News

6, April 2017

Consortium says Rigobert Song visit must be resisted, ignored and completely boycotted ²

The Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium (CACSC), has called on the populations of the North West and South West to disregard the announced visit of former Indomitable Lions captain, Rigobert Song Bahanag to Southern Cameroons.

State broadcaster, the Cameroon Radio Television announced on Tuesday that the former footballer who survived a stroke would visit the regions and thank them for praying towards his healing. In a release on Wednesday 5 April, the CACSC noted that Southern Cameroonians (North West and South West) are a friendly and peace loving people but insinuates that Song’s visit is a state-sponsored initiative with ulterior motives.

“And so, it must be resisted, ignored and completely boycotted until Yaoundé understands that the train of the restoration of our statehood sped off since early February and we do not plan to have any business with them anymore,” part of the release read. The co-signatories of the statement; Barrister Eyambe Elias and Tassang Wilfred said the consortium cannot recall when the regions organized public special prayers for the life of the ace footballer when he was hospitalized in France.

Song’s visit would be the second caravan to the regions after the trophy of the Africa Cup of Nations that was paraded in all ten regions. However, critics hold that should “Manyang” embark on a thank you tour, he should go to all ten regions not only the crisis-hit North West and South West.

Song who arrived the country on Saturday April 1 after spending six months in La Pitie Salpertriere Hospital in France already organized an inter-religious service in Yaoundé on Tuesday 4 April to thank God for his survival and Cameroonians for their prayers. He also visited the Yaoundé Emergency Centre where he spent three days in a coma before being airlifted to Paris.

Cameroun Info.Net

6, April 2017

United Nations: Russia, West trade barbs over Syria attack in UNSC meeting ⁰

Representatives from Russia and Western countries have been engaged in a war of words during an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) concerning a recent suspected chemical attack in Syria. They clashed on Wednesday over a resolution drafted by Britain, France and the US, which condemned the suspected toxic gas attack in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province and demanded a full investigation into Tuesday’s incident.

Russia’s Deputy Ambassador to the UN Vladimir Safronkov said such attacks were provoked by ex-US President Barack Obama’s threat of military action if a “red line” was crossed and chemical weapons were used in Syria. “That decision served as a starting point for future provocations by terrorists and extremist structures with the use of chemical weapons, they sought to discredit… Damascus… and to create a pretext for the use of military force against a sovereign state,” he said.

Five permanent members of the Security Council, among them Russia, have the power to veto UN resolutions that need nine positive votes and no vetoes to pass. Russia has on several occasions blocked anti-Damascus motions at the Security Council. Separately on Wednesday, Russia denounced as “unacceptable” the Western-proposed draft resolution. “We do not believe it is expedient to pass a resolution on the chemical weapons attack in its present form,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying on Wednesday.

Elsewhere in her comments, Zakharova questioned the data on which the latest proposed UN resolution was based, stressing that the motion would exacerbate tensions in Syria and the region. “Unfortunately, based on totally fake information, the United States, France and Great Britain have once again planted – one cannot put it any other way – into the UN Security Council a draft resolution which has a completely anti-Syrian character,” she said.

The motion “pre-empts the results of an investigation and just immediately designates the guilty,” she added. The suspected chemical attack targeted the town of Khan Shaykhun in Idlib province on Tuesday. It was followed by alleged air raids that hit a hospital where victims of the assault were being treated. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at 72. Syria’s opposition accused the Syrian government of bombing Khan Shaykhun with chemical munitions.

However, the Syrian army categorically denied the accusation about its involvement in the deadly attack, emphasizing that it “has never used them, anytime, anywhere, and will not do so in the future.” Russia’s Defense Ministry said the deaths were caused when a Syrian air strike struck a “terrorist warehouse” used for making bombs containing “toxic substances.”

Presstv

5, April 2017

Biya sends Rigobert Song, more troops to Southern Cameroons ³

The former captain of the Indomitable Lions, Rigobert Song has announced that he would be paying a visit to Southern Cameroons to thank the people of the North West and South West regions for praying for healing when he suffered a stroke. The announcement came as more Francophone troops are being deployed to Southern Cameroons. The plan by “Magnan” as he is popularly referred to was made public by state radio and television on the Tuesday 5 PM news bulletin. A spokesperson for the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium contacted by Cameroon Concord News has condemned the move stating that it was orchestrated by the presidency of the republic.

“Rigobert Song recently returned from France where he received medical care paid for by the Cameroon tax payer on October 2, 2016. He needs time with his family and friends not travelling to the Anglophone regions” noted an operations manager of the Consortium based in Buea.

“Magnan” as his compatriots affectionately call him revealed that he would like to meet the people of the two Anglophone regions to thank them for having prayed for healing. Since his arrival in Cameroon, on Saturday, April 1, 2017, the former Lion has made multiple declarations. He was at the Yaoundé Emergency Center (CURY), which hosted him after his stroke occurred while at his home in Yaoundé on 2 October 2016.

A thanksgiving ceremony was then scheduled for Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at the Yaoundé Sports Complex in honor of the one who wore the captain’s armband for the senior lions for nearly ten years. All these events organized around the return of Rigobert Song in Cameroon are not to the taste of all Cameroonians.

“The announcement of his trip to Southern Cameroons has now revealed that Song is indeed a pro Biya comedian. I think he should condemn the rapes, killings and abductions currently going on in Anglophone Cameroon before coming here,” hinted Charles Enow Ebai who supports the Consortium and advocates an independent state for West Cameroon.

Many have wondered aloud why Song who made millions from football could appear cheap by showering praises on Biya and wife for footing his hospital bills. “I owe a lot to President Paul Biya and his wife. They took all the burdens to save my life, “he said.

By Sama Ernest

4, April 2017

Fire ravages SODECOTTON warehouse in the Douala Port ⁰

Devastating flames have consumed part of the Douala Autonomous Port. State radio and television reported that the fire which breakout at 1 a.m. early on Monday, 3rd April 2017 consumed a cotton warehouse belonging to the Cotton Development Cooperation, SODECOTTON.

SODECOTTON sources revealed that the fire ravaged about 2500 tons of cotton stocked in the warehouse deep inside the Douala Port. Fire fighters and marines stationed at the autonomous ports battled tirelessly with the flames to prevent it from spreading. The cause of the fire is still unknown but competent authorities are presently investigating.

By Eyong Johnson

4, April 2017

Protesting Southern Cameroon lawyers paralyze courts ⁰

Since October 2016, courts in Southern Cameroons have not been functioning. The lawyers announced a boycott of the courts after certain demands were not met by the Francophone regime in Yaoundé. With the support of the teachers, the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium was born and the Anglophone regions plunged into crisis.

The Biya Francophone government has maintained a kind of deliberate silence and some Francophone magistrates have been hearing cases without the presence of counsels and have been delivering funny judgments. Cameroon Concord News gathered that most of the hearings are being postponed. Some of the French speaking judges were quoted as saying that in the absence of lawyers, their work lacks serenity and the hearing are painful.

Last week Laurent Esso, the Minister of Justice and a gang of other Francophone cabinet ministers held a press conference to present to the media the measures taken so far by the Head of State who has reportedly gone missing ever since his state visit to Italy.

Esso and his Francophone colleagues in response to the demands of English-speaking lawyers revealed that Mr. Biya has ordered a new assessment on the mastery of the Common Law by Magistrates serving in the North West and South West Courts of Appeal. Laurent Esso who earlier made a mockery of Southern Cameroonians that there was an emergence of a Chinese Cameroon community also noted that the 84 year old dictator has agreed to a redeployment of Magistrates in Southern Cameroons taking into account their mastery of the English language.

The Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium has said it will no longer react to statements and decrees signed by the Biya Francophone government as they are not relevant to Southern Cameroonians.

By Sama Ernest

3, April 2017

Russia: Blast hits St. Petersburg metro, casualties reported ⁰

Ten people have been reportedly killed and several others injured after a bomb blast hits a metro station in Russia’s St. Petersburg. According to preliminary information released by Russia’s TASS news agency, rescue teams were being dispatched to the site of the blast, with a witness telling Reuters that eight ambulances were seen near the Sennaya Ploshchad metro station.

Another Russian news agency, RIA Novosti, however, reported that there had been apparently two separate explosions at two metro stations.

Three metro stations have been closed, according to Fontanka local media outlet. “An evacuation from the stations is ongoing, there are people injured,” the St. Petersburg metro said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies, adding, “An unidentified object supposedly blew up in a (train) carriage.”

Another report by St. Petersburg emergency services indicated that there had been blasts in two train carriages at two metro stations.

Russia’s Interfax news agency cited a source as saying that at least one of the blasts involved a device filled with shrapnel, adding that at least 50 people had been injured.

Putin condoles with victims’ families, says all possibilities considered

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a message of condolence, sympathizing with the families of those killed in St. Petersburg subway explosion. Putin is currently in St. Petersburg for a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko.

An injured person is helped by emergency services outside Sennaya Ploshchad metro station, following explosions in two train carriages at metro stations in St. Petersburg, Russia, April 3, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)

Speaking to reporters, he said the cause of the blasts was not clear yet, adding that all possibilities, including terrorism, were being considered. “I have already spoken to the head of our special services, they are working to ascertain the cause (of the blasts),” Putin said at a meeting with Lukashenko, adding, “The causes are not clear, it’s too early. We will look at all possible causes, terrorism as well as common crime.”

Emergency vehicles and a helicopter are seen at the entrance to Technological Institute metro station in St. Petersburg, Russia, on April 3, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

St. Petersburg metro closed after bomb attack

Early videos showed injured people lying bleeding on a platform to be treated by emergency services while others ran away from the platform amid clouds of smoke.

The metro network servicing Russia’s second largest city said in a statement later on Monday that it had closed all stations at 15:40 local time (12:40 GMT) to facilitate an ongoing evacuation operation. It is still unclear when the underground system will open again.

Following the incident, Moscow’s deputy mayor told media that authorities in the Russian capital were taking steps to tighten security on Moscow subway.

No group or individual has assumed responsibility for St. Petersburg metro blasts yet.

Men carry an injured person on a stretcher outside Technological Institute metro station in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on April 3, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

‘Only one blast between two stations’

Later on, an unnamed source in Russia’s emergency services was quoted by Reuters as saying that there was only one blast in St. Petersburg’s metro system, which happened on a train between two stations.

“There was one blast in one site in between (stations) as the train arrived at the Technology Institute station from Sennaya (Ploshchad) station,” the source added.

Second explosive device ‘made safe’

Meanwhile, Russian security agencies reported that they had found an explosive device at a metro station in central St. Petersburg and made it safe.

An injured man is helped by medics outside Technological Institute metro station in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on April 3, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

A statement by the National Anti-Terrorist Committee said in on Monday that the device was found at the Ploshchad Vosstaniya metro station, which was a different location from where a blast earlier took place.

‘Images of possible organizer of metro attack probably captured’

A later report indicated that surveillance cameras in St. Petersburg’s metro system may have captured images of the person suspected of organizing Monday’s deadly train blast, Russia’s Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed source as saying.

“Images of the suspected organizer of the metro blast were captured on metro station cameras,” the source noted, adding that the explosive device may have been left in a briefcase in a metro train carriage.

Russia investigating suspected “act of terror” after metro attack

Russia’s Investigative Committee said later on Monday that it was probing a suspected “act of terror” after a blast in the Saint Petersburg metro killed about 10 people and injured dozens, AFP reported.

“Despite the fact that a criminal case under article 205 of the Criminal Code (act of terror) has been opened, the investigation intends to verify all other possible versions of this incident,” the committee said in a statement.Russia’s public transportation system has been targeted by attacks in the past.

EU condoles with Russia after blast: Mogherini

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, has extended her “condolences to all Russian people” after a blast hit the metro system in Russia’s St. Petersburg.

“We have been following in the past hour the news coming from St. Petersburg, together with foreign ministers of all the member states,” Mogherini said.

She added, “”I expressed my condolences also to the Foreign Minister [Sergei] Lavrov in a message we sent him earlier.” Mogherini continued by saying that EU foreign ministers will show a “more precise reaction” as further details about the blast transpire.

France beefs up Paris public transport security after Russia blast

France also announced on Monday that it was increasing security at public transport locations in Paris following deadly explosion in St. Petersburg. “Following the events in the St. Petersburg metro, and as a precautionary measure, Interior Minister Matthias Fekl has decided to redeploy security means in public transport across the Paris region,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

“Amid an extremely high terrorism threat, the government continues to take measures to protect the French people,” the statement added. Russia’s public transportation system has been targeted by attacks in the past. In December 2013, twin separate bombings a day apart claimed the lives of 34 people in Russia’s southern city of Volgograd.

Police and emergency services personnel carry an injured person on a stretcher outside Technological Institute metro station in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on April 3, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

The first bombing at the main railway station of Volgograd killed 18 people while the second strike hit a trolley bus and claimed 16 lives. The attacks followed a bus bombing carried out in the same city two months earlier.

In January 2011, an attack on Moscow’s Domodedovo airport, claimed by militants from North Caucasus, killed 37 people.

Report by Presstv International News Desk

3, April 2017

Southern Cameroons State: Brussels Conference resolves leadership palaver ³

Southern Cameroonians in the Diaspora have unanimously agreed that all splinter groupings only go a long way to weaken efforts in the struggle. In a bid to combat the tactic of divide and rule that President Biya and his Francophone dominated government has been yearning for since the advent of multi party politics in Cameroon, Southern Cameroonians met in Brussels, Belgium over the week end and designed a new strategy on how to successfully hypnotized the Yaoundé regime.

Details of what was discussed in the meeting have not been made public. However, Cameroon Intelligence Report gathered that participants who traveled to the Belgian capital from all over Europe, the US and Canada accepted that there is strength in unity.

The various representatives noted that there was an urgent need to have a leader. It was also revealed the leader will have a better hand in negotiating bilateral deals with the UN, AU and the rest of the world.

The Brussels Conference of Southern Cameroonians resolved that the leaders of the various movements should come up with a united front at the April meeting in Nigeria, to give more impetus to the drive to achieve recognition for a Southern Cameroons state from the International community.

Culled from CIR

1, April 2017

Bamenda: Biya has no control as home of TAC President comes under attack ⁵

Southern Cameroon activists have stormed the residence of Tameh Valentine, the so-called president of the Teachers Association of Cameroon (TAC) in Bamenda and burnt down his car. The corrupt Tameh Valentine was one of the leaders of the English-speaking teachers’ unions who announced a suspension of the Southern Cameroons strike action recently and was granted presidential protection.

Cameroon Concord News gathered that the attack took place on the night of Wednesday at about 2 am in Bamenda. Fortunately, no loss of human life was recorded. The attackers also set fire on another car belonging to Tameh’s beautiful wife.

Southern Cameroons has been the scene of many fires since the beginning of the uprising in schools, homes, shops and other public places. These acts by unknown individuals are usually staged around 11 pm. Tameh Valentine reportedly had security protection ever since he betrayed the Consortium.

By Sama Ernest

1, April 2017

10,000 refugees stranded in Libya will be flown back to their home countries this year ⁰

Up to 10,000 refugees stranded in Libya will be flown back to their home countries this year, but the returns can only play a limited role in tackling migrant flows toward Europe, the head of the UN migration agency’s Libyan office said. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) program is one of the few ways EU states can fund action inside lawless Libya, which has become the main migration departure point for Europe, as they scramble to stem record flows across the central Mediterranean.

Other plans have been held up by poor security, political resistance and a lack of government control in Libya, where powerful militias and smuggling networks act with impunity. The IOM scheme is meant to offer a way out to those stuck in Libya without money, work, or a means to move on, said Othman Belbeisi, the agency’s chief of mission for Libya. It is voluntary, with each refugee interviewed individually and able to change their mind at any time.

“This program provides a window or an option for these people to go back home and start a new life,” Belbeisi told Reuters. “It is a contribution to a solution, mainly for the refugees. We don’t believe in closing borders, stopping movement or stopping migration.”

Some of those who opt to return have been intercepted by the Libyan coastguard at sea and sent to detention centers. Some leave without trying to reach Europe. Most do not have documents. The IOM flew 2,775 refugees back last year, and is expecting to increase that number to between 7,000 and 10,000 in 2017, with new European funding.

This year, 1,795 refugees have already been sent back, and another 5,000 are seeking assistance to return. The agency has received a higher rate of requests since late 2016, something Belbeisi attributed to worsening conditions inside Libya.

Most are flown to West Africa, with Nigeria, Senegal and Mali topping the list. There have also been returns to East Africa and Bangladesh. Because returning can be seen as a failure, the IOM supports reintegration in home communities, Belbeisi said, with half those returned last year receiving such help. The average cost of returning and assisting a refugee is about 2,000 euros ($2,135). Funding for the program comes mainly from European states.

The agency still faces challenges interviewing refugees, checking their identity, and transporting them across and out of Libya. It plans to raise awareness about the returns program in the coming months, without actively promoting it.

“We are not promoting a return home because we know sometimes the situation back home can be even worse … and we do not want to promote shifting a problem from one side, or country, to another,” said Belbeisi. “That’s why we don’t advertise the program or promote it as a solution for migration to Europe.”

Presstv

1, April 2017

Yaounde: Governor Naseri Bea takes command ¹

The man who was until March 13 Senior Divisional Officer for the Department of Wouri has now taken the reins of the Center region. Paul Naseri Bea has replaced the late Joseph Wilson Otto as governor of the Center region headquartered in Yaounde, the nation’s capital. The Central Region was born from the break-up of the former Central-South Province, following a presidential decree of 22 August 1983 and it covers an area of 69 000 km2.

Its population is estimated to a little more than 3 million inhabitants. Administratively, the region of the Center has ten departments and 70 districts. This is the highest number in the administrative division in Cameroon. Yaoundé, Mbalmayo, Monatélé, Bafia, Nanga-Eboko and Akonolinga are the main urban centers in the Region. Although the available statistics indicate that the majority of the urban population is located in the department of Mfoundi.

The Center is an agricultural-dominated region that draws most of its resources from farming. Like the other Regions of Cameroon, Naseri Paul Bea is now faces a number of problems such as the unavoidable problem of the urban disorder facing the different municipalities, and especially the city of Yaounde which has the delicate task of housing the main institutions of the country and diplomatic representations accredited in Cameroon.

Urban agglomerations in the Region are also facing rising levels of crime and other forms of delinquency, which the new Governor will certainly tackle. Naseri Paul Bea carries with him a long experience of territorial command which should probably allow him to draw the best from the game at the head of this region so special to the Biya Francophone Beti Ewondo regime.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai