua Thursday evening.

Local media reported that more casualties are expected, as rescuers search for more victims.

Security sources said that a formal investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the accident.

Boat accidents are common in the region often caused by overloading, faulty operations and severe weather.

Source: Xinhuanet

29, November 2024

Barrister Tamfu-Francophone Gendarmes Affair: Yaoundé orders inquiry ⁰

Secretary of State for Defence in charge of the National Gendarmerie, Galax Etoga, has ordered a judicial investigation into an incident involving barrister Richard Tamfu. This directive was outlined in a memo issued by Colonel Pierre Aimé Bikele, commander of the Littoral Gendarmerie Legion.

A short video recorded on November 27 in Douala shows a gendarme kicking Richard Tamfu as onlookers shout in protest. The video has sparked widespread outrage.

Galax Etoga has tasked the commander of the Littoral Gendarmerie Legion with hearing all parties and witnesses who could shed light on the incident. The investigation must be completed within 72 hours.

Since the incident, Richard Tamfu has refrained from publicly sharing his account, stating only that he was responding to a summons. He claims the gendarmes acted as if they were enforcing an arrest warrant. According to his associates, the lawyer was performing his professional duties when he was forcibly taken. Tamfu was reportedly hospitalized following the assault.

This episode comes as a blow to the SED, which recently relaunched a campaign against torture within the ranks of the gendarmerie.

Reaction from the Bar Association

The Cameroon Bar Association responded swiftly. In a statement released on November 28, its president, Mbah Eric Mbah, said:

“While awaiting a meeting of the Bar Council in the coming hours, the Bar President has instructed the Human Rights Commission and the Bar representatives in the Littoral Region to gather all relevant facts about this excessive incident, so the Bar Council can decide on the appropriate actions.”

The video has drawn condemnation from opposition politicians and public figures. The Social Democratic Front (SDF) described the incident as “inhumane and unacceptable.” SDF President Joshua Osih called for swift and exemplary sanctions, stating on Facebook: “The senior leadership of the National Gendarmerie must act immediately against the perpetrators of this medieval savagery.”

Maurice Kamto, leader of the Movement for the Renaissance of Cameroon (MRC), criticized the systemic issues behind such incidents.

“This act speaks volumes about the training of law enforcement and judicial police officers in our country, as well as the inability or unwillingness of magistrates to effectively oversee their work,” Kamto remarked on social media.

Source: Sbbc

29, November 2024

Chad ends military cooperation with France ⁰

Chad announced Thursday that it was ending military cooperation with former colonial power France, just hours after a visit by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

“The government of the Republic of Chad informs national and international opinion of its decision to end the accord in the field of defence signed with the French republic,” foreign minister Abderaman Koulamallah said in a statement on Facebook.

Chad is a key link in France’s military presence in Africa, constituting Paris’s last foothold in the Sahel after the forced withdrawal of its troops from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

“This is not a break with France like Niger or elsewhere,” Koulamallah, whose country still hosts around a thousand French troops, told AFP.

At a press briefing after a meeting between President Mahamat Idriss Deby and Barrot, Koulamallah called France “an essential partner” but added it “must now also consider that Chad has grown up, matured and is a sovereign state that is very jealous of its sovereignty”.

Barrot, who arrived in Ethiopia on Thursday evening, could not immediately be reached for comment.

‘Historic turning point’

Chad is the last Sahel country to host French troops.

It has been led by Deby since 2021, when his father Idriss Deby Itno was killed by rebels after 30 years in power.

The elder Deby frequently relied on French military support to fend off rebel offensives, including in 2008 and 2019.

The landlocked nation faces a potent threat from Boko Haram and other militant groups.

It borders the Central African Republic, Sudan, Libya and Niger, all of which host Russian paramilitary forces from the Wagner group.

Deby has sought closer ties with Moscow in recent months, but talks to strengthen economic cooperation with Russia have yet to bear concrete results.

Koulamallah called the decision to end military cooperation a “historic turning point”, adding it was made after “in-depth analysis”.

“Chad, in accordance with the provisions of the agreement, undertakes to respect the terms laid down for its termination, including the notice period”, he said in the statement, which did not give a date for the withdrawal of French troops.

The announcement comes just days after Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye indicated in an interview with AFP that France should close its military bases in that country.

“Senegal is an independent country, it is a sovereign country and sovereignty does not accept the presence of military bases in a sovereign country,” Faye told AFP on Thursday.

Source: AFP

28, November 2024

Indomitable Lions: Choupo-Moting heading to MLS ⁰

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who has been without a club since the end of his contract with Bayern Munich, is preparing to take on a new challenge in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Media reports in the West say the 35-year-old Cameroonian striker has signed for New York Red Bulls, marking a turning point in his rich career.

Having played for prestigious clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, Choupo-Moting has forged a reputation as a versatile and valuable player, often decisive in crucial moments. With Bayern, he won several Bundesliga titles and took part in major Champions League campaigns.

As well as winning trophies, the Cameroon international also showed his professionalism and ability to adapt, whether at Stoke City in the Premier League or Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga. However, the end of his contract with the Bavarian giants last June raised doubts about the future of his career.

By Chi Prudence Asong

28, November 2024

Yaoundé: Professor Robinson Mbu in tears after being sacked by Biya ⁰

More than two decades ago, Professor Robinson Mbu then President of the Manyu Elements Cultural Association in Yaoundé told this news reporter that he believed in miracles.

Mbu a very brilliant Southern Cameroons student with more than twenty A level points was refused a place in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Yaoundé by the Francophone dominated regime.

By some strange happenstance, he travelled to neighboring Cross River State and deceived the government there that he was a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And so they allowed him to study medicine in the Federal Republic of Nigeria without paying a penny.

It was indeed a “miracle” for Robinson Mbu who graduated in Nigeria, returned home and became a chartered member of the ruling CPDM crime syndicate. His areas of specialization include Obstetrics and Gynecology, Operative laparoscopy in obstetrics and gynecology and Public health.

Robinson Mbu Enow (to use his three names) has been everything in Cameroon’s ministry of health including Director of Family Health. Late today, President Biya did what he does best by firing Professor Robinson Mbu.

Ever since the news came out on state radio and television CRTV, Robinson Mbu has been crying and jumping around at his Yaounde’s residence like a neck less chicken.

Manyu citizens in Yaoundé have been trooping to his home to console the CPDM health criminal and he has been talking ohne ende- boasting how even Biya cannot take away his professorship and that one of his buildings in Buea can keep him going forever.

It’s been clear from the very beginning of his career in Yaoundé that many CPDM barons such Minister Ahmadou Mustapha; the late Dr Ayuk Takem Jacob and even General Elokobi Daniel Njock didn’t trust this physician. That image of a trustworthy medical doctor was eroded long ago over a D and C incident which was never reported.

Today, a frustrated Mbu is crying, seemingly after losing his post in the Ministry of Health.

Stop crying please, Professor!! That is the modus operandi of the CPDM crime syndicate.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with files from Eyong Tabot Enow in Yaoundé

27, November 2024

Douala: Barrister Tamfu Richard tortured, kicked and pepper sprayed by gendarmes ⁰

A video of elements of the Groupement de Gendarmerie in Besseke torturing an Anglophone lawyer Barrister Tamfu Richard has sparked a massive outrage on social media even as the Biya Francophone regime in Yaoundé sought to downplay the incident.

The video clip of the high-octane drama surfaced late today Wednesday that showed the Francophone gendarmerie officers assaulting and beating up the man of law in Besseke.

On the clip, the gendarmes in uniform had Barrister Tamfu beaten, tortured, kicked by the officers on his private part and pepper sprayed. Passersby’s were seen pleading to the gendarmerie men to spare the barrister.

The Francophone gendarmes also raided his office and also tortured his secretary illegally detaining three persons and demanding money from them.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with files from Rita Akana

27, November 2024

Yaoundé: Digital rights advocates find gaps in Biya regime’s data protection bill ⁰

Internet and digital rights advocacy organization, Paradigm Initiative, as well as other rights advocates in Cameroon have hailed the country for introducing a dedicated personal data protection draft legislation, but believe there are gaps and inadequacies that must be addressed before the text is operationalized.

Government tabled the bill at the National Assembly on November 13. On November 19, Posts and Telecommunications Minister, Minette Libom Li Likeng, defended the draft bill before members of the Committee on Constitutional Laws, explaining the content of the text and the crucial role it will play in driving the country’s digital economy growth.

Beyond the potential gains of the law which is expected to be examined during a plenary debate session in the National Assembly this week, Paradigm Initiative points out a few aspects which have to be considered.

The organization said in a news release that while the bill represents “a critical step forward in protecting privacy in an era dominated by data-driven technologies,” it also raises concerns about certain provisions, questioning potential effectiveness of the bill whenever it is enacted.

One area of concern for Paradigm is the independence of the Personal Data Protection Authority, as outlined in Section 53.

It says the appointment of the Authority by the Head of State raises questions about its ability to operate without political influence, which is crucial for impartial enforcement of the legislation.

In the same vein, it also mentions the provision under Section 9(2) of the bill which says consent of a data subject may not be required for tasks deemed in the ‘public interest,’ including matters of health.

“Without judicial oversight or clearer definitions, PIN warns that this clause risks being misinterpreted or misused. Paradigm Initiative believes there is a unique opportunity to address these gaps during parliamentary deliberations, ensuring that the law is not only progressive in theory but also practical and effective in protecting citizens,” the organizations says.

“Cameroon’s Personal Data Protection Bill is a significant achievement and demonstrates a growing recognition of the need for strong data protection frameworks across Africa,” said Khadijah El-Usman, senior programmes officer, Anglophone Africa, at Paradigm Initiative.

“We urge legislators to address the ambiguities in the bill and ensure its implementation is backed by adequate capacity to monitor compliance and protect citizens from data exploitation which includes but is not limited to financial independence,” she added.

Paradigm mentions that because tech companies continue to mine data on a global scale, Cameroon’s progress in the area of data protection “signals a promising step toward greater accountability in the digital age.”

“Its provisions lay the groundwork for enhanced personal data protection and align Cameroon with global efforts to address the risks of data misuse. With proper implementation and oversight, the country could join others in holding violators accountable and protecting the digital rights of its citizens.”

Rights campaigner also picks holes in bill

In another reaction to the bill, Cameroonian digital rights advocate and one of those who campaigned for the introduction of a personal data protection legislation in Cameroon, Colbert Gwain, called the move a “proactive” step against “unlawful data exploitation,” but nonetheless picked some holes in the draft legislation.

He told Biometric Update in a message that “it’s always a nice day to see that what you have been advocating for years comes to pass,” but quickly noted that the bill “comes with its own shortcomings, including the fact that the legislator intentionally gives broad definitions to some terms which may be subject to varied interpretations.”

“The bill also misses out on a major aspect of personal data which is metadata. It also fails to provide guarantees for whistleblowers that may disclose information or data for public interest. Another shortcoming, which must quickly be addressed before the bill finally goes through Parliament, is the neutrality of the Data Protection Authority, given that the bill allows for the President of the Republic to create the body and appoint its members,” Gwain says.

He further notes: “We haven’t seen enough of judicial and parliamentary oversight weaved into the bill. Plus, the chilling fact that most of the articles of the bill need separate instruments to activate their application. Also, for those living in the two English Speaking regions of Cameroon, the bill doesn’t address the thorny issue of defense and security officers unlawfully and arbitrarily infringing on their privacy under the pretext of national security and public order. This is usually exemplified by frequent phone searches that usually lead to the incrimination of citizens.”

While Gwain believes the bill is a good step forward, he however holds that it will make more sense if the government considers the introduction of a comprehensive digital rights bill, to guarantee certain freedoms online.

“Cameroonians’ right to internet access and affordability are not yet guaranteed. Without a comprehensive digital rights bill for Cameroon that prohibits internet shutdowns in the whole or parts of Cameroon, as obtained in 2017, where the internet was shut down in the two English-Speaking regions of Cameroon under the pretext of national security and public order, the personal data protection draft piece of legislation will have no value,” Gwain argues.

“The internet must not only become a public good but we must have a bill that expressly stops Cameroonians being held Incommunicado from becoming a norm. I also expected our legislator to be foresighted enough to begin to align our digital legislation to the decentralization process that Cameroon is currently involved in. What about proposing a forward-looking legislation that gives powers to municipal authorities to create bandwidth centers and only purchase internet from ISPs, rather than allowing individual internet users to purchase expensive internet?” he wonders.

“We need a legislation that could decentralize internet services the way roads, water, and education services are being decentralized to regional and local authorities.”

Culled from BiometricsUpdate

27, November 2024

UN Committee urges Biya regime to improve prison conditions ⁰

The United Nations Committee Against Torture (CAT) has issued a series of recommendations to the Cameroonian authorities, focusing on improving detention conditions in the country’s prisons. Among its observations, the CAT highlights the poor material conditions of detention in many facilities, including unsanitary and unhygienic environments, lack of ventilation, inadequate food and water supplies—both in quality and quantity—and the absence of recreational or educational activities to support reintegration. Additionally, access to quality healthcare remains limited.

To address these issues, the CAT has made several proposals. The UN body calls on Cameroon to reduce overcrowding in its prisons, urging authorities to ensure that pre-trial detention is imposed only as an exceptional measure and for limited periods. This concern is particularly pressing given that the country’s prisons house approximately 30,000 inmates, despite an official capacity of just 9,000.

In response, Cameroon’s Ministry of Justice has been implementing a prison infrastructure development project. As part of this initiative, two prisons were opened in Douala several years ago to alleviate congestion at New Bell Prison, while another facility was constructed in Limbe to ease the burden on Buea Prison in the Southwest Region. The CAT has expressed its support for this project but insists that more needs to be done.

The committee has also stressed the importance of improving conditions for detainees with disabilities. Additionally, it recommends that Cameroonian authorities facilitate better access to healthcare services and increase the number of prison staff. “Allocate the necessary resources to ensure proper medical and sanitary care for detainees, including mental health services,” the CAT document states.

The CAT’s recommendations underline the urgency of addressing the systemic challenges plaguing Cameroon’s penal system, with a particular emphasis on humane treatment and the fundamental rights of prisoners.

Source: Sbbc