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8, December 2024

Syria’s Assad in Moscow, given asylum by Russia ⁰

Bashar al-Assad, the ousted president of Syria, has reportedly arrived in Moscow along with his family after his government fell to militants.

Citing a source in the Kremlin, several Russian media outlets reported on Sunday that the Russian government has granted Assad and his family asylum.

“President al-Assad of Syria has arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted them (him and his family) asylum on humanitarian grounds,” the Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed source as saying.

There was no immediate comment from the Syrian presidency about his whereabouts.

Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said he had not spoken with Assad since Saturday. Jalali said that he would stay in Syria and was ready to work with whomever the Syrian people choose as their leader.

Militants, headed by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), declared a curfew in Damascus on Sunday until the following morning, after seizing the capital following a lightning offensive launched last week.

Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the HTS commander, said Sunday that Syrian state institutions would be supervised by Jalali until a transition of power takes place.

The HTS said it would work with the prime minister and called on Syrian military forces in Damascus to stay away from public institutions.

President Assad reportedly departed Syria on an airplane earlier in the day, bringing an end to more than five decades of his family’s rule over Syria.

Source: Presstv

8, December 2024

Ghana: Historic election comeback for John Mahama ⁰

Former president John Mahama, Ghana’s main opposition leader, tried twice before to win back the country top post.

Now he has secured a huge comeback on his third attempt for the presidency after tapping into the country’s economic frustrations to win Saturday’s election.

His win marks a historic victory, making him the first president in the three decades of Ghana’s Fourth Republic — since the 1992 return to multi-party democracy — to reclaim the presidency after being voted out.

Mahama, of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party, beat out Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who represented the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and who conceded defeat on Sunday.

The economy became a major election issue after Ghana defaulted on its debt and entered into a $3 billion deal with the International Monetary Fund.

Mahama, 66, who served as president from 2012 to 2017, promised to “reset” Ghana, renegotiate parts of the IMF deal and introduce a “24-hour” economy to create jobs, a major concern for many younger voters.

– Writer and music fan –

A writer and devotee of Afrobeat music, Mahama wrote in his memoir “My First Coup d’Etat — And Other True Stories from the Lost Decades of Africa” that he was changed by his boyhood experiences during a 1966 military coup.

He was born in northern Ghana as a child of privilege, his house being the only one in the village with a diesel generator.

His father, who served as junior minister, was briefly detained and interrogated by the 1966 coup leaders but was later released unharmed.

Mahama was also a Member of Parliament and chairman of the West Africa Caucus at the Pan-African Parliament in Pretoria.

On corruption, Mahama says he will create a new office tasked with scrutinising government procurement above a $5 million threshold.

He says unchecked procurement processes are a major source of corruption.

Mahama voiced support for the anti-LGBTQ bill passed by Ghana’s parliament in February but which is yet to be signed into law and has sparked international criticism.

But Mustapha Gbande, a spokesperson for Mahama’s campaign, had expressed confidence in the candidate’s chances.

“People are looking for change and they trust Mahama to steer the country in a better direction,” he said.

But Mahama’s tenure as president was marred by a severe energy crisis that led to persistent power cuts, known locally as “dumsor”, which dented his reputation.

Corruption allegations also plagued his administration, although no charges were formally filed against him.

Mahama’s campaign sought to counter criticism by emphasising his experience in international leadership, including his role in combating the Ebola crisis as chairman of regional West African bloc ECOWAS.

Source: AFP

8, December 2024

Russia says President Assad left Syria, gave orders for peaceful power transition ⁰

Russia says Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has issued orders for a peaceful transition of power before he resigned and departed from the country.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday that President Assad decided to step down after negotiations with “a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic.”

Assad, Russia said, gave “instructions for a peaceful transfer of power.”

The ministry did not provide further information regarding Assad’s whereabouts.

According to the statement, Moscow “did not participate in these negotiations,” but it calls on all “parties involved to refrain from the use of violence and to resolve all issues of governance through political means.”

“In that regard, the Russian Federation is in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition.”

Moscow said Russia’s military bases in the Arab country had been put on a state of high alert, but that there was no serious threat to them at the current time.

On Saturday evening, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged “political dialogue” between the Syrian government and militant groups after a meeting with foreign ministers of Russia and Turkey in the Qatari capital of Doha on Saturday evening.

Araghchi said there was a consensus among all the participants that hostilities in Syria must end immediately and the country’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty must be respected based on the UN resolution.

The meeting was also attended by United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen, who had urged all parties “to spare bloodshed and focus on a political solution in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2254.”

The conflict began when Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant group launched a large-scale attack in Aleppo and Idlib provinces in the northwest of Syria on November 27, seizing several areas.

The group took control of parts of the country’s second-biggest city, Aleppo, and advanced southward toward the city of Hama. Earlier on Sunday, the armed group declared that they had captured the capital, Damascus.

Source: Press TV

8, December 2024

Manyu Political Landscape: Change is on the horizon ⁰

A senior Manyu political leader has informed the Cameroon Concord News Group that there will be significant political changes in Cameroon in 2025 and that Manyu Division will be a totally different political landscape, as the youths of the Division are calling for change.

The politician, who elected anonymity, said that the current political dispensation in Manyu is hurting the Division as many current political leaders have failed to bring much-needed economic development to the Division whose economy is in the throes of a severe crisis.

He added that the youths of Manyu were already grumbling and looking outwards for that person who would understand their problems and would seek to bring meaningful economic initiatives to the Division.

“We need factories. We need a good hospital. We want our children to go to school in the best possible conditions. We know that the Diaspora can help us, but their help could be coordinated for it to deliver better results and that is why we of Manyu Division are urging members of our Diaspora to participate in the politics of our Division. We need people who will not come to earn a salary. We need people with ideas,” the politician stressed.

“After next year’s presidential election, the people of Manyu should take a look at those who have been representing us at the national level,” the angry politician said, stressing that “we have to look at young people to take over from our current politicians, most of whom have never kept their election promises.”

“Besides the Member of Parliament from Eyumojock, Honorable Teku Tanyi, who is constantly in his constituency to bring hope and some development initiatives, most of our politicians are simply dormant and will only come home when there are elections or when their political interests are at stake,” the angry politician said.

“Elective positions in Manyu should be given to young, dynamic and well to do Manyu men and women who have the Division’s interest at heart. We need people who can bring development to Manyu. We need people who can bring jobs to our youths,” he added.

“We must start looking at young and successful men and women in the Diaspora who can mobilize resources abroad for Manyu development. A few names have already been dropped and we hear that one of two Manyu senatorial seats will go to one of Manyu illustrious sons who have been pushing for Manyu development for decades,” the politician said.

“Our current senator is old, sick and tired and has nothing to show for, given the time he has been at the Senate in Yaounde. The current senator should consider his age and should support any young person who might express an interest in running. Manyu needs change but we want that transition to be smooth and friendly so that there will be peace. However, if the plea of the grassroots is not taken seriously, there will be change and it will be painful,” he stressed

“Manyu needs change and it needs people with a broad and global world view. Manyu needs a political leader who can connect the Division with the Division’s growing Diaspora, especially in North America. Manyu needs a credible person, somebody with great development ideas. We are tired of empty promises. We do not care where the person comes from. We need someone who loves Manyu and his people and based on what I have been hearing, we have someone from North America who will bring us the progress we need,” he pointed out.

“Our Members of Parliament must do more for our people. The people of Manyu are disappointed and they want change and any elected politician who does not deliver will not represent us anymore,” he stressed.

By our Mamfe correspondent Nkongho Philip Agbor

8, December 2024

Syria: militants take Damascus as President Assad’s government falls ⁰

The Syrian government fell early Sunday in a stunning end to President Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule over the Arab country after the militant group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) stormed and captured the capital Damascus.

In a statement on Sunday morning, the HTS militants declared that they had captured the capital, confirming reports of the fall of the Assad government.

Earlier in the day, Reuters quoted an unnamed officer as saying that the Syrian army command notified officers that the Assad government had fallen.

7, December 2024

US: Brenda Biya wins first round of Singer Dencia’s suit against her ⁰

The daughter of the president of Cameroon won a round in court when a judge quashed the lawsuit summons ostensibly served on her by a singer from that African country, in which the fashion-conscious entertainer says the leader’s offspring and a friend defamed the plaintiff on social media.

Known professionally as Dencia, the plaintiff’s real name is Reprudentia Sonkey. Dencia is known for her own fashion statements and appearances on red carpets at the Billboard Music Awards, the Grammys, and the American Music Awards.

Dencia, 32, brought the Van Nuys Superior Court suit against Anastasie Brenda Biya Eyenga, the daughter of Cameroon President Paul Biya, and a friend of Eyenga, Marie Therese Yabit. The complaint also alleges civil harassment and both intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

On Thursday, Judge Huey P. Cotton granted a motion by Eyenga finding that she was not properly served. Eyenga’s attorneys contended that the alleged service of documents at the Hilton Hotel Yaounde in Cameroon by a bailiff was insufficient.

“The proof of service should include an affidavit from the bailiff detailing the manner of service, the exact location and the recipient’s acknowledgment of receipt,” Eyenga’s lawyers contended in their pleadings. “No such documentation exists or was provided.”

In addition, no room number or other specific location within the hotel is provided, making it unclear where exactly the service took place, according to Eyenga’s attorneys’ court papers.

The attempted service complied with neither California nor Cameroonian law, Eyenga’s lawyers further stated.

The judge granted a similar motion to quash in Yabit’s favor.

Dencia seeks at least $75 million in damages in the suit brought in March 2023. The Simi Valley attorney is representing herself and appeared in court for Thursday’s hearing.

In addition to being an entertainer, Dencia has created several skin care and clothing brands, set up various businesses and founded the skin care brand Whitenicious by Dencia, of which she was the president and CEO, the suit states.

Her companies flourished due to her reputation as a popular Cameroonian singer and trustworthy entrepreneur in skin care products, the suit states.

In July 2015, Dencia was contacted by Eyenga’s public relations manager, who told the plaintiff that Eyenga, who eventually moved to Beverly Hills, admired her work and wanted her help in producing a photo shoot and in setting up her own brand, the suit states.

“During the years that followed, both (Dencia) and Eyenga maintained a cordial relationship,” the suit states. “They would both make text exchanges on a regularly basis.”

Eyenga returned to Cameroon in 2019 and the two lost contact, the suit states. In June 2021, Dencia was preparing to go to Cameroon the next month in the company of other musicians, including rapper Trey Songz, when a representative for Eyenga allegedly contacted the plaintiff about a birthday engagement and performing at Eyenga’s new hotel.

Eyenga asked Dencia for help getting her Instagram account certified, the suit states. But in a subsequent dispute, Eyenga accused Dencia of creating a fake account and trying to impersonate her, even though the plaintiff explained she was preoccupied with the death of her sister from cancer and could not help Eyenga get her account certified as the plaintiff had hoped, the suit states.

Eyenga, allegedly with Yabit’s help, accused Dencia on social media of identity theft and of being a “scammer” and a “fraudster,” the suit states.

“The news quickly made a media buzz about (Dencia) based on Eyenga’s allegations,” the suit states. “(Dencia’s) reputation was being trampled on by the daughter of the president of the Republic of Cameroon in a totally unjustified way.”

Dencia’s companies suffered losses and the stature she worked hard to establish has been damaged, causing her emotional distress, according to her suit, which further seeks a court order preventing any more allegedly defamatory postings.

In addition to her skin care line, Dencia has designed outfits for such artists as Nicki Minaj, Rihanna and Christina Milian.

Source: MyNewsLA.com

6, December 2024

France has no prime minister, no government and Macron is hoping for a miracle ⁰

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. This is especially true for French President Emmanuel Macron this year as France grapples with a serious political crisis.

Europe’s second-largest economy has no prime minister, no government, and Macron is hoping for a political miracle. He must appoint a new premier to get a 2025 budget approved by parliament as soon as possible.

How did we get here?

Following a landslide victory by the far right in the European elections in June, the president dissolved the National Assembly, France’s lower house, and called snap parliamentary elections. While a leftist coalition swept up most seats, no party ended up winning an outright majority.

After two months of tense ambivalence, Macron finally appointed a new prime minister in early September. Michel Barnier, a former foreign minister and Brexit negotiator, would spearhead France’s new government – which turned out to be dominated by conservatives and centrists.

Fast-forward three months and everything has crumbled, yet again. After Barnier decided to push through his sweeping social security budget without a parliamentary vote, both the left-wing New Popular Front alliance and the far-right National Rally tabled votes of no confidence. Both were passed on Wednesday, toppling Barnier and his government.

It’s the first time a government has fallen to a no-confidence vote in France in more than 60 years. On Thursday morning, Barnier became the shortest-serving prime minister in modern French history when he handed his resignation to Macron.

What happens next?

Calls for Macron to resign poured in from his opponents after Barnier was defeated. Insisting the president’s resignation could break the deadlock, Mathilde Panot, head of the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, told reporters he was “now calling on Macron to go”. Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader, said pressure was piling up on the president but that he alone had the last say on the matter.

But Macron has insisted, time and again, that he will not buckle under pressure. In an address to the nation Thursday night, Macron vowed to stay in office until the end of his term in 2027. He also announced that he would name a prime minister “in the coming days” but gave no hint about who that may be.

According to presidential sources, Macron is set to meet leaders of his own centrist forces, as well as the Socialist Party and the conservative Les Républicains on Friday to search for a compromise. Members of the far-right National Rally, hard-left France Unbowed, the Green Party and the French Communist Party have not said they will meet with the president so far.

Referring to the record five-year reconstruction of Notre-Dame, which will open its doors once again on Saturday, Macron said “we are able to do great things … we can do the impossible”. But the task is critical. Naming a replacement means finding someone capable of leading a minority government in a parliament with no majority.

Meanwhile, Barnier will stay on in a caretaker capacity, overseeing everyday business until the president appoints a new government.

What can Macron do now?

Macron cannot dissolve parliament like he did in June to hold new legislative elections until at least June 2025, meaning policymakers will have to battle potential stalemates, depending on who is chosen for premiership.

Concerns about the French economy are building in the face of the political chaos. France’s debt could rise to 7 percent of GDP next year if significant budget reforms are not put in place.

While it would be possible to extend the 2024 budget to 2025, avoiding a US-style government shutdown, it would mean no new measures could be introduced. With this option, it is unclear how or even when a new budget could be passed. The budget extension would also have to be voted by MPs, who could oppose the decision.

Macron has promised to pass a “special” finance law that will guarantee the continuity of the state within the next ten days. Since it is the first time in 45 years that France will end the year without a budget, the law is essential to ensure that public services continue to function. He also promised that at the start of the new year, the new government will prepare a new budget.

Whatever happens, the French president must act quickly to stave off any further pandemonium.

Reappoint Barnier or opt for a similar profile

Macron would have every right, constitutionally-speaking, to reappoint Barnier as prime minister. He could argue that given these dire times, choosing someone supported by a common base of centre to right-wing parties, would be better suited to pass a budget bill.

While it seems unlikely that Macron will take this route, he may opt for a similar type of profile as Barnier. French daily Le Parisien floated the name of François Baroin, a member of the conservative Les Républicains party who has spent most of his career working in politics. Baroin ticks the same boxes as Barnier and is considered, by his supporters, to be capable of speaking with everyone while not straying far from Macron’s political agenda. Staunch conservative Bruno Retailleau, who served as interior minister under Barnier with a hard-line stance on immigration and who promised to “restore order”, has also been mooted.

But both men have the same disadvantage as the outgoing prime minister and would risk facing no-confidence votes. Neither would be democratically chosen and neither belong to the New Popular Front, the left-wing alliance that hold the largest share of seats in parliament.

Choose a close ally

The French president could be tempted to take back control by appointing one of his close friends, such as Sébastien Lecornu, who served as defence minister in Barnier’s now toppled government. Defecting from the Les Républicains party to throw all his weight behind Macron’s 2017 presidency, he has proven his track record as a loyal ally.

Some say this move would appease Le Pen. Rumours of Lecornu dining with the far-right leader in March were leaked by French newspaper Libération, allegations later denied by Lecornu. Le Pen also said she intended to let the new prime minister do the job by promising to work with whoever is chosen in an interview on French TV channel TF1 on Wednesday.

Find a sweet spot

With every government reshuffle, the same name pops up – that of François Bayrou. A centrist veteran whose MoDem Party has been part of Macron’s alliance since 2017, Bayrou has made his rural roots a key part of his political identity. He has unsuccessfully run for president three times in the past.

For his supporters, Bayrou is well-placed to convince at least part of the Socialist Party not to file a no-confidence motion against him and does not rub the far-right National Rally the wrong way either.

Choose a leftist

When Macron appointed Barnier in early September, he made it clear he did not want a left-leaning prime minister. Lucie Castets, the candidate for the New Popular Front, and Bernard Cazeneuve, who served as PM under Socialist president François Hollande, were both left by the wayside.

Choosing someone like Cazeneuve could be a way to encourage Socialist lawmakers to stray from the leftist alliance and expand a centrist ruling group, but those rallying behind Macron have a fraught relationship with the left. What’s more, Macron does not want to hear about tax rises for the rich or repealing the controversial pension reform.

And appointing someone from the New Popular Front, such as Castets, is pretty much out of the question for the president. It would mean effectively acknowledging his defeat in the European and French parliamentary elections, which could lead to his party unravelling.

France is holding its breath to see who will lead its next government. But with every contender, the risk remains that MPs will choose to table a no-confidence motion and topple one pick after another.

Source: France 24

6, December 2024

Cameroon truck drivers ask military to protect goods destined for CAR ⁰

Road transport has failed to fully resume between Cameroon and the landlocked Central African Republic after a top-level crisis meeting this week to reopen borders sealed by Cameroon following escalating violence in C.A.R. Hundreds of truck drivers say they will cross into C.A.R. when government troops protect them from rebels.

Several hundred truck drivers who left Cameroon’s Douala seaport for Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, say they are stranded in Garoua-Boulai, a town on Cameroon’s eastern border with C.A.R.

C.A.R. is a conflict-ridden landlocked country that depends on the Douala seaport for about 95% of its goods and humanitarian aid.

One of the stranded truck drivers, 49-year-old Kum Innocent, said all of the drivers who have been in Garoua-Boulai for over two weeks have agreed to stop shipping goods and humanitarian assistance into C.A.R. because their lives are regularly threatened by armed gangs operating there.

“We can’t enter Bangui right now because of the insecurity on the way,” he said. “Armed gangs put [up] road barricades on the way. They even kidnap some of us, and they ask us [for] ransom. Our lorries are blocked down. Many of our merchandise [is] getting rotten, and we are losing a lot. That’s what we go through when we leave Garoua-Boulai for Bangui.”

Kum said that late last month, C.A.R. rebels killed a Cameroonian truck driver and abducted at least two mechanics hired to carry out truck maintenance along the Douala-Bangui road corridor.

Cameroonian truck drivers say they want an immediate release of their kidnapped peers before they resume the shipment of goods to C.A.R.

El Hadj Oumarou, head of Cameroon’s land freight transportation bureau, said several hundred truck drivers stationed in Garoua-Boulai want assurances that the C.A.R. government will take responsibility for their security and safety, as well as the security and safety of their goods and trucks. He said the C.A.R. government is responsible for the safety of every civilian in its territory.

The angry drivers refused to fully resume work after a crisis meeting Wednesday of top Cameroon and C.A.R. government and military officials in Garoua-Boulai. Officials say the crisis meeting was to plead with the striking truck drivers to resume activity.

Cameroon said it had agreed to open the border.

Gontrand Djono Ahaba, C.A.R. minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, attended the crisis meeting. He said he was surprised that drivers are still reluctant to ship goods and humanitarian assistance to C.A.R.

Ahaba said he has informed C.A.R. President Faustin-Archange Touadéra that truck drivers along the Douala-to-Bangui road want assurances of their safety before shipping goods to C.A.R.

He said Touadera has given assurances that the central African state’s military will organize convoys for drivers who feel threatened by armed gangs operating in C.A.R. and attacking truck drivers for supplies.

Speaking on C.A.R. state TV on Thursday, Ahaba said the C.A.R. military had located the trucks abandoned by drivers, adding that the trucks will be restituted, but he did not say when.

Cameroon’s transport minister, Jean Ernest Messena Ngale Bibehe, told Cameroon state TV on Thursday that negotiations have continued for truck drivers to suspend their protest. He assured them that C.A.R. officials have agreed to protect trucks daily and free of charge from Garoua-Boulai to Bangui and back.

C.A.R. descended into violence in 2013, when a rebel group forced then-President Francois Bozize out of office.

Violence among C.A.R. armed groups since then has forced close to a million Central Africans to flee to Cameroon, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria.

Source: VOA

6, December 2024

Biya will campaign for 2025 elections in a wheel chair and rule from the grave ⁰

President Paul Biya has become a laughing stock deep inside the Unity Palace, Cameroon Intelligence Report has gathered from a well-placed source in Etoudi.

The CIR source said that Biya is now leading the nation from a wheelchair.

“He has a special wheelchair that he bought in Geneva that takes him around the presidential palace and he intends to rule till 100 years” our source said.

Biya was seen on the mobile chair moving around the presidency after he received some new ambassadors accredited to Cameroon.

The mobile chair, otherwise ordinarily referred to as a wheelchair is assisting the dictator to navigate his way around his office as well as at home in Mvomeka’a.

The Biya wheelchair has now confirmed that old age has taken its toll on the Francophone leader who will turn 92 this coming year.

A top CPDM baron who spoke to this reporter but sued for anonymity said Biya would rule from a wheel chair and then from the grave.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

5, December 2024

CPDM Crime Syndicate: Biya approves CFA49bn loan for electricity recovery ⁰

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has authorized a loan of €74.25 million (around CFA49 billion) from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to support the country’s emergency electricity recovery plan. The decree, signed on December 3, grants Economy Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey the authority to secure the loan.

The funds will be used to implement the Support Program for the Recovery of the Electricity Sector in Cameroon (Parsec). This program aims to improve electricity production, distribution, and governance. The presidential approval follows the AfDB board’s green light for the loan on December 14, 2023, which will finance the first phase of Parsec.

Parsec is part of a series of ambitious reforms to address key challenges in Cameroon’s electricity sector. Between 2024 and 2025, the program will support the government’s efforts to implement these reforms. The long-term goal is to increase electricity production to 5,000 MW, which will meet domestic demand and allow Cameroon to export energy, especially to Chad.

The electricity sector in Cameroon faces significant problems, including low transmission and distribution efficiency, a lack of skilled workers, and inefficient payment collection systems. Parsec includes concrete actions to address these issues. These measures include reducing commercial electricity losses, improving payment collection, and introducing prepaid metering systems, particularly in public buildings. A public awareness campaign will also help educate citizens about the prepaid system and how it works.

The program focuses on workforce development by creating training opportunities to build skilled personnel throughout the electricity value chain, from production to distribution. These efforts aim to address technological, organizational, environmental, and financial challenges while improving governance.

The loan responds to a request submitted by the government of Cameroon to the AfDB in May 2023. It comes at a time when the sector is financially strained, with limited access to electricity and underperforming operators.

In February 2023, the government launched a Recovery Plan for the Electricity Sector to guide reforms and actions needed from 2023 to 2030. This plan, requiring CFA6,000 billion in investments, seeks to overcome obstacles in production, distribution, and governance to support the country’s energy ambitions.

Source: Business in Cameroon