News

21, October 2017

Message to Ambazonia: Gunmen kill 12 Niger gendarmes near Mali border ⁰

Gunmen mounted on pick-up trucks and motorcycles killed 12 gendarmes and wounded several in an attack on their base in western Niger, near the Mali border, on Saturday, two security sources said.

The village is a few dozen kilometers from where militants killed four US soldiers in an ambush on Oct. 4 that has thrown a spotlight on the US counter-terrorism mission in Niger, which straddles a large expanse of the Sahara.

The gunmen crossed over the border from Mali and drove up to the village of Ayorou, about 40 km (25 miles) inside, before springing their attack, the security sources said.

“They were heavily armed. They had rocket launchers and machine guns. They came in four vehicles each with about seven fighters,” said a security source on the scene.

One of the attackers was killed in an exchange of fire, he added. A spokesman for Niger’s military said he could not confirm any details of the attack.

Several extremist militant groups and well-armed ethnic militia are known to operate in the area near the border with Mali, and there have been at least 46 attacks recorded there since early last year.

However, security officials suspect a relatively new militant group calling itself Islamic State in the Greater Sahara to have been behind many of them, including the ambush on the joint US-Niger patrol.

(Source: Reuters)

21, October 2017

Bundes: 4 people stabbed in Munich ⁰

German police say a man with a knife has lightly wounded four people in Munich. Officers are looking for the assailant.

Munich police called on people in the Rosenheimer Platz area, located close to the German city’s downtown, to stay inside after the incident on Saturday morning.

The perpetrator fled the scene. Police said the motive for the attack was not immediately clear. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.

German police special forces have detained a suspect in the knife attack in the southern city of Munich, Bild newspaper said on it website.

The daily did not give a source for its report. Police are expected to hold a news conference in the Bavarian capital around 1000 GMT.

(Source: Agencies)

21, October 2017

Southern Cameroons Crisis: Philemon Yang’s weekend for decisive evaluation ⁰

Evaluation of consultations mission that took the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Philemon Yang to the North West since October 15, 2017 is scheduled for the weekend in Bamenda. The way forward, towards lasting solutions in the Anglophone Crisis rocking the North West and South West regions is the subject.

The Mission featured audiences with the Prime Minister receiving socio- professional associations and groups in all seven Divisions of the region. Evaluation meetings have been scheduled at Divisional levels, tomorrow, October 21 ahead of another, Regional evaluation session with the North West Governor on Sunday, October 22, 2017.

The SDO’s office in Fundong was the venue where on October 19, the Prime Minister exchanged with some Biyam sellams from Boyo Division, commercial motorcycle riders, teachers, CPDM and UNDP Members and Boyo Mayors. It was all inclusive with the PM Yang at some point involving all who were around and thirsty to meet him. He reassured the government’s preparedness to work towards the return to normalcy and inspired the population to dominate fear, ensure that children are in schools and keep business activities alive.

Elsewhere, in Mezam, Momo and Ngoketunjia, Divisions, representatives of some trade unions, traditional, political and religious leaders, transporters, traders, development associations and economic operators had the opportunity to express their views on the Anglophone Crisis during audiences with the visiting Prime Minister.

Mgr. Michael Bibi, Auxiliary Bishop of Bamenda Archdiocese told Cameroon Tribune after meeting the Prime Minister that, “The other church leaders also shared their own opinions towards moving forward as a nation. Of course, we condemned actions of violence perpetuated by the population or the military. Concerning Cameroonians in the Diaspora who have been championing the secessionist actions, he said, ” We also appealed to the government to look even at the possibility of trying to reach out to members of the governing council because they are still Cameroonians though living abroad. They should be brought to the dialogue table, listen to them and get what they have to suggest and accept points that can be acceptable and drop what is unaccepted.”.

Source: Cameroon Tribune

20, October 2017

Commuters caught up in Bamenda bomb scare panic ⁰

Parents ran to schools to pick up their children today in the Bamenda County when a locally made bomb was discovered near a school in the locality of Azire New Church. Elements from Mobile Mobilization Group regiment defused the bomb using a crude process that led to a massive explosion.

Cameroon Info.Net reported that the explosion caused great panic and people started running around. Parents rushed to schools immediately to pick up their children. The French Cameroun dominated authorities who came to the scene, reassured parents about the safety of their children and noted that the explosion did not cause any casualties.

The explosion occurred in Bamenda while the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Philemon Yang, was in town holding his so-called consultation meetings. Since Monday, Philémon Yang has been in dialogue with pro CPDM groups pleading for a return to normal in activities.

Ever since the beginning of the Southern Cameroons uprising, at least five explosions have been heard in Bamenda. One of them had seriously injured police officers who were on patrol. The Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a chartered member of the gang that plotted the 1984 April 6^th coup against President Biya, described it as a terrorist act.

By Fru James with files from CIN

19, October 2017

North Korea threatens to launch ‘unimaginable’ strike on US ⁰

North Korea has threatened to launch an “unimaginable” strike on the United States as massive joint US-South Korean naval drills are underway off the Korean Peninsula, involving colossal American aircraft carrier the USS Ronald Reagan.

“The US is running amok by introducing under our nose the targets we have set as primary ones. The US should expect it would face [an] unimaginable strike at an unimaginable time,” said a government statement carried by the North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Thursday.

What Pyongyang referred to as the “primary” target is the 100,000-ton nuclear powered aircraft carrier, which is patrolling some 160 kilometers to the east of the peninsula and launched almost 90 F-18 Super Hornet sorties from its deck.

The military exercises, regarded by Pyongyang as highly provocative, began on Monday and will run through October 26. They involve 40 warships deployed in a line stretching from the Yellow Sea west of the peninsula into the Sea of Japan.

The North has already denounced Seoul and Washington’s war games, condemning the move as a “rehearsal for war.”

Washington’s military maneuvers with its close ally, the South, come ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to Japan and South Korea scheduled to start on November 5.

Trump has taken a tough stance against Pyongyang, threatening to “totally destroy” North Korea if necessary and calling North Korean leader Kim Jong-un names. Kim has responded with threats, vowing to take the “highest-level” measures against the US.

Meanwhile, the South Korean military threatened that it would be quick to totally destroy North Korea’s front-line artillery systems in the event of a war on the peninsula.

The US and the North have been at loggerheads over Pyongyang’s weapons and nuclear programs. However, tensions on the Korean Peninsula have recently risen sharply following a series of weapons tests by Pyongyang, including its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on September 3 and two missiles launched over Japan. Back in July, the North also claimed that it had fired two intercontinental ballistic missiles.

North Korea is under mounting international pressure over its missile and military nuclear programs and has been subjected to an array of sanctions by the United Nations. However, Pyongyang says it needs to continue and develop the programs as a deterrent against hostility by the US and its regional allies, including South Korea and Japan.

Source: Presstv

19, October 2017

Geneva: Frail Biya urges Cameroonians to remain patriotic ⁰

Cameroonian president Paul Biya is urging citizens to remain patriotic irrespective of what people may think about it. According to him, it was a mark of responsible citizenship.

A terse statement on his official social media handles posted on Wednesday October 18 read as follows: “Patriotism is a virtue that some people might wrongly consider outdated. Even today, it remains a mark of responsible and nobly asserted citizenship for the nation.”

The message was accompanied by a smiling photo of the leader who is currently on vacation since he left the United Nations General Assembly in September.

The president’s quote comes at a time when tensions remain high in the country’s English-speaking regions. In what has become known as the ‘Anglophone crisis,’ people in the North West and South West regions of the central African country are pushing for independence.

The resultant protests which started months back has resulted in deaths, injuries to scores of people and mass arrests of protesters.

The height of the clashes was on October 1 when a symbolic declaration of independence under the Ambazonia republic was planned. The government had deployed heavy security presence to the regions to face off the separatists.

There has been widespread calls for the government to engage leaders of the restive region in dialogue. The president in his last address on the crisis condemned the violence. The government has, however, defended the security forces over the level of force used during protests.

Source: Africa News

19, October 2017

French Cameroun Gendarme attack: Senior Nigerian Gov’t Official in Cross River State ⁰

The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Muhammad Babandede on Thursday commenced a two-day visit to immigration service formations in Cross River State, to evaluate the reported attacks on communities in the state by Cameroonian soldiers.

It was learnt that the CG would tour patrol bases and control posts bordering Cameroon to assess the situation on the ground following repeated invasions of border communities by the gendarmes, the latest of which occurred at Danare in Boki Local Government Area of the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Inuwa had said that six Nigerians were shot by gendarmes from Bodam community during the invasion on the Nigerian territory a few days ago. The victims, who were hospitalized, however survived the attack.

The Immigration Service Public Relations Officer, Sunday James said in a statement that Babandede would validate the reports from the operatives in the crisis area which would be presented to the Federal Government for further action.

He explained that the CG would also assess the readiness of operatives on the ground to ensure the safety of citizens and the preparedness of the commands around the Cameroonian border in checking influx of illegal migrants.

The NIS spokesman stated that Babandede admonished the NIS operatives to be diplomatic, professional, and where necessary midwife the Federal Government directive in managing the migratory issues in collaboration with other border security agencies.

He explained that the operatives were to enforce effective checks, data capturing, refusal of entry where necessary and granting admission or entry in deserving cases. James noted that the Nigeria Immigration Service had the responsibility to ascertain the situation on the ground and validate reports from the field operatives on the issues involving the Cameroonian security forces and Nigerian nationals in the border communities.

“The Comptroller-General of Immigration would soon return to report his findings and draw up further line of action in line with his personal assessment of the situation;Meetings would also be held with stakeholders at Mumbai and other points in the course of his visit to the state,” the statement added.

It further said that the immigration boss paid a courtesy call on Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade at the Government House.

Source: Punch Nigeria

19, October 2017

Southern Cameroons Crisis: International Crisis Group says Biya must go beyond superficial measures and take responsibility ⁰

Cameroon must urgently rethink a policy of “murderous repression” in its restive English-speaking regions or risk the crisis spiralling into an armed uprising, the International Crisis Group (ICG) warned Thursday. In a report on the political crisis in the west African nation, the NGO said the government’s crackdown on the anglophone minority had failed and had only served to fuel a clamour for independence.

French-speaking Cameroon has a large anglophone minority which comprises around a fifth of its population of 22 million. Gathered mainly in two regions, many English-speakers say the suffer inequality and discrimination.

Simmering resentment has fuelled a breakaway movement that on October 1 issued a symbolic declaration of independence for the putative state of Ambazonia, prompting a crackdown by a government firmly opposed to secession.

In the face of mounting protests in the runup to the declaration, the security forces “responded with disproportionate force, leading to at least 40 deaths and over 100 injured protesters between September 28 and 2 October,” the ICG said.

It pointed to the use of live rounds and excessive use of teargas. “Due to such murderous repression, secessionist ranks are growing by the day, and some are more firmly evoking the idea of an armed struggle or ‘self defence’,” it said.

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, 84, must act swiftly to find a serious political solution to the crisis, and it was also crucial that the international community speak out firmly against such state violence, the ICG said.

“If he hopes to avoid an armed uprising in Anglophone regions, which would without doubt have an impact in the Francophone zone, the Cameroonian president must go beyond superficial measures and take responsibility in order to find political solutions to the crisis.”

The report was published three days after Prime Minister Philemon Yang began a visit to the Northwest Region, one of the two troubled anglophone areas, as part of what he termed a “dialogue” with the English-speaking minority.

Yang travelled to Bamenda, the main regional town, where he met the heads of trade unions in the transport, education and shopping sectors, as well as with bankers and other business figures, Cameroon Radio Television (CrTV) said.

He delivered “a message of peace and living in harmony” while those who met him put forward proposals “for a definitive way out of the crisis,” it said, without giving further details.

Source: The Guardian

19, October 2017

Six Nigerians killed in Cross River by French Cameroun gendarmes ⁰

The Cross River State Police Command on Monday said that six residents of Danare community in Boki Local Government Area were shot by gendarmes from Bodam community during an invasion on the Nigerian territory by Cameroonians.

Hafiz Inuwa, the Commissioner of Police, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Calabar.

He said that a Cameroonian community, `Bodam’, on the border with Nigeria’s Boki Local Government Area, had been in crisis with Danare community over the international land dispute. Mr. Inuwa said after visiting Danare community that although no life was lost, six residents of Danare community were shot by the Cameroonians.

“We found out that six persons were shot and they are currently in the hospital as the pellets were being removed from their bodies. “They were shot by the people of Bodam village from Cameroon. We have advised the people to restore normalcy and shun all forms of crisis and allow the government to take charge.

Source: Information Nigeria

19, October 2017

Governing Council Member releases names of Southern Cameroonians killed by French Cameroun troops ⁰

The Secretary General of the outlawed Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium , Tassang Wilfred has made public a tentative list of Southern Cameroonians killed recently by troops loyal to the Biya Francophone regime. The names of those murdered by the French Cameroun dominated army were published on his Face Book attached to a strongly worded message in which the member of the Southern Cameroons Ambazonia Governing Council called on the so-called Anglophone elites defending the blood suckers and genocide instigators in Southern Cameroons to think and rethink things. Below is the list of the dead count:

Names of Southern Cameroonians killed by LRC military for protesting peacefully

1. Nkom Noel (Mbakem, Ejagham)
2. Tal Elvis Ebngoh (Oku, )
3. Bafron Frankline Mbunda (Oku, shot on chest)
4. Okwaniye Cletus (Akwaya)
5. Ngu Terence (Ikiliwindi, )
6. Enow Rellis (Kumba)
7. Benjamin Amin (Kumba)
8. Ojah-Zah Leonard Sone (Tombel,)
9. Ndep Arrey Nkiri (Eyumojock, )
10. Chelepakong Peter (Lebialem, )
11. Valentine Ebekwa (Muyuka)
12. Numfor Phidelis (Bafut, )
13. Tabe Elvis (Ekona)
14. Che Ephraim Fukah (Ikiliwindi, )
15. Monje Collins (Ikiliwindi, )
16. Tifang Charles Njien (Ashong,)
17. Edwin Mahwoh ( Kumbo, )
18. Donatus Azeh (Nkwen, )
19. Nkeih Lapangho (Ndop
20. Tange Emmanuel (Muyuka)
21. Akwo Rene Mua (Wum, )
22. Tah Emma (Bafut)
23. Efu Peter Fojong
24. Mawo Edwin (Kumbo)
25. Ghakanyuy Terence (Buea, )
26. Fuh Jude (Kumba, )
27. Nobia Njinto (Santa, killed Monday 2nd Oct)
28. Ntui Clifford Enongene
29. Numfor Fidelis (Bafut,)
30. Mbah Julius Muya (Kumba, )
31. Derick Nubea (Bali)
32. Banna Singlare (Balikumbat, )
33. Tume Wilfred (Buea)
34. Derick Ngoutanu (Buea)
35. Harris Bosema (Buea)
36. Wemba Njuabeh
37 Akande Simon
38. Tamajong Louis (Bamendankwe, )
39. Ayuk Napoleaon
40. Ayon Edwin (Mutengene, )
41. David Goutonou (Mutengene)
42. Menyong George (Mutengene)
43. Tahalifack Ferdinand (Mutengene, )
44. Tiku Blaise (Mutengene, )
45. Fombui Elvis (Bamessing, )
46. Mesang Rosine Noutsa
47. Chiamboh Samuel (Belo)
48. Amadou Alaji (Nkwen)
49. Mbeb Robinson N ( Bamenda, )
50. Ngwa Bryan Ngwa (Bafut, )
51. Bate Christiana (Mamfe)
52. Afuah Awah Norbet (Buea, )
53. Ngwa Bryan Ngwa (Bafut, )
54. Epoge Emile Epoge (Tombel, )
55. Nkembi Derick (Buea, )
56. Chin Rene (Kumbo, )
57. And much more
58. Akisah Louis Ayiwoh (Nkwen, )
59. Mbah Stephen (Batibo)
60. Ndanem Julius (Batibo)
61. Moses (Batibo)
62. Mispa (Batibo)
63. Sebastien Acha
64. Okeme Prince (Mamfe)
65. Tine Epie (Buea, )
66. Mr. Ebot Manyo Achalle ( Ajajukndip, Manyu)
67. Barah Bernard (Bamenda)
68. Khan Marcel Mbuh (Buea)
69. Roger Ntong Kukeh
70. Ngwa Kingsley Nde ()
71. Yongho Nicodemus (Kumba)
72. Chofor Stephen Joel (Santa)
73. Ndemaze Junior (Found at Buea Prisons) according to Jonas Tanyi
74. Ncham Charles Ful (Kumbo, 3rd oct missing)
75. Enow Tambo Fabrice (30th September)
76. Akode Epie Anthony (2nd Oct)
77. Wepnjeh Jude
78. Endo Cyprain Tandong (Ekona, shot on right chest, died instantly, buried at Ekona on 14/10/2017).
79. Marshall (Ekona, shot in the Stomach died an hour later buried at Ekona on 7/10/2017
80. Ajong (Ekona, buried on the 7/10/2017)