Cameroon

30, January 2025

Minister Laurent Esso humiliated before medical evacuation to India ⁰

According to Cameroon Intelligence Report correspondent in Yaoundé who observed the drama that unfolded before the evacuation of the Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Laurent Esso was depressed at the shabby treatment meted on him and virtually broke down at the Nsimalen International airport.

Esso’s prolonged evacuation to India for medical treatment was a saga of humiliation during which a low-ranking police officer reportedly carried him on his back into the plane and he was jeered by some airport workers, according to CIR’s Rita Akana, who watched the Justice Minister as he arrived the airport from his Yaoundé residence.

Giving a detailed account of Laurent Esso’s journey from Yaoundé to India, Rita Akana said that the Justice Minister was treated with total contempt at the Nsimalen International airport.

Minister Esso was rushed into the airport in an old ambulance and shifted to the plane on a police officer’s back. As the officer started running towards the plane, security agents at the airport started laughing and making a mockery of him.

Laurent Esso has always been very confident that he has the support of the docile Sawa people and that of President Paul Biya; however, he suffered the biggest humiliation of his life when an airport official told him in the presence of his wife that he could only hang on an officer’s back to get into the plane.

His wife could not hold back her tears when she saw her husband being humiliated by state security agents. She was heard murmuring privately in a passionate voice “ooh le Cameroun! Oh mon pays”. But her emotional cry fell on deaf ears.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with files

30, January 2025

Another Yaoundé container crash kills two ⁰

A tragic accident occurred on January 29, 2025, at Carrefour Meec, in Yaoundé’s 6th district, when a poorly secured shipping container detached from a truck and crushed a taxi carrying four people, including the driver. According to preliminary but unofficial reports, two passengers lost their lives in the incident.

Images circulating on social media show the taxi completely crushed under the weight of the container. Firefighters used specialized equipment to lift the container and recover the victims’ bodies, which were trapped inside the vehicle.

This accident comes just three months after a similar tragedy in Mimboman, on October 17, 2024, when another fallen container killed three people and seriously injured nine others, according to official figures. In response, the Governor of the Centre Region, Naseri Paul Bea, issued a decree banning heavy trucks—including trailers, fuel tankers, and timber transporters—from using the Mimboman-Don Bosco-Ngousso road until further notice.

The circulation of heavy-duty trucks, often linked to fatal accidents, remains a major challenge for authorities. Despite restrictions, enforcement has been weak. In light of the rising number of freight transport-related accidents, Transport Minister Jean Ernest Masséna Ngalle Bibehe has ordered the installation of a centralized tracking system in all trucks carrying goods or hazardous materials. Initially, transport operators were required to comply by December 31, 2024, but following requests from unions, the deadline was extended by three months, until March 31, 2025.

Source: Sbbc

29, January 2025

Anglophone Cameroon has the shortest paved road network in the Country ⁰

Data from the Ministry of Public Works reveals that the Northwest region of Cameroon has the smallest paved road network in the country. It consists of 238 km of national roads, 106 km of regional roads, and 157 km of municipal roads, totalling 501 km of paved roads for a land area of 17,300 square kilometres.

The Southwest region fares similarly, with a total area of 25,000 square kilometres and 647 km of paved roads – 471 km of national roads, 33 km of regional roads, and 143 km of municipal roads.

In contrast, the neighbouring West region, which covers 13,892 square kilometres, has a total of 1,080 km of paved roads, including 338 km of national roads, 328 km of regional roads, and 404 km of municipal roads.

The Centre region boasts the most extensive paved road network, spanning 2,273 km, with 1,231 km of national roads, 447 km of regional roads, and 595 km of municipal roads. The Littoral region ranks second with 1,112 km of paved roads.

The East region, the largest in the country with an area of 109,000 square kilometres, has a paved road network of 827 km. Meanwhile, the Far North region has 729 km of paved roads, the North 802 km, Adamawa 803 km, and the South 1,687 km.

Source: Sbbc

29, January 2025

CPDM Crime Syndicate: Customs revenue misses 2024 target ⁰

Cameroon’s Directorate General of Customs (DGD) collected CFA1,055.9 billion in budget revenue by the end of 2024, reaching 96.5% of its revised target of CFA1,094.9 billion. This was revealed in a statement released on January 28, 2025, by the customs administration’s communication department, following the celebration of International Customs Day on January 26.

While revenue increased by CFA33.3 billion compared to the CFA1,022.6 billion collected in 2023, customs still fell CFA39 billion short of its 2024 target. According to the DGD, global geopolitical conflicts were a major factor behind this shortfall, with repeated attacks on ships in the Red Sea disrupting maritime transport and causing costly route diversions that affected cargo deliveries.

Despite these global challenges, Cameroon’s customs revenue has exceeded CFA1 trillion for the second consecutive year. For 2025, the administration has set a new revenue target of CFA1,144 billion.

Source: Business in Cameroon

29, January 2025

UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang to visit India ⁰

The President of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang, will undertake an official visit to India from 4 January to 8 February 2025, at the invitation of the Indian Government. His visit will include stops in New Delhi, the capital, and Bengaluru, often referred to as the Silicon Valley of India.

During his visit, President Yang will aim to strengthen multilateral cooperation with India on key global issues, including international peace and security, as well as the Pact for the Future.

While in India, President Yang will hold bilateral meetings, including a courtesy call on the President of India, H.E. Ms. Droupadi Murmu, and discussions with the country’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar.

His itinerary will also include visits to a public health facility in Gautam Buddha Nagar and several key sites in Bengaluru, including the Infosys campus and the Indian Institute of Science. The President will also visit other important locations in both cities.

Additionally, President Yang will meet with the UN Country Team in India, led by UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Shombi Sharp.

Before arriving in India, President Yang will conclude an official visit to Japan from 31 January to 4 February 2025. In Tokyo, he will meet with Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Shigeru Ishiba, Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Takeshi Iwaya, and JICA President Mr. Akihiko Tanaka. The President will also visit Hiroshima, where he will pay his respects at the cenotaph for the atomic bomb victims and lay a wreath.

H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang was born in the Republic of Cameroon and served as Prime Minister, among other positions, of the Republic of Cameroon. In June 2024, he was elected as the President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. His term as President of the UN General Assembly runs from September 2024 until September 2025.

Culled from The UN

29, January 2025

1,736 Cameroonians face deportation from US ⁰

A total of 1,736 Cameroonians, are at risk of deportation from the United States as part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to address illegal immigration. According to a document from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which was shared with the media, this move is part of a wider initiative to remove over 1.4 million non-citizens who are subject to final deportation orders.

The data, titled Noncitizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship, revealed that Cameroon is one of the countries most affected by the operation, alongside Mexico and El Salvador, which account for 252,044 and 203,822 deportations respectively.

The report outlined that as of November 2024, over 1.4 million individuals, including Cameroonians, have been placed under final removal orders. These individuals, although not currently detained, have exhausted their legal avenues to remain in the US. ICE’s primary mission is to enforce immigration laws and ensure that individuals who are in the US unlawfully are removed.

President Trump has been pushing for a tougher stance on immigration, which includes increased deportations. In a statement last week, Trump reiterated his administration’s position on deporting “criminal aliens” and reinforced his broader immigration agenda, including military deployment along the southern border with Mexico.

“America is respected again,” the White House declared in a recent statement, adding that its immigration policies are focused on securing national borders. The situation has stirred concerns, particularly among African migrants, with Cameroonians being a key group impacted by these measures. Although the Cameroonian government has not publicly commented on the deportation figures, the news is likely to cause apprehension among those facing removal.

27, January 2025

Yaoundé: Etoudi throws in the towel for African Development Bank presidency ⁰

Biya and his gang have decided not to put forward a candidate for the presidency of the African Development Bank, despite two profiles emerging in recent months, Africa Intelligence reported today.

Africa Intelligence also stated that Biya made the dramatic u-turn to avoid finding himself at odds with the Chadian leader.

Unity Palace had worked to promote its own candidate for the top African Development Bank seat, despite having officially supported Chad’s contender.

The regime in Yaoundé reportedly ordered Cameroonian diplomats to push for economist Albert Zeufack to take over the presidency of the African Development Bank, instead of the former BEAC governor whom N’Djamena is supporting.

As more candidates apply to take on the African Development Bank leadership role, the presidents involved have been quietly calling round to get a picture of the situation.

By Chi Prudence Asong with files from Africa Intelligence

22, January 2025

Douala: Gov’t targets customs corruption in new crackdown ⁰

To mark International Customs Day, Cameroon’s Ministry of Finance launched a campaign on January 14 in Douala to tackle corruption in the country’s customs service. The campaign, which will run until January 22, focuses on educating customs officers in Douala, Kribi, Limbe, and Yaoundé about the harm corruption causes to the nation’s growth.

The effort is backed by Africa Global Logistics (AGL), a key partner in the initiative. Speaking at the launch, Mama Nsounchiat, Deputy Managing Director of AGL Cameroon, underlined the need for accountability. “Corruption has no place in a system that aims for excellence. AGL is dedicated to supporting this fight by providing modern tools and innovative solutions to improve governance,” he said.

Corruption in customs has been a major issue in Cameroon for years. A 2016 report by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Conac) detailed widespread fraud and misconduct within the sector. The report estimated that between 2010 and 2015, corruption cost the public treasury CFA1,246 billion in lost revenue.

Investigators also uncovered extravagant lifestyles among customs officers. Some were found to own luxurious properties in Douala and other cities, as well as significant bank balances. One case involved a customs officer in Maroua, in the Far North region, who reportedly owned 13 villas, a five-story building, 10 plots of land, trucks, buses, and several luxury cars.

The diaspora has also expressed frustration. In December 2024, Cameroon’s liaison officer to Interpol, Richard Evina Engolo, relayed complaints from Cameroonians abroad to the country’s ambassador in France. These grievances pointed to corruption and other unethical practices by customs officers at the ports of Kribi and Douala.

Source: Business in Cameroon

20, January 2025

Brenda Biya competing with poor saloon girls as the country burns ⁰

Her dad President Paul Biya is fast exceeding his quota of killing. Roads in the country are so bad that potholes are swallowing cars, okadas and bicycles the way his ministers Paul Atanga Nji, Laurent Esso and Ngoh Ngoh are swallowing opponents of the regime.

The Delegate General for National Security, Martin Mbarga Nguele observed recently that driving from the nation’s capital Yaoundé to Mutengene in the South West region, the only way to continue the journey is over the rooftop of the vehicle which the road has already eaten.

So, the best way to survive in Cameroon is by relocating to Bastos in Yaoundé with all your belongings including small shops, hair dressing saloons, beer parlours and cosmetic shops. This is what Brenda Biya, daughter of President Biya the so called Father of the Nation has just done.

Bastos is supposed to be a kind of Stamford Bridge hosting foreign diplomats, billionaires and those who matter deep within the Cameroonian society. But Brenda Biya and her dad President Paul Biya have made it a free for all with every Tom, Dick or Harry steaming up and down eating roast corn and plums like in Metta Quarter in Kumba.

Recently, a small shop Bree Cosmetics opened its doors in Bastos under the direct supervision of the Minister-Secretary General at the presidency of the republic Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh. Bastos is the place no one can be killed in Cameroon.

The decision by Brenda Biya to open her cosmetic shop in Bastos is essentially to keep her father’s failed and empty legacy alive. Brenda Biya is now competing with poor Cameroonian girls who are shuttling between Dubai and Douala to make ends meet!! And Cameroon is burning.

Brenda reportedly studied in one of the best universities in the USA when thousands of English speaking Cameroonians were being killed by the Francophone dominated military in a war that her dad declared against English speaking Cameroonians.

Today, the monstrous liability of a head of state and the all powerful Fon of Fons is watching his children either committing the same shameful errors or falling into spectacular new ones.

The fire burning up the Biya family is the result of him thinking that he is a god. His refusal to bow to demands for change in Cameroon and hand over power to the new generation and his corrupt policy in which the funds of Cameroon as a country are confused with his own, have led to a complete breakdown of law and order.

The Biya family is now opening a small cosmetic shop for Brenda Biya, after more than 42 years of watching the economic and political corruption that has reduced Cameroon to wretched and grinding poverty.

Roman Catholic Bishops have appealed to Mr Biya to step down, but he is not showing any sign of leaving. Cameroon Intelligence Report gathered that he is now struggling to pay his destitute army.

Although French speaking Roman Catholic Bishops are trying to chip away Mr Biya’s authority, the 92-year-old dictator is still firmly entrenched. The most powerful elements of the army, the gendarmerie, the police force and the media are all under his control.

Ultimately Biya’s survival depends on the loyalty of the secret service dominated by elements from his Beti-Bulu tribal extraction, the Francophone military including the National Gendarmerie and to this end, the privileged service men and women will be allocated funds to go and shop at the Bree Cosmetics Shop in Bastos. That will give them a special kind of divinity.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

20, January 2025

Minister Ngoh Ngoh attends opening of Brenda Biya’s Cosmetics boutique in Yaoundé ⁰

Brenda Biya, daughter of President Paul Biya, has officially launched her cosmetics boutique in Yaoundé’s Bastos district.

On Saturday 18 January 2025, Brenda Biya inaugurated her high-end cosmetics store in the heart of Cameroon’s capital. The shop, called ‘Bree Cosmetics’, offers a wide range of beauty products.

The inauguration ceremony was well attended with the Secretary General at the presidency of the Republic, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh also answering present.

‘I worked really hard on this project,’ says Brenda Biya in a promotional video about the opening of her boutique in the Bastos district of Yaoundé.

By Rita Akana in Yaoundé