News

24, September 2017

Explosion in Mali kills 3 UN soldiers from Bangladesh ⁰

Three United Nations soldiers from Bangladesh were killed by an explosive device that detonated as they were escorting a convoy in northern Mali on Sunday, the West African country’s peacekeeping mission and Bangladesh’s military said.

Attacks on peacekeepers in Mali, where extremist groups continue to operate in the vast desert in the north of the country, have made the UN mission there, MINUSMA, the organization’s deadliest.

Another five UN troops were seriously wounded in Sunday’s explosion, which occurred at around 7 a.m. (0700 GMT) on the main road between the towns of Anefis and Gao, MINUSMA said in a statement.

“Our thoughts go firstly to the families and loved ones. We pledge our complete support to them during this painful ordeal,” the head of MINUSMA, Koen Davidse, said. “The mission will use all means to ensure that justice is rendered.”

The UN did not immediately release the nationalities of the soldiers. But the Bangladesh military’s media department confirmed that three of its soldiers had died by an improvised explosive device during an encounter with militants, adding that four other Bangladeshi peacekeepers were injured in the attack.

West Africa’s arid Sahel region has in recent years become a breeding ground for militant groups — some linked to al-Qaeda and Daesh — that European countries, particularly France, fear could threaten Europe if left unchecked.

Militants of the CMFPR2 (La Coordination des mouvements et Front patriotique de resistance) take position to prevent the interim authorities to convene at the Regional Assembly in Gao on February 28, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Despite a 2013 French-led military operation that drove back militants who had seized control of Mali’s north, the area remains home to groups that have staged assaults on high-profile targets in the capital Bamako, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast.

MINUSMA, established in the wake of the French intervention, has struggled to quell the unrest.

The UN Security Council established a sanctions regime this month that allows the body to blacklist anyone who violates or obstructs a fragile 2015 peace deal signed by Mali’s government and separatist groups.

Anyone who attacks peacekeepers, hinders the delivery of aid, commits human rights abuses or recruits child soldiers could also face sanctions, including a global travel ban or asset freeze.

(Source: Reuters)

24, September 2017

Germany: General elections begin, Merkel’s party poised to win ⁰

People in Germany have started heading to the polls in national elections that are likely to see Angela Merkel winning a fourth term as chancellor and a right-wing party entering parliament for the first time in 60 years.

Polling stations opened across the European country at 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT) on Sunday and will be open until 18:00, with some 61.5 million people eligible to vote.

The German chancellor is seeking a fourth term and tries to retain her Christian Democratic (CDU) Party’s status as the largest group in the German national parliament, the Bundestag.

Merkel is pitted against Martin Schulz, who is the leader of the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) and a former president of the European Parliament.

Among other competing parties, the far-right and anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) appears set to win seats in the national parliament for the first time in 60 years and may even emerge as the country’s third-largest party.

Martin Schulz, the leader of Germany’s Social Democratic (SPD) Party and candidate for chancellor, gives a speech during an electoral meeting on the eve of general elections, in Aachen, western Germany, on September 23, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

A recent poll, conducted by the INSA institute for the local Bild daily, showed sliding support for CDU by two percentage points to 34 percent, and the SPD, down by one point to 21 percent. The hard-right AfD rose by two percentage points to 13 percent.

The 63-year-old Merkel saw a decline in her approval ratings over the past two years, mainly due to a decision at the beginning of 2015 to allow hundreds of thousands of refugees into Germany. However, her success in controlling the refugee inflow and her message that the German economy needs to be rendered fit for the future by investing in digital technologies seem to have won hearts in the run-up to the parliamentary elections.

The AfD, a nationalist, anti-Islam party, has hugely capitalized on Merkel’s fall in several states.

Source: Presstv

23, September 2017

Mass Arrests Happening in Mamfe County ⁰

French Cameroun police have arrested dozens of people in the Mamfe County late today. The Chairman of the Southern Cameroons Governing Council has signed off on these arrests and he isn’t playing around. Rumors indicate that the Francophone governor of the Buea Province gave the Manyu SDO permission to rough up those who were protesting.

23, September 2017

Buea: Francophone Governor says Southern Cameroonians are dogs ⁰

The Francophone governor of the Buea Province has described Southern Cameroons protesters as “dogs”. Bernard Okalia Bilai made the declaration on the microphone of the Cameroon Radio and Television,CRTV-radio yesterday September the 22nd. The Biya appointee also accused Southern Cameroons peaceful demonstrators of having attacked La Republique’s forces of law and order.

In a report broadcast Friday, September 22, 2017 at 5 pm on the National Post of the CRTV, Bernard Okalia Bilai opined that “Very early in the morning there were groups of people walking on the streets, going to public buildings to attack them, the offices of DOs, SDOs, the gendarmerie and police stations all came under attack. They tore up the flags of the Republic to hoist pieces of cloth that they brandished as flags of what!! I do not know. The security forces intervened and suffered a lot of violence, a lot of attacks by these assailants. ”

The so-called governor of the South West region warned elites and community leaders. “We will not continue to tolerate huge protest. If the dogs continue to go to the streets to bite, that is destroy, they will meet the security forces.”

By Eyong Johnson, CCN

23, September 2017

Dramatic moment Mayor Ekema force back angry Southern Cameroons protesters ⁰

The residence of CPDM Mayor Ekema Patrick came under attack from angry Southern Cameroons protesters yesterday Friday the 22nd of September 2017. The Southern Cameroonians vandalised his convoy of cars including his beautiful villa and the mayor caught here on camera with a rifle, reportedly shot and killed one of the demonstrators.

There are conflicting reports on the incident with some claiming Mayor Ekema Patrick opened fire only after his home was attacked. The Francophone Senior Divisional Officer for the Manyu County and the DO of Buea also killed two Southern Cameroonians in Mamfe and Buea counties.

After he was recently exposed as an academic fraud by an investigative commission led by Barrister Tambe Tiku, the Buea County mayor’s wealth has also come under Southern Cameroons scrutiny. Many are now questioning the source of the money he used in constructing the many villas he now owns and the fleet of expensive cars parked in his home mindful of the fact that he earns a net salary of 150,000fcfa a month.

Written for CCN By Fritz Misodi Oponde

23, September 2017

USA: Southern Cameroons leader gets endorsements from Manyu title holders ⁰

During his recent visit to Houston, Texas USA, the Chairman of the Southern Cameroons Governing Council was received at the Houston airport by traditional leaders from Southern Cameroon based in Texas, including those from Manyu, Lebialem, Mezam and Momo counties. As a traditional leader himself, the Chairman felt very much at ease with other leaders who had come to receive him at the Houston airport.

The Ekpe group led by Sisikou Dr Mathias Egbe, had the spotlight by decorating Chairman Sisikou Julius Ayuk Tabe, who is one of their own, with symbols befitting his title. During an informal discussion with the Chairman, Mr. Thomas Tabenyang, a fervent activist and former SDF Provincial Chairman vehemently condemned the deployment of Epke to intimidate and harass the population of Manyu County.

Mr Tabenyang was referring to the recent desperate attempts by some Manyu elites, whom he refered to as creepy hypocrites, parasites and opportunists to use Ekpe to force schools to resume in Manyu County.

The scheme failed and Chief Tabetando and Minister Mengot, where put to shame when schools failed to resume September 4th 2017. The group in Houston not only endorsed the Chairman, but also pledged their support and unflinching loyalty to his leadership in the struggle for the restoration of the independence of Southern Cameroons.

By Eveline Ncho, CCN USA

22, September 2017

Bamenda Bomb Explosion: “Biya’s aides saw the panic rise in his eyes” ⁰

The French Cameroun dictator was informed of the explosion of an artisan bomb in Bamenda as he entered his hotel suit in New York City after participating in the 72nd General Assembly of the UN, Cameroon Concord News has learned from a well-placed source at the presidency of the republic. Our informant hinted that Biya’s aides saw panic in his eyes.

Paul Biya after a short telephone conversation with the Secretary General at the presidency, prescribed the reinforcement of the security measures. The so-called CPDM government spokesman and Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma was quoted as saying that “As soon as he was informed of the situation, the Head of State … ordered the defence and security forces (…) that special measures be taken to strengthen the security of persons and property, special provisions are in place to ensure a more secure school system 24 hours a day.”

Yaounde has attributed the unclaimed attack to what Etoudi painted as secessionists of the SCNC based in the United States. The Biya Francophone Beti Ewondo regime also pointed out that the Southern Cameroons National Council is a “terrorist” organisation with funding and social media support from the US.

Thursday’s explosion, the third of its kind wounded three in the ranks of the police. The Southern Cameroons Governing Council is slowly but surely preparing for an armed conflict in order to achieve the independence of Southern Cameroons.

By Chi Prudence Asong, CCN

22, September 2017

Bamenda County Bomb Attack: Francophone Governor assures Southern Cameroonians ⁰

French Cameroun state radio and television has reported that unidentified men detonated a bomb at the Hospital Roundabout in the Bamenda County on Thursday the 21st of September 2017. The action reportedly took place some just few metres from the Bamenda Regional Hospital. No loss of human life was registered but three Police officers on duty were gravely injured, and are now receiving treatment at the Bamenda Regional hospital .

According to initial reports, the main target were the police officers stationed in front of a pharmacy around the roundabout . The Governor of the North West region, Adolf Lele Lafrique has called on the population to remain vigilant in the face of the latest escalation.

The Francophone governor in a statement to the Southern Cameroons population said that government will take necessary measures to bring the situation under control. Some have attributed the attack to the Southern Cameroons uprising that started in November 2016. It is the third attack registered in the same area in two weeks and no one has claimed responsibility .

Source: CRTV

21, September 2017

French Cameroun Army Special Operations soldier reportedly injured in explosion in Bamenda ⁰

A French Cameroun officer serving with the Rapid Intervention Battalion has been seriously wounded by an explosive device he was carrying on him. Cameroon Concord News informant who confirmed the news said the incident happened at the Hospital Round About at about 10:30 am today.

Our source also added that the explosion took everyone by surprise. No one actually suspected that a uniform officer could have been carrying an explosive device in his trouser pocket. At the time of filing this report, CCN gathered that an Okada rider rushed the wounded soldier to the hospital. The Hospital Roundabout has been closed.

This unfortunate incident is not the first in the Bamenda County. Two weeks ago, another member of the Rapid Intervention Battallion, BIR mistakenly shot himself as he got up from sleep at the Mobile, Nkwen neighborhood. The bullets that came from his gun, cut- off some of his toes. A handful of his colleagues and passersby were arrested . The SDO for Mezam has signed an order banning any public manifestations in Bamenda until September 27.

By Samuel Bantar Tandap, CCN

21, September 2017

Congo-Kinshasa: 12 dead, 92 missing in floods ⁰

At least 12 people died, 18 others injured and 92 were missing after heavy rains caused flooding in two villages in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, an official said Wednesday.

“The provisional toll after torrential rain hit the villages of Bihambwe and Matanda in Masisi Territory is 12 dead, 18 injured and 92 missing,” said Julien Paluku, governor of Nord Kivu province, where the villages are located.

The rain started on Tuesday, causing a river to flood, local residents told AFP.

“The rain began in the afternoon, forcing those coming back from the fields to take shelter in homes near the river. The flooding caught them by surprise,” said Joseph Ndabita, a resident of Bihambwe.

He told AFP he had counted “10 bodies and (seen) others being swept away by the strong current towards the river.”

“The water which came down from the mountains has caused damage,” said Safari Ayobangira, a local MP, who said searches were underway to find the missing.

Most of the victims were farmers whose fields bordered the Bihambwe river which passes the two villages that lie about 50 kilometers (30 miles) northwest of Goma, the regional capital.

In mid-August, at least 150 people died when a massive mudslide devastated Tara, a fishing village on the shores of Lake Albert near the country’s northeastern border with Uganda.

The vast country has experienced several natural disasters caused by torrential rain.

In May 2010, a wall of mud swept through the eastern village of Kibiriga, killing 19 people and leaving 27 missing. And in 2002, about 50 people died when a wave of mud and rocks struck the eastern town of Uvira, submerging about 150 homes.

(Source: AFP)