Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo spoke out on the actions of gendarmes who assaulted lawyer Richard Tamfu on November 27 in Douala, while appearing before the Finance and Budget Committee on December 3.

The minister, while defending his ministry’s 2025 budget, confirmed an investigation had been launched into the incident but emphasized his condemnation of “insults and incivility by citizens against gendarmes and military personnel,” stressing their right to self-defense if attacked.

This defensive stance aligns with findings from an investigative report obtained by SBBC. The report, from the National Gendarmerie, accuses barrister Tamfu Ngarka Tristel Richard of “violence against public officials, rebellion, destruction of military property, obstruction of justice, and insults.” It states that five gendarmes assaulted Tamfu in response, and they now face charges of abuse of office, causing minor injuries, and violating orders.

Source: Business in Cameroon

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has authorized a loan of €74.25 million (around CFA49 billion) from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to support the country’s emergency electricity recovery plan. The decree, signed on December 3, grants Economy Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey the authority to secure the loan.

The funds will be used to implement the Support Program for the Recovery of the Electricity Sector in Cameroon (Parsec). This program aims to improve electricity production, distribution, and governance. The presidential approval follows the AfDB board’s green light for the loan on December 14, 2023, which will finance the first phase of Parsec.

Parsec is part of a series of ambitious reforms to address key challenges in Cameroon’s electricity sector. Between 2024 and 2025, the program will support the government’s efforts to implement these reforms. The long-term goal is to increase electricity production to 5,000 MW, which will meet domestic demand and allow Cameroon to export energy, especially to Chad.

The electricity sector in Cameroon faces significant problems, including low transmission and distribution efficiency, a lack of skilled workers, and inefficient payment collection systems. Parsec includes concrete actions to address these issues. These measures include reducing commercial electricity losses, improving payment collection, and introducing prepaid metering systems, particularly in public buildings. A public awareness campaign will also help educate citizens about the prepaid system and how it works.

The program focuses on workforce development by creating training opportunities to build skilled personnel throughout the electricity value chain, from production to distribution. These efforts aim to address technological, organizational, environmental, and financial challenges while improving governance.

The loan responds to a request submitted by the government of Cameroon to the AfDB in May 2023. It comes at a time when the sector is financially strained, with limited access to electricity and underperforming operators.

In February 2023, the government launched a Recovery Plan for the Electricity Sector to guide reforms and actions needed from 2023 to 2030. This plan, requiring CFA6,000 billion in investments, seeks to overcome obstacles in production, distribution, and governance to support the country’s energy ambitions.

Source: Business in Cameroon

The Pan African Forum Ltd, an African lobby group, has submitted a formal application to the International Criminal Court (ICC), seeking an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes linked to President Paul Biya.

The allegations are tied to the ongoing conflict in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon.

Filed on Friday, November 22, 2024, the 142-page petition is supported by extensive evidence of widespread atrocities.

The group urged the ICC prosecutor to examine alleged violations, including the targeting of civilians, forced displacements, and other abuses during the conflict between government forces and separatist movements.

The application follows years of escalating violence in Ambazonia, where English-speaking communities’ calls for independence have been met with harsh military crackdowns.

Several activists and human rights organisations have accused the government of committing grave human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and destruction of property.

The Pan African Forum Ltd’s petition, it was learnt, is intended to amplify international scrutiny of the crisis and encourage accountability at the global level.

The ICC’s response to the application remains pending. But, critics argued that the situation in Cameroon requires urgent intervention to prevent further suffering.

The petition alleged that the conflict is spilling over to Nigeria with dire consequences for the countries.

The application on the heels of President Biya’s long tenure and management of the Anglophone crisis drawing international criticism.

The Pan African Forum Ltd is a forum for defence of Africa and African people on the continent. It was established on September 2012, in Kenya.

The organisation constitutes an informal network of African scholars and university student leaders both current and past.

It was formed as a lobby group to support the African Union objectives on international aspects and other initiatives, at national, sub regional, regional and international levels.

Culled from The Nation

Eight newly accredited ambassadors presented their credentials to President Paul Biya at the Unity Palace in Yaoundé last Friday. The ambassadors represent Russia, Israel, Belgium, India, Switzerland, Côte d’Ivoire, Saudi Arabia, and Gabon. These countries maintain close ties with Cameroon, collaborating on various areas including infrastructure financing, trade, defense, security, health, and education.

Several months ago, these ambassadors had already submitted copies of their credentials to the Ministry of External Relations.

The new Gabonese ambassador has assumed his role, replacing Patrick Biffot. After concluding his tenure in Cameroon, Biffot was granted a farewell audience by President Biya on November 1. As the longest-serving diplomat in Yaoundé, Biffot had held the position of dean of the diplomatic corps.

Source: Business in Cameroon

A senior member of the SOBA America family Edwin -Daniel Ndoko is dead. The refined academic from Saint Joseph’s College Sasse was a strong personality of the 1979 Class.

In a statement, SOBA America said Edwin-Daniel Ndoko passed away on November 30th, 2024, in Dallas, TX.

He was a very influential figure who worked tirelessly for the growth and development of SOBA all over the world and pushed SOBA UK under President Akoh Arrey to establish a good relationship with the Cameroon Concord News Group.

Cameroon Concord Editor-in-Chief, Mr Soter Agbaw-Ebai, confirmed the death of the renowned SOBA in a telephone conversation with our London Bureau Chief.

Agbaw-Ebai said, “According to SOBA America, Mola Ndoko died in Dallas after a brief illness.

Tributes have been pouring out online after it was announced that Ndoko has died.

Here is the official release from SOBA America

Fellow SOBANS,

With profound sadness, I announce the passing of our beloved brother, SOBAN Edwin-Daniel Ndoko of the 1979 Class, on November 30th, 2024, in Dallas, TX.

SOBAN Ndoko, fondly known as Senator and Papa DE Papa, was a devoted member of SOBA Dallas and a President’s Club member. His infectious enthusiasm, warm smile, and remarkable photography skills made him a cherished presence at our conventions.

We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from our SOBA America family during his illness. Your kindness, messages, and prayers brought comfort to SOBAN Ndoko and his loved ones during that challenging time. Thank you for being a source of strength and hope.

SOBAN Ndoko leaves behind his sweetheart, Princess Rabialu Limunga; children, Dylan and Lauren; mother; siblings; extended family; classmates; and friends. May we rally around them with love, prayers, and support during this difficult time.

As a SOBAN in good standing, SOBAN Ndoko will receive an official SOBA America Farewell Protocol at his funeral. We will communicate details shortly.

Let us join together to pray for the repose of his soul and for his family. May his legacy of love, kindness, and camaraderie continue to inspire us.

May his gentle soul rest in peace with the Lord.

SOBANLY,

Your Servant-in-Chief,

POSA

By Chi Prudence Asong in London

The land dispute between the Cameroonian government and British American Tobacco (BAT) over a 4-hectare property in Bastos, an upscale neighborhood in Yaoundé, has reignited. The Minister of State Property and Land Affairs, Henri Eyébé Ayissi, has reversed his earlier decision in this contentious case, adding a new twist to the ongoing saga.

On June 20, 2024, the minister issued a decree allowing the government to exercise its preemption rights over the disputed land, originally owned by BAT. The land was then returned to local families. However, on July 31, 2024, Eyébé Ayissi rescinded this decree, citing “very high instructions” from President Paul Biya, conveyed through a letter from Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, Secretary-General of the Presidency. BAT had previously denounced the government’s seizure of its property, prompting this intervention.

In a surprising move, Eyébé Ayissi reinstated the June 20 decree on November 25, 2024. This decision followed a formal appeal filed by lawyer Olivier Chi Nouako on behalf of the families who had received the land. Eyébé Ayissi acknowledged that he might have overinterpreted the president’s instructions from the June 26 letter, noting that it did not explicitly require the repeal of the June 20 decree.

With this latest development, the dispute is likely heading back to court. BAT had already taken legal action to reclaim the property and signaled its willingness to escalate the case to international courts if necessary. After a July 11 hearing at the Administrative Court in Yaoundé, BAT’s lawyers indicated that they were prepared to pursue all available legal remedies.

Beyond the legal wrangling, the case highlights allegations of high-level maneuvering by influential figures seeking control of the land. Sources claim that the local families who initially regained ownership of the property under the June 20 decree quickly sold it to prominent individuals, including some close to the presidency.

Source: Business in Cameroon

At least 20 people were killed on Thursday after a boat capsized in Cameroon’s Far North region, according to witnesses and security sources.

The boat capsized as it was transporting passengers from Darak island in the Logone-et-Chari division of region, witnesses told Xinhua Thursday evening.

Local media reported that more casualties are expected, as rescuers search for more victims.

Security sources said that a formal investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the accident.

Boat accidents are common in the region often caused by overloading, faulty operations and severe weather.

Source: Xinhuanet

Secretary of State for Defence in charge of the National Gendarmerie, Galax Etoga, has ordered a judicial investigation into an incident involving barrister Richard Tamfu. This directive was outlined in a memo issued by Colonel Pierre Aimé Bikele, commander of the Littoral Gendarmerie Legion.

A short video recorded on November 27 in Douala shows a gendarme kicking Richard Tamfu as onlookers shout in protest. The video has sparked widespread outrage.

Galax Etoga has tasked the commander of the Littoral Gendarmerie Legion with hearing all parties and witnesses who could shed light on the incident. The investigation must be completed within 72 hours.

Since the incident, Richard Tamfu has refrained from publicly sharing his account, stating only that he was responding to a summons. He claims the gendarmes acted as if they were enforcing an arrest warrant. According to his associates, the lawyer was performing his professional duties when he was forcibly taken. Tamfu was reportedly hospitalized following the assault.

This episode comes as a blow to the SED, which recently relaunched a campaign against torture within the ranks of the gendarmerie.

Reaction from the Bar Association

The Cameroon Bar Association responded swiftly. In a statement released on November 28, its president, Mbah Eric Mbah, said:

“While awaiting a meeting of the Bar Council in the coming hours, the Bar President has instructed the Human Rights Commission and the Bar representatives in the Littoral Region to gather all relevant facts about this excessive incident, so the Bar Council can decide on the appropriate actions.”

The video has drawn condemnation from opposition politicians and public figures. The Social Democratic Front (SDF) described the incident as “inhumane and unacceptable.” SDF President Joshua Osih called for swift and exemplary sanctions, stating on Facebook: “The senior leadership of the National Gendarmerie must act immediately against the perpetrators of this medieval savagery.”

Maurice Kamto, leader of the Movement for the Renaissance of Cameroon (MRC), criticized the systemic issues behind such incidents.

“This act speaks volumes about the training of law enforcement and judicial police officers in our country, as well as the inability or unwillingness of magistrates to effectively oversee their work,” Kamto remarked on social media.

Source: Sbbc