Fellow Ambazonians,

As we close the chapters on 2024, in this long and painful journey, know that your resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to our collective strength, our unwavering spirit, and the hope for a brighter future. During this year, there have been moments that have made us anxious, desperate and even despondent. However, your steadfastness to our struggle for independence is a lamp of hope in such challenging times. It is driving us forward, even in the darkest hours. Many of you have sent us messages of love and encouragement. My fellow Ambazonian Prisoners of Conscience (APoCs) and I are eternally grateful. We are still standing tall & strong and firing on all cylinders, regardless.

We remember and honour our fallen comrades who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. May we continue to draw strength from their sacrifices. We invite you to join us in prayer, seeking eternal rest for their souls and solace for their grieving families. Their legacy strengthens our resolve to fight on until we achieve a free and independent Ambazonia.

For them and for Ambazonia, we must redouble our efforts at solidifying our unity of purpose and staying focused on the prize at the foot of the mountain. We must continue the resistance that will show the international community that our resolve cannot be broken. We are not naive to the Cameroun government’s insincerity which has only intensified throughout the past eight years. Their empty promises and continued human rights abuses are a testament to their unwillingness to address the legitimate grievances of the Ambazonian people. We must show the world that even in the face of Mr. Biya’s insecurity, insincerity, impunity and intransigence, we will remain resolute till we get to the negotiating table. Note that the international community is saddled, plagued and distracted by a mirage of global challenges. We cannot entrust our fate to external organisations. We must make our struggle our priority and do all that it takes to move it forward. To my fellow leaders, I urge us all to embrace the call for unity. Our people look to us not for divisions but for a shared vision that will lead us out of this wilderness and into our Promised Land.

This year, the world has witnessed significant events. The re-election of President Donald Trump in the United States of America provides a sobering reminder of the importance of engagement on the global stage. We remember that his first term in office paid attention to our plight. His re-election rekindles our hope for renewed international attention to our cause. The fall of the Assad regime in Syria serves as a poignant lesson on the consequences of authoritarianism. The Gaza-Israel conflict and the ongoing war in Ukraine/Russia underscore the devastating human cost of protracted conflicts and the importance of pursuing peaceful resolutions.

A new dawn is emerging across Africa. The Sahel nations like Senegal, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are rising to challenge colonial legacies. These nations are pushing boundaries, asserting their rights, and giving us hope in Ambazonia’s own journey towards self-determination. Joined to these efforts, the re-election in Ghana of President John Dramani Mahama should challenge many African oligarchs and bring a rejuvenation of the pan African spirit that reminds us of the dreams of the venerable Osagyefor KWAME NKRUMAH and his likes. The new Ubuntu spirit in Africa is not only healthy but promising for our struggle. The urgency of the moment is evident.

Our fight also includes uncovering the truth behind any clandestine agreements that handed our territory and resources to La République du Cameroun. We remain committed to uncovering any treaties between the governments of the UK and La République du Cameroun concerning the Trust Territory of the British Southern Cameroons. Such treachery has subjected us to another cycle of colonisation, but we vow to expose these injustices, restore the independence of our homeland and regain our rightful seat in the assembly of the community of nations.

On a final note, I urge all Ambazonians to actively engage in community mobilization efforts. Share your stories, raise awareness, and demand international recognition for our cause. Together, we stand strong. Together, we rise. Let us unite in our resolve, and usher in a new era for Ambazonia. The finish line is near. In solidarity and unshakeable hope, victory is certain.

We ask for ancestral blessings upon Ambazonia and wish you all Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2025.

Sisiku AyukTabe

Kondengui Prison Principal Yaoundé (KPPY)

Dear Cameroon Concord News

Help us to understand the new finance law many people are talking about. Francophone newspapers in Cameroon have spent a lot of time talking about the new taxes which will destroy Cameroonians and the economy but our own news platform has not yet shed light on this disturbing problem.

The parliament of Cameroon has been in session for weeks now and the law-makers of the country who are supposed to represent the population will be passing some new finance laws which might hurt many struggling citizens.

As ordinary citizens, we are yet to recover from the high prices caused by the pandemic. The stress and tension in the country arising from hardship are visible and many people are losing their lives due to hardship.

 Cameroonians are already paying taxes but not much is seen in terms development, especially concerning the building of infrastructure.

To my knowledge, taxes are not a bad thing. They can help a country to develop. In Western countries such as France and Great Britain, many people lose huge amounts of money to the state by way of taxes. I don’t live in the West but I read a lot about life abroad.

It is true that citizens in Western countries hate paying taxes, but they do admit that taxes go a long way in positively impacting their lives.

Good roads, hospitals and schools are some of the things which make westerners to accept some of the high taxes they pay.

There is also the issue of security. Where there is security, there is a tendency for people to settle there and security usually gets financed with tax money.

Cameroonians are afraid of taxes not because they do not know what taxes could do for a country if well used. Their fear comes from the fact that Cameroon does not have good roads, good schools and hospitals but the citizens get punished every day, every year with taxes.

Taxes are not bad, what makes Cameroon’s taxes bad is the way tax revenues are used. For now, not many people back home are talking about the new taxes and high cost of living.

Like many ordinary Cameroonians, I will like the Cameroon Concord News to shed light on this new burden that will be soon imposed on Cameroonians by a government that hardly renders account.

Thank you for helping our government to understand our pain and for helping Cameroonians to understand what is in that new finance law.

Ngah Jude in Bamenda

Many iconic buildings in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, which were built by Chinese builders, including the newly constructed parliament building, have been praised as a testament to win-win Sino-Cameroonian relations.

On Saturday, China officially handed over the keys to the building to Cameroon’s National Assembly Speaker Cavaye Yeguie Djibril at a ceremony attended by government officials, and diplomats, among others.

“I have already heard that this building is the largest, most beautiful and of incomparable comfort in all of Africa,” Cavaye said in a speech delivered at the ceremony.

In his eyes, the edifice is the most precious gift that China has given to the Cameroonian people.

“This day will remain memorable, it is historic. This is a good example of a true friendship. As the saying goes, a friend in need is a friend indeed. The entire Cameroonian people in oneness say thank you (to China),” Cavaye said.

The long-awaited new building will enable parliamentarians to fully execute their legislative roles and resolve the congestion challenge in the current bicameral parliament building, he said.

“The new National Assembly thus consolidates a friendship which in itself was already very solid. The excellence of these relations has been such that, even the successive crises which have shaken Cameroon in recent decades, have not been able to shake the foundation of this friendship. On the contrary, through thick and thin, China was constantly present alongside Cameroon, tirelessly continuing the work of building ever-fruitful cooperation,” Cavaye said.

In 2017, Cameroon’s parliament building was partially ravaged by fire. “The fire incident made work impossible at the building and we had to relocate to an inconvenient place,” Abba Alim, a member of the National Assembly of Cameroon, said.

Two years later, Cavaye laid the groundwork for a new parliamentary complex with China’s fund. Beijing Urban Construction Group Co., Ltd. (BUCG) commenced construction and works were finished in five years. The structure now stands out as an impressive landmark, with a commanding view of modern buildings sprouting up in the Ngoa Ekele neighborhood of Yaounde.

Widely referred to as an “architectural jewel,” the 15-story complex includes a 400-seat hemicycle, a celebration hall, an office building, a fireguard building, an equipment room, a janitorial building, and other functional rooms, as well as a plaza, roads, fountains, outdoor parking lot, fences and other auxiliary facilities.

The building embodies the traditional decorative motifs of Cameroon, while also showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship of Chinese architecture.

“Unlike our former setting, this modern infrastructure is designed to foster collaboration and dialogue between members of parliament. With good offices and spaces adapted to exchanges, each member of parliament will be able to work in an environment conducive to consultation,” said Lawson Tabot, a member of the National Assembly, in an interview published by the National Assembly.

“Its design for inclusivity has taken into consideration the specific needs of men, women and the physically challenged, respecting the different segments of the population, with adapted facilities thus ensuring comfort for everyone,” said Muyali Meboka, also a member of the National Assembly.

Cui Jinping, BUCG project manager for the construction of the new National Assembly complex, said, skills were transferred and more than 1,000 Cameroonians were employed during the construction of the project. “Chinese workers and Cameroonian workers cooperated to complete the project construction tasks together.”

“At the beginning period of cooperation, they followed the model of masters leading apprentices, with one Chinese worker leading four or five local workers. After a period of training, the trained local workers could basically complete almost all the construction work independently,” said Cui, the project manager.

Jean Atangana, a construction worker with about 10 years of experience, considered the Cameroonian parliament building project to be the pinnacle of his career. “I admire the exquisite skills of my Chinese colleagues. It’s a great respect and honor to build my country together with them,” he said.

Many other iconic buildings in Yaounde have also seen the contribution from Chinese builders.

One notable structure is the Yaounde Multipurpose Sports Complex. A magnificent and imposing indoor sports arena, the complex is fondly called the “temple of sports and culture” because it hosts all types of national and international events.

Another remarkable building is the Yaounde Gyneco-Obstetrics and Pediatric Hospital, a China-funded project that officially opened in 2002. It is the country’s premier medical institution dedicated to gynecology, obstetrics and pediatrics.

Edward Adamu, a member of the National Assembly, told Xinhua that the buildings stand as a testament to win-win Sino-Cameroonian relations.

“We have had a lot of bitter experiences working with the Western countries but the South-South cooperation is showing that is the path for now. It is a win-win relationship, no longer you win and I lose,” Adamu said. 

Source: Xinhuanet

Samuel Eto’o the man who was one of the world’s best strikers in the 2000s, and who was elected president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fécafoot) on December 12, 2021 and singer Simon Longkana Agno, widely known as Longue Longue including the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi have made the final list for the 2024 Cameroon Concord News Person of the of Year.

Our London Bureau Chief Asu Isong announced the names for the award late on Sunday.

Apart from Samuel Eto’o who won the award in 2008, top news makers like Longue Longue and Minister Kombi are prominent in the 2024 contest.

The ultimate winner of the award will be decided after votes from Cameroon Concord News readers all over the world.

Cameroon Concord News has honored a Person of the Year annually since 1999. The winner is an individual or any group that has deeply influenced the people of Cameroon over the past year. The winner of this coveted award is made public in December every year, and a profile of the winner accompanies the release. The winner must have affected the news in Cameroon constructively or in an undesirable way. This sought-after distinction is not an endorsement but recognition by the readers of this publication.

Past winners of the award include Cameroon football legend Samuel Eto’o, Bishop Emeritus Francis Teke Lisinge of the Diocese of Mamfe, the Southern Cameroons leader Sisiku Ayuk Tabe, Archbishop Andrew Nkea the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province, former Nigerian head of state Goodluck Jonathan and the Cameroonian despot Paul Biya.

Voting for the 2024 Cameroon Concord News Person of the Year is now open to all our readers.

How to vote:  You simply need to send the name of your preferred choice via cameroonconcordnews@gmail.com

By Chi Prudence Asong in London

The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the signatory organisations, members of the SOS-Torture Network and partners have submitted an alternative report to the United Nations Committee against Torture (CAT) on the situation of torture and ill-treatment in Cameroon, in the context of the 81st session of the CAT, which will take place on 13 and 14 November 2024.

Since the Boko Haram insurgency in 2014, Cameroon has faced a violent security crisis during which massive human rights violations have been committed by both government security forces and non-state armed groups.

Moreover, the outbreak of the Anglophone crisis in 2016 has made the use of torture by the security forces and armed separatists an instrument that benefits from extenuating circumstances. Torture is now practised and tolerated by the state in so-called exceptional circumstances: that of the fight against terrorism, whose broad definition allows special intelligence services, special forces and units of the police, gendarmerie and army to implement a punitive strategy against entire communities accused of hiding or collaborating with separatist groups. Thus, the use of Law No. 2014/028 of 23 December 2014 on the repression of acts of terrorism undermines the efforts made by Cameroon to establish a legislative and institutional framework that formally prohibits torture and grants important legal guarantees to people deprived of their liberty. This systematic use of violence, including against human rights defenders and journalists who denounce the abuses committed by the State, is of concern to civil society organisations in the context of the 2025 elections.

In prisons, the use of pre-trial detention has increased, leading to overcrowding in dilapidated prisons, some of which have occupancy rates of over 600%. The limited access of civil society to places of deprivation of liberty, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic, is a major obstacle to regular and independent monitoring of conditions of detention and the treatment of detainees.

This report identifies the challenges and proposes recommendations for the implementation of the State’s obligations under the Convention against Torture. In particular, it describes the following concerns:

Tolerance and practice of torture in the name of the fight against terrorism

Inadequacy of Cameroon’s legislative framework to criminalise torture

Failure to respect legal safeguards and the dignity of people deprived of their liberty

Lack of judicial proceedings against perpetrators of torture

Lack of access to reparation and rehabilitation for victims of torture

Lack of independence and resources of the Cameroon Human Rights Commission and the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture

Source: omct

Paul Biya’s faithful supporters celebrated his 42 years in power in Cameroon this week. An official statement praised both his record and his discreet style of leadership, while also hinting at a potential candidacy for the 2025 presidential election.

With 91 years on this planet, 42 of which have now been spent in Etoudi Palace, the world’s oldest sitting elected leader continues to celebrate the anniversary of the day he took office – on 6 November 1982 – after the resignation of Ahmadou Ahidjo.

Born Paul Barthélemy Biya’a bi Mvondo, Cameroon‘s head of state is both elusive and anything but elusive.

In terms of longevity, he has certainly built a lengthy tenure that almost rivals that of his Equatorial Guinean counterpart, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, whose reign has lasted over 45 years. But unlike Obiang, Paul Biya operates under the radar, like a stealth aircraft, hard to track and difficult to find.

This political trademark may well explain Biya’s long political life. According to an editorial in Cameroon Tribune on 4 November, the “Biya Code” is defined by “absence, distance and silence.” While the lack of images of the president – between the China-Africa summit in early September and 21 October – had sparked much speculation, Paul Biya’s return has been as well publicised as the anniversary of his reign.

A low-profile workaholic?

While international media often refer to the president as the “lazy king”, the deputy secretary of the Rassemblement Démocratique du Peuple Camerounais (RDPC) interviewed this past weekend instead described him as a leader who “works tirelessly for his country” and “knows the issues well”.

It is a narrative that continues to unfold during this anniversary period. A letter from the ruling party praises a “fantastic record” as a guarantee of “stability and progress”; a documentary screened in the provinces is titled “Paul Biya, a great statesman with a remarkable destiny”; and the latest edition of Temps des Opportunités, the magazine published by the presidential civil cabinet, speaks of “intense” diplomatic activity with “Paul Biya as a metronome”.

Even the most robust cannot escape the wear and tear of time, and the burning question is: What happens next? Although the name of his son Franck was at one point circulating as a potential successor to the presidency, the issue remains taboo. Meanwhile the symphony of praise is not without calls urging Biya to run for an eighth term in the 2025 presidential election.

A motion signed by dozens of activists and supporters invites “all Cameroonians, regardless of their political views, to join us in our call for the candidacy of the President of the Republic, Paul Biya.”

When mentioning the President’s 92nd birthday in 2025, the RDPC letter responds that the Cameroonian people are “a people of respect for age and elders” and that they must “continue under the leadership” of the head of state. If he were to stand as a candidate and be re-elected, Paul Biya would be expected to complete his next term in his 100th year.

Culled from  The Africa Report