A joint investigation by Cameroon’s Ministries of Finance, Defense, and General Delegation for National Security has uncovered widespread fraud involving fake birth certificates submitted by military and police personnel to claim child allowances.

Between 2010 and 2021, 12,846 fake birth certificates were declared for children of military personnel, while 4,300 retirees had at least one false declaration. The investigation was launched after the Ministry of Finance noticed a sharp increase in child allowance payments to retired military and police personnel.

The child benefit is granted based on the number of children over 16 years old (for military personnel) and over 20 years old (for police officers) that retirees claim to have raised. The Ministry of Finance explained that the “explosion” in allowance payments between 2010 and 2021 threatened the sustainability of the pension system.

The fraudulent claims led to the suspension of child benefit payments, causing discontent among beneficiaries. In response to complaints from retirees, the Ministry of Finance clarified the situation and implemented a system to regularize the claims.

Of the 110 cases received, 52 have been resolved, resulting in the restoration of benefit increases for August 2024 with retroactive payment for July, the Finance Ministry indicates.

Source: Sbbc

The Belgian capital is where NYENE MAWN, the new Manyu organization has chosen for its launch and all roads are actually leading to Brussels.

Despite threats by the MOHWA leadership to discipline MOHWA members who will be in Brussels for the event, many members of the erstwhile MOHWA Europe are on their way to Belgium.

Speaking to the Cameroon Concord News Group’s correspondent in Western Europe about the event, a member of MOHWA who has walked away from MOHWA Global said that the formation of NYENE MAWN was a welcome relief.

“I am happy that NYENE MAWN will finally see the light of day. As women, we just want to socialize and bring some development to Manyu Division but with MOHWA GLOBAL, the road ahead was bumpy and the waters were permanently murky. The rules were like shifting sands and the organization’s constitution was replaced with the President’s word. I was completely frustrated by such an approach. I hope NYENE MAWN will serve as an example to others,” the lady who elected anonymity said.

“We are in Belgium not just to launch our organization but also to demonstrate how united and effective we can be in organizing big events like this one. Our members have already begun arriving, especially those from Africa and we are really energized,” the lady pointed out.

“I know our launch is a big blow to MOHWA as many people have walked away from MOHWA GLOBAL, but we will do our best not to compete with anybody. We will reach out to other sister organizations when and if necessary, especially when Manyu development is concerned,” she stressed.

Asked about the threats of discipline hanging over MOHWA members like her who are attending the launch in Belgium like the Sword of Damocles, the lady simply said “why end a relationship that is bound to end? If we are already in Brussels, it is because we know what we want. The past is the past and we are focused on the future.”

The launch, which will take place over the weekend, will help the leaders of NYENE MAWN to refine their strategy with a view to solidifying unity within the organization.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Group Chairman and Editor-in-chief

Cameroon Concord News Group

The Supreme Leader of the Bakweris in Buea His Royal Highness Dr. Robert Esuka Mbella Endeley was greeted by a mammoth crowd and a warm welcome during his first official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Naliomo spoke to prominent Cameroonian elites and community leaders and announced his plan to build a multipurpose cultural centre in Buea the chief city in the South West region. The Buea monarch revealed that the centre will focus on culture, entrepreneurship and innovation, community and intellectual leadership.

His Royal Highness Dr. Robert Esuka Mbella Endeley toured the Midlands, visited Buckingham palace and the Cameroon embassy in London.

On his colourful arrival in the beautiful city of Leicester, the King of Buea was greeted by the welcoming beats of his people led by senior Bakweri notables including William Gobina, Andrew Mokake and Lady Fotabong.  

Olivia Ebangha Tambe president of the Manyu Women Association in London UK  said she was so proud, so happy and so honoured to meet Chief Endeley V. Olivia Ebangha Tambe furthered that Manyu Women in London were saying through her voice that they respect the king and were paying homage.

The Saturday 17 August Leicester visit witnessed the participation of top Cameroonian entrepreneurs.

His Royal Highness Dr. Robert Esuka Mbella Endeley also spoke in private to a group of leading figures including Prince Julian Ebai, Charles Mambo and the Cameroon High Commissioner HE Fotabong on a range of issues.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with files

Cameroonian journalist Samuel Bondjock has had to appear in court more than 30 times in almost 30 months to face criminal defamation charges that could put him in jail — even though the country’s media regulator dismissed the complaint against him in 2022.

His next appearance in the capital Yaoundé is scheduled for August 27, but Bondjock has little hope there will be any resolution in what is seen as a classic example of a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) — a vexatious type of lawsuit increasingly used against those who express critical opinions.

These suits frequently invoke criminal defamation laws to punish and censor journalists. In Cameroon, Bondjock — the publishing director of the privately owned online news site Direct Info — is the country’s latest journalist to be accused of defaming influential figures such as football stars, writers, government officials, lawmakers, pastors, and the politically connected.

“Authorities must end the legal harassment and weaponization of Cameroon’s judicial system against Samuel Bondjock, especially as the country’s media regulator has already exonerated him,” said Angela Quintal, head of CPJ’s Africa program, in New York. “Cameroon should follow the examples of several other African states to decriminalize defamation, in line with a 2010 resolution of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and must ensure that SLAPP lawsuits are not used to censor the press.”

In March 2022, Ahmadou Sardaouna, the managing director of the state-run Cameroon Real Estate Company (SIC), filed criminal complaints against Bondjock for “impugning his honor” in two articles published in December 2021 and February 2022, according to CPJ’s review of the complaints and news reports.

Four months later, Sardaouna also lodged a complaint with Cameroon’s National Communication Council (NCC) for “unsubstantiated accusations likely to damage his image.” The media regulator ruled in Bondjock’s favor, saying his journalism had met “professional requirements of investigation and cross-checking,” according to a copy of its July 29, 2022, decision, reviewed by CPJ.

Bondjock told CPJ that he has little hope that his trial will begin this month because Sardaouna’s absence led to repeated postponements of previous hearings  “The plaintiff is doing nothing but delaying tactics to prolong this trial in order to exhaust me financially, morally, and even professionally, by wasting my time. My lawyer defends me despite many unpaid fees,” he said.

Joseph Jules Nkana, Sardaouna’s lawyer, told CPJ that his client had not refused to attend previous hearings and that mediation was undertaken by “Bondjock’s colleagues.” However, the journalist had refused to meet to conclude an agreement, Nkana said.

François Mboke, president of the Cameroon network of press outlet owners, who initiated mediation in 2022 to stop the prosecution, told CPJ that it had not been successful.

Bondjock told CPJ there was no reason for him to try to seek an agreement with Sardaouna, as the NCC had ruled in his favor.

Under Cameroon’s penal code, defamation is punishable by a prison sentence of six days to six months and a fine of up to 2 million CFA francs (US$3,330).

In a joint 2023 submission to the U.N. Human Rights Council scrutinizing Cameroon’s human rights record, CPJ and other rights groups noted at least four cases of arrest and conviction for defamation between 2019 and 2022, including against Martinez Zogo, who was killed in 2023.

Other sub-Saharan countries that have criminalized defamation include Nigeria, Angola, Togo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In June 2024, Niger reinstated prison sentences for defamation and insult that had been replaced by fines two years earlier.

Denis Omgba Bomba, director of the media observatory at Cameroon’s Ministry of Communication, did not respond to CPJ’s request for comment on Bondjock’s case via messaging app.

Culled from Committee to Protect Journalists

Cameroon’s High Commissioner to Canada, Ngole Philip Ngwese, has reached out to the Cameroonian Diaspora, urging his fellow countrymen to contribute to the strengthening of the excellent relations between Cameroon and Canada.

In a press release issued in Ottawa, Mr. Ngwese, a former minister in Cameroon who is waiting to present his letter of credence to Canadian authorities, announced his presence among the country’s Diaspora, underscoring the attention the country’s president, Paul Biya, accords to the country’s Diaspora.

“As you know, the Head of State pays particular attention to the Cameroonian Diaspora throughout the world, and in this regard, is pursuing an all-out policy aimed at giving it its rightful place and closely involving it in the development of our beloved and beautiful country,” the press release said.

“I therefore humbly come to you as a servant of the State to contribute to the strengthening of the relations that exist between Cameroon and Canada,” the release stated.

“I also come to you as a servant of the large Cameroonian community established in Canada, in a spirit of openness, of dialogue, respectful of the differences and divergences of opinion, but concerned above all to preserve a high image of Cameroon in respect of the intangible principles of peace and unity which constitute, among many others, the cornerstone of our national life,” the release said.

“I would like to salute the well-known dynamism of the Cameroonian community in Canada, while urging it to continue to honour our country by observing Canadian laws,” the release concluded.

Mr. Ngwese, known for his humility and discipline, sounded very conciliatory in his message, having understood that there are a few rough edges in the country’s relationship with its Diaspora.

The issue of dual nationality has always been top on the minds of members of the country’s Diaspora and until the government changes its views about dual nationality, the country’s burgeoning Diaspora will continue to be suspicious of the government of Cameroon.

The new High Commissioner, who is laying down a new foundation for the fractured relationship between the government and the country’s Diaspora, especially the Anglophone Diaspora which constitutes the majority of Cameroonians in Canada, understands that he is on treacherous grounds and is prepared to smooth out any rough edges in that relationship so as to enable the Diaspora to play its role in Cameroon’s economic development efforts.

Mr. Ngwese comes to Canada with sound experience in the management of relationships and he is prepared to harness that experience to restore confidence among Cameroonians living in Canada.

Mr. Ngwese needs to be given a chance to deliver that confidence. His message is simple and inspiring. Cameroonians in Canada will have to consider the new High Commissioner as a man of peace who wants to bring everyone into the family again.

Cameroonians across Canada look forward to seeing him soon when he undertakes his meet the Diaspora tour. He should be prepared to deal with the issue of dual nationality which has been at issue for decades.

By Joachim Arrey in Toronto, Canada

arreyjoachim@hotmail.com

Siaka Coulibaly, interim United Nations Resident Coordinator in Cameroon, urged better protection for humanitarian workers in the country on Friday, August 16, especially in crisis zones.

Speaking at a sports walk in Yaoundé ahead of World Humanitarian Day on August 19, Coulibaly said, “Humanitarians must be protected, especially in crisis areas. We must ensure they can fully intervene where needed, in support of the government’s efforts.”

The appeal comes as aid workers face increasing challenges in conflict-affected and disaster-prone regions. Coulibaly noted that humanitarian workers are primarily active in six of Cameroon’s ten regions: Far North, North, East, Adamawa, Northwest, and Southwest.

These areas grapple with climate change, natural disasters like floods, armed group activities, and an influx of refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR) and Chad.

“These incidents have the potential to exacerbate the vulnerabilities of populations, especially in terms of access to food, housing, nutrition, water and sanitation, education, protection services, or healthcare in some cases,” Coulibaly explained. “It’s also important to note that certain types of crises increase the risks for humanitarian workers trying to provide safe, effective, and principled aid.”

Coulibaly reminded that World Humanitarian Day serves as a reminder of the risks faced by humanitarians in their mission. This year’s theme, “Acting for Humanity,” symbolizes the global humanitarian community’s call to leaders to ensure the protection of civilians and aid workers.

The sports walk was an opportunity to pay tribute to fallen humanitarian workers, reinforce solidarity among humanitarian actors, and demonstrate the UN’s continued support for the government’s efforts to aid vulnerable populations.

Cameroon currently faces three major humanitarian crises: the Boko Haram conflict in the Far North, the separatist conflict in the Northwest and Southwest, and the influx of Central African refugees in the East, North, and Adamawa regions.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates 3.4 million people will need humanitarian assistance in Cameroon in 2024.

A Humanitarian Response Plan, launched in April 2024 with a $371.4 million budget, aims to assist 2.3 million of the most vulnerable people, addressing urgent needs related to conflicts, epidemics, and climate shocks.

“The ongoing implementation of the Humanitarian Response Plan with the government is an important step in our support for vulnerable populations,” Coulibaly emphasized.

Source: Sbbc

Though the Bible warns those who have ears to be careful with false prophets, many MOHWA followers who pass off as churchgoers are simply not heeding the advice which their own benchmark document provides.

The truth is that false prophets always provide consolation while those in pain need solutions. MOHWA’s problems need long-lasting solutions which may help restore the beleaguered organization’s image which has taken a snake beatings over the last few months but yesterday a  message of questionable origin put short-lived smiles on the faces of the beleaguered MOHWA members.

The fact is, a false prophet’s announcement of his weightless support will neither cause the group that wants to stop Comfort Beyang from ever coming to Europe from undertaking its actions against Comfort Beyang nor will it cause the accusations of financial malfeasance,  embezzlement and intimidation to go away.

The rule of thumb for people with the right mindset is that when things fall apart, a thorough introspection should be conducted so that such unfortunate situations do not show up again. But with MOHWA, despite the overwhelming evidence and the numerous defections and breakaways, MOHWA leaders hold that the storm will be over and they will continue business as usual.

MOHWA will never be the same again and those who have engineered its crash are simply on their last leg as the pressure is still on. More defections and accusations imply that the mess runs deep and it might not be cleaned up anytime soon, especially as the cleanup crew comprises those who have robbed the organization blind.

But the accusations are not yet over. The storm has become a category nine hurricane and it is very likely to sweep away whatever little trust MOHWA has.

According to a source in Europe who was a member of the defunct MOHWA Europe, an official financial statement of money sent directly to Comfort Beyang before she dissolved MOHWA Europe will be released soonest and the Cameroon Concord News will be handed a copy.

The source added that CFAF 2 million had been wired to Comfort Beyang directly and according to the source, Comfort Beyang had not accounted for that money, adding that with MOHWA Europe hastily dissolved, it is obvious that the money ended up in her pocket as no MOHWA records carry that amount of money.

True to her philosophy, Comfort Beyang and her surrogates organized a kangaroo court session where her protégés were given the opportunity to make their complaints but the accused were never contacted despite complaints from the accused and a decision to set up a committee for that purpose. And all of this was done to ensure that the money wired to her would never be accounted for.

The source also added that Comfort Beyang was supposed to return the money and all attempts to recover the money have been futile.

Meanwhile, a massive fight is brewing within MOHWA as it is emerging that Martina Agbor Tambe has been nursing ambitions to take over as the next president of MOHWA.

According to a source in Cameroon, Martina Agbor Tambe like many other MOHWA members has been supporting the mess engineered by Comfort Beyang as a means of ensuring that she crashes.

Naive as she is, Comfort Beyang has been leaning on the wrong support and most of those supporting her in public privately admit that she has worked so hard to destroy a once buoyant MOHWA.

Her greed and manipulation have blown up MOHWA into pieces and no effort will ever restore the organization’s former reputation, especially if Comfort Beyang continues to (mis)lead MOHWA.

The coming days will be very challenging for MOHWA. The much awaited report from Europe will be yet another piece of evidence which will only go a long way in calling into question the honesty of Comfort Beyang and her surrogates who many thought could steer MOHWA to safer shores.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Group Chairman and Editor-in-chief

Cameroon Concord News Group

The Manyu Senior Divisional Officer who resides in Mamfe town was on a tour of Mamfe town on Friday, 16 August 2024 with a massive and desperate crowd in attendance.

Among the dance groups was a small MOHWA group of less than 10 women who were there to represent a diminished MOHWA which is going through a massive crisis which has torn the once popular organization into pieces.

MOHWA Mamfe used to count over 40 women but following the crisis which has left the organization with a bloodshot eye, most of the women have signed up for EYUMEMA which is an organization which has just existed for less than three years.

EYUMEMA and yet-to-be launched NYENE MAWN have stolen the show from MOHWA which has been in the spotlight over the last year for all the wrong reasons.

It is being alleged that the SDO’s tour, which has cost Mamfe Central elites over CFAF 15 million, was an occasion for the beleaguered MOHWA to soothe itself that it is still a key player in Manyu’s development.

But development is not about dancing. Dancing alone does not bring development to a community. Development is about numbers and money and a diminished MOHMA cannot bring the type of development Manyu needs at this time.

However, if MOHWA cannot bring transformative projects to Manyu, it can at least provide dancers when the real game changers come to town. The poor have their roles in development and dancing is one of their roles. MOHWA dancers can continue to perfect their dancing ability because their dancing skills will be needed when those who matter will be in town.

By Staff man Alain Agbor Ebot

As Comfort Beyang and her group of loyalists examine how they can take legal action against anybody who criticizes MOHWA, some concerned citizens have reliably informed the Cameroon Concord News Group that they will be undertaking a massive diplomatic initiative to keep Comfort Beyang out of the European Union and North America.

The group, which has invited the Cameroon Concord News to join it, says it has already enlisted the services of a lawyer to inform immigration services in Europe and North America about the massive fraud that Comfort Beyang and her disciples have orchestrated to enrich themselves at the expense of MOHWA.

“We are prepared to stop her from entering the European Union and North America as she continues to be defiant. She has been openly called out and called upon by the Cameroon Concord News and other influential people are currently talking to her, urging her to step down. If she does not step down in the coming days, our lawyer will be sending a full report on her crimes to the EU parliament, urging various countries to bar her from entering the EU space in particular and copies will be sent to the American and Canadian embassies in Yaoundé for appropriate action,” the leader of the group who has elected anonymity said.

“She is a criminal. We know her American visa is still valid, but we would call for a revocation of that visa as we would send all the pieces of evidence against her. She is noted for playing nasty. We would beat her in her own game,” the leader stressed.

“Her disciples thought this matter would go away but it will be a nightmare that will not be going away anytime soon for her. Comfort Beyang must be made to understand that others can be as destructive as she is and she and her friends must understand that they are not the only people who know the law,” the group leader underscored.

“Financial malfeasance and intimidation are serious crimes in North America and Europe. These crimes are taken seriously by immigration services in countries of the North. The British have already denied her a visa. If she refuses to resign in the days ahead as the MOHWA president, we will send our document to the UK foreign office with her picture for appropriate measures to be taken,” the group leader said.

Meanwhile, more frustrated MOHWA members are urging the Cameroon Concord News to turn the heat on a broken Comfort Beyang for her to yield to popular opinion.

A MOHWA member in Germany has intimated that Comfort Beyang loves traveling, especially when the trips are financed by other people or MOHWA.

She said that whenever invited for the installation of executive members of a chapter, Comfort Beyang would insist that she be received at the airport like a rock star. She loves other women to bow to her as angels do to God and this scandal will significantly diminish her in the eyes of those who admire her, the lady said.

“This media blitz is a massive blow to Comfort. I have been reliably informed that she has lost weight and is regretting some of her actions. She seems to be spiraling into a depression. I doubt those stories as that woman is very manipulative. Her ego is in control of her. A humble person should have found a way to reach out to the Cameroon Concord News Group. Nobody wins against a powerful media house like the Cameroon Concord News Group, especially as there is lots of evidence against her,” the lady said.

“I know she has disappointed many people, but what will it take for the Cameroon Concord News Group to stop this campaign that has diminished her image and given a bad name to MOHWA. The evidence is overwhelming and it is wrong to think that silence is golden in this context. MOHWA should sue for peace and take appropriate action to clean up its image,” she said.

“Comfort Beyang has to tell her supporters to stop giving her the impression that this storm will be over soon. Over the last few days, the storm has morphed into a massive hurricane as some of her MOHWA members turn against her and provide new evidence every day. Those who help her to dig in her heels are doing her a disservice. The media has nothing to lose. She is being exposed everyday and every new detail only goes a long way in shrinking her reputation and ego. Each time her supporters attack Cameroon Concord News journalists, they only provide more fodder to the Cameroon Concord News’ cannon. This is regrettable, especially as all those insults get leaked to the journalists,” she regretted.

Meanwhile, the Cameroon Concord News Group is studying a proposal to get Comfort Beyang barred from the EU and North America. The proposal has been shared to the Concord Board Members and a decision will be out in the days ahead.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Group Chairman and Editor-in-chief

Cameroon Concord News Group