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30, January 2025

Another Yaoundé container crash kills two ⁰

A tragic accident occurred on January 29, 2025, at Carrefour Meec, in Yaoundé’s 6th district, when a poorly secured shipping container detached from a truck and crushed a taxi carrying four people, including the driver. According to preliminary but unofficial reports, two passengers lost their lives in the incident.

Images circulating on social media show the taxi completely crushed under the weight of the container. Firefighters used specialized equipment to lift the container and recover the victims’ bodies, which were trapped inside the vehicle.

This accident comes just three months after a similar tragedy in Mimboman, on October 17, 2024, when another fallen container killed three people and seriously injured nine others, according to official figures. In response, the Governor of the Centre Region, Naseri Paul Bea, issued a decree banning heavy trucks—including trailers, fuel tankers, and timber transporters—from using the Mimboman-Don Bosco-Ngousso road until further notice.

The circulation of heavy-duty trucks, often linked to fatal accidents, remains a major challenge for authorities. Despite restrictions, enforcement has been weak. In light of the rising number of freight transport-related accidents, Transport Minister Jean Ernest Masséna Ngalle Bibehe has ordered the installation of a centralized tracking system in all trucks carrying goods or hazardous materials. Initially, transport operators were required to comply by December 31, 2024, but following requests from unions, the deadline was extended by three months, until March 31, 2025.

Source: Sbbc

30, January 2025

Yaoundé: New MTN Cameroon CEO meets industry leaders ⁰

Wanda Matandela, MTN Cameroon’s new CEO, began his first visit to the West African country this week, joined by a delegation led by outgoing CEO Mitwa Kaemba Ng’ambi.

During this introductory tour, the MTN Cameroon delegation engaged with esteemed government officials including Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, technical advisor of Cameroon, Jean-Claude Ayem Mauger.

The group also met with the minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Minette LIBOM LI LIKENG, director general of the Telecommunications Regulatory Board, and Professor Philemeon Zoo Zame, director general of the National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies.

The meetings gave Ng’ambi the opportunity to formally introduce her successor to senior executives and say goodbye.

Ng’ambi will begin her new post as CEO of MTN Côte d’Ivoire on March 1, 2025, the same day Matandela takes over as CEO of MTN Cameroon.

Matandela was MTN SA’s Chief Commercial Operations Officer until his current appointment.

He is a seasoned business executive with extensive expertise in ICT, financial services, and entertainment industries.

The telco executive has a BCom Accounting degree, a Masters in Information Systems from Wits, an MBA from Stellenbosch, and a Certificate in Leadership from IMD, Switzerland.

Source: iTweb Africa

29, January 2025

Anglophone Cameroon has the shortest paved road network in the Country ⁰

Data from the Ministry of Public Works reveals that the Northwest region of Cameroon has the smallest paved road network in the country. It consists of 238 km of national roads, 106 km of regional roads, and 157 km of municipal roads, totalling 501 km of paved roads for a land area of 17,300 square kilometres.

The Southwest region fares similarly, with a total area of 25,000 square kilometres and 647 km of paved roads – 471 km of national roads, 33 km of regional roads, and 143 km of municipal roads.

In contrast, the neighbouring West region, which covers 13,892 square kilometres, has a total of 1,080 km of paved roads, including 338 km of national roads, 328 km of regional roads, and 404 km of municipal roads.

The Centre region boasts the most extensive paved road network, spanning 2,273 km, with 1,231 km of national roads, 447 km of regional roads, and 595 km of municipal roads. The Littoral region ranks second with 1,112 km of paved roads.

The East region, the largest in the country with an area of 109,000 square kilometres, has a paved road network of 827 km. Meanwhile, the Far North region has 729 km of paved roads, the North 802 km, Adamawa 803 km, and the South 1,687 km.

Source: Sbbc

29, January 2025

CPDM Crime Syndicate: Customs revenue misses 2024 target ⁰

Cameroon’s Directorate General of Customs (DGD) collected CFA1,055.9 billion in budget revenue by the end of 2024, reaching 96.5% of its revised target of CFA1,094.9 billion. This was revealed in a statement released on January 28, 2025, by the customs administration’s communication department, following the celebration of International Customs Day on January 26.

While revenue increased by CFA33.3 billion compared to the CFA1,022.6 billion collected in 2023, customs still fell CFA39 billion short of its 2024 target. According to the DGD, global geopolitical conflicts were a major factor behind this shortfall, with repeated attacks on ships in the Red Sea disrupting maritime transport and causing costly route diversions that affected cargo deliveries.

Despite these global challenges, Cameroon’s customs revenue has exceeded CFA1 trillion for the second consecutive year. For 2025, the administration has set a new revenue target of CFA1,144 billion.

Source: Business in Cameroon

29, January 2025

US: Pentagon strips Gen Mark Milley of security detail and clearance ⁰

The Pentagon has revoked the security detail and clearance for Gen Mark Milley, a former US general who has been critical of US President Donald Trump.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the move as one of his first acts in office, asking officials to investigate Gen Milley’s “conduct” and review his military grade.

Gen Milley previously served as the top US general during Trump’s first term but later criticised his former boss, and was quoted calling him a “fascist”.

Since returning to office, Trump has revoked security protections for a handful of former officials with whom he has clashed, including former top health official Anthony Fauci.

Trump previously accused Gen Milley of treason for phone calls he held with his Chinese counterpart during the final weeks of his first Trump presidency, including in the wake of a riot at the US Capitol building by Trump’s supporters in 2021.

Gen Milley reportedly used one of the calls to reassure China that the US would not launch a nuclear strike. On social media the president described those calls as “an act so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!”.

Gen Milley, however, testified the calls were coordinated with other defence secretaries.

It was in Bob Woodward’s book War, published last year, that Gen Milley was quoted calling Trump “fascist to the core” and “the most dangerous person to this country”.

And in 2023, when giving his final speech as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Gen Milley said the military did not take an oath to a “wannabe dictator”. The comment that was seen by many as a reference to Trump, the man who nominated him for the job in the first place.

Ahead of Trump’s return to the White House last week, outgoing President Joe Biden issued Gen Milley – and a handful of others, including Fauci – a pre-emptive pardon in case they faced retribution from Trump.

Biden’s statement said the pardons should “not be mistaken as an acknowledgment” that any of those covered “engaged in any wrongdoing”.

Gen Milley thanked Biden for the move and said he did not want to spend the rest of his life “fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights”.

“I do not want to put my family, my friends, and those with whom I served through the resulting distraction, expense, and anxiety,” he said.

The news that Gen Milley was being stripped of his security detail and security clearance was confirmed in a statement to the BBC’s US partner, CBS News.

The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General has also been told to “conduct an inquiry into the facts and circumstances surrounding Gen Milley’s conduct so that the Secretary may determine whether it is appropriate to reopen his military grade review determination,” the statement said.

Trump’s new administration has also revoked security protections for his former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, his former National Security Adviser John Bolton and his former envoy Brian Hook.

In the hours after Trump’s second inauguration, Trump’s officials also removed from the Pentagon a portrait depicting Gen Milley’s as chair of the joint chiefs of staff.

Source: BBC

29, January 2025

UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang to visit India ⁰

The President of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang, will undertake an official visit to India from 4 January to 8 February 2025, at the invitation of the Indian Government. His visit will include stops in New Delhi, the capital, and Bengaluru, often referred to as the Silicon Valley of India.

During his visit, President Yang will aim to strengthen multilateral cooperation with India on key global issues, including international peace and security, as well as the Pact for the Future.

While in India, President Yang will hold bilateral meetings, including a courtesy call on the President of India, H.E. Ms. Droupadi Murmu, and discussions with the country’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar.

His itinerary will also include visits to a public health facility in Gautam Buddha Nagar and several key sites in Bengaluru, including the Infosys campus and the Indian Institute of Science. The President will also visit other important locations in both cities.

Additionally, President Yang will meet with the UN Country Team in India, led by UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Shombi Sharp.

Before arriving in India, President Yang will conclude an official visit to Japan from 31 January to 4 February 2025. In Tokyo, he will meet with Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Shigeru Ishiba, Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Takeshi Iwaya, and JICA President Mr. Akihiko Tanaka. The President will also visit Hiroshima, where he will pay his respects at the cenotaph for the atomic bomb victims and lay a wreath.

H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang was born in the Republic of Cameroon and served as Prime Minister, among other positions, of the Republic of Cameroon. In June 2024, he was elected as the President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. His term as President of the UN General Assembly runs from September 2024 until September 2025.

Culled from The UN

29, January 2025

North Korean leader vows to continue nuclear program indefinitely ⁰

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed that his country’s nuclear program will continue indefinitely.

Kim warned of an “inevitable” confrontation with hostile nations and said 2025 would be a “crucial year” for bolstering North Korea’s nuclear forces, the KCNA news agency reported Wednesday.

“It is our firm political and military stand and invariable noble task and duty to develop the state’s nuclear counteraction posture indefinitely,” Kim said, according to KCNA.

The announcement came just days after US President Donald Trump expressed his intention to re-engage diplomatically with Pyongyang.

Kim said the aim is increasing Pyongyang’s readiness for what he described as “an inevitable long-term confrontation” with hostile countries.

The remarks come against the backdrop of North Korea’s recent test-firing of strategic guided cruise missiles, marking the country’s first military demonstration since Trump’s inauguration.

Kim addressed “the world’s most unstable situation in which a long-term confrontation with the most vicious hostile countries is inevitable,” and that it was “indispensable for the country to steadily strengthen the nuclear shield”.

North Korea says it is seeking nuclear weapons to counter threats from the United States and its allies, including South Korea.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high, with the North launching a flurry of ballistic missiles last year, prompting the South’s protest.

Source: Presstv

29, January 2025

1,736 Cameroonians face deportation from US ⁰

A total of 1,736 Cameroonians, are at risk of deportation from the United States as part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to address illegal immigration. According to a document from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which was shared with the media, this move is part of a wider initiative to remove over 1.4 million non-citizens who are subject to final deportation orders.

The data, titled Noncitizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship, revealed that Cameroon is one of the countries most affected by the operation, alongside Mexico and El Salvador, which account for 252,044 and 203,822 deportations respectively.

The report outlined that as of November 2024, over 1.4 million individuals, including Cameroonians, have been placed under final removal orders. These individuals, although not currently detained, have exhausted their legal avenues to remain in the US. ICE’s primary mission is to enforce immigration laws and ensure that individuals who are in the US unlawfully are removed.

President Trump has been pushing for a tougher stance on immigration, which includes increased deportations. In a statement last week, Trump reiterated his administration’s position on deporting “criminal aliens” and reinforced his broader immigration agenda, including military deployment along the southern border with Mexico.

“America is respected again,” the White House declared in a recent statement, adding that its immigration policies are focused on securing national borders. The situation has stirred concerns, particularly among African migrants, with Cameroonians being a key group impacted by these measures. Although the Cameroonian government has not publicly commented on the deportation figures, the news is likely to cause apprehension among those facing removal.

28, January 2025

Marc Brys says Lions fear no one ahead of Cote d’Ivoire clash in AFCON 2025 ⁰

Cameroon head coach Marc Brys has delivered a defiant message following the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 draw, declaring that his team fears no opponent, including defending champions Côte d’Ivoire.

The two footballing powerhouses will meet in Group F, setting up one of the most anticipated clashes of the tournament.

“We must be careful, stay true to our playing philosophy, add passion and the enthusiasm common to the Cameroonian people. We will be ready,” Brys said at the draw event in Rabat on Monday night.

“We are not afraid of any team.”

The upcoming group-stage encounter between Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire rekindles a fierce rivalry that saw the Indomitable Lions secure a narrow 1-0 victory in their last meeting during the 2021 AFCON qualifiers.

Group F also includes Gabon and Mozambique, making it one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.

Brys, who stood alongside former Ivorian captain Serge Aurier during the draw, acknowledged the historical weight of the matchup but remained confident.

“I am aware of the historical rivalry between the two countries. The only thing is to stay focused and be ourselves. Of course, they won the last AFCON, but we will be ready for the match,” the Belgian tactician emphasized.

Brys expressed satisfaction with the make-up of his squad, describing it as a “good mix” of experienced players and emerging talent.

“I have a team that combines a lot of experience and youth. It is a good mix. We must remain united and motivated,” he added.

Cameroon versus Côte d’Ivoire promises to be one of the defining moments of the group stage, with Brys confident in his team’s ability to rise to the occasion.

“The biggest opponent will be ourselves. We must remain disciplined, motivated, and fearless,” he concluded.

The Indomitable Lions, five-time AFCON champions, will rely on this balance to navigate a group that includes Côte d’Ivoire, fresh from their title-winning campaign on home soil, as well as an ambitious Gabonese side and an improving Mozambique.

The 2025 AFCON, scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, will feature 24 teams competing in six Moroccan cities.

With six groups, the tournament format will see the top two teams in each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advance to the knockout stages.

Host nation Morocco headlines Group A, which includes Mali, Zambia, and Comoros, while other groups promise equally exciting matchups:

Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
Group F: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

Morocco, returning as AFCON hosts for the first time since 1988, is among the favorites following their historic semi-final finish at the 2022 World Cup.

The tournament will be a showcase of African football’s finest talent, with Morocco set to play their group matches in Rabat.

Source: CAF

28, January 2025

Southern Cameroons: Special Status Charade and Masquerade in Royal Regalia ⁰

The Republic of Cameroon organised a perfidy in 2019 which it pompously named Major National Dialogue. The Major National Dialogue mid-wived an amorphous construct, a charade, it has been proved, called Special Status ostensibly to recognise the specific identity of the annexed territory of the Southern Cameroons which it nicknamed North West and South West Regions, otherwise called by its pseudonym under genocide, NOSO.

The Special Status was created to douse the flame of liberation which was ignited by the Southern Cameroons war of liberation. Special Status was presented as a ‘Deliberative Organ’ comprising ‘Regional Assemblies’ made up of ‘Divisional Representatives’ and House of Chiefs in the captive genocide enclave to symbolise and emphasise its distinctive enslaved identity. Corrupt organisational, institutional and structural enforcement mechanisms were dispatched to all corners of the world to sing the ‘alleluia’ and the blessings of the Special Status of Southern Cameroons in a ‘One and Indivisible Cameroon’ at long last, alleluia praise the lord of colonial rule they sang themselves hoarse. What a circus of monumental dimension it was! Clerics of all religious persuasions struggled for significance and pecuniary gain to be coopted to pray profound wounds of annexation and colonial rule into submission. According to them, Special Status was the sesame of a ‘Grandmaster Divine Seal Total Annexation’ and the state capture of Southern Cameroons-Ambazonia. Again, they sang the ‘Never Asunder’ and the “I surrender ‘slave anthems of submission. Humanity, wither they conscience!

The Devil of deception, it is said, is in its details. The Conference of Traditional Rulers of Cameroon which met under the superintendence of Paul Atanga Nji yesterday January 27, 2025 to endorse the natural candidate of the CPDM 92 year Paul Biya, the Supreme Incarnate of the Constitutional Order of his country Cameroon, achieved an legitimate purpose of interest for the Southern Cameroons of significant relevance to the Southern Cameroons quest for self-determination and freedom under international law. It exposed the facetious nature of ‘Special Status, its NOSO House of Chiefs construct better known as ‘Masquerade in Royal Regalia’. Masquerade in Royal Regalia purports to derive its existence, legitimacy and special status specificity under to ‘Law no 2019/24/of 24 December 2019 to institute the General Code of Regional and Local Authorities’ pursuant to the intendment of Article 62(2) of the Constitution of Cameroon on the “specificities of certain regions with regard to their organisation and functioning”.

The Association of Traditional Chiefs of Cameroon which held its conference January 27, 2025 in Yaoundé to endorse 92 years Paul Biya as its natural candidate for another 7 year Presidential elected mandate, does not fall within this category. It exists and operates by the ministerial fiat of the Minister of Territorial Administration of Cameroon under the law of association Law No.90-53 of 19 December 1990. The Special Status Law which created NOSO House of Chiefs did not expressly or impliedly extend the special status to the Association of Traditional Chiefs of Cameroon.

It did not make ‘NOSO Masquerade in Royal Regalia’ an appendage of the Association of Traditional Chiefs of Cameroon. By its participation in the Conference of Traditional Chiefs of Cameroon, NOSO Special Status apparatus, has established that it is an appendage of the Association of Cameroon Traditional Chiefs, shares its objectives which it publicly endorsed and which are inconsistent with Southern Cameroons cultural and institutional values and its international legal identity. This defeats its so-called special status and its organisational goals stated it its enabling legislation.

The subordination of members of ‘NOSO Masquerade in Royal Regalia’ therefore, which was pompously misrepresented as a reincarnation of the Southern Cameroons House of Chiefs to deflect attention from the horrendous genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes of the past sixty-five years has been exposed in the market place of Republic of Cameroon’s Perfidy and deception. It is a charade.

The late Kenya President Mwai Kibaki once said that every market place has its mad people. The conference of Traditional Chiefs of Cameroon with the co-option of Southern Cameroons traditional chiefs, has achieved two additional purposes: State capture of the Chieftaincy institution and its transformation into a propaganda tool for the perpetuation of imperial rule and the evisceration of the perfidy of NOSO Special Status, its House of Chiefs or Masquerade in Royal Regalia. This confirms the unimpeachable fact that Special Status with its House of Chiefs is a perversion of the legitimate aspiration of the Southern Cameroons quest for self-determination which is a peremptory norm of international law, an erga omnes obligation and of the supremacy of the international rule of law.

With the masks of deception peeling off, the wheels of international justice for victims of impunity and atrocity crimes, thousands in cold unmask mass graves, many in forests competing with reptiles and wild beast for spaces of refuge and survival, indentured slave labour, sex slavery, terror military justice and barrel of the gun, battles for the soul of the living faith, abductions, transborder trafficking and refouling of victims, the legitimisation of terror, torture, egregious violations and the objectification of victims.

Will genuine Southern Cameroons Chiefs who are committed to be different from their corrupt peers and have made a choice to be genuine custodians of our cultures and traditions; liberating consciences of our humanity, our ancestral bonds of freedom, of justice for the dead, for the living, the unborn; of peace and of the sanctity of life, of the morality of spiritual values, of our individual and collective survival in a world environment at war with its soul, stand up now and be counted?

By Chief Charles A. Taku, Barrister at Law, International Lawyer Organization Lead Counsel, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Special Court for Sierra Leone, International Criminal Court, Oude Waalsdorperweg 10, 2597 AK Den Haag, Netherlands