Headline News

17, June 2016

British pro-EU MP murdered ⁰

Campaigning for Britain’s EU referendum scheduled for next week has been suspended for a second day as the nation remains in shock from the murder of Jo Cox, a Member of Parliament (MP) who was pro-Europe. Cox, a 41-year-old former aid worker and pro-EU campaigner known for her advocacy on behalf of Syrian refugees, was killed on Thursday outside a library where she regularly met constituents in Birstall in northern England.

Cox, a Labour Party MP, had been repeatedly shot and stabbed, witnesses told local media. Following the attack, both sides in Britain’s June 23 EU referendum on staying or leaving the bloc said they were suspending their campaigns. British Prime Minister David Cameron also pulled out of a planned rally in Gibraltar, a British overseas territory located on the southern end of Spain in Mediterranean Sea.

The Stronger in Europe camp, which campaigns in favor of the UK’s continued membership of the EU, said it was “suspending all campaigning” for Thursday and Friday, while a spokesperson for the rival Vote Leave group, an organization that campaigns for Britain to leave the EU, said their “battle bus” was returning to headquarters.

Her attacker is reported to have shouted “put Britain first” at least twice. A 52-year-old man, named locally as Tommy Mair, has been arrested. According to British media, Mair, may have had extreme right-wing leanings. “Britain First” is the name of a far-right anti-immigration group. Police said an investigation was under way to determine the motive of the murder, the first killing of an MP since Ian Gow was killed by a car bomb planted by the Irish Republican Army in 1990.

Earlier on Thursday, dozens gathered outside the Parliament in a vigil to remember Cox, including Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who was flanked by tearful party colleagues. “What’s happened is beyond appalling. We are here in silent memory of her loss,” said Corbyn. “She was a fearless campaigner, and a voice for the voiceless. We feel shaken,” said Fatima Ibrahim, 23, an activist with the Avaaz civic organisation.

Presstv

17, June 2016

Cameroon’s new Penal Code: Revelations from the June 2016 Plenary Session ⁰

Top among the numerous issues deliberated at the June 2016 Plenary session in the so called Upper and Lower houses of parliament were proposals made by the ruling CPDM crime syndicate on the Cameroon Penal Code. Cameroon’s 50 year old Penal Code has witnessed some modifications which includes

–Adultery remains a criminal act not only against women, but men inclusive.

–The eviction of a spouse from the matrimonial home by any person other than the spouse of the victim is now a crime.

–Indecent or illegal practices in any public or private enterprise will lead to complete disintegration, permanent or temporal closure of the enterprise.

–Renting fraud: Six months to three years imprisonment terms for recalcitrant tenants: (those refusing to pay their rents) will be charged with fines ranging from 100 to 300,000 FCFA.

–Unscrupulous tenants who before leaving the house, damage some equipment will be severely punished.

–Street begging prohibited.

– Illegal sale of drugs is now a crime.

The scrutiny exercise was supervised by the Minister of Justice and keeper of the Seals, Laurent Esso, assisted by the Vice Prime Minister, Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Relations with the Assemblies, Amadou Ali. The Cameroon bar association has called for an immediate stop of the penal code review.

CRTV

17, June 2016

Cameroon: Youth Employment Service launches nationwide campaign to train 6000 entrepreneurs ⁰

The training organized by the Youth Employment Service, YES Cameroon consist of a three day training session within a period of two weeks in all 48 divisions in the country. According to the Executive Director of YES Cameroon, Gilbert Ewehmeh, the beneficiaries will include 80% of small business holders who do not have access to credit and financial support.

The workshop is targeting essentially those in the informer sector who will be trained on the techniques of attracting funding opportunities and how to triple investment capital. The training will also cover areas of management and leadership.

The different facets of the training were presented to the press during a launching ceremony that marked the beginning of the training exercise. The organizers indicated that at the end of the training, a Business Angel Fund of 50 million FCFA will be mobilized to support ten projects in each region.

CRTV

17, June 2016

French court sentenced African Football legend Claude Le Roy to 2 years in prison ¹

In what has been described as a major blow to the Togolese national football team on their way to qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nation, Gabon 2017, a French court has sentenced Claude Le Roy to two years in prison including an 18 months ban from all football activities this Friday June 17, 2016. Cameroon Intelligence Report learned that Le Roy was jailed following his involvement in some fraudulent transfer deals when he managed Racing Club of Strasbourg between 1998 and 2003.

The former Cameroon and Congo Kinshasa football trainer has been quoted as saying he was not aware of any illegality on the said transfers. Our senior football correspondent who contributed to this report observed that if the sentence by the court is confirmed, it could upset the contract Claude Le Roy has with the Togolese national team. CIR sports desk is keeping a watchful eye on this developing story and we will keep our readers posted.

Ebong Kingsley (CIR)

17, June 2016

Senator Mafany Musonge,South West Yaounde CPDM gang told to respect Section Presidents ⁰

The unending internal wrangling, unhealthy rivalry, bitterness and hatred common of the ruling CPDM party was brought to the limelight at a ceremony to officially commission the newly appointed regional and divisional delegation leaders of the South West. While installing the so called Regional Head of the CPDM South West region in the person of Senator Peter Mafany Musonge, the Secretary General of the Central Committee, Jean Nkwete tasked Musonge to reunite the party and restore its credibility in the region.

Cameroon Intelligence Report understands the new CPDM curriculum seems to have rendered the all powerful Section Presidents redundant. However, Secretary Jean Nkwete sounded a note of caution to the newly installed regional and divisional heads not to relegate section presidents and become party bosses.

The CPDM Scribe noted that the party bosses would remain the section presidents. Jean Nkuete emphasized on party discipline for success in future political consultations. The Biya acolyte revealed that the primordial function of the divisional delegations was strictly coordination. CPDM mayors were told to work in close collaboration with the section presidents.

Cham Victor Bama (CIR)

17, June 2016

Congo Brazzaville: General Mokoko in police drag net ⁰

General Jean- Marie Michel Mokoko, one of the opposition candidates in the March 20, 2016 presidential election in Congo is languishing in police custody in the capital, Brazzaville since June 14, 2016, Reuters reported, citing an announcement from his party.

The former army chief of staff from 1987 to 1993 is being investigated on allegations shown in a video screened in 2007 indicating that he was discussing plans to oust President Denis Sassou Nguesso from power. He had been President Sassou Nguesso’s special adviser on security matters. Reuters reported yesterday that the government had not yet commented on the arrest and detention of General Mokoko in the Police cell.

However, events leading up to the arrest indicate government’s intention to have the judicial proceedings against him accelerated. RFI cited Justice Minister Pierre Mabiala of asking the State Counsel to hasten the proceedings. General Mokoko’s lawyer, Yvan Eric Ibouanga, RFI reported, also confirmed the arrest and detention. He however, did not want to further comment on a judicial file that is still at the preliminary investigation phase.

General Mokoko after the accusations of attempted coup d’Etat in 2007, left Congo and only returned early this year to contest in the race for the presidency. Since the March 2016 presidential election, he had been living under tight security surveillance.

17, June 2016

Russia bombs US-backed militants in Syria ⁰

An American official has expressed grave concern over allegation of Russia’s bombing of US-backed militants in Syria. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters on Thursday that Russia bombed US-backed militants in southern Syria earlier in the day, raising “serious concern” over the incidence. “Today, Russian aircraft conducted a series of airstrikes near al-Tanf against Syrian counter-ISIL forces that included individuals who have received US support,” said the senior defense official.

“Russia’s latest actions raise serious concern about Russian intentions. We will seek an explanation from Russia on why it took this action and assurances this will not happen again.” “Russian aircraft have not been active in this area of southern Syria for some time, and there were no Syrian regime or Russian ground forces in the vicinity,” the official said. The US military launched a $500 million program in early 2015 to train entire units of what it described as “moderate” militants in the Arab country. But the program drew heavy fire last fall after admitting the efforts had floundered, with numbers of trainees falling massively short of the planned 5,000.

One group even handed over ammunition and other gear to a local al-Qaeda affiliate, known as the al-Nusra Front. Since then, the Pentagon has worked with militants from different groups, instead of an entire unit. This is while the CIA has also been involved in training militants in Syria. Since September 2014, the US and some of its allies have been carrying out airstrikes against purported positions of Daesh (ISIL) militants inside Syria.

The Takfiri militants, who were initially trained by the CIA in Jordan in 2012 to destabilize the Syrian government, control large areas of Iraq and Syria. The Syrian government has charged that the airstrikes had targeted the country’s infrastructure in many instances and done little to stop the advances of terrorists. Syria’s years-long foreign-sponsored militancy has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives since early 2011 and left behind vast trails of destruction in a country where millions of people have been displaced.

Presstv

17, June 2016

TV Soap Operas: The Cameroonian woman’s new joy ⁰

Television following in Cameroon has grown over the years as the number of local channels increases and paid cable TV connection made more accessible to low income earners. Today, soap operas retain the attention of many Cameroonian women, with both local and foreign channels literally competing for attention with the number and quality of such films they offer. As a result, many women have literally become addicted to watching soaps.

According to Florence Bilaga, a Yaounde-based journalist, soaps are preferred by women because they deal with common gossip subjects such as love, family rivalries and stories of beautiful poor girls who become great because of who they marry. The films also handle the plight of children who are abandoned by one of their parents only for them to become prominent in life. Such a situation often obliges the negligent parent to return, asking for forgiveness on their knees.

“These stories enable women to keep their conversations alive as they try to predict what will happen next,” explained Bilaga. “Time for popular TV soaps in many Cameroonian homes these days is time of concentration. Even little children who were crying before tend to pay attention,” she added. Nyimekong Adeline, a cleaner with a Yaounde-based media company, attributes the popularity of soaps to their ability to handle daily societal concerns. “They teach lessons that enable people to live in harmony with their families and communities, while also offering tips on the things and type of company to avoid,” Nyimekong noted.

Among the several television soap operas currently running in Cameroonian homes are “Rumble” on Cameroon Radio Television, CRTV from 9 pm, “Bad Angel” from 7 pm and “La fille de ma mere,” from 8 pm – all from Mondays to Fridays. Others are “La reine blanche” on Canal 2 International on Saturdays at 7.30 pm, “La belle mère” on A+ during week days from 9 am to 10 am, and “Femmes autoritaires” on the same channel from Mondays to Fridays, beginning at 10.30 am. There is also “Anna Julia” on Nina TV from Mondays to Fridays as from 8.30 pm.

Cameroon Tribune

17, June 2016

Cameroon: Prices of basic commodities soar, CPDM government won’t talk!!! ⁰

Getting eight unripe bananas at 100 FCFA or a 15-litre measure of white maize at 3,500 FCFA is no longer possible in Douala today. Talk less of buying a 10-litre container of charcoal (big lumps) at 1,000 FCFA. Families that hitherto depended on essential protein like beans or eggs are now unable to afford them.

Traders like Marguerite Kemba and Donatus T. attribute the hikes to the age-old problem of inaccessibility to production zones, especially as downpours become regular. According to Hans Nfor, it is a season of scarcity for maize and beans because farmers are still waiting for new harvest. Meanwhile, old stocks are gradually being depleted. The obvious impact, they say, is that it has not only created the scarcity of some foodstuff in Douala markets, but also price hikes as many scramble for the few quantities available.

Claudette Ndi, a buyer, said the main sources of protein for her family used to be eggs and beans, but with the scare of Bird Flu in the country, she is unable to afford them. “I can’t go for alternatives like fresh beef because it is even more expensive for a family of eight,” she disclosed. Jacques K., a breadwinner, added that the price hikes have provoked misunderstanding among couples: “Without a corresponding rise in income, I am uncertain of the future.”

Now, only four bananas sell for 100 FCFA and seven for 200 FCFA, for the bigger ones in Marché Buea. Nonetheless, a 15-litre of white maize now costs 4,000 FCFA. Only smart bidders are able to match traders to purchase at 3,900 FCFA. Only last April in Marché des Pommes, the same quantity cost 3,500 FCFA. As for yellow maize, the price of the same quantity has soared to 4,500 FCFA, from 3,800 FCFA. Charcoal, which is preferred by most low-income families for fuel, has climbed to 1,500 FCFA from 1,000 per 10-litre container.

Even so, only the most daring buyer undertakes the telling experience of squeezing through the muddy, narrow aisles of the Charcoal Market in order to find dry charcoal. The prices of beans (red, white and MEDINO) are astronomical, having gone from 10,000 FCFA and 11,000 FCFA to 12,000 FCFA and 13,000 FCFA for 15-litre containers. Meanwhile, a cup of beans now costs 150 FCFA, compared to 125 FCFA two months ago.

Cameroon Tribune

17, June 2016

After Paulus Yimbesalu, another Cameroonian to receive Queen Elizabeth’s Young Leader Award ⁰

As part of activities marking Queen Elizabeth II of England’s 90^th birthday, a Cameroonian has been selected to receive the Queen’s Young Leaders’ Award on Thursday, June 23, 2016, at Buckingham Palace, London. David Morfaw, 22, was selected “for taking the lead in transforming the lives of others and making a lasting difference in their communities,” says the release from the British High Commission in Cameroon.

As Queen’s Young Leader, Morfaw will join other winners from 45 Commonwealth countries in London for five days of high-level engagements designed to enable them further their life-changing work. Prior to receiving the award, winners will visit Number 10 Downing Street and the UK headquarters of global social networking company, Twitter, as well as meet senior executives at the BBC World Service. They will also meet Patricia Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary General and visit projects for the vulnerable in the UK, amongst others.

This year’s Queen’s Young Leaders’ Award recipients are working on variety of issues such as education, climate change, gender equality, mental health and improving the lives of people with disabilities. Meanwhile, the application process to be among the 2017 Queen’s Young Leaders’ Award winners opens on Friday, June 24, 2016. The contest is intended for young people between 18 and 29, dedicated to creating positive changes in the lives of Cameroonians. Application details are available at www.queensyoungleaders.com.

Cameroon Tribune