A training in emergency intervention techniques which covered strategies used in conceiving, preparing and carrying out operations in crowded environments to track terrorist and free hostages has ended in Yaounde.According to officials, equipping Cameroon’s defence and security with skills to effectively anticipate and counter any terrorist operations ahead of major events in the country including the Women’s Africa Cup Nations is indispensable.  Non-commissioned officers of the Gendarmerie and National Security personnel have taken part in two separate training courses in planning and execution of anti-terrorist operations.

The first continent composed on 15 police and 15 gendarmes including 9 female officers from the respective corp where trained at the Judicial Police Training Centre of the National Gendarmerie in Yaoundé. They were educated on the mode of operation of terrorist movements, their potential targets and how to anticipate and stop their atrocities. Techniques of investigating crime scenes and elaborating reports for the judiciary were also learnt.  The officers refreshed their minds on the working of the international police organisation, Interpol.

The Central Director of Coordination of the National Gendarmerie, Brigadier General Elokobi Daniel Njock saluted the French cooperation for the training that was facilitated by French experts. He called on the laureates to share the newly acquired skilled with colleagues in their respectively units.

Another refresher course took place in Mbankomo for 26 non-commissioned officers of the Multi-Purpose Intervention Group of the National Gendarmerie. They were trained on techniques of liberating hostages and tracking terrorist in confined areas like hotels, stadia, sports complex, planes, and trains.

The Inspector No 1, of the National Gendarmerie, Colonel Ekongwese Divine Nnoko who closed the session called on the soldiers of the intervention force to be on the alert and ready at all times. He said evidence has showed that terrorists turn to attack civilian, strategic and military installations and it’s incumbent on them to anticipant, prevent and where necessary free hostages.

CRTV

The Head of State, Paul Biya and First Lady, Chantal Biya have left the country for New York in the United States to attend the 71st regular session of the UN General Assembly. The solemn opening of the 71st session was held on Tuesday, September 13, 2016.

The UN General Assembly offers every year to the member states the opportunity to express their views on major international issues.

The theme of the general debate of the 71st session will be sustainable development goals: universal force of transformation of the world, as proposed by the new President of the Assembly, Peter Thomson (Fiji), after his election 13 June 2016.

By Rita Akana

President Paul Biya has met for the last time, the outgoing French ambassador to Cameroon, Christine Robichon. Cameroon Concord News was reliably informed that the audience that held on the 14th of September 2016 provided an opportunity for the Cameroonian dictator to thank Madam Robichon for the peaceful co-existence that reigns between Cameroon and the French republic.

The French diplomat read a farewell message to Mr Biya, informing the president that she has come to the end of her three-year mission in the country. During the over 90 – minute tete-a-tete, they reviewed the state of bilateral relations between Cameroon and France. They also revisited the political and security situation in the Central African sub region.

The Buea Municipal Council on an urbanization mission:

The Buea Municipal Council, recently broke down shelters and petit businesses along the streets of Buea. Officials say this is in an attempt to maintain some sanitation and order in this town. More is to be done, to transform Buea into an outstanding town in Cameroon.

Cameroon Government ramps up security ahead of AFCON:

Cameroon’s Defence Minister, Joseph Beti Assomo, says government would take measures to ensure the security of players, fans and others during the African Women Cup of Nations slated for November in Yaounde and Limbe.

Camair-Co’s Ex Director General, Jean Paul Nana Sandjo, denies American Nationality and denounces witch-hunt:

According to The Times Journal, The former Director General of the ailing national airline, Camair-Co, Jean Paul Nana Sandjo, recently announced to all, that he was neither seeking to flee Cameroon nor was beign investigated for financial impropriety as was being bandied by the press across the nation.

NCC Creates Excellence Award for Socially Responsible Journalism:

The National Communication Council has announced the creation of a Media Excellence  and Responsible Journalism Award  scheme, dubbed Excell’Com, in a bid to uphold ethically sound journalism.

The government of Cameroon has honoured the outgoing French ambassador to Cameroon, Christine Robichon with the status of the Officer of the Order of Valour. Ambassador Robichon was decorated during a farewell state dinner offered in her honour by the President of the Republic at the Yaounde Monte Febe Hotel.

The Minister of External Relations, Lejeune Mbella Mbella saluted the efforts of the diplomat in reinforcing bilateral ties between Cameroon and France. The Minister reviewed the ambassador’s contribution and that of France in helping Cameroon in the fight against Boko Haram terrorism.

Minister Mbella Mbella further observed that France has always been a reliable development partner to Cameroon and cited the recent C2D programme that has seen the injection of over FCFA 400 billion into the Cameroonian economy. The External Relations Minister praised Robichon’s efforts in championing the visit of the French President, François Holland to Cameroon.

He transmitted the message of appreciation from the Head of State to Christine Robichon for her role in the relations which he termed excellent. The dinner was attended by some 20 prominent personalities of the state including ten cabinet ministers.

CRTV

4 people were killed on Tuesday afternoon in a traffic accident that occurred on the Bafoussam-Mbouda highway in the West region. According to initial testimonies, the accident happened when the driver of a small car attempted to overtake another vehicle at a dangerous corner. The overtaking car was violently struck by a large passenger bus.

4 deaths were recorded on the tile and Cameroon Concord News gathered there were many cases of serious injuries which were transported to health infrastructures in the region. Less than a month ago, 8 persons lost their lives on the same spot.

By Rita Akana

There is a new tenant in the Yaounde Central Prison in Kondengui. Jerome Ondobo Mono, Mayor of Ntui in the Mbam and Kim division for over ten years and who also held the position of Chief Financial Officer in the Stabilization Fund of the Cameroon Hydrocarbons Company was recently arrested in a case of embezzlement.

Mr Jerome Ondolo Mono, a chartered member and one of the most prominent barons of the CPDM crime syndicate in his locality, was chairman of the CPDM departmental  coordination committee in the Mbam and Kim northwest (Ngambe Tikar ) at the last renewal of the basic organs of the party.

Rumours had circulated that this elite from Mbam and Kim was invited to meet President Biya at Baden Baden, where the Head of State was stationed during a private trip to Europe to discuss a ministerial portfolio. Ondobo Mono Jerome, we can now reveal is in the central prison in Yaounde and has been charged for siphoning 500 million FCFA.

Ebong Kingsley with files from Cameroon-info.net

The outgoing French ambassador to Cameroon Christine Robichon has described her three years diplomatic mission to Cameroon as successful with major achievements recorded. She made the revelation on Tuesday the 6^th of September 2016 in Yaounde after an audience Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey.

Christine Robichon and Finance minister Alamine held economic discourse on some issues of common interest for the two countries. After the brief meeting she received a gift from Alamine Ousmane Mey paid for by the Cameroon tax payer.

The outgoing ambassador was appointed to Cameroon on the 25^th of October 2013 after haven served in various capacities as a diplomat in Africa, the Middle East, United States of America and the United Nations.

CRTV

The National Communication Council NCC will this year organize the very first edition of the Media Excellence of Responsible Journalism Awards dubbed excell’ com. In preparation towards the forth coming event, a press briefing was organized today 8th September 2016 in Yaounde under the Chairmanship of NCC’s President Peter Essoka.

During the close to an hour meeting, Mr. Peter Essoka, noted that instead of always meeting to deliberate on the number of media organs and reporters who deserve sanctions for either not  respecting professional  deontology or operating illegally, it was better to initiate such a healthy competition  which is out to help media men and women excel in the profession.

The criterion for selection has been scheduled in the days ahead. The competition which has been slated for 16th to 17th December 2016 in Yaounde will be marked by an exhibition, a sports walk, and an official evening ceremony during which winners will be awarded with distinct prizes. Journalists and media houses eligible for the award are those in the Print Media, Radio, Television and online journalism.

CRTV

Heavy rains have led to a mountain landslide in the historic Oku village in the North West region. The heavy downpour that rocked the entire North West region for weeks resulted in the collapse of a mountain some 2,000 meters high located in the Oku district in Bui division.

No casualties have been reported but Cameroon Concord News Bamenda city reporter hinted that vast stretches of crops were destroyed. Authorities in the North West region are continuing the evaluation to draw a full review of the situation. No word has come out of the star building from a Prime Minister who hails from Oku.

Charles Ngu