Headline News

29, April 2017

The Situation in Southern Cameroon: A Call for a Halt to Human Rights Repressions ⁰

The ILA (Nigeria) Committee on Justice and Human Rights, acting under the protective mandate of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, is concerned over the ongoing events in the Republic of Cameroon and has considered it imperative to add its voice to the variously expressed opposition to the wanton violation of the rights of the people of English speaking Provinces of Cameroon by the Government of the Republic of Cameroon.

The facts upon which the intervention of the Committee is established, as verified by CNN, Amnesty International and the African Bar Association, are as follow:

That residents of Cameroon’s two English-speaking provinces have longstanding grievances against the largely-francophone central government, complaining of economic marginalization and the imposition of French legal and education systems upon them;
That in November and December 2016, Anglophone lawyers led protests against the use of French in courts, resulting in clashes with police in which protesters were killed;

III. That the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium (CACSC) and Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC), responded with series of strikes and “Operation Ghost Town” – a form of nonviolent resistance that requiring all supporters to stay at home;

That following the strikes, schools and courts in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon have been shut since November 2016;
That on January 17, the government banned the CACSC and the SCNC, holding them responsible for the protests. The CACSC President Nkongho Felix Agbor-Balla and Secretary General Dr. Fontem Neba were arrested on charges relating to terrorism, and are yet to regain their freedom and have not been offered all the necessary facilities for fair and impartial trial.

Being aware that the issues leading to the current impasse are not new, the Committee takes cognisance of the following:

(a) that the current situation is intimately linked to the events that occurred in British Southern Cameroon in the context of decolonisation having its root in the League of Nations Mandate System that partitioned Cameroon between Great Britain and France and which culminated in the plebiscite of the United Nations on Southern and Northern Cameroon independence question;

(b) That matters arising from the plebiscite have been a subject of litigation and discussion at several international forums, particularly, at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the African Commission on Human and Peoples;

(c) That the Committee is aware that the facts presented to the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights on the Southern Cameroon (‘Ambazonia’) in the case of Gorji-Dinka v Cameroon (2005) AHRLR 18 (HRC 2005), particularly, paragraphs 2.1 to 3.2, were unchallenged by the government of Cameroon;

(d) The Committee also takes cognisance of Kevin Mgwanga Gunme et al v Cameroon (communication 266/03) in which, after it had painstakingly considered the position of both parties, the African Commission made the following findings:

On the facts presented that Cameroon’s law enforcement officers were employing torture, amputations and denial of medical treatment to suppress the Southern Cameroon question, against the claim of government of Cameroon that the agitators had perpetrated terrorist acts in the country, the Commission found Cameroon liable, emphasising that the methods employed by Cameroon were unjustified;
On the imposition of French on the Anglophone regions, the Commission found that it was wrong for institutions, such as banks to force Southern Cameroon based companies to change their basic documents into French in violation of Article 2 of the African Charter;
On the failure of Cameroon to guarantee fair trial to the Anglophone activists, the Commission found Cameroon in violation, for:

– transferring individuals from Southern Cameroon to Francophone Cameroon for trial by military tribunals,

– denying interpreters to those tried in civil law courts;

The Commission found (concerning the individuals that were tried in French without the help of interpreters) that, having denied them the opportunity to adequately prepare their defence, Cameroon violated articles 7.1.b, 7.1.c and 7.1.d of the Charter.
The Commission was categorical in finding that the tendency of military tribunals is to act as an extension of the executive, rather than the judiciary, and that they are not intended to try civilians but to try military personnel under laws and regulations which govern the military. The Commission finds that trying civilians by the Yaoundé and the Bafoussam Military Tribunals was a violation of the right to fair hearing;
The facts before the Commission showed cases of suppression of demonstrations with excessive force as well as the unlawful arrest and detention of protesters, peaceably exercising their right to freedom of assembly. The Commission found that some of the detained persons were acquitted while some died at the hands of security forces or in detention. The Commission found Cameroon in violation of article 11 of the African Charter.
The Commission also condemned the relocation of business enterprises and location of economic projects to Francophone Cameroon, which generated negative effects on the economic life of Southern Cameroon as a violation of article 19 of the Charter.

(e) Having carefully considered the similarities of behaviour of the government of Cameroon that gave rise to the aforementioned cases to those now being employed by the government (and which show that Cameroon failed to implement the recommendations of the Commission), it is the view of this Committee that for their currency and relevance to the presence situation, fitting to adopt and reiterate the recommendations and to strongly urge the Cameroonian government to take all necessary steps to implement the findings as an important step towards the resolution of the historic Southern Cameroon question.

(f) Accordingly, we call on the government of Cameroon to, among others:

release forthwith all those who are currently detained or are being tried for and in respect of matters arising from the southern Cameroon question;
commence a process of national dialogue and payment of compensation to all individuals whose rights have been violated by the unwarranted use of force by the government of Cameroon against the people of Anglophone regions of Cameroon.
address the grievances expressed by the English speaking Provinces of Cameroon through its democratic institutions. The 1993 Buea and 1994 Bamenda Anglophone conferences raised constitutional and human rights issues which have been a matter of concern to a sizable section of the Anglophone Regions of Cameroon for quite a long time;
immediately begin sincere, inclusive and purposive process of consultations towards the amendment of 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Cameroon to address the demands of the Anglophone Regions of Cameroon, particularly since it did not accommodate the concerns expressed through the 1993 Buea Declaration and 1994 Bamenda Proclamation;
abolish all discriminatory practices against people of Southern Cameroon, including equal usage of the English language in business transactions;
stop the transfer of accused persons from the Anglophone provinces for trial in the Francophone provinces;
ensure that every person facing criminal charges be tried under the language he/she understands;
locate national projects, equitably throughout the country in accordance with economic viability as well as regional balance;
enter into constructive dialogue with the Anglophone Regions of Cameroon, and in particular, CACSC and the SCNC, to resolve the constitutional issues, as well as grievances which could threaten national unity; and
to carry out judicial reform towards guaranteeing the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.
That the Southern Cameroonians’ should cooperate with sincere and meaningful attempts by the government to resolve their grievances by constitutional means.

Dr Amos O Enabulele,

Chairman

ILA (Nig) Committee on Justice & Human Rights

29, April 2017

Bilingualism and Multiculturalism: David Abouem says “We are not out to impress Biya” ⁰

Former Governor David Abouem a Tchoyi has said that the members of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism are not out to impress President Biya. The members were installed on April 27, 2017 by Prime Minister Philemon Yang.

Abouem observed that “The President has signed a decree setting out our powers, and now there is the law and the spirit of the law, and each one of us should indicate how he understands the spirit of the text.” “We have a road map set by the decree of the President of the Republic. The first task is to understand the full extent and then on the basis of the program of action that we are going to put in place, each one will intervene according to his / her sensitivity and according to the problems on the agenda. What he thinks, we exchange and then we move towards a common position “.

On the fact that the Commission remains an advisory body, David Abouem, noted that “I have been in these commissions before. I can tell you that we sat on a similar commission in 1979 and made a number of recommendations, with medium- or long-term application and President Ahidjo applied all of them, at least, those that were of immediate and short-term application.”

The former baron of the regime pointed out that “If someone had reflected on the problem of Anglophone justice, on the problem of Anglophone teachers who had even made forward proposals to the president of the republic in October when the crisis began, I am sure that the situation would not have evolved.”

Fru James

Cameroon Concord News

29, April 2017

Ecobank Cameroon: Gwendoline Nzo-Nguty is new Executive Director ⁰

Gwendoline Abunaw Nzo-Nguty is the new Executive Director of Ecobank. After a long experience in finance the Cameroonian now finds herself at the head of the bank.

In 1998, Gwendoline obtained a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Banking and Finance from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Later in 2003, at the London Metropolitan University in England, she received an MBA in Finance and the Barclay’s Bank Award.

Gwendoline Abunaw began her professional life in August 1998 as an information analyst at the Credit Administration Department at Standard Chartered Bank in Cameroon until August 2001. She returned from London in 2003 and joined Ecobank Cameroon for the first time as Account Manager in the Department of Large Enterprises for a year.

In 2004, she became an account manager at Citibank. Through her hard work and determination she became manager of the senior accounts. A position she held until January 2011. In February 2011, she joined Ecobank Cameroon this time as Director of Large Enterprises. Gwendoline Abunaw was appointed to the Board of Directors of Ecobank Cameroon in May 2014 and was confirmed as Director of Grandes Enteprise for Cameroon and the Cemac area.

This rich financial pathway was rewarded in July 2015 by a promotion as deputy general manager of Ecobank Cameroon. Less than two years later, Gwendoline Abunaw is now the lead of this financial institution in her country.

Source: MAG WP

28, April 2017

Syria in talks to buy Russian air defense systems ⁰

Syria says it is negotiating with Russia to buy state-of-the-art Russian missile defense systems to help defend the Arab country against Israeli and American aggression. President Bashar al-Assad made the remarks to Venezuelan channel Telesur. A transcript of the interview appeared on the official Syrian Arab News Agency on Thursday.

“It’s natural that we should have such systems,” said the Syrian leader. “Israel has been committing aggression on the Arab states surrounding it since its creation in 1948,”he said. He made the comments Israel struck an area near the International Airport in the Syrian capital, Damascus.

Tel Aviv has conducted many such attacks in the past. The forays, however, have increased in number since the outbreak of the foreign-backed militancy in the Arab country in 2011. On March 18, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surprisingly admitted to a series of the attacks by the regime, which had hit several targets near the ancient city of Palmyra in the central part of the Arab country the previous day.

He said the attacks had been aimed at targets belonging to the Lebanese resistance movement of Hezbollah, and said Israel would continue hitting the group. Hezbollah has been efficiently assisting Damascus in its anti-terror struggle.

Assad also said, “It is natural for us to negotiate with the Russians now with a view to strengthening (our) systems, whether to face any Israeli threats from the air or the threats of American missiles.” “That has become a real possibility after the recent American aggression on al-Shayrat airbase in Syria,” he added.

The US attack southeast of the western Syria city of Homs in early April saw a barrage of 59 Tomahawk missiles launched against the Shayrat Airfield in the western Syrian province of Homs, causing some 15 fatalities, including civilians. Russia’s military said a day after the attack that Syria’s air defenses would be boosted.

“To protect Syria’s most sensitive infrastructure, a complex of measures will be implemented in the near future to strengthen and improve the effectiveness of the Syrian armed forces’ air defense system,” said spokesman Igor Konashenkov.

Last Saturday too, Viktor Ozerov, the chairman of the defense committee in the Federation Council, said Moscow would not hesitate to supply Damascus with the air defense missile systems it needs to protect war-ravaged Syria against any future foreign military aggression once a bilateral agreement is reached.

Culled from Presstv

28, April 2017

Southern Cameroons: 500 patients in Lebialem receive free medical treatment ⁰

Some 30 medical volunteers from several countries including Cameroon have provided free medical consultation to about 500 patients suffering from epilepsy, diabetes, skin infection and other endemic diseases in Lebialem constituency in Southern Cameroons.

The health campaign was orchestrated by a US based organization- the Gabriel Bebong Betchem Foundation for Epilepsy and Mental Health and was staged on the weekend of 21st April 2017, at the Mary Health of Africa Hospital Fontem.

The medics who took participated observed that the purpose of the campaign was to help the poor and the needy. The team was led by Dr. George Gwelle, a Cameroonian, and winner of a CNN Hero award for his combating epilepsy in Cameroon.

28, April 2017

French Cameroun: Businessman to challenge the 84 year old dictator ⁰

A business man who considers himself an advocate of peace, Jean Blaise Gwet has declared his intention to take part in the 2018 Presidential Election in Cameroon. He made the announcement on Wednesday 26^th of April 2017 at a press conference organized in Yaoundé.

Jean Blaise Gwet, a member of the Patriotic Movement for Change in Cameroon MPCC Party was endorsed by his party. Apart from announcing his candidature, the candidate unveiled his plans to reshape the country’s political landscape. Jean Blaise said he will be campaigning for peace, human rights and social cohesion.

Nothing is known of him at the national level and some commentators have already opined that he is a Biya agent. The 60 year old Entrepreneur and Executive Officer of Lucky Gwet Solar Energy Company was candidate in the 2011 Presidential election and later declined due to unpreparedness. He is positive that his party will bring meaningful change to French Cameroun.

27, April 2017

La Republique court adjourns trial of Southern Cameroons leaders ⁰

The hearing started today at 11:14am with the counsel for the civil parties presenting their memorandum of appearance after which they made an oral application for an adjournment to consult the case file- an application which the defense argued vigorously against by citing several provisions of the law to buttress their points.

The prosecution on the other hand declared their readiness to open their case by calling their witnesses. The prosecution had 17 witnesses to prove their case. Conspicuous among the counsel for the civil parties was the controversial Barrister Achu Julius Tabe Ngu. An application for bail to be granted to Barrister Balla and Neba by the defense was argued vigorously by Barrister Karim Khan, one of the human right lawyers from the UK attending trial. He argued the application for more than an hour citing provisions of the constitution and international conventions and treaties duly signed and ratified by Cameroon notably the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights of 1966, the Bill of Rights and the African Charter on Humans and Peoples Right. He ended his submission by saying that “judges try cases but cases do try judges”.

Other former bar Presidents four in their numbers and other senior colleagues also argued the bail application. After the lengthy arguments from the defense for the bail application, the prosecution requested for adjournment to reply to the application which was granted. The matter was thus adjourned to the 24^th of May at the instance of the prosecution.

27, April 2017

Nigerian Air Force inducts new Mi-35 attack helicopters ⁰

The Nigerian Air Force has formally inducted into service the two new Mi-35M attack helicopters, out of 12 ordered from Russian Helicopters in September 2015. The two aircraft were introduced into service during the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF’s) 53rd anniversary celebrations on 22 April in Makurdi. The ceremony was attended by Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, and Minister of Defence, Mansur Mohammad Dan-Ali, who represented President and Commander -in-Chief Muhammadu Buhari.

The induction of the helicopters will enhance NAF’s operational effectiveness and capability in the fight against insurgency and other forms of criminalities in the country, the NAF said in a statement. The modern Mi-35M attack helicopter has night capabilities in comparison to the earlier version and also has higher performance, more endurance and it is fitted with glass cockpit to enhance situational awareness during operations.

Dan-Ali said successes recorded so far against Boko Haram were made possible through training and acquisition of platforms and equipment for the Armed Forces and other security agencies. “Training and the recent acquisition of brand new platforms and other supporting equipment for our armed forces including other security agencies were also intensified. This was in practical fulfilment of my promise to re-professionalise and adequately equip our military so they could effectively discharge their constitutional responsibilities. The successes recorded so far have restored our pride and honour in the comity of nations. I urge you to consolidate on the gains of air power towards sustaining the peace and stability we have attained so far,” he said.

Abubakar said the Mi-35Ms will “significantly boost the effectiveness and combat capability of the Nigerian Air Force, especially in the counter insurgency operations in the northeast. The president has also approved the acquisition of additional platforms which will soon be delivered to the Nigerian Air Force. Within the last 20 months or so the president’s support has helped to reposition the Nigerian Air Force into a professional and disciplined air force capable of timely employment of air power, in response to our national security challenges.”

During the NAF day celebration Abubakar also presented a ceremonial colour to the newly established Special Operations Command (SOC) and celebrated the awarding of pilot wings to six NAF pilots. Two of the pilots were trained at King Hussain Air College in Jordan and four at the International Helicopter Flying School in Enugu.

The previous day the NAF test fired locally made 30 mm rockets developed by its Research and Development team. They were fired from a vehicle during the Weapons Meet at Kwenev Air Range. F-7Ni fighters fired rockets and cannon during the demonstration as well. Other aircraft that took part included A109 helicopters, L-39ZA and Alpha Jet trainers.

In his speech on 22 April Abubakar highlighted the active participation of the NAF in various peacekeeping operations especially the recent Operation Restore Democarcy in Gambia which saw NAF as the only air force undertake a combat deployment to Gambia.

Other activities during the closing ceremony were aerial and static displays of various NAF platforms and hardware as well as a colourful ceremonial parade. L-39ZAs fitted with rocket pods and cannon were displayed, as well as the indigenous Gulma unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The Nigerian Air Force is expecting to take delivery of the remaining 12 Mi-35Ms by the end of 2018. The first two arrived in Nigeria in December 2016. The Mi-35M is powered by two Klimov VK-2500 turbo-shaft engines. It has an updated navigation and avionics suite which features multi-function coloured displays and target sighting systems, including a thermal imager and laser rangefinder. Apart from the attack role, the Mi-35M can be used for landing or transporting up to 8 fully-equipped soldiers.

Source: Defenseweb

27, April 2017

Appointment of Chi Asafor Cornelius: Infantile and Laughable ⁰

The President of the Republic has appointed Chi Asafor Cornelius as pioneer Secretary General of the National Commission for Bilingualism and Multiculturalism. His was appointed 48 hours to the official installation of members of the National Commission for Bilingualism and Multiculturalism, a ceremony to take place today Thursday, 27th April 2017.

Shortly after his appointment, the new Secretary General expressed profound gratitude to the Head of State for the confidence bestowed. He vowed to use his over 30 years experience at the public service and university to foster bilingualism and multiculturalism in the country.

In a CPDM-style declaration, Chi Asafor advised all to be hardworking because “The President never forgets hard workers in this country. By making it possible for me to be part of an important organ like commission to help promote togetherness, to help bring peace in the country is something I have to formally thank him for”.

The 15 commission members appointed on 15th March 2017 will be installed by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, and Philemon Yang. The commission is headed by Peter Mafany Musonge, a common politician and former Prime Minister and Senator.

State radio and television noted that each of the members of the commission is experienced. They are expected to use their knowledge to build a stronger cohesion among Cameroonians while promoting the effective use of the two official languages and the valorisaration of Cameroon’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.

Southern Cameroonians are justified in holding firmly that with the collapse of the purported federation, the bilingual, bijural and bicultural character of the country, and a return in 1984 of East Cameroon to its name and identity at independence on January 1960, the putative union was dead. They were entitled as a matter of international law, to regain their own identity at independence on October 1, 1961.

The actions by Paul Biya in disbanding the Consortium, kidnapping its leaders and other significant Southern Cameroon leaders and charging them on spurious politically motivated charges before a Francophone court-martial for presenting the very grievances which he has trivialized by decreeing a so-called National Commission on Bilingualism are to say the least infantile and laughable.

Not only are the Consortium Leaders, Barrister Felix Agbor Nkongho and Dr Neba Fontem along with Mancho Bibixy, Hon Justice Chief Paul Ayah, Mola Njoh Litumbe and hundreds of Southern Cameroonians still in detention, the perpetration of widespread and systemic crimes against humanity and genocide of the Southern Cameroons is ongoing with impunity.

By Rita Akana

27, April 2017

La Republique: Anglophone Premier chairs April Cabinet meeting ⁰

Prime Minister Philemon Yang has chaired the April 2017 Cabinet Meeting. During the session on the 26^th of April 2017, three Cabinet members took turns to brief the Head of Government on different measures put in place to meet French Cameroon’s objectives. The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Jean Claude Mbwentchou presented a CPDM program for urban renovation in the country.

The Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Dr Taiga spoke of the regime’s initiatives in the development of livestock, animal industries and aquaculture sectors. He also discussed projects put in place to train producers.

For his part, the Delegate General for National Security, Martin Mbarga Nguelle, enlightened the forum on the implementation of the new identification system. After deliberations, Prime Minister Philemon Yang exhorted the Ministers to keep up with the good work.

He gave specific instructions to all three Cabinet members who did presentations and he recommended that a strategy to stop the importation of aquaculture products by 2020, be elaborated. The Anglophone premier declared his supports for local authorities in designing community plans for urban renewal and authorized the harmonious implementation of the new identification system.