Headline News

12, August 2016

New Boko Haram leader appointed by Takfiri Daesh ⁰

The Takfiri Daesh terrorist group has purportedly appointed a new leader for its Nigeria-based affiliate, Boko Haram. According to Daesh-linked media, Abu Musab al-Barnawi, a former spokesman for Boko Haram, has replaced Abubakar Shekau, who had been in charge since 2009.

It was not clear why the change has taken place. Later on Thursday, Shekau released an audio message saying, “People should know we are still around,” apparently defying Daesh and the decision to oust him.

Barnawi claimed his group remains “a force to be reckoned with,” adding that the fight would go on against West African countries. “They strongly seek to Christianize the society… They exploit the condition of those who are displaced under the raging war, providing them with food and shelter and then Christianizing their children,” he said, referring to the West African states.

Al-Barnawi said the Takfiri militant group will respond to that threat by “booby-trapping and blowing up every church that we are able to reach, and killing all of those (Christians) who we find from the citizens of the cross.”

Presstv

11, August 2016

US says 45,000 Daesh members killed ⁰

As many as 45,000 members of the Daesh (ISIL) Takfiri group have been killed in the Middle East during the past two years, a senior American military official says.

US Army Lieutenant General Sean MacFarland made the announcement during a press briefing on Wednesday, adding that the terrorist group has now become an easier target after losing thousands of its members.

“We don’t see them operating nearly as effectively as they have in the past, which makes them even easier targets for us, so as a result their attrition has accelerated here of late,” he noted.

The American commander attributed some of the success in the battle against Daesh to the US-led campaign that started in late 2014, claiming that the coalition has killed 25,000 terrorists over the past 11 months.

The general’s claim comes at a time when Washington is under fire for the high rate of civilian deaths arising from its airstrikes.

In late July, more than a dozen civilians were killed or injured after US warplanes conducted airstrikes in Syria’s northern province of Aleppo.

Presstv

11, August 2016

Kassav to perform in Cameroon this December ⁰

20 years after their last performance on Cameroon soil, the musical group, Kassav will begin a victory tour of Cameroon from the 16^th to the 22^nd of December 2016. The first live concert is scheduled for Hotel Sawa (Douala) on December 20, 2016 and the second live concert will be held at the Sports Palace (Yaounde) December 22, 2016.

Cameroon Concord News has been reliably informed that after show performances will be hosted in two renowned nightclubs in Yaounde and Douala with the participation of some local artists.

The tour of Cameroon has been dedicated to the fight against cancer and it will be also to celebrate Kassav ‘ 37 years of existence. The organizers are planning a series of activities notably, a visit to the Chantal Biya Foundation.

By Chi Prudence Asong

11, August 2016

British troops training Nigerian servicemen fighting Boko Haram ⁰

The UK is playing a substantial role in tackling security threats across Africa, with deployments in Nigeria and Somalia. Around 30 British troops have recently arrived in Somalia to bolster a United Nations mission, while a 35 strong Royal Air Force (RAF) team have been training Nigerian personnel helping to fight Boko Haram. An RAF Short Term Training Team have been advising the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in how to defend their airbases from threats such as that from extremist group Boko Haram, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. Personnel from No.5 Force Protection Wing and 51 Squadron RAF Regiment are also helping to boost the NAF’s skills in improvised explosive devices (IEDs), tracking insurgents, identifying weapons caches and navigation. They have also worked with the Nigerian Army on improving ground-to-air coordination.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said that, “We stand united with Nigerian efforts to defeat this brutal terrorist organisation. That is why we are increasing our support to their armed forces as they fight extremism. This mission is part of a step up in UK support announced by the Defence Secretary in December, paving the way for multiple deployments of up to 300 UK military personnel across 2016.” More than 5,000 members of the Nigerian Armed Forces have now benefited from UK training since April 2015, which has also included medical training, infantry skills, media operations, command and leadership, and support to Nigerian military training schools.

Around 30 British troops have recently arrived in Somalia to bolster a United Nations mission helping to ensure security against the threat of extremism. In a demonstration of the flexibility and global reach of the UK’s armed forces, the personnel will provide medical, logistical and engineering support as part of UN support to the African Mission in Somalia, which is working to build stability and help counter the threat posed by terrorist group Al-Shabaab. Fallon said that, “We are determined to tackle terrorism wherever it appears and this deployment demonstrates our commitment to help stabilise Somalia.”

The extra 30 troops brings the current number in-country to around 40, after an initial British team arrived in May to help strengthen infrastructure ready for this deployment. Up to 70 UK personnel will travel to Somalia in 2016 as part of the deployment.

Defenceweb

11, August 2016

Drugs for the treatment of Hepatitis now available in Yaounde and Douala ¹

Drugs for the treatment of different types of Hepatitis are now available in some hospitals in Yaounde and Douala. The information was made public by authorities of the Ministry of Public Health and has been confirmed by the President of the Association of Persons living with Hepatitis in Cameroon.

The availability of the drugs will soon be moved to other towns where distribution centres will be created. Patients with HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis will receive treatment for free and those who have only the Hepatitis Virus will receive treatment at a reduced and affordable cost. Approximately four million Cameroonians are living with Hepatitis.

CRTV

11, August 2016

Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga tempered undue excitement on the new academic year ⁰

The Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana has announced that all textbooks and workbooks for the 2016/2017 academic year are available with prices the same as last year. Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana assured parents of this during a press conference in Yaounde on the 10th August 2016.

Before the press conference, the Trade Minister had already signed a release on the 9^th of August 2016, spelling out the maximum prices for all school textbooks. Booksellers, distributors and owners of bookshops took part in the press conference in Yaounde.

CRTV

10, August 2016

Revealed: General Pierre Semengue says he still enjoys all benefits from the Cameroon army ⁰

General Pierre Semengue, the former Joint Chief of Army Staff, 82, has said that he does not consider himself as a retiree. In an exclusive televised interview aired on Sunday, August 7, 2016, Semengue who is now all over the place noted that “I am a reserve army general. I do not have a position in the armed forces. But I enjoy almost all the benefits from the Cameroon army except hardship allowances”.

Pierre Semengue added that he is often consulted on matters of defence and provides advice when needed by the President of the Republic. Semengue also said he was “finalizing” his memoirs in which he has revealed a certain closeness and friendship with some leaders of the Union des Populations du Cameroun, UPC, which he fought as a senior officer of the Cameroon army at independence.

Pierre Semengue also stated that he had UPC comrades such as his kinsman and classmate Woungly Massaga including the late Augustin Frederick Kodock. He spoke negatively of the former secretary at the presidency, the late Samuel Eboua and Dr. Victorin Hameni Bieleu.

By Rita Akana

10, August 2016

Douala: Bar owners at war with government delegate over decision banning public drinking ⁰

The national union grouping operators of bars and other drinking places in the city of Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital, is currently at odds with the leadership of the Douala city council following a press release by the government delegate, Fritz Ntone Ntone, banning the consumption of alcohol on public roads and rights of way.

Apart from forbidden the sitting and drinking outside practice, the Ntone Ntone communique also noted that pub owners who failed to adhere to the law will see their businesses closed and their clients arrested and charged for disturbing public order.

The release that was published on June the 15^th and was intended to fight against urban disorder has triggered a war. A source at the Douala city council that spoke to Cameroon Concord News but sued for anonymity said he hopes the Douala city council will withdraw the statement and work collaboratively with all parties involved.

By Ebong Kingsley

10, August 2016

Disgraced former GM of the National Social Insurance Fund wanted by the Special Criminal Court ²

Former general manager of the National Social Insurance Fund,CNPS has again been summoned by prosecutors of the Special Criminal Court in Yaounde. Pierre Desire Engo is wanted by the court over an alleged embezzlement of 25 billion FCFA.

The Special Criminal Court, Cameroon Concord News has gathered is operating under the mandate of an international commission into the alleged misappropriation.

The international commission wants Mr Engo Desire to explain the source of the 25 billion FCFA in his bank account at Credit Lyonnais Paris.

By Rita Akana

10, August 2016

Turkey and the Syrian crisis: Consistently inconsistent ⁰

Turkey says its views are concurrent with those of Russia regarding the need for a political solution to the crisis in Syria. Speaking to the state-run Anadolu Agency on Wednesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also said Ankara and Moscow were of similar opinions concerning the need for a ceasefire in Syria and the provision of humanitarian aid to the civilians affected by the conflict there.

The comments come even as Turkey and Russia have been supporting opposing sides in the conflict in Syria. While Russia has stressed the need to support the legitimate Syrian government, Turkey has been offering support to the anti-Damascus militants.

Despite that difference, Turkey has recently been surprisingly gravitating toward Russia. A standoff in November last year plunged the two countries’ relations into turmoil. Back then, the Turkish military shot down a Russian fighter jet as it was conducting operations over Syria. One of the two pilots of the Russian Sukhoi Su-24M was killed by anti-Damascus militants on the ground after parachuting out of the targeted jet.

Following a failed coup in Turkey in July this year, Turkish officials, who had previously defended the downing of the Russian jet, distanced themselves from the incident, saying that the bomber aircraft had been targeted by military personnel who later took part in the putsch attempt against Ankara.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a press conference in Konstantinovsky Palace outside Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 9, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

Most recently, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan traveled to Russia, where he discussed the Syrian conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In his Wednesday’s remarks, Cavusoglu said a Turkish delegation, including Foreign Ministry, military, and defense officials, will travel to Russia for follow-up talks on the same day.

Observers also speculate that the Turkish overtures to Russia are coming at a time when Ankara is finding itself increasingly at odds with Western countries in the wake of the coup.

Western countries, particularly those of the European Union (EU), say Turkey is being too heavy-handed in its crackdown on putschists. Cavusoglu seemed to dismiss such speculation on Wednesday, however, saying his country’s rapprochement with Russia was not meant as a message to the West.

He did say, though, that support for EU membership had fallen in Turkey because of what he said was the bloc’s sympathetic attitude toward those who carried out the coup attempt. The EU is making serious mistakes in its response to the coup, the Turkish minister said, adding that if the West “loses” Turkey, it will be because of its own mistakes, not Ankara’s good ties with Russia, China or the Islamic world.

Presstv