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17, August 2024

MOHWA: those who have engineered its crash are simply on their last leg! ⁰

Though the Bible warns those who have ears to be careful with false prophets, many MOHWA followers who pass off as churchgoers are simply not heeding the advice which their own benchmark document provides.

The truth is that false prophets always provide consolation while those in pain need solutions. MOHWA’s problems need long-lasting solutions which may help restore the beleaguered organization’s image which has taken a snake beatings over the last few months but yesterday a message of questionable origin put short-lived smiles on the faces of the beleaguered MOHWA members.

The fact is, a false prophet’s announcement of his weightless support will neither cause the group that wants to stop Comfort Beyang from ever coming to Europe from undertaking its actions against Comfort Beyang nor will it cause the accusations of financial malfeasance, embezzlement and intimidation to go away.

The rule of thumb for people with the right mindset is that when things fall apart, a thorough introspection should be conducted so that such unfortunate situations do not show up again. But with MOHWA, despite the overwhelming evidence and the numerous defections and breakaways, MOHWA leaders hold that the storm will be over and they will continue business as usual.

MOHWA will never be the same again and those who have engineered its crash are simply on their last leg as the pressure is still on. More defections and accusations imply that the mess runs deep and it might not be cleaned up anytime soon, especially as the cleanup crew comprises those who have robbed the organization blind.

But the accusations are not yet over. The storm has become a category nine hurricane and it is very likely to sweep away whatever little trust MOHWA has.

According to a source in Europe who was a member of the defunct MOHWA Europe, an official financial statement of money sent directly to Comfort Beyang before she dissolved MOHWA Europe will be released soonest and the Cameroon Concord News will be handed a copy.

The source added that CFAF 2 million had been wired to Comfort Beyang directly and according to the source, Comfort Beyang had not accounted for that money, adding that with MOHWA Europe hastily dissolved, it is obvious that the money ended up in her pocket as no MOHWA records carry that amount of money.

True to her philosophy, Comfort Beyang and her surrogates organized a kangaroo court session where her protégés were given the opportunity to make their complaints but the accused were never contacted despite complaints from the accused and a decision to set up a committee for that purpose. And all of this was done to ensure that the money wired to her would never be accounted for.

The source also added that Comfort Beyang was supposed to return the money and all attempts to recover the money have been futile.

Meanwhile, a massive fight is brewing within MOHWA as it is emerging that Martina Agbor Tambe has been nursing ambitions to take over as the next president of MOHWA.

According to a source in Cameroon, Martina Agbor Tambe like many other MOHWA members has been supporting the mess engineered by Comfort Beyang as a means of ensuring that she crashes.

Naive as she is, Comfort Beyang has been leaning on the wrong support and most of those supporting her in public privately admit that she has worked so hard to destroy a once buoyant MOHWA.

Her greed and manipulation have blown up MOHWA into pieces and no effort will ever restore the organization’s former reputation, especially if Comfort Beyang continues to (mis)lead MOHWA.

The coming days will be very challenging for MOHWA. The much awaited report from Europe will be yet another piece of evidence which will only go a long way in calling into question the honesty of Comfort Beyang and her surrogates who many thought could steer MOHWA to safer shores.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Group Chairman and Editor-in-chief

Cameroon Concord News Group

17, August 2024

Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea agree to build gas pipeline ⁰

Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea have signed a groundbreaking deal to build a gas pipeline between the two countries, in a move that will help maximise the use of a liquefied natural gas plant on Bioko Island.

This agreement could be the precursor to a recent initiative to build oil and gas pipelines in the Gulf of Guinea region, linking both littoral nations as well as those inland to promote hydrocarbon usage within Africa and help industrialise the continent.

During a three-day state visit to Equatorial Guinea by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu this week, the two nations signed an agreement to construct what they call the Gulf of Guinea Gas Pipeline (GGGP).

The initial aim is to transport gas from Nigeria to Equatorial Guinea where it will be processed at the LNG plant in Punta Europa.

The deal, which was signed by Tinubu as well as Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo on the evening of 14 August, outlines plans for a pipeline, LNG facility feedstock and gas sales to power companies and industrial users, in a move to boost energy security and regional trade in West Africa.

The agreement covered legislative and regulatory measures linked to the GGGP, as well as issues such as ownership, operations and gas transit arrangements.

Details of the pipeline route were not revealed.

Antonio Oburu Ondo, Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Mines & Hydrocarbons, said: “By partnering with Nigeria … we are not only strengthening bilateral cooperation but also regional collaboration to ensure a secure and reliable supply of gas for our LNG facility at Punta Europa for years to come.

“This project will unlock immense economic value for both our nations, driving sustainable development and energy security across the region.”

The LNG plant is currently supplied with gas from Marathon’s Alba gas field, and Chevron’s Alen field.

A second phase involves processing gas from Alba under new contractual terms, while the third phase will tap gas from Chevron’s Aseng field.

Earlier this year, Equatorial Guinea also signed a bilateral trade agreement with neighbouring Cameroon to developed trans-border gas and condensate fields, also operated by Chevron, with the gas slated for use as feedstock for the Bioko LNG plant.

Source: Upstream

17, August 2024

MOHWA participates in SDO’s CFAF 15 million tour of Mamfe town ⁰

The Manyu Senior Divisional Officer who resides in Mamfe town was on a tour of Mamfe town on Friday, 16 August 2024 with a massive and desperate crowd in attendance.

Among the dance groups was a small MOHWA group of less than 10 women who were there to represent a diminished MOHWA which is going through a massive crisis which has torn the once popular organization into pieces.

MOHWA Mamfe used to count over 40 women but following the crisis which has left the organization with a bloodshot eye, most of the women have signed up for EYUMEMA which is an organization which has just existed for less than three years.

EYUMEMA and yet-to-be launched NYENE MAWN have stolen the show from MOHWA which has been in the spotlight over the last year for all the wrong reasons.

It is being alleged that the SDO’s tour, which has cost Mamfe Central elites over CFAF 15 million, was an occasion for the beleaguered MOHWA to soothe itself that it is still a key player in Manyu’s development.

But development is not about dancing. Dancing alone does not bring development to a community. Development is about numbers and money and a diminished MOHMA cannot bring the type of development Manyu needs at this time.

However, if MOHWA cannot bring transformative projects to Manyu, it can at least provide dancers when the real game changers come to town. The poor have their roles in development and dancing is one of their roles. MOHWA dancers can continue to perfect their dancing ability because their dancing skills will be needed when those who matter will be in town.

By Staff man Alain Agbor Ebot

17, August 2024

Joel Embiid Showered With Accolades by Cameroon President ⁰

After Team USA won the gold medal at the Olympics, Joel Embiid was honored by Cameroon. Joel Embiid, the center for the Sixers, was awarded the Medal of Commander of the Order of Valor by his native Cameroon following his victory with Team USA at the Olympics.

Embiid received the accolade from Paul Biya, the president of Cameroon, according to TMZ Sports. It is given to individuals who make “exceptional contributions in the fields of arts, science, agriculture, commerce, or industry.”

Born in Cameroon, Embiid resided there until he went to the United States at the age of sixteen in order to pursue a career in basketball. Having played in seven All-Star games as a professional, Embiid won the 2022–2023 NBA MVP award.

Embiid was given the choice to represent France, the United States, or Cameroon; nevertheless, he finally selected the USA.

The Americans finished the Olympics with a perfect 6-0 record, winning 98-87 over the host nation, France, to seal their gold medal run.

Source: blacksportsonline

17, August 2024

Bafoussam: Papal Nuncio urges peace in Cameroon ⁰

Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt, the pope’s representative to Cameroon, is urging Christians to remove the obstacles to peace as the central African country reels from a separatist crisis to the west and Boko Haram incursions to the north.

The Apostolic Nuncio was speaking August 14 during the annual Diocesan Peace Pilgrimage held at St. Joseph Cathedral of Bafoussam Diocese.

He emphasized the divine origin of peace and condemned all forms of violence.

“Peace is the creation of God. It is also a gift from God. Violence is the creation of evil. Violence is never justified. Let us stop any obstacles to peace,” the archbishop said.

He urged Christians to “carry our branches of peace with conviction, with humility, and raise them up to the Lord.”

“Let us place them in our doors, in our windows. Let us make everybody know that we have new symbols of life, not a Monday that is a symbol of death because of someone’s definition, but a branch of life which is a symbol of life and freedom and resurrection in Christ,” Bettencourt said.

The reference to Monday as “a symbol of death” is predicated on the fact that separatists in Cameroon’s two English-speaking North West and South West regions have enforced lockdowns on Mondays as they seek to undermine state presence.

Those who violate the lockdowns are kidnapped, tortured or even killed.

Bettencourt said it was critical that those who pursue peace should do so in humility, and respect towards others.

“I have to be humble before God. I have to be humble before my brother Bishops. We all must be humble before each other in order to be able to understand each other,” the Portuguese-born archbishop said.

“Violence is not justified today, which is Wednesday, or Thursday, or Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, or Monday, or Tuesday. It doesn’t matter what day of the week it is, because every day is a creation of God,” he added.

Violence erupted in the two English-speaking regions in 2016 when the government responded to teachers and lawyers’ strikes with lethal violence.

The teachers and lawyers in the two regions were striking over what they saw as the overwhelming influence of French in Anglo-Saxon schools and courts.

The government’s violent response led most Anglophones to coalesce around a common theme: The time had come for them to reaffirm their identity as Anglophones, with a distinct educational and legal system.

But it also led to the growth of a separatist wing who felt that the only way for Anglophones to practice their legal, education and political systems was to break away and form a separate nation to be called Ambazonia.

The conflict is now in its eighth year, and has led to the deaths of at least 6000 people, according to the International Crisis Group. More than one million others have been displaced, with more than 70,000 seeking refuge in Nigeria.

The United Nations says 2.2 million of the Anglophone regions’ four million people need humanitarian support while about 600,000 children have been deprived of effective schooling because of the conflict.

The country also faces a reinvigorated jihadist insurgency with deadly attacks in the Lake Chad area. According to the International Crisis Group, the war with Boko Haram, centered in the Far North, has killed over 3,000 Cameroonians, displaced about 250,000.

During the Bafoussam pilgrimage, Christians seized another opportunity to pray for peace in their strife-torn nation. Bishop Paul Lontsié-Keuné of Bafoussam urged both individual believers and the collective community to become ambassadors of peace, spreading harmony wherever they go.

The bishop also urged Christians to “do everything necessary to register and vote in the 2025 presidential elections for the candidate they believe will bring peace to Cameroon.”

He said such a vote would “promote social justice in a country where many live in fear due to kidnappings, the rise of hate speech, tribalism, and other challenges.”

Cameroonians are set to vote in a presidential election next year with ailing president, Paul Biya, now in power for over forty years, expected to seek re-election.

Opposition leaders have accused the president of plotting to extend his stay in power after parliament recently passed a bill extending the mandate of members of parliament by one year and shifting parliamentary elections by the same period.

That move has technically knocked off some of Biya’s potential challengers from the ballot. The Cameroon law requires a candidate for the presidency to belong to a political party that has representation in either parliament or in councils.

The country’s main political party, the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) of Prof. Maurice Kamto is neither represented in parliament nor in the councils.

The CRM said it expected to take part in local and parliamentary elections that should have taken place in February 2025. That way, Kamto would have been able to run in the presidential.

Kamto said the law extending the term of parliamentarians, along with a presidential decision postponing local elections, is another ploy by 91-year-old Biya to remain leader for life.

In light of the growing uncertainty in the country, Lontsié-Keuné urged the faithful to “trust in the saving grace of God, not to succumb to fear, and to strive for unity and fraternity while rejecting all forms of tribalism and division among them.”

Source: Crux

16, August 2024

Football: Zirkzee an instant hero as Man Utd beat Fulham in Premier League opener ⁰

Joshua Zirkzee made himself a Manchester United hero on his debut with a late winner to beat Fulham 1-0 in the opening match of the Premier League season on Friday.

Zirkzee, lacking match fitness after his £36.5m ($47 million) move from Bologna last month, came on only for the final half hour.

The Dutch international saved the Red Devils from a frustrating evening at Old Trafford when he poked in Alejandro Garnacho’s cross on 87 minutes.

“To win here in my first home game and to grab a goal, it couldn’t be better,” said Zirkzee.

“I’ve been told (scoring at the Stretford End) is one of the best feelings at Manchester United. I’m so thankful and blessed I could experience it in my first game. It’s an amazing feeling.”

United boss Erik ten Hag survived at the end of last season, despite finishing eighth in the Premier League, thanks to winning the FA Cup.

Whether that shock victory over rivals and English champions Manchester City in May could be a springboard remains to be seen after a performance that was eerily reminiscent of many last season.

“I have seen many spaces where we have to improve but that is normal,” said Ten Hag. “It (the win) is good to strengthen the belief.”

The Dutchman revealed on the eve of the game that his side were “not ready” for the new campaign with key players missing through injury or a lack of match fitness, and it showed.

Bruno Fernandes started in a centre-forward role in the absence of Rasmus Hojlund, while Zirkzee was on the bench after returning to pre-season late following Euro 2024.

Noussair Mazraoui was thrown straight into the starting line-up at left-back after joining from Bayern Munich this week.

But there was no place in the squad for Jadon Sancho even though the winger and Ten Hag appeared to have settled their differences.

Fulham won at Old Trafford last season for the first time in 20 years in February during a torrid campaign for United.

Little seemed to have changed in the opening 20 minutes as the visitors started confidently and Andre Onana did well to prevent Kenny Tete’s dipping effort finding the top corner.

But United grew into the game after a slow start.

‘Kill in the box’

Twice Fernandes missed huge chances by firing too close to Bernd Leno before the German goalkeeper spread himself brilliantly to this time deny Mason Mount a rare goal since his move from Chelsea just over a year ago.

“We created a lot of chances and we should have scored earlier,” added Ten Hag. “That is the only criticism of the team: kill in the box!”

Ten Hag turned to Garnacho and Zirkzee from the bench in the search of a winner.

In doing so United left themselves open and Fulham could have secured another famous three points at the Theatre of Dreams.

Andreas Pereira’s poor pass cost Alex Iwobi the chance to run clean through on goal.

Moments later Lisandro Martinez produced a goal-saving clearance from Pereira’s dangerous low cross.

Instead it was the home side that snatched all three points.

Garnacho’s ball from the right was not the best, but Zirkzee managed to get a toe on it to divert it beyond Leno into the far corner.

United should have had a second in stoppage time when Garnacho somehow skewed wide with an open goal to aim at from Marcus Rashford’s unselfish pass.

But United held on to give Ten Hag the winning start he badly needed.

Source: AFP

16, August 2024

MOHWA: When fools lose the argument, insults become their tool ⁰

MOHWA, a once global organization, has become a shadow of its former self. Before EYUMEMA, only MOHWA could pull Manyu people together. Today, Manyu’s beloved organization seems to have developed a dangerous disease and many people of Manyu descent are walking away from MOHWA.

Though many people are walking away from MOHWA, they are doing so with a heavy heart. The organization’s corrosive and radioactive leaders have destroyed an organization which many Manyu people held so close to their hearts.

For many days, MOHWA has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. The leaders have been accused of all the crimes and sins in the world – financial malfeasance, intimidation, manipulation, etc.

Instead of seeking to address the issues, the beleaguered MOHWA president and her ‘lame dogs of war’ have been chasing shadows. First, it was the threat of law suits, but finding out that going down that route will bring them more pain than joy, they have resorted to insults. When fools lose the argument, insults become their tool.

MOHWA has been diminished. Its president is spiraling into a depression and the decamping is hurting MOHWA’s executive in a big and bad way.

Financial malfeasance hurts a country or a community more than anything else. MOHWA has been looted. Millions of CFAF have simply vanished from the organization’s coffers and there is nobody to account for the missing money. In the USA, it is alleged that the USA chapter president refused to provide receipts for her spending estimated at over USD 25,000.

Reckless spending has become the hallmark of the Comfort Beyang MOHWA administration. As the president of MOHWA, she burns through money like wildfire. During the last MOHWA Annual General Assembly (AGM) in Yaoundé, Agbor Tambe Martina and Comfort Beyang deliberately crafted a strategy to ensure that the organization’s finances did not get discussed. There was no closing ceremony and the various delegations from the various Cameroonian towns were very disappointed with the way the AGM was conducted.

MOHWA’s catastrophic crash has divided many Manyu families. Comfort Beyang’s Machiavellian plan seems to be working. In the USA, sisters-in-law no longer communicate properly like before. Lawyer Eno Charles’ wife, Joan Enow, who is a Comfort Beyang surrogate, is now at loggerheads with her sisters-in-law who cannot stand the mess playing out in MOHWA.

Her sisters-in-law are now very strong members of EYUMEMA and there are videos of at least one of them dancing off her frustration with MOHWA during EYUMEMA’s launch in Columbus, Ohio.

In a voice note released to the Cameroon Concord News, lawyer Charles Eno, a man of integrity and examplary objectivity, could be heard telling a MOHWA lady that there was a massive issue with MOHWA, but his wife who has aided and abetted Comfort Beyang in her mismanagement of MOHWA holds that by insulting the Cameroon Concord News journalists who are simply doing their job, the issues which are stalking MOHWA like a stubborn shadow will suddenly disappear.

Joan Eno is simply mistaken. She is backing the wrong horse. The die has been cast and Comfort Beyang belongs to the past. Her place is on the nasty ash heap of history. She has failed to immortalize her name. She has lost her best chance of achieving her heart’s desire – that of becoming a popular Manyu politician.

Her Machiavellian charm has failed her this time around. This is the second time Comfort Beyang is failing to leave a positive mark on her community and society.

First, it was at the Buea City Council where with the help of a politician like Senator Mbella Moki, she found a place at the Buea City Council as the fourth deputy mayor. Since honesty and loyalty are not her things, once she got a place at the Buea City Council, she joined Mbella Moki’s enemies to give him a bad name.

But when you have made the devil your Lord and Master, know that he will visit you in ways that will be far from being pleasant.

Her pact with Mayor Patrick Ekema of blessed memory against Senator Mbella Moki could not last. Ekema was a man of war and he would stop at nothing to obtain whatever he wanted. Once Mbella Moki was out of the way, Ekema’s knife turned inward, stabbing Comfort Beyang in a bad and big way. The uncouth Ekema just threw her out of the council like a piece of junk because of her bloated ego, manipulative tendencies and immeasurable expansive ambitions which did not sit well with him.

It was as if her tragic dismissal from the Buea City Council did not teach her any lessons. Until Comfort Beyang shrinks her ego, she will not learn any lessons and she will not know any real peace of mind.

Seeking to rebuild her image which had been bruised by Patrick Ekema, she manipulated her way into the MOHWA leadership and, once at the helm, her demons started rearing their ugly heads again. Again because of her manipulation and love of money, Comfort Beyang’s ambition and political dream have taken a nosedive as many MOHWA women have left the organization she leads. She is now the president of an empty shell which cannot implement any meaningful projects in Manyu Division. EYUMEMA and NYENE MAWN have simply killed MOHWA.

In the USA alone, EYUMEMA walked away with 800 members. Today only less than a hundred women in America support MOHWA and most of MOHWA’s development resources came from North America.

In Canada, a massive decamping is in the offing. MOHWA Canada which had gathered momentum before this scandal is struggling. Many women are wanting out and even those who have recently paid their registration and uniform dues have opted to leave their money behind. The Comfort Beyang scandal has hit MOHWA like a tidal wave. NYENE MAWN’s launch at the end of this month will surely be that proverbial last nail in MOHWA’s coffin.

But Comfort Beyang is not even learning from her own errors. Despite advice from many senior Manyu women, Comfort Beyang has continued her comedy of self-destruction. She has rejected all the pearls of wisdom which have been given to her.

On Tuesday, the Cameroon Concord News reported that a senator had called Comfort Beyang with the objective of giving her the best possible advice. Faithful to her self-destruction philosophy, Comfort Beyang, who was loud on the phone, told the senator that she was busy. It was just a tactic. She did not want to hear anything about MOHWA. The Cameroon Concord News Group’s Buea correspondent was very close to where she was and he obtained all the necessary information.

Despite her refusal to talk, the senator did however obtain an appointment from the ‘Queen of Evil’ for the next day. Faithful to her ways, Comfort Beyang did not come to the location of the appointment, leaving the senator disappointed.

But the Cameroon Concord News Group’s correspondent was not disappointed. He was instead having a field day. Comfort Beyang’s missteps are indeed good news to the correspondent who hastily called headquarters to report the mistake by the ‘Queen of Evil’ who has embraced the path to self-immolation.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Group Chairman and Editor-in-chief

Cameroon Concord News Group

16, August 2024

Biya marks ‘sacrifices’ of African soldiers at commemoration of Provence landings ⁰

France on Thursday, August 15, commemorated the 1944 Allied landings in Provence, an event overshadowed by the Normandy landings two months earlier, but still key to the World War II endgame in Europe.

Six African leaders joined official events as President Emmanuel Macron singled out the contribution of soldiers recruited – often forcibly – in French overseas colonies, notably in Africa.

It took decades for France to highlight the crucial role of non-white soldiers in the fighting. Cameroon President Paul Biya told Thursday’s ceremony that their effort had been decisive. “There would have been no Allied victory without the contribution from the other peoples, without the foreigners,” he said. “The fight was conducted together, to defend the universal values and ideas of peace and justice.”

Macron added in his speech that “when it comes to defending the nation’s vital interests all those who identify as French are called upon to come together.”

Source: Le Monde

16, August 2024

US: Harris will be ‘one hell of a president’, says Biden ⁰

Vice-President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden have appeared at an event together for the first time since the president ended his run for a second term and Ms Harris replaced him as the Democratic nominee.

The event, held just outside Washington DC, came as Donald Trump spoke at a news conference in New Jersey – his second campaign event in the past two days.

The Democratic event on Thursday celebrated the Biden administration’s newly announced deal to cut the cost of 10 common prescription drugs for millions of Americans.

It also offered a glimpse of the pair’s dynamic, weeks into a realignment of the party ticket.

The White House said some 2,300 people attended Thursday’s rally in Upper Marlboro, Maryland – a Democratic stronghold.

“I have an incredible partner in the progress we made,” the president said. “She going to make one hell of a president.”

But more than the policy announcement, Mr Biden boosted his vice-president. He brought the crowd to their feet multiple times.

The warm feelings were mutual.

“There’s a lot of love in this room for our president,” Ms Harris said. “Few leaders in our nation have done more, on so many issues, including to expand access to affordable healthcare, than Joe Biden.”

Thousands stood in line in the summer heat for the chance to see Mr Biden and Ms Harris speak. Social media video showed hundreds still in line as the venue reached capacity.

It’s the latest in a series of events Ms Harris has hosted that have drawn large crowds of supporters, marking a noticeable shift in energy in the presidential race.

Ms Harris, however, has largely avoided media questions and has yet to sit down for an interview since becoming her party’s candidate.

Her supporters’ enthusiasm is showing up in polling data, too. A recent survey from the Cook Political Report suggests Ms Harris is erasing former President Donald Trump’s polling leads in Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Vivian Strong waited three hours to get into Thursday’s event. She hoped to be part of a historic moment, she told the BBC.

“I feel a sense of urgency to actually ensure she gets elected,” she said. “I would hate to have another administration of the other guy.”

Before the president and vice-president took the stage, some supporters led the crowd in chants from Howard University – the historically black university Ms Harris attended in Washington DC.

Many supporters of the vice-president donned pink and green, the colours of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA) to which Ms Harris belonged.

Linda Jones, a Howard alumna and a member of AKA, said their shared identity excites her. But she was also eager to see Mr Biden speak.

“I’m happy for President Biden to get something accomplished that he’s worked so hard for,” Ms Jones told the BBC, referring to the prescription drug deal.

“He’s such a good man and I felt very bad he was leaving with a cloud, so now I feel [this policy] is one more boost for him.”

Source: BBC

16, August 2024

Thailand: Ex-PM’s daughter picked as youngest ever leader ⁰

Thailand’s parliament has picked Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of billionaire tycoon and former leader Thaksin, as prime minister.

At 37, she will be the country’s youngest PM and the second woman in the post, after her aunt Yingluck.

Her selection comes just two days after former PM Srettha Thavisin was dismissed by a constitutional court. Both are from the Pheu Thai Party, which came second at the 2023 election but formed a ruling coalition.

Ms Paetongtarn faces the difficult task of reviving Thailand’s stalled economy and avoiding the military coups and court interventions which have deposed four previous administrations led by her family.

Ms Paetongtarn, who received 319 endorsement and 145 against votes on Friday, is the fourth member of the Shinawatra clan to become prime minister in the past two decades.

The other three, including her father Thaksin and aunt Yingluck, were deposed by military coups or constitutional court rulings.

The same court dismissed Mr Thavisin on Wednesday for appointing to his cabinet a former lawyer who was once jailed.

After being put forward as the PM candidate, Ms Paetongtarn told reporters at Pheu Thai’s headquarters on Thursday that she admired Mr Srettha’s work and thought his dismissal was unfortunate.

Educated at elite schools in Thailand and at university in the UK, she spent some years working at the Shinawatra family’s Rende hotel group, where her husband serves as deputy chief investment officer.

She joined Pheu Thai in 2021 and was appointed party leader in October 2023.

Ms Paetongtarn’s appointment brings fresh energy to Thailand’s top leadership. Members of Pheu Thai may also be holding out hope that she can help revive the party’s political fortunes.

Mr Thaksin first became prime minister in 2001, but his second term in office ended abruptly after his government was deposed by a military coup in 2006. He returned to Thailand after 15 years in exile last October, hours before Mr Srettha was voted prime minister.

He was allowed to return as part of a grand bargain with his old conservative enemies, who are now in coalition with Pheu Thai.

In June, he was charged with insulting the monarchy. He is the most high-profile figure to face charges under Thailand’s notorious lese majeste law, which has been used against political dissidents.

Wednesday’s ruling to dismiss Mr Srettha is also being widely interpreted as a warning to Mr Thaksin, who still dominates Pheu Thai, to rein in his ambitions.

Ms Yingluck won a landslide in the 2011 election, but she too was later disqualified by the courts, and her government ousted by a second coup. She is now living in exile.

Source: BBC