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Southern Cameroons: Baba 1 Kingmakers move against choice of new Fon

9, May 2023

Southern Cameroons: Baba 1 Kingmakers move against choice of new Fon 0

A fresh crisis is brewing over the process of getting a new Fon of Baba I situated in Ngoketunjia Division in the North West region, as all ten kingmakers have rejected one Fue Nghaper as the candidate for the stool.

The ten notables in the Ngumba who constitute the Mohs have separately petitioned the North West administrative authorities, warning against the recognition of a primary school pupil who they described as not ready for the throne.

Ever since the late Fon Fuekemshi II travelled to the land of his ancestors, members of the Ngumba have met and performed the noble rituals but Cameroon Intelligence Report North West Bureau Chief observed that no discussion was opened on succession.

A source with strong ties to the Baba I palace contacted by this reporter revealed that the Fon of Guzang with the support of some Baba I political elites in the ruling CPDM crime syndicate were part of the dubious process that brought the young Fue Nghaper II to the limelight as the new Fon of Baba I.

The Baba I kingmakers are expected to make public a statement soonest calling on the administration to be wary of recognizing Fue Nghaper II as the new Fon.

Some concerned Baba I elites have also voiced their support for the Ngumba saying that Fue Nghaper is unqualified and they have appealed to the kingmakers to stop the desecration of the customs and tradition of the Baba I people.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with files from CIR Bamenda Bureau

President Putin says ‘real war’ unleashed on Russia in Victory Day speech

9, May 2023

President Putin says ‘real war’ unleashed on Russia in Victory Day speech 0

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that “a real war” has been unleashed against Russia as he addressed a Victory Day parade in Moscow on Tuesday. Officials in Kyiv said Russia fired a dozen cruise missiles at the capital city overnight, a day after launching its biggest drone swarm yet in a renewed air campaign targeting Ukrainian cities.

Correspondingly, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged Europe to stand strong against Moscow’s war on Ukraine, responding to Russia’s bombastic military parade.

“In Moscow, 2,200 kilometres northeast from here, Putin is parading his soldiers, tanks and rockets. Let us not be intimidated by such a show of force,” Scholz told the European Parliament, referring to Russia’s Putin.

“Let’s stay steadfast in our support for Ukraine – as long as it is necessary,” he said.

Source: France 24

Messi’s move to Saudi Arabia a ‘done deal’

9, May 2023

Messi’s move to Saudi Arabia a ‘done deal’ 0

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will play in Saudi Arabia next season under a “huge” deal, a source close to the negotiations told AFP on Tuesday.

“Messi is a done deal. He will play in Saudi Arabia next season,” said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity and without naming the club.

“The contract is exceptional. It’s huge. We are just finalising some small details,” added the source, who is not authorised to speak to media.

Asked about the comments, Messi’s current club Paris Saint-Germain simply noted he remains under contract until June 30.

A separate PSG source said: “If the club had wanted to renew his contract, it would have been done earlier.”

The 35-year-old World Cup winner was suspended by Qatari-owned PSG last week for an unauthorised trip to Saudi, where he is a tourism ambassador.

Messi’s expected arrival in the oil-rich kingdom follows in the footsteps of his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr in a massive deal in January.

Ronaldo’s agreement to June 2025 is said to total more than 400 million euros ($439million), making him the world’s highest paid athlete according to Forbes.

Both deals are being bankrolled by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), one of the world’s biggest sovereign wealth funds with more than $620 billion in assets, the source said.

“The negotiations didn’t take as much time as the ones with Ronaldo. As we now know the recipe to contract world-class players,” said the source.

“It’s Saudi Arabia that brought him not a specific club. The Money comes from one place — PIF.”

Ronaldo’s arrival has not had the impact Al Nassr would have hoped for on the pitch.

They have lost top spot in the Saudi Pro League table and are out of the running in the King’s Cup and Super Cup.

French coach Rudi Garcia departed in April.

PSG protesters

Messi, who turns 36 in June, has had two lacklustre seasons in Paris after a glorious era at Barcelona where he won four Champions League and 10 La Liga titles, and is still worshipped by the fans.

The record seven-time world player of the year, joining a mouth-watering attack featuring Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, scored just 11 goals in his first season as he helped PSG to a routine Ligue 1 title.

But PSG have got no closer to a coveted maiden Champions League victory, bowing out twice in the last 16 even with the illustrious Argentine in the line-up.

Frustrations boiled over last week when black-clad PSG protesters let off flares and sang hostile chants targeting the underperforming Messi, Neymar and Italian midfielder Marco Verratti.

The angry scenes contrasted with Messi’s career-crowning moment in December, when he led Argentina to a breathless World Cup final victory over Mbappe and France in Doha to fill the biggest gap in his resume.

Qatar’s emir draped him in a traditional bisht robe at the trophy ceremony, a reminder of the fossil-fuel riches pouring into football and Messi’s bank account via PSG.

However, Messi is also a highly paid tourism ambassador for Qatar’s neighbours and sometime rivals Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter that is attempting to diversify its largely single-stream economy.

Source: AFP

Cameroon’s projections toned down due to challenging global environment

9, May 2023

Cameroon’s projections toned down due to challenging global environment 0

Cameroon’s economic growth was revised down to 3.4% for 2022, reflecting the impact of the security crises in the Anglophone regions and the Far North, inflationary pressure, global supply chain disruptions and tight financial conditions. In 2023, GDP growth is expected to recover somewhat to 4.3%, mainly driven by LNG and mining production.

Impact

Cameroon is the largest economy in the CEMAC (Central African Economic and Monetary Union) and is relatively well diversified compared to the other oil-reliant member states. Nevertheless, the country is highly dependent on commodity exports (oil, gas, mining and agriculture), making it vulnerable to external shocks and price volatility. Further economic diversification is essential, knowing that Cameroon’s existing oil fields are maturing and the decline in oil production is set to continue. Insecurity and an ongoing conflict since 2017 have deterred the development of new fields as Cameroon’s oil riches are mostly located in the Anglophone regions.

The country’s 2022 external balances benefitted from high international commodity prices following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Despite higher inflation and import prices, Cameroon’s terms of trade improved. The current account deficit has moderated and is expected to stabilise at around a manageable 3% of GDP as of 2023. However, a funding squeeze – resulting from global risk aversion and high domestic and international borrowing costs – has been lowering capital inflows. Consequently, small financing gaps could emerge on the external balance of payments. Thanks to the improved terms of trade, Cameroon’s foreign exchange reserves have recovered to pre-Covid levels of around five months of import cover. In fact, Cameroon is the largest contributor to the reserves of the CEMAC, a monetary union consisting mainly of oil-exporting countries where liquidity levels still tend to follow the evolution of hydrocarbon revenues. 

Cameroon participates in a three-year IMF Extended Credit Facility programme since July 2021, to help deal with the immediate financial consequences of the Covid-19 crisis and the country’s weak public payment behaviour. Although structural reforms are lacking and the general fiscal performance is mixed, the IMF programme remains on track. Assuming fiscal reforms will be strictly implemented, the public debt stock is expected to come down to 43% of GDP by the end of 2023, after having grown steadily over the past decade to 47% and 46% of GDP in 2021 and 2022 respectively. Despite the acceptable public debt stock level, the government’s finances have been under serious stress and the difficult liquidity position of the state – especially due to dysfunctional state-owned enterprises (SOEs) – have led to substantial domestic and external payment arrears over the past few years. The over-indebtedness of public oil company SONARA and the bad payment morality of other SOEs have seriously damaged the country’s financial reputation. Moreover, the IMF classifies Cameroon at ‘high risk of debt distress’, although it considers the country’s public debt to be ‘sustainable’, meaning a default is not anticipated. Rising LNG production and growing mining output will help Cameroon’s fiscal revenue collection in the near term, even though oil output will continue to decline.

Despite substantial domestic food production and the BEAC’s (a regional central bank, serving the CEMAC member states) tighter monetary policies, inflation in Cameroon still reached 6% in 2022 and is expected to remain at 5.7% in 2023. The rising cost of living is mainly driven by food inflation caused by unfavourable domestic weather conditions, security issues and high import prices. Together with shortages of fertilisers, high food prices do not only drive up inflation, they also raise the risk for food insecurity.

Credendo’s MLT political risk classification for Cameroon was downgraded from 5/7 to 6/7 in May 2020 during the Covid-19 crisis and has remained stable ever since. The separatist violence in the Anglophone regions and the insecurity related to Boko Haram in the Far North pose important downside risks. Another risk stems from the political scene that is dominated by 90-year-old President Paul Biya, who won a seventh term in 2018 during a flawed election and is rumoured to be in poor health. It is highly uncertain what will happen if and when Paul Biya becomes unable to rule, but that situation would entail a serious risk of political destabilisation.

Culled from Credendo

123 Southern Cameroonians have been killed since the beginning of the year

8, May 2023

123 Southern Cameroonians have been killed since the beginning of the year 0

At least 123 civilians have been killed since the beginning of the year during the conflict in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon.

Communities are demanding self-rule from the Central African country. They cite marginalisation by the government of President Paul Biya, with a majority of officials from the majority French-speaking zones.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) disclosed the death toll, which could be higher since the figures are for the period covering January to March.

The crisis is escalating in the North-West and South-West regions.

UNICEF reported that during the period, no less than 187 people had been injured in the clashes perpetrated by the Ambazonian militants, who are running battles against the military and civilians.

Some 539 people were arrested during military searches or operations in both regions.

In the North-West and South-West, at least ten lockdown days were imposed and observed during official events organized by the Cameroonian government.

Most localities in these regions continue to comply with the ongoing, so-called Monday ghost town days.

However, humanitarian organizations report that during this reporting period, 11 civilians were killed for not observing the curfews.

In the northwestern division of Momo, humanitarian activities, including food movements, were suspended due to roadblocks mounted by non-state armed groups.

Elsewhere, suspected members of Boko Haram from neighbouring Nigeria are terrorising communities.

An estimated 1 652 people have been newly displaced due to this ongoing insecurity in the Far North. There, unidentified gunmen abducted 82 civilians in February.

Torrential rains have exacerbated matters in the South-West region.

Rains that struck the city of Buea in March caused mudslides that affected an estimated 900 people.

At least two fatalities, four injuries and one person missing were documented.

Water supply infrastructure and latrines serving over 3 000 people were damaged.

Without immediate funding of US$940 000) required by UNICEF, there will be a shortage of ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF), leaving over 20 000 children aged 0-59 months without treatment and an increased risk of death.

The secessionist crisis in the country of 28 million started in 2017, leaving hundreds dead. Critics also accuse Biya of rigging elections.

Aged 90 and in power since 1975 as Prime Minister and in 1982 as president, he is the longest consecutively serving current non-royal national leader and the oldest head of state in the world.

Source:  CAJ News

Director of Timezone Marine Ventures says EU red card is pushing Cameroon toward China

8, May 2023

Director of Timezone Marine Ventures says EU red card is pushing Cameroon toward China 0

A European Union ban on seafood from Cameroon is prompting local fleets to look toward China for investment, according to Edwin Ngwafor, who is the director of Timezone Marine Ventures, a Yaoundé-based firm with a permit for 40 vessels.

Ngwafor, who is also the deputy managing partner at a Cameroonian law firm, wants to attract a Chinese partner who can bring money and expertise to a joint venture project that would aim to sell species including barracuda, sole, tuna, and shrimp to local markets and abroad in Asia.

This comes as the E.U. in January 2023 designated Cameroon a “noncooperating country,” barring its fishery products from entering European markets because the country continues to register fishing vessels operating outside its waters without sufficiently monitoring their activities.

SeafoodSource spoke with Ngwafor about how Cameroonian fishing efforts aim to respond and adapt to the red card ban and what he personally aims to accomplish with his own fishing ventures.

SeafoodSource: Why do you seek new access to Asia? Would it not be better to fix the problems highlighted by the E.U. and retain access to that valuable market?

Ngwafor: The economic relationship between China and Africa is not a secret, and this is true across all sectors. China has played active roles in Africa in infrastructure projects, trade and commerce, telecommunications, defense, and security. Many fishing companies in Cameroon have focused on partnerships with China, especially following the unfortunate sanction meted out recently against Cameroon by the E.U.

Following the E.U. ban, local fishing companies in Cameroon have found the necessity to adapt and survive irrespective. They provide employment and sources of income to hundreds of thousands of people, and this is crucial for the local economy. Local companies believe the fostering and advancement of their partnerships with Asia in general, and China in particular, provide a viable commercial alternative which will, in turn, enable the realization of their business objectives.

This by no means implies that the Cameroonian government is resting on its laurels in the process to restore its credibility and relationship with the E.U. To address the problem, the [Cameroon] Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries is collaborating with other organizations to launch a project entitled “Stop IUU [illegal, unregulated, unreported] fishing in Cameroon.”

The project is implemented in collaboration with other institutions, such as Global Fishing Watch and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, along with Cameroon’s Ministry of Transport and the National Navy. There have also been several consultation meetings for the revision of the Cameroonian law on the governance of fishing and aquaculture and an inventory of the Cameroonian fishing fleet.

SeafoodSource: What is the opportunity for Chinese companies for fishing in Cameroon?

Ngwafor: There are wide-ranging opportunities in the sector for international fishing companies, including Chinese companies, especially given the fact that Cameroon continues to be unable to meet the nutritional needs in fishery products of the population, which are estimated at nearly 500,000 tons annually. Also, Cameroon is situated in a unique geographical location, which provides a varied diversity in fishery products and is favorable to quick export through the Douala Seaport, the main seaport in the CEMAC [Economic Community of Central African States] subregion.

Cameroon has a global reputation for the quality of its shrimp, which is highly prized in international markets. In addition to all these, there are several investment opportunities in niche areas, such as setting up industrial units for shrimp and fish, distribution chains, manufacturing fishing equipment, processing, and packaging units for fisheries products, as well as assembly plants for fishing vessels.

SeafoodSource: Are you worried about various controversies in Ghana and Senegal featuring Chinese fleets overfishing and illegally fishing?

Ngwafor: The court cases in Ghana are an example such as the cases in the Spanish courts in Europe. These cases are specific in their own facts. Our company is not discouraged by the events in Ghana, as we believe these are unique and not wholly reflective of the general ethos of Chinese fishing companies.

There are thousands of Chinese companies engaged in fisheries partnerships all over the world, and if a fraction of these are naughty, it must not taint the image of those who are ethically sound. Our company is open to do business with responsible partners, including Chinese companies, and commits to adhere to local and international requirements against IUU fishing as we seek to establish a strong and respected global reputation.

SeafoodSource: Don’t you think it would be far more valuable for you to catch and market the fish as a local firm rather than selling or renting licenses to a foreign investor?

Ngwafor: It will be …

Culled from SeafoodSource

Assassination of Southern Cameroons journalists will not advance Yaoundé plots

8, May 2023

Assassination of Southern Cameroons journalists will not advance Yaoundé plots 0

The Ambazonia Interim Government has strongly denounced the killing of another English speaking journalist in Bamenda, saying such targeted killings will never help the Biya French Cameroun regime advance its fiendish plots.

Vice President Dabney Yerima in a statement released Monday, announced that the heinous crime of assassinating journalist Anye Nde Nsoh, in Bamenda, the chief city in the Northern Zone of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia bears the hallmarks of the Atanga Nji Boys supported by the regime in Yaoundé.

“The targeted killings of young and aspiring Southern Cameroons journalists and Amba fighters will in no way help La Republique du Cameroun materialize the plots which it has heavily counted on. On the contrary, such moves will strengthen the Ambazonia resistance,” the Dabney Yerima statement said.

“The killing of journalist Anye Nde Nsoh comes at a time when the French Cameroun enemy is dealing with several strikes that Ambazonia forces are carrying out deep inside French Cameroun territory,” the Ambazonia Interim Government stated.

Cameroon Concord News understands Anye Nde Nsoh was the North West Bureau Chief of The Advocate Newspaper and member of the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists killed in a cowardly assassination with bullets bearing the fingerprints of the regime in Yaoundé.

The assassination was carried out by direct shooting at Don Simon a popular Snack Bar around Che Street in Ntarinkon, Bamenda.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Paris: President Macron commemorates the end of WWII in Europe

8, May 2023

Paris: President Macron commemorates the end of WWII in Europe 0

French President Emmanuel Macron led the traditional ceremony on Paris’ Champs-Elysees Monday commemorating the day that marked the end of World War II in Europe in 1945.

Flanked by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, Macron laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe monument. A brass band played the Marseillaise.

To limit disruptions amid ongoing opposition to Macron and his contested pension reforms, police banned gatherings around the area of the ceremony in the French capital, and in Lyon where the president will travel later in the day.

Authorities are being vigilant that a “casserolade ” or the loud banging of pots and pans in protest will not distract from the memorial ceremonies.

May Day march against pension reform: Paris protesters determined to ‘give it our all’

In Lyon, Macron is paying tribute to the French Resistance movement and one of its leaders, Jean Moulin. Macron is visiting Montluc prison, where Moulin was detained and tortured by the Gestapo.

Source: AP

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Gunmen kill journalist in Bamenda

8, May 2023

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Gunmen kill journalist in Bamenda 0

A journalist has been shot dead in Bamenda the chief city in the North West region.

It’s the third killing of a journalist in Cameroon this year. The other two journalists killed in recent months died in the nation’s capital, Yaoundé.

Anye Nde Nsoh was the North West Bureau Chief of The Advocate Newspaper and member of the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists.

The city of Bamenda is one of the areas worst-affected by several years of conflict involving the Francophone dominated Cameroon government military and Ambazonia Restoration Forces.

Cameroon Concord News gathered that the young Mankon citizen was caught by a stray bullet at Don Simon a popular Snack Bar around Che Street in Ntarinkon, Bamenda.

By Fon Lawrence in Bamenda

Football: Real Madrid beat Osasuna to win first Copa del Rey title in nearly a decade

7, May 2023

Football: Real Madrid beat Osasuna to win first Copa del Rey title in nearly a decade 0

Rodrygo Goes fired Real Madrid to Copa del Rey glory with a clinical double in a 2-1 victory over Osasuna in Seville on Saturday, with Brazilian compatriot Vinicius Junior playing a part in both goals.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid earned their 20th Spanish Cup at La Cartuja in their 40th final, ending a nine-year wait to lift the trophy again.

Osasuna, who have never won a major trophy, fought well but ultimately fell short against the reigning Spanish and European champions, who face Manchester City on Tuesday in the Champions League semi-finals.

Madrid have now won all six of the trophies available to them during Ancelotti’s second reign at the club, after the Italian returned in 2021.

Rodrygo fired Madrid ahead inside two minutes after Vinicius’ run down the left, and Ancelotti’s team had the better chances in the first half.

However, Lucas Torro levelled for Osasuna in the 58th minute to give them hope of an upset in their first cup final since 2005, and second ever.

Rodrygo whisked it away, firing home after a rebound fell his way following another Vinicius charge, ensuring Madrid would take the trophy back to the capital.

“They made the difference, Vini unbalanced them and Rodrygo scored the two goals,” said Ancelotti of his Brazilian wingers.

Madrid beat both Atletico Madrid and then rivals Barcelona to reach the final and Ancelotti said it was time to celebrate, but not too heavily ahead of the clash with City.

“This Copa arrived at an important moment, we came through very tricky ties, it’s a deserved prize against strong opponents,” added the coach.

“This night we will celebrate, a little bit, not too much, and then we will get back to work for Tuesday.”

Osasuna coach Jagoba Arrasate deployed midfielder Jon Moncayola at right-back to try and stop Madrid winger Vinicius.

It didn’t work. Vinicius broke in down the left in the second minute and his dangerous cut-back was missed by Fede Valverde but slammed home by Rodrygo.

The Brazilian, in sparkling form, scored the earliest Copa del Rey final goal since 2006 – a year after Osasuna finished runners-up to Real Betis.

Karim Benzema should have doubled Madrid’s lead but Sergio Herrera saved brilliantly to deny the forward after another lightning Vinicius break.

Osasuna earned a foothold in the game and came inches from equalising when on loan Barcelona winger Ez Abde broke through on goal but Dani Carvajal cleared his effort off the line.

Vinicius in wars

Madrid continued to push for their second goal – David Alaba struck the crossbar with a free kick and Vinicius went down in the box under pressure from Osasuna defender David Garcia.

His appeals were waved away and Vinicius clashed with Garcia, who attended the 2005 final as a childhood supporter, who ruffled his hair to annoy him further.

Vinicius was booked just before half-time for complaining, and exchanged heated words with Osasuna substitute Chimy Avila as the players walked in at half-time.

Torro drilled Osasuna level from the edge of the box when Abde’s deflected cross fell into his path.

The club’s passionate supporters celebrated wildly, including letting off a flare which needed to be extinguished, and one fan was taken away on a stretcher, although he appeared to be smiling.

Osasuna’s joy did not last long though, with Vinicius making another dangerous burst in down the left – Madrid president Florentino Perez later calling him the best in the world in his position.

Vinicius fed Toni Kroos, whose shot was blocked, but Rodrygo was in the right place at the right time to finish with aplomb and put Madrid’s name on the trophy.

“I’m really happy, we were talking about this in the week, that it was a long time since Madrid had won this competition,” Rodrygo told Spanish television broadcaster La 1.

Osasuna departed with the taste of defeat but their heads held high.

“It’s very difficult to defend against (Vinicius) and on Tuesday I am sure City will suffer too,” said coach Arrasate.

“It’s not news that Vinicius stood out, Rodrygo scored two as well, we’re talking about two of the best players in the world.

“(Madrid) are champions because they deserve this cup, but we’re proud of the team, and let’s try to do it again.”

Source: AFP

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